NEWS RELEASE

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

8/02/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Businesspeople often judge a business by looking at the bottom line. A look at the numbers shows there is a good success story in the College of Business at Northwestern State University.

Enrollment in the College of Business has almost doubled in the last decade and is up more than 30 percent in the last three years. The latest surge in enrollment came after the College of Business was accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in 1997. AACSB is the primary accrediting agency and service organization for business schools in the United States. Approximately 1,200 colleges and universities in the United States offer undergraduate business degrees, but only 382 are accredited by the AACSB.

"The primary cause for the rise in enrollment is the excellent reputation the College of Business has developed in the state's business community and among our students and alumni," said Dr. Joel K. Worley, acting associate dean of business at NSU. "A number of our students have received good jobs paying $50,000 to $100,000 a year after graduation. That says something about their level of preparation."

Northwestern's business students have consistently placed above the national average on national exit exams which measure their competency in several subject areas. NSU placed in the 77th percentile nationally in the latest exams overall and were above 80 percent in four categories.

"These results are exceptional for an open enrollment university. It shows our students can compete with anyone, anywhere," said Worley. " We have recruited good students over the past several years who have performed well when asked to by our faculty. The faculty in the College of Business are demanding, but are available to assist students whenever asked."

Worley said two new faculty have joined the College of Business. Dr. Pam Miller came to NSU earlier this summer. She will teach classes in operations research and quantitative business.

"She is exactly the type of person we need. Dr. Miller has ties to Northwestern and has a good publication record," said Worley.

Mark Swanstrom will begin teaching courses in finance in the fall. Swanstrom is completing his doctorate at Texas Tech and has an MBA from Emory University and a masters in economics from the University of Texas at Arlington.

"We look forward to having him on the faculty. He has excellent skills in finance," said Worley.

According to Worley, the College of Business has benefited from cooperation within the university and continued strong support from alumni and the business community.

"We would not have a strong program if the other programs at the university were not strong. We benefit from the strength of the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Science and Technology and the Louisiana Scholars' College," said Worley. "Support from alumni and businesspeople is also critical to assist in student and faculty recruitment and development."

The College has a Dean's Advisory Council which consists of businesspeople from a variety of industries. The council provides financial support and ensures that the faculty stays aware of current trends in the field.

"The role of the Dean's Advisory Council is critical. They are supportive of us and very helpful," said Worley. "They provide us with a different perspective. Our faculty works to stay current in their respective fields. Many do consulting work as well as professional research and publications to make them aware of new ideas."

Worley said many faculty also have business world experience to compliment their academic training.

"We have a first-class faculty by any measure and the success we are having is being noticed by other institutions," he said.

The College of Business moved into Russell Hall in 1997 soon after a $3 million renovation was completed. Over the past four years, each classroom has been upgraded with multi-media capability. Earlier this summer, a new computer lab was completed on the first floor. The lab uses new software donated by Oracle.

"We are able to use the latest software in our classrooms due to the relationships we have developed with software companies," said Worley. "Our students have the software used by most of the larger companies. They have the skills industry is looking for when they graduate."

For more information on the NSU College of Business, call (318) 357-5161.

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