It’s been a busy and exciting week at Northwestern, filled with events, meetings, and milestones that reflect the vibrancy of our university community. Here are some highlights:

Cajun Night Before Christmas and International Student Luncheon
Tuesday began with a heartwarming visit to the NSU Child Development Center, where I had the privilege of reading Cajun Night Before Christmas to our pre-k children. There’s nothing like a true Cajun bringing this story to life—it’s as if the book was waiting for me all along!

Later that morning, it was a pleasure to host a holiday luncheon at the President’s Residence for our international students who are graduating seniors and those who are returning home from a semester abroad. Spending time with them and learning about their unique experiences at Northwestern State University was truly inspiring. Hearing their plans reminded me of the global reach of Northwestern’s impact, and I look forward to seeing the difference these remarkable students will make in the world.

Louisiana District Attorneys Association
Tuesday evening, I joined district attorneys from across the state for a social gathering ahead of their Board of Directors meeting. On Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to address the group and share an update on the progress we’re making at Northwestern. District attorneys play a critical role in our communities, and it was valuable to engage with them and explore opportunities to strengthen the connections between their work and our university.

ULS Board Meeting
On Thursday, I attended the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors December meeting. I am pleased to share that two significant items for Northwestern were on the agenda:

1. The appointment of Dr. Neeru Deep as the permanent Dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development.
2. A 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for all NSU faculty and staff, effective January 1, 2025.

Both measures were approved by the Board, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Deep on her appointment. Additionally, thank you to each of you who work tirelessly to make Northwestern a place of excellence—it is an honor to recognize your efforts with this adjustment.

Federal Grant Consultant
On Friday morning, I met with representatives from the federal grant consulting firm, Merchant McIntyre. Their team has been instrumental in securing significant funding over the past two years, and I’m optimistic about the opportunities ahead as we continue to seek external support for our programs and initiatives.

Christmas Gala
Friday evening, we hosted a reception for top donors and supporters prior to the Christmas Gala. It was an excellent opportunity to express our gratitude for all they do to support our university’s mission. Following the reception, I joined the audience for an unforgettable Gala performance by our talented students and faculty. Their creativity and hard work are always inspiring and a testament to the excellence of our Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts.

Christmas Festival
Saturday was filled with holiday cheer. Martha and I enjoyed the Christmas Festival and were honored to participate in the parade. A special thank you to NSU alumni Jared and Danielle Dunahoe for hosting an event at their home for key stakeholders—a wonderful way to connect and celebrate the season together.

Athletics Update
Congratulations to Coach Rick Cabrera and our men’s basketball team, which opened the Southland Conference season last week with hard-fought wins at Incarnate Word and Houston Christian. Our women’s team led almost the entire game in their conference debut Friday, but lost on a buzzer-beating basket by UIW.

Early Signing Day for football was a great success. Coach Blaine McCorkle and staff added five Louisiana high school seniors, four from within 90 minutes of our campus. Two, Sam Nations of Ruston and Alexandria Senior High’s Jimmie Duncan, have helped their teams reach state championship games upcoming Saturday. Another, Ben Taylor from Airline High School in Bossier City, is second all-time in Louisiana with over 12,000 career passing yards. A fourth, Hammond High defensive lineman Darius Servick, was coached by former Demon defensive tackle Lesley Deamer. Congratulations to the young men and the football staff. And thank you to all our alumni and supporters across campus, in the community, and statewide, who helped with this process.

SACSCOC Annual Meeting
This morning, I traveled to Austin, TX to join Dr. Greg Handel, Reatha Cox, Rodney Wilson, Veronica Biscoe, Dawn Mitchell, Frank Hall, and Dr. Chris Gilson for the 2024 SACSCOC Annual Meeting. Accreditation is vital to our university’s success, and I am deeply grateful to our team for their dedication and hard work in ensuring Northwestern meets and exceeds these rigorous standards.

Thank you all for your continued commitment to our students and our university. As we move deeper into this holiday season, I encourage you to take time to enjoy the celebrations around you and reflect on the positive impact you have every day.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University