I hope each of you had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with time for rest, reflection, and family. As we move into the final stretch of the spring semester, I want to share a few important updates and highlights from across the university.

Legislative Session
The 2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature convened Monday, April 15 and is scheduled to adjourn no later than June 12. Several bills have been filed that may impact higher education, including those related to retirement, capital outlay, deferred maintenance, student athlete name, image, and likeness compensation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and TOPS. We are monitoring these closely in coordination with the University of Louisiana System and Board of Regents government relations staff. Updates will be shared throughout the session. ULS Day at the Capitol is scheduled for May 5, and participation details will be provided soon.

BSRS Program Earns High Praise During Accreditation Site Visit
The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) Program, led by Dr. Tammy Curtis, recently completed its reaccreditation site visit by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The review team offered high praise for the university, the School of Allied Health, the BSRS program, and Dr. Curtis’s leadership. No deficiencies were cited, and several strengths were highlighted, including strong administrative support, robust community and clinical partnerships, a dedicated and accessible faculty, an engaged student body, and a comprehensive assessment plan. The team’s feedback indicates the program is on track to receive the maximum eight-year reaccreditation. Congratulations to Dr. Curtis and the entire Shreveport campus team on this outstanding accomplishment.

ULS Academic Summit
Earlier this month, 26 students and 8 faculty mentors from Northwestern State University participated in the 14th Annual University of Louisiana System Academic Summit. This annual event celebrates academic excellence across the nine UL System institutions and showcases student achievement through research presentations, art exhibits, performances, and service initiatives. Participants were nominated by faculty mentors and selected based on the quality of their work across disciplines including the arts, sciences, business, health, humanities, and technology. Thank you to our faculty for supporting student research and academic engagement at the highest level.

Academic Leadership Updates
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Mary Edith Stacy will serve as the Dean of The Graduate School. Northwestern has not had a full-time Dean to provide academic oversight of its Graduate programs since 2010, and the role has been filled as part of the duties of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Dr. Stacy brings many years of experience and perspective to the role, and most recently served as Dean of the College of Business and Technology.

At next week’s ULS Board of Supervisors meeting, Dr. Aimee Badeaux will be approved as the next Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. She has served in the role as an interim since January of 2024. An extensive national search was performed, and Dr. Badeaux was recommended to serve as the permanent Dean. She has served Northwestern as the Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice—Nurse Anesthesia degree, as Director of the DNP, and as interim Dean. She has served in academic roles throughout her professional career, and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Dr. Charles King has been named the Department Head of Psychology and Addiction Studies. He has served on the faculty for many years, and has been the interim Department Head since June of 2024. He is a licensed and practicing addiction and substance abuse counselor, and an Associate Professor.

Dr. April Giddens is serving as the interim Director of the School of Education. She has served as a public-school educator in the K -12 public school system, is National Board Certified, a Literary Integration Specialist, Professor in the School of Education, and was honored as Louisiana Teacher of the Year in 2010. Dr. Giddens will serve as interim Director through the academic year 2025-26 during which a national search will take place.

A national search for the next Dean of the College of Business and Technology will commence immediately with a search committee being formed, the position being nationally advertised, and candidates being brought to campus for face-to-face interviews in early Fall. It is hoped that the ULS Board of Supervisors will approve the next Dean at one of its Fall meetings. All appointments are subject to approval by the ULS Board of Supervisors.

Athletics Update
The Demon baseball team recorded a series win Saturday over Lamar, overcoming an opening loss with a pair of victories Friday night and Saturday. Their Ratings Percentage Index continues to rank in the country’s top 100. Tuesday night, the Demons will be in the spotlight when they visit LSU.

Our gritty softball team nearly scored its first series win in a highly-competitive battle with Nicholls. Impressively, the Demons ended the Colonels’ 16-game winning streak Thursday and a day later led nearly all the way in a 12-11 defeat in Thibodaux.

I was elated to watch last Monday as the Lady Demon tennis team won a share of the Southland Conference championship with a 4-3 homecourt victory. Congratulations to coach Marcos Morelli, assistant coach Patric DuBois and our student-athletes for this landmark accomplishment. Although Stephen F. Austin spoiled our unbeaten SLC record in the regular-season finale, we celebrate the second conference championship in three years as the team prepares for the SLC Tournament beginning Wednesday in Thibodaux.

Our track and field teams posted several season best times and marks competing against some of the country’s top teams at Baylor’s Michael Johnson Invitational, and will next travel to Baton Rouge for LSU’s Alumni Gold meet this weekend.

Football wraps up spring practice this week with the 36th Annual Joe Delaney Bowl on Saturday morning. The CrawFest music and crawfish boil event at the Collins Family Pavillion kicks off at 2 o’clock with all proceeds supporting the football program. Discounted tickets in advance are available at DemonBrothers.org and tickets will be available in the tailgating area Saturday afternoon.

One of our club sports, the NSU Fishing Team, made national impact last weekend. Stone Smith and Drake Wadsworth finished eighth in national championship competition on Lake Wheeler in Decatur, Alabama, boating 15 bass weighing in at 53 pounds, 1 ounce in competition with the country’s top collegiate anglers. The event was staged by Major League Fishing. Congratulations to Stone and Drake, and the rest of our team.

Loss of Distinguished Alumnus, Legislator Billy Montgomery
Long Purple Line member “Coach” Billy Montgomery passed away at age 87 early last week and will be laid to rest Tuesday in Bossier Parish. “Coach” was influential in supporting his alma mater all of his life, and particularly so in his 20 years (1988-2008) in the state House of Representatives. He led an inspiring life of service as an educator and public official and was widely admired, bringing great credit to Northwestern.

Looking Ahead
We look forward to welcoming back the Class of 1975 as part of our Golden Jubilee Celebration on May 14–15. The celebration will include the presentation of 50-year diplomas, receptions, and special events honoring this milestone class and other returning graduates. For more information, click here.

As we approach the final weeks of the semester, thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to the mission of Northwestern State University. Your hard work and dedication are the foundation of our success.
Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University