NEWS RELEASE

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

4/16/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University will hold an Inauguration of its Capital Campaign Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the NSU President's Home. Tickets are $60 each. Event sponsorships are $750 for a table of eight. The event will include a cocktail buffet, drinks and entertainment. Proceeds will be used to establish an endowed scholarship.

The NSU Foundation has set a goal of $18.84 million for the first capital campaign in Northwestern's 120-year history, "For A Brighter Tomorrow." The amount of the goal corresponds to the year Northwestern was founded, 1884. Funds raised through the capital campaign will be used for endowed scholarships, endowed professorships and chairs and faculty/staff support.

The success of the campaign, which will run through 2007, will depend on the support of alumni, faculty and staff along with friends of Northwestern.

"We hope those who care about Northwestern will help us in whatever way they can and become part of our campaign to move the university forward," said Dr. Chris Maggio, director of Alumni Affairs and Development at Northwestern. "Gifts of all sizes will help us meet our campaign goal. Each contribution is important because it indicates the strong, positive feeling people have about Northwestern."

An endowed scholarship fund will be established with donations of all amounts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Northwestern. A one-time donation may be made along with monthly, quarterly or annual contributions. Donations can also be made to support academic departments or colleges and the NSU Athletic Association.

Campaign co-chairs will be Dan and Lilly Chase of Baton Rouge, Saidee Watson Newell of Natchitoches and Charles and Linda Knicely of Shreveport. Honorary co-chairs are Robert Harling of Natchitoches, Jackie Smith of St. Louis, Melba L. Steeg of New Orleans and Maj. Gen. Erbon W. Wise of Sulphur.

"Northwestern has reached unprecedented heights in recent years in enrollment, academic achievement, technological innovation and success in athletics and other programs," said Northwestern president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "The university has developed a reputation for
excellence that has helped attract some of the brightest, most capable students in its history and to recruit and retain outstanding, dedicated faculty and staff members who provide dynamic instruction and meaningful public service.

"But this success has been attained with limited financial resources, and the future growth and continued vitality of the university requires increased funding from alumni, friends, businesses, industries, organizations and others who love and support Northwestern and all that it represents."

According to Webb, additional funding is needed to continue to attract outstanding students as recruitment of top students is becoming increasingly
Competitive.

"We want to recruit and graduate the best possible students at Northwestern," said Webb. "That is also the objective of many colleges and universities we compete with. This university has a great deal to offer. The ability to offer scholarships makes Northwestern even more attractive."

Endowed scholarships can be created with donations of at least $10,000. These scholarships may be named for any individual or organization the donor chooses. Interest from the endowment is used to assist Northwestern students with tuition and expenses. Donors may also establish criteria for the scholarship. Scholarships may be established in larger amounts.

Other ways to help Northwestern are through the establishment of endowed professorships and endowed chairs.

A contribution of $60,000 can be matched by $40,000 from the Board of Regents Support Fund to create a $100,000 endowed professorship. Northwestern faculty members can use interest generated by the endowments to conduct research which they bring back to classrooms to enhance instruction. Endowed professorships help retain and attract excellent faculty members. These professorships can be rotated within academic colleges or departments to strengthen the entire academic program at the university.

An endowed chair can be created with a gift of $600,000 which is matched by $400,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund to create a $1 million endowment. Interest generated by the endowment is used to support the work of a nationally recognized authority or scholar in a specific academic area. These scholars help attract outstanding students and enhance the academic reputation of the university.

For information on tickets to the Capital Campaign Inaugural or the Capital Campaign, call the NSU Foundation at (318) 357-4414.

Main Menu