NEWS RELEASE

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

12/20/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- It's time for new challenges in life for 799 graduates of Northwestern State University who received degrees at Fall Commencement Exercises Friday.

The ceremony was the largest in the university's 118-year history. NSU recognized 486 students who completed degree requirements in the fall semester along with 313 students who finished their degrees in the summer.

"The past four years have been the best learning experience for me," said journalism graduate Jennifer Gray Dauenhauer of Bossier City. "I am ready to begin the next chapter in my life."

Being part of Northwestern and Natchitoches is something special to many of the graduates.

"NSU really is concerned about the students," said psychology graduate Bridget White of Shreveport. "I will miss the atmosphere."

The commencement speaker was Northwestern alumnus Casey Crowder, Miss Louisiana 2002.

Crowder, who received her degree from NSU 19 months ago, told the graduates about the obstacles she overcame to win the title of Miss Louisiana. Crowder won the crown on her sixth attempt.

"You are the only one who can make your dreams and ambitions happen," said Crowder. "I could have blamed the judges because I didn't win or say the floor was slippery or it was the slit in my dress. But it was my responsibility to make it happen."

Soon after earning her bachelor's degree in business administration, Crowder quickly got a job as a pharmaceutical representative for Eli Lilly.

"I didn't realize all I was learning while I was in class. This university made me everything I am," said Crowder. "This is an incredible university. You can be proud of yourselves."

Crowder told the graduates that they have a great advantage as they move into the workforce.

"You leave here with the weapon of education," she said. "It is something so many people wish they had."

Elementary education graduate April Washington of Baton Rouge is ready to have her own classroom and use what she has learned to help children.

"It feels great to be finished," said Washington. "The College of Education is very rigorous, but it has prepared me to be an effective teacher."

A posthumous Bachelor of Arts degree was awarded to Rondray Hill, a Northwestern student who died last summer.

The university also awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters to outdoor writer, author, television host and producer Grits Gresham of Natchitoches.

Main Menu