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

12/4/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- A former Northwestern State faculty member found a way to build his dream home and assist the university at the same time.

Dr. Donald Gates recently made a donation of more than $1,000 to the NSU Foundation using an innovative method. Richard DeVargas, owner of ACME Cement in Natchitoches, allowed Gates and his wife Linda to make a donation of $5 for every yard of cement used to build their home. The Gates decided to give a gift to help Northwestern's Department of Psychology.

"Northwestern's psychology department has always been dear to me," said Gates, who began his career at NSU in 1964 and headed the Department from 1970 until 1988. "So it was a natural action for me to give to an area I know it will put it to good use."

Gates hopes others in the area will do what they can to support the university.

"I wish more people would take advantage of the opportunity to help Northwestern," he said. "The welfare of Natchitoches depends upon the university."

Dr. Patrice Moulton, head of the Department of Psychology, says the gift will help the program.

"The Department of Psychology is very grateful to Dr. Gates and Mr. DeVargas for their donation," she said. "The department is under renovation and is offering new programming to our students. The funds will be used to enhance our students' academic experience."

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