As we move forward in the spring semester, I want to take a moment to highlight some key events and initiatives that took place this past week. Your continued dedication and engagement in our university’s mission are truly appreciated.

Leesville Campus Visit
On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit our Leesville campus for a meeting with Senator Mike Reese and Representative Chuck Owen to discuss our program offerings and capital needs. Their support is instrumental in ensuring that Northwestern continues to provide high-quality education and resources for our students. I appreciate their commitment to higher education and our university’s growth.

Local Leadership Roundtable
On Tuesday, we welcomed Governor Jeff Landry and key members of his administration to campus for a meeting with community officials, legislators, and leaders in business, industry, education, and economic development to discuss the closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. The discussion focused on mitigating the projected negative impact for Natchitoches Parish, and I appreciate the Governor’s leadership in addressing this pressing issue.

Following the meeting, Laurie Morrow and I met with the Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Susie Schowen, to share some of the exciting projects NSU has in the works, including our Innovation Park collaboration with LSMSA. We discussed ways Northwestern can play a critical role in workforce development for the region and are grateful for Secretary Schowen’s support in these initiatives.

BOM Bank Partnership
On Wednesday morning, I met with representatives from BOM Bank to explore ways to strengthen our longstanding partnership. As the official bank of NSU, BOM has been a tremendous supporter of our university, recently providing funding for the new baseball scoreboard at Brown-Stroud Field, which has recently been installed. This addition will significantly enhance the experience for our baseball fans. We look forward to continued collaboration with BOM to create new opportunities for our faculty, staff, students, and community.

Go Natchitoches Awards
On Wednesday afternoon, I joined several faculty and staff members for the Go Natchitoches Awards, presented by the Natchitoches Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and the Cane River National Heritage Area. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of local businesses and community leaders.

I am proud to congratulate our Office of Marketing and Branding for winning the Excellence in Online Presence award for their impactful branding, strong visuals, and engaging digital content across social media platforms. Additionally, our School of Creative and Performing Arts was recognized with the Excellence in Entertainment award for providing high-quality entertainment through fine arts, music, theatre, dance, and more. Congratulations to both departments for their outstanding contributions to Northwestern and our community!

ULS Board Meeting
On Thursday, I attended the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors meeting, where several important items were approved for Northwestern. The Board revalidated our mission, vision, and core values statements, reaffirming our commitment to academic excellence and student success. Additionally, the board approved the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities to Mr. Jerry Adkins “Jaf” Fielder, II, which will be conferred at our Spring 2025 Commencement Exercises. Another significant decision was the naming of the Choral Rehearsal Room in the New Fine Arts Building as the “Dr. Burt Allen Choral Rehearsal Room,” recognizing Dr. Allen’s contributions to the arts and education at NSU.

The Board also approved three new endowments to be submitted to the Louisiana Board of Regents for matching gift consideration. These include the Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies, the Dr. Jack Russell Endowed Professorship, and the Anne Barry Graves Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship in Biological Sciences, each of which will contribute to the academic and research growth of our university.

In response to Act 790 (2024), the Board formed a Special Committee on Tuition and Fees to review proposals for tuition and fee adjustments. I want to extend my appreciation to Rodney Wilson and Dawn Eubanks for their diligent efforts in preparing Northwestern’s proposal. The approval of these measures will provide us with the necessary flexibility to maintain our fiscal health while continuing to support the educational needs of our students.

Athletics Update
What a spectacular victory Sunday for our Demon softball team led by first-year coach Jenny Fuller. We have the youngest team in the country, including 11 freshmen, and progress has not been often reflected with wins, until Sunday in Starkville, Miss., where NSU upset No. 21-ranked Mississippi State 5-0. It was State’s only loss in the Bulldog Invitational and the home team’s third loss in 21 games this season. Freshman pitcher Brooklynn Stohler threw a three-hitter as our Demons won their second game of the weekend.

In basketball, our teams wrap up the regular season at home this week, with both on win streaks. The men’s team scored 12 straight points in the closing minutes Saturday and rallied past Houston Christian for their second straight victory. Earlier Saturday afternoon, our women dominated HCU, leading 44-11 at halftime and cruising in for their third win in a row. The men host UIW Monday, and the women play East Texas A&M Wednesday, with both games beginning at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum, as our teams aim to finish with very encouraging 12-8 regular-season Southland Conference records heading into next week’s SLC Tournament.

The Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships enter their final day on Monday in Birmingham, and our men and women are in contention for team honors. The SLC tennis season began successfully Saturday for our Lady Demons at UNO. Baseball did not fare well in a highly competitive SLC series at Southeastern, finishing with an extra inning defeat Sunday.

Notably, our entire football program took part in the Chris Waddell Day outreach to local elementary schools on Friday. Waddell Day activities continue a tradition of community service that began in 2005, which will forever pay tribute to a teammate lost too soon by inspiring local children toward positive values and the pursuit of academic success.

Leadership in the Age of AI Forum
A reminder that we will be hosting the Leadership in the Age of AI Forum on Wednesday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. This event will feature world-renowned experts Dr. Julian Bailes, Dr. Neilank Jha, and Monty Chicola, who will discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education, business, and society. The forum is open to the public, and I encourage all faculty and staff to attend. For more information on Leadership in the Age of AI, including a link to register for the event, click here.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Northwestern. Your efforts continue to make a positive impact on our students and our community.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University