I hope you are enjoying the start of summer and finding time to recharge. While the pace on campus has shifted, important work continues across our university, including student engagement, faculty recognition, community outreach, and summer programming.

Natchitoches Rotary Club
Last week, I had the honor of serving as the guest speaker at the Natchitoches Rotary Club, thanks to an invitation from Rotarian and Northwestern alumnus, Judge Rick Harrington. I shared a university update with the group and appreciated the opportunity to highlight the progress we’re making across campus. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Rotary Club for their longstanding service to our community and for the scholarship support they provide to Northwestern students. Their commitment to education and civic engagement continues to make a meaningful difference.

Summer Camps
Last week, our Department of Engineering Technology hosted its annual Robotics and Engineering Camp. I was honored to participate in the graduation and awards ceremony and enjoyed hearing from students and parents about their positive experiences. With more than 60 students in attendance, the camp served as an excellent early recruitment opportunity and a showcase of the energy and enthusiasm our faculty bring to hands-on learning. Thank you to everyone involved in making it a success.

The Robotics and Engineering Camp will return next week and is just one of many summer experiences available at Northwestern. From science and the arts to athletics and career exploration, our summer camps offer something for children of all ages and interests. These programs not only provide fun and engaging activities, but also help young students and their families become familiar with our campus and the opportunities available at Northwestern. More information about each camp can be found by clicking the links below:

Athletics Update
Each spring, the top 24 competitors in each event among the country’s Division I track and field athletes qualify at the East and West Preliminary Rounds for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. There is no subjectivity; previous performances do not matter. It comes down to how the athletes perform at their regional championships. Congratulations to senior Maygan Shaw of Pineville and freshman Roy Morris from Greenwood and Evangel Christian Academy, and our outstanding coaching staff, for reaching this elite milestone at the East regional in Jacksonville, Florida, last week.

Morris finished ninth in the men’s long jump, with a 24-8 ½ leap, on Wednesday. Shaw ran a 51.68 in the 400-meter dash, the eighth-fastest time. They head to Eugene, Ore., for the national meet beginning June 11.

Looking Ahead
The newly formed Faculty Recognition Council is now accepting nominations to honor outstanding members of our faculty and staff. This initiative was developed in response to feedback from last fall’s faculty survey and aims to spotlight excellence in teaching, service, and contributions to the university community. The first honorees will be recognized during the Fall Faculty Institute. Nominations are due by July 18 and may be submitted here.

We also look forward to the upcoming NSU Summer Dinner Theatre production, I Love You to Death: A Speakeasy Mystery, with performances scheduled for June 17–21 and June 24–28. This year’s events will be held at The Venue on Front Street while renovations continue at A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. The rigging system is currently being replaced thanks to deferred maintenance funding secured through Act 751 of the 2024 legislative session. For more information on the Summer Dinner Theatre, click here.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our mission and to one another. Your work is the foundation of our success.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University