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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
9/20/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES -An endowed professorship in the Northwestern State University College of Business has been established to honor a long-time accounting professor. The professorship, created through the NSU Foundation in partnership with several donors, will honor Dr. Kenneth I. Durr, who taught at both the high school and university levels.
Durr is remembered by his former students at Northwestern as a mentor with great expectations, yet one who cared about them individually.
"Dr. Durr played a pivotal role in my selecting accounting as my major," said Ellis Coutee (1960), who, along with Dr. William Muse (1960), was instrumental in spearheading the professorship. "He taught me to think critically and gave me the ability to be successful."
"I have often thought of Dr. Durr as a good professor because he demanded a lot of his students, but cared about them individually," Muse said. "We are delighted that NSU's current and future students will benefit from this professorship that honors Dr. Durr."
The professorship was created through partnership with graduates of the business department from classes of 1959, 1960 and 1961, who were contacted by Coutee and Muse about creating the professorship to honor Durr, who provided them with a foundation of knowledge beneficial to their careers. Total donations of $60,000 will be matched with $40,000 from the Board of Regents Support Fund to create a $100,000 endowed professorship.
Durr graduated from Marthaville High School in 1933 and earned
a B.S. at Louisiana State Normal College in 1939. He earned a
master's at George Peabody College in 1947 and a doctorate at
Indiana University in 1963. He taught high school at Marthaville
High, Robeline High, Allen High, St. Mary's and West Hartford,
Conn., High. He then spent 35 years teaching accounting at the
university level in Louisiana and Texas, teaching at Northwestern,
Northeast Louisiana University, Texas Women's University and Stephen
F. Austin.
Durr was also in active U.S. Army service from 1941-46 and was
honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He continued to
serve in Army Reserve status for 28 years and retired in 1976
with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Durr is married to Dr. Gloria
Ebarb Durr (1961) and has five children and eight grandchildren.
He celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year.
Partners for the scholarship were Ellis Coutee, Juanita Coutee, Karl W. Moore, Dr. William Muse, Glynn M. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Sepulvado, Doyle Z. Williams and Wayne Williamson. Co-partners were Edwin M. Cathey, CPA: Elayne S. Cornett, Robert Crosby, Theodore (Ted) L. Jones, Judson Hale and Robert and Carolyn Turner, in addition to other contributors.
"He taught me a lot more than accounting," said Coutee, who said Durr was not only a teacher, but also a personal and professional example.
"The Dr. Kenneth Durr Endowed Professorship helps to retain and reward an outstanding professor by providing funds for research expenses and travel costs to professional conferences," said Dr. Stephen Elliott, acting dean of the College of Business. "The professorship directly enhances academic excellence and the maintenance of accreditation for the College of Business by promoting scholarly activity that flows back to the classroom. I am grateful for the concern and generosity of Ellis and Juanita Coutee and other College of Business alumni for creating the endowed professorship that honors the beloved and long-time accounting professor, Dr. Kenneth Durr."
The professorship will be announced during a brunch hosted by the College of Business in conjunction with NSU Homecoming activities beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.