Congratulations to Makenzie Scroggs, who earned first runner-up in the 2022 Miss Louisiana competition last week. I also applaud NSU alumna Jourdan Waddell, Miss Belle of the D’Arbonne, as second-runner up.

This week we welcomed LA Girls State to campus. We will also welcome LA Boys State to campus this Sunday. Since 2007, NSU has hosted LA Boys and Girls State, providing the opportunity for the training of future leaders of our state and beyond. It also serves as a focused recruiting tool for NSU.

Freshman Connection took place on the branch campuses of CENLA, Shreveport, and Leesville. I look forward to the final session of Freshman Connection in Natchitoches on July 7, 2022.

This Saturday, NSU is hosting the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp in conjunction with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. The Junior Training Camp is free for ages 7-17, and participants will meet and work alongside the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Inductees as well as the NSU Football and Basketball coaching staff and players. Registration is located here.

Thank you to the faculty and staff in several departments for organizing summer camps for area youth to explore art, science, and technology on campus. These camps assist both participants and the institution by attracting future students at a young age. These camps give youth and parents a pleasant picture of NSU and boost our academic departments.

Update on Sam Sibley Drive Overlay Project: The concrete valley drain between Caspari Street and Central Avenue is completed, and we are nearing the completion of the drainage in the front of the WRAC. The final ADA Accessible Ramp near the southwest corner of A.A. Fredericks Performing Arts Center is also complete. As the construction continues, we appreciate your patience as we make these improvements to campus.