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

10/04/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Six of Northwestern State University's most accomplished alumni will be inducted into the NSU Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line, as part of Homecoming activities Oct. 18-19.

This years inductees are former NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, political consultant Raymond Strother and health care executive Cheryl Wilson along with the late Northwestern President and State Senator A.A. Fredericks, businessman Charlie Ragus and District Judge R. B. Williams.

"Each of these individuals carried the ideas and values of Northwestern with them wherever they went," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "They are men and women of outstanding character and dedication who achieved much on a local, state and national level. Northwestern is proud to honor them as distinguished alumni."

Fredericks served as president of Louisiana State Normal (now Northwestern) from 1934 until 1941. He was also a state senator from 1932 until 1941. He piloted bills through the Legislature such as compulsory school attendance, child adoption, equal education for all, child welfare and old age assistance.

During his presidency, the College underwent its greatest building program to date. Additions included Russell Hall, a new stadium, Caspari Hall, a men's gymnasium (the present IM building), a fine arts building (now named for Fredericks), a student center, a natatorium, an infirmary and a new power plant. A new high school and trade school were also built on the Normal campus.

In 1965, he received the title of president emeritus. Fredericks died in 1975.

Hebert, known as the "Cajun Cannon" during his pro career, played in the NFL for the Saints from 1985-89 and 1991-92 and for the Atlanta Falcons from 1993-96. He had a 49-26 (.653) record as a starter for the Saints, leading the club to its best record (12-4, 1992) and its first division title (11-5) despite playing most of the 1991 season with a shoulder injury.

In his NFL career, Hebert completed 60 percent of his passes (1,856-3,104) for 21,683 yards, 135 touchdowns and 124 interceptions. He had 15 NFL games with at least 275 yards passing, including a career-best 363 yards on 28 of 49 aim for Atlanta in his final season against the San Francisco 49ers.

He spent his first three pro seasons as a starter in the United States Football League, leading the Michigan Panthers to the inaugural league title and being named championship game MVP as a rookie. In three USFL seasons, Hebert threw for 11,137 yards and 81 touchdowns.

Ragus was a 1965 graduate of Northwestern where he was a member of the football team. He was the founder of AdvoCare, a leading nutritional supplement company. Ragus died in 2001. The Charles Ragus (Founder of AdvoCare International) Family Endowed Chair was established in his honor in the College of Business at NSU.

After earning a business degree from Northwestern, Ragus played briefly for the Kansas City Chiefs. He had careers in insurance, retail and real estate before joining a direct sales supplement company in 1983. He started a similar company with a partnership and eventually sold his interest.

Ragus founded AdvoCare as a company that would sell leading-edge products and help people be proactive about their health. He chose direct selling as the distribution vehicle because it is based on one-to-one relationships.

Strother has produced television and offered strategic campaign advice to more than 300 Democratic candidates for governor, senator, congress and president in the firm of Strother/Duffy/Strother for more than 30 years.

His other business, StrategyDotGov, with offices in Atlanta and Austin, help blue chip corporations with strategic public planning. Strother began his career as a political journalist for the Associated Press and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Atlanta Constitution, and numerous political publications. His novel, "Cottonwood" was published in 1991 and he will have an autobiography, "Falling Up," published this year.

In 1999 he was a resident fellow at Harvard in Kennedy School of Government and is currently past president and chairman of the board of the American Association of Political Consultants. He has lectured three times at the University of Bologna, Italy and at numerous universities throughout the U.S. including Northwestern.

Williams was a Natchitoches attorney for 33 years until he was elected district judge from Natchitoches and Red River parishes in 1966. He served on the bench for 14 years. Williams was president of the Louisiana District Judges Association in 1978-79. He was assigned to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in 1969-1970 and in 1973, and the Louisiana Supreme Court as justice ad hoc in 1987. He served as judge ad hoc in numerous parishes throughout Louisiana. Williams died in 2001.

A 1930 graduate of Louisiana State Normal, Williams was a two-sport athlete, lettering in baseball and tennis. He was a member of the college's first tennis team. Williams was also a graduate of Tulane Law School and the National College of State Trial Judges.

He was recognized for his continued support of his alma mater after graduation being awarded NSU's "Nth Degree" in 1986. In 1999, he was inducted into the first class of the St. Mary's Academic Hall of Fame.

Williams was married to the late Ora Garland Williams for 52 years. Ora Garland Williams was a charter member of the Long Purple Line.

Wilson has been chief operating officer at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria since 1997 and has also served as interim chief executive officer. She has 21 years of progressive hospital management experience with HCA. From 1981 until 1997, she worked at Brownwood Regional Medical Center in Brownwood, Texas where she was chief operating officer in her final two years.

Wilson earned a bachelor of arts in journalism and a master of arts in student personnel services at NSU. She received a master of science in hospital and health care administration at Trinity University.

During her career, Wilson has been active in civic activities. She is member of the board of the Northwestern State University Foundation, chairman of the board of the Central Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross and campaign chairman of the executive committee of the United Way of Central Louisiana.

Main Menu