NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/13/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University's chapter of the Blue Key International Honor Society received the Outstanding Chapter Award at the organization's recent national convention.

The chapter was honored based on its work in areas including leadership development and community service, according to chapter President Candace Detillier. NSU's chapter was selected from among 16 chapters which made presentations at the national convention.

"This is a great honor for us. We were very excited about it," said Detillier, a senior English major from Metairie. "This is the first time NSU's chapter had attended the national convention, so it meant a lot to receive this award."

During the past academic year, NSU's Blue Key chapter assisted the Natchitoches chapter of Habitat for Humanity and held a Halloween canned food drive. Members also volunteered when the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall came to Natchitoches by helping visitors find names on the wall. The chapter also held fundraisers for organizations including the National Brain Tumor Foundation.

"Blue Key was founded to give service to the community," said Detillier. "It is important us. We want to be an active organization."

This year, Blue Key plans to continue working with Habitat for Humanity. Members also plan to visit local nursing homes and do volunteer with the local DOVES (Domestic Violence Education and Services) organization. They will also continue the annual Halloween canned food drive and serve as hosts at various university events.

Blue Key was established in 1924 at the University of Florida as an honorary service organization. Northwestern's chapter was founded in 1959 by the late Dean of Students Dudley G. Fulton and Dean of Men Leonard O. Nichols.

The chapter is limited to 35 members. Selection is based on character, academic achievement, participation and leadership in campus organizations and a record of service to the university and the community.

NSU has initiated nearly 1,000 men and women into the society since its founding.

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