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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Ericca R. Clark (reynoldse@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
10/09/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - The College of Education at Northwestern State University has recognized five alumni for outstanding professional accomplishments with induction into its Hall of Distinguished Educators. This year's inductees are: Camille Stroud, Jimmy D. Berry and Maxine Aycock Southerland of Natchitoches, James Kenneth Corley of Bossier City and Dr. Earl D. Speights of Monroe. Jimmy D. Long, Sr. of Natchitoches will be the first to be recognized as a "Friend to Education" because of his contributions to education over the last 32 years. Each will be honored at the College of Education's Reunion Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. in the Teacher Education Center.
Stroud taught English in the public schools for 26 years and retired in 1987. She served as chairman of the English department at Natchitoches Central High School, supervisor of Observation-Participation students and student teachers for NSU and worked two years as adjunct professor of English at NSU. Stroud is a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and the Natchitoches Association.
Berry was an educator for more than 35 years. He retired in 2000 after serving s principal of the Northwestern State University Middle Lab School for 25 years. Berry was past vice-president and president for Natchitoches Parish Principals' Association, demonstration teacher for the Northwest Supplementary Education Center, instructor for NSU teaching elementary education and media courses and was one of the founders of the Louisiana Middle School Association. Berry is also a member of the Natchitoches Parish Dixie Youth Program, Mystic Krewe de Saint Denis and was a member of the Natchitoches Area Jaycees.
Southerland has been president of the Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, director/curator of the Louisiana State Museum for History of Louisiana Education. She was associate professor of home economics at NSU, head of the home economics department and a teacher in several Louisiana public high schools. Southerland was also head dietician at Charity Hospital in Pineville.
Her awards include the Mattie O'Daniel Award as the
most outstanding student teacher and promise as an outstanding
teacher; Woman of The Year by the Natchitoches Area Chamber of
Commerce and inclusion in Who's Who Among American Women.
Corley is a social studies teacher at Haughton High School. He has been an educator for more than 40 years as both a public school teacher and principal. Corley retired from the Louisiana Air National Guard and the United States Army in 1991.
Speights is a retired department head and professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He graduated from NSU in 1952 with a bachelor's in chemistry, a master's from Northeast Louisiana University in 1957 and a doctorate from University of Arkansas in 1968.
Long served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for 32 years and was the "Dean of the Legislature" when he left office in 2000. As a legislator, Long authored bills to establish the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and the Louisiana Scholars College. Long chaired the House Education Committee for 16 years and was chosen by the Shreveport Times as "One of the 100 Most Influential People of the Century in North Louisiana."
He was the recipient of the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award in Education from the Louisiana Board of Regents and was selected by Louisiana Association of Educators as State Representative of the Year. Long was also a recipient of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Friends and Education Award.
In 2001, Long was appointed to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. He was also inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.