I hope you are all enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. Please take time to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to our country. As we move into the summer months, I want to thank each of you for your continued commitment to our students and to the mission of Northwestern State University. The energy on campus remains strong as we welcome new students, celebrate recent accomplishments, and look ahead to the opportunities that lie before us.

Freshman Connection
I had the pleasure of joining our faculty and staff this past week to welcome new students and families during the first of seven Freshman Connection sessions. It was inspiring to witness the energy and excitement of our newest Demons as they began their journey at Northwestern. This program plays a critical role in easing the transition from high school to college, while introducing students to the academic and student support resources that will set them up for success.

Freshman Connection includes sessions on our Natchitoches, Alexandria, Leesville/Fort Johnson, and Shreveport campuses, with opportunities for parents and younger siblings to participate in Parent Connection and Kid Konnection. Students are grouped with a current NSU student connector who helps guide them through the experience, from academic advising to fall course registration. These sessions are among the most meaningful ways we can engage with incoming students and their families. I encourage all faculty and staff to take part in upcoming events as we continue to build connections and foster a sense of belonging that defines the NSU experience.

CONSAH Faculty Selected as National Accreditation Site Visitors
Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, has been selected to participate in the 2025 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Evaluator Training Program this June in Alexandria, Virginia. Upon completion, she will serve as an on-site evaluator, supporting the accreditation of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs nationwide and reflecting NSU’s strong presence in advancing nursing education.

Additionally, Dr. Larry Arant, faculty member in the Department of Radiologic Sciences, has been selected as a site visitor for the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). He will complete an eLearning curriculum and participate in site visits to ensure compliance with accreditation standards. These national appointments underscore the expertise of CONSAH faculty and NSU’s leadership in healthcare education.

Sonography Program Earns National Accreditation
Northwestern’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), effective May 16, 2025. This follows a comprehensive review by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and confirms the program’s alignment with national standards of excellence. Accreditation was granted in Abdominal-Extended, OB/GYN, and Vascular Sonography, with no areas of non-compliance identified. This recognition highlights the outstanding work of our faculty, staff, and clinical partners, and coincides with the graduation of our inaugural cohort, who are now preparing for national certification and careers in the field.

CAPA Hall of Fame New Members
The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts has named four new members to its Hall of Fame for the 2024-25 academic year: Ryan Glorioso and Robert Larrivière of New Orleans, Mark Minton of Bossier City, and Gretchen Murchison of Natchitoches. Each honoree has distinguished themselves through professional excellence and a continued commitment to their craft, their communities, and Northwestern State University. These alumni exemplify the enduring impact of a CAPA education and the university’s mission to prepare students for meaningful careers in the arts.

Dr. Karl Carpenter Receives the Nth Degree
On Thursday evening, I had the privilege of attending a retirement reception at Pineville High School honoring Dr. Karl Carpenter, where I presented him with the Nth Degree—one of Northwestern’s most prestigious honors, awarded to individuals who have gone above and beyond in meritorious service to the university or community. Dr. Carpenter, who earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree from NSU, began his career as a band director and rose to become one of Louisiana’s most respected educators and arts advocates. As principal of Pineville High School for 18 years, he awarded nearly 4,500 diplomas and transformed the school into a statewide model for dual enrollment. He has held numerous leadership roles in music education and has been inducted into the NSU Hall of Distinguished Educators. A loyal Demon fan and steadfast supporter of the university, Dr. Carpenter’s 45-year career reflects a legacy of service, leadership, and commitment that truly embodies the spirit of the Nth Degree.

Athletics Update
An elite group of our track and field athletes remains on campus training for this week’s NCAA East Preliminary Round championship in Jacksonville, Fla., where competitors who have recorded the top 48 marks in their events (top 24 times in the relays) in the region will vie to finish in the top 12 and advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Eight of NSU’s best individuals, and two relay teams, begin competition Wednesday (men) and Thursday (women) at the East regional, which encompasses Division I track and field’s best from 31 states. Good luck to our Demons!

Northwestern’s second consecutive Southland Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field championship brought well-earned honors to four of our pacesetters. Mike Heimerman was voted SLC Coach of the Year. Samari Finney was chosen as Athlete of the Year, Maygan Shaw won Track Athlete of the Year, and Raven-Symone Jarrett was selected Field Events Athlete of the Year in voting last week by the conference coaches, sweeping all of the women’s awards.

The future of our softball program is in great hands led by Coach Jenny Fuller. Two of her signees joining our team next season, Hayden Andrews and Sister Arnold, led Northwest Florida State to the national championship in junior college softball last week.

Coach Blaine McCorkle continues rebuilding our football program, announcing last week the addition of eight transfer students – five who are Louisiana natives, and one, Ben Bienvenu, from Natchitoches. More than two-thirds of our roster is comprised of Louisiana products. NSU leads all of the state’s football programs with over 80 percent of our 2024 and 2025 freshmen signees hailing from Louisiana. This core philosophy benefits Northwestern well past the football field as each of those young Demons are “community influencers” in their hometowns.

Looking Ahead
Hosted by the Northwestern’s School of STEM, the upcoming Flight Forward showcase will feature the latest in drone technology and innovation from the Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations (ARGO) Lab. Attendees will experience live flight demonstrations, interactive drone simulation and control systems, and presentations on real-world applications and workforce development. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 11, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Russell Hall on the Natchitoches campus. For more information and to register for this free event, click here. I encourage faculty and staff to take part in this exciting opportunity to explore the innovative work being led by our STEM faculty and students.

Thank you for all that you do to support our students and advance the mission of Northwestern State University.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University