NEWS RELEASE

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

7/25/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -Some pieces of Northwestern State University history will be part of the new Alumni Plaza, which is under construction in the outdoor area between the Orville Hanchey Gallery and the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

Four bricks from Caldwell Hall, which was destroyed in a fire in 1982, will be incorporated into the Plaza. One of the bricks was preserved in the NSU Alumni Center. Northwestern faculty member Robert Turner and his wife Carolyn Turner along with NSU Facilities Coordinator Billy Barton and his wife Becky will donate bricks along with alumni Dr. Bill and Denice Owens of Homer. After the Caldwell Hall fire, Northwestern sold some of the bricks to alumni and friends as mementos of the building which had been completed in 1908.

"This is a great way to combine the old with the new," said Northwestern Director of Alumni and Development Dr. Chris Maggio. "Caldwell Hall was a special place to everyone who used it and including bricks from that historic building in the Alumni Plaza makes the project even more special."

Alumni and friends of NSU still have the opportunity to enhance the Natchitoches campus by being part of the Alumni Plaza. Donors can purchase a brick paver which will be used to construct the Plaza at $100 each. The bricks can have a maximum of three lines of 13 characters each including spaces.

Those who contribute can do so in their own name or the name of their business. They can also recognize a family member, a brother or sister in a Greek organization, mentor or a member of Northwestern's faculty or staff.

Wrought iron benches are available at $2,000 each. The benches will blend with the campus' architectural style and can be designed with the name of a donor or family wrought within the bench.

A gift of $1,000 will provide the Plaza with one of six crepe myrtle trees designed to symbolize the growth and vitality of Northwestern. The trees will be marked with a 12" by 12" granite tile recognizing the donors.

Those wishing to help the Alumni Plaza become a reality can also purchase a 12" by 12" granite tile for $300. These granite tiles will surround the centerpiece fountain and can contain up to six lines of 15 characters.

The Plaza will be dedicated during the annual Homecoming celebration on Oct. 27-28. Any donations made by August 31 can purchase materials which will be part of the Alumni Plaza at its dedication.

According to Maggio, donations to the project will also create the Alumni Plaza Scholarship Fund, which will help NSU recruit and retain outstanding students.

"Alumni and friends of Northwestern will play a role in developing future alumni by supporting this project," said Maggio. "This is a unique project that can be a lasting benefit to the university in many ways. The Alumni Plaza will become a permanent part of Northwestern and I believe it will become one of the most popular spots on campus,"

For more information on being part of the Alumni Plaza project, contact the NSU Alumni Association at (318) 357-4414.

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