As we move through the semester, I’d like to share some of the important events and activities that have taken place this past week. From civic engagement to campus visits and exciting developments within our programs, we continue to make strides that strengthen the Northwestern community and our impact in the region.
Civic Engagement
I had the privilege of starting this week by attending a joint breakfast meeting with the civic organizations of the Natchitoches Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Clubs. Civic organizations such as these play a pivotal role in fostering a spirit of public service within our community. I deeply appreciate the impact they have made over the years. We are especially grateful for the endowed scholarships these organizations have established to support Northwestern students, making a real difference in their educational journeys. Thank you, faculty and staff, for your commitment to our students and to the future of our region. For those in our Northwestern family who are members of a local civic club, extra thanks for your community engagement.
On Monday evening, I attended the Natchitoches Parish Council meeting. Engaging with our parish leadership is crucial as Northwestern’s relationship with Natchitoches Parish is a cornerstone of both the university’s and the parish’s future success. The economic impact Northwestern has on the parish cannot be overstated, from the students and faculty who live, work, and contribute locally to the collaborative projects and initiatives we undertake together. I look forward to further strengthening these ties for the benefit of our university and the community we call home.
High School Recruiting
On Tuesday morning, I visited St. Mary’s High School to speak with juniors and seniors about the many opportunities available right here at Northwestern. St. Mary’s is just across the river from us, and it’s important for local students to know they have a great university in their backyard. This visit was the first of many high school visits I will be making this fall as part of our ongoing effort to connect with prospective students and encourage them to pursue their higher education dreams with us at Northwestern.
Not only is it important to visit high schools, but it’s also essential to get students on campus to experience all that Northwestern has to offer. One exciting opportunity is our upcoming STEM Day this Friday, Sept. 27, when high school students can explore our degree paths and careers in fields like engineering, veterinary science, and biomedical sciences. They’ll interact with faculty, take part in hands-on experiments, and learn about scholarships, research opportunities, and campus life. Individual and group registration is available through the NSU website. Information about the School of STEM can be found at https://www.nsula.edu/stem/.
Physical Plant Visit
On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of meeting with our physical plant staff. This dedicated team plays a critical role in maintaining the beauty and functionality of our campus. From ensuring that our buildings are operational to keeping our grounds in pristine condition, their work allows us to focus on providing the best educational environment for our students, faculty, and staff. I am grateful for their continued efforts, especially as our campus grows and evolves.
CET Ribbon Cutting
Later that day, I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) at our School of Education. This new center will support aspiring teachers through mentoring, coaching, workshops, and service projects. It will also place a focus on well-being awareness, a critical component of effective teaching. Located in Room 113 C of the Teacher Education Center, the CET is a product of the collaboration between Northwestern, Weyerhaeuser, and the International Paper Foundation. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to these partners for their generosity and vision.
The Center for Excellence in Teaching will be instrumental in helping us continue to train the next generation of educators who will make an impact in classrooms across Louisiana and beyond. Information on the School of Education is available at https://www.nsula.edu/education/.
Alexandria Campus Visit
On Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit our Alexandria campus. The Northwestern State University CENLA Campus serves the Central Louisiana Region, offering courses through in-person, compressed video, and online delivery methods. Located at England Airpark, this campus plays an integral role in meeting the workforce needs of local employers and community members.
Over the past eight years, we’ve seen a remarkable 58% increase in enrollment at CENLA, and we’re continuing to grow. This semester, we expanded into a second building, adding 24,000 square feet of office, classroom, and meeting space. We are proud that the CENLA Campus not only serves the academic needs of over 300 students but also houses the NSU Region 6 STEM Center and the NSU Child & Family Network. With this new expansion, we look forward to welcoming even more students and supporting them in their academic and career goals.
Athletics Update
I also want to take a moment to highlight the fantastic atmosphere at our Family Day event and the tailgating festivities. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to support our football team and our students in the Spirit of Northwestern and our spirit groups. I encourage everyone to continue coming out to support our students as they represent Northwestern both on and off the field.
Congratulations to our Demon soccer team, now on a five-game winning streak – all of them shutout victories. This afternoon they opened the Southland Conference schedule with a 2-0 win over Nicholls. Earlier this week, Libe Banuelos was chosen Southland Goalkeeper of the Week for the second time this season. Our team goes on the road next weekend.
Volleyball, after an off week and a good non-conference record of 5-4, is home beginning its conference season Tuesday at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum, and again Saturday afternoon at 1. Admission is free. Let’s support our Demons!
Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication to the success of Northwestern. I look forward to the great things we will accomplish together in the coming weeks.
Fork ‘Em Demons,
President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University