NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

4/17/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University's graduating class of 1957 is commemorating their golden jubilee by launching a campaign to create the first-ever endowed gift by a graduating class. Through a pledge to the NSU Foundation, the class plans to establish the Class of 1957 Endowed Professorship in conjunction with their 50-year reunion in May 2007.

The idea of creating a professorship came to former NSU faculty member and administrator Dr. Virginia Crossno while sitting in an NSU Foundation board meeting.

"Dr. Webb was discussing our need for more external funding and it occurred to me that while our class is planning our 50th reunion, why not be a part of supporting the university with an endowed gift, presented as a group?"

The $100,000 endowed professorship will be comprised of $60,000 in donations from the class of 1957 and $40,000 matched by the State of Louisiana Board of Regents. The professorship will rotate among colleges to benefit several academic areas of the university.

"A donor can contribute as much or as little as they wish to the professorship. This is a large pledge, but with many graduates joining together, the goal can be met," said Jill Bankston, assistant director of development. "The class is getting the ball rolling a year in advance of their reunion so that anyone who would like to participate is able to do so."

"We want to encourage everyone to join us," said Alma Alost, member of the Class of 1957.

"We're gong to have a great time getting back together after 50 years," Crossno said. "This professorship is a way of honoring the faculty we had, those who were our mentors. They invested in us and helped us along the way."

All donations to the NSU Foundation are tax deductible. For more information on the Class of 1957 reunion in May 2007 or the Endowed Professorship, contact Bankston at the NSU Alumni Center at (318) 357-4241 or e-mail bankstonj@nsula.edu.

Main Menu