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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
10/03/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University's computer information systems program has been selected as one of the top five in the U.S. by the information systems department at State Farm Insurance.
Each year, the information systems department at State Farm designates five programs as "Key Schools." NSU was chosen as one of the top computer information systems programs in the U.S. along with Indiana University, Mansfield University, Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois Chicago.
The university will receive a grant of $74,017 from the State Farm Companies Foundation Friday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Natchitoches Room of Russell Hall.
Four of the five Key Schools are awarded grants each year based on need. Northwestern's grant will be used to renovate Room 213 of Russell Hall, which will be the State Farm Insurance Classroom, and provide computers and security for a laboratory.
"This recognition by State Farm is a tremendous boost to the computer information systems program, the College of Business and Northwestern State University," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "The university has focused its efforts on academic excellence and it is gratifying to see a leading company call attention to the work that is being done here."
Northwestern's computer information systems program has brought
national
attention to the university. Students from NSU have won three
consecutive national titles in systems analysis and design at
the Association of Information Technology Professionals Collegiate
Conference along with a top finish in paper presentation in 2001.
NSU has also tallied a second place finish in COBOL programming,
Banner Creative this past year and a second in E-commerce
and Web development last year and a third place finish this year.
"The State Farm Companies Foundation recognizes and appreciates the outstanding computer information systems and related programs of the College of Business, at Northwestern State University," said Ken Daniel, agency field executive with State Farm. "You are setting yourselves apart, as an area of excellence in education in this region, and we commend you in that achievement. As one of the largest users of information technology systems in the nation, State Farm recognizes the importance of being able to attract job applicants and employees who can hit the ground running as they take their places in the professional world---and who will contribute immediately to the work product and success of the organizations that hire them."
NSU Dean of Business Dr. Joel Worley said the assistance from
the State Farm
Companies Foundation is important in helping the College of Business
continue to attract outstanding students.
"All of us in the College of Business are extremely proud of what our faculty and students in computer information systems have done," said Worley. "We continually emphasize quality in all that we do and State Farm's designation shows that Northwestern students rank with the best anywhere."
The quality of graduates produced at Northwestern could be
a major asset for
the state of Louisiana as it attempts to develop more jobs in
high-tech field and keep its college graduates in the state.
"In order for companies to grow and develop, they need
to have access to
good workers," said Dr. Jack Russell, coordinator of the
computer information systems program at NSU. "Our students
receive training on the latest software and our faculty attend
workshops to stay current. The success we have had on a national
level against major universities is because of the outstanding
work done here."
Northwestern's computer information systems faculty work to
keep the program
up to date. The university follows the Information Systems Curriculum
2002 Model which is used by many of the major programs in the
nation.
NSU is also moving to Microsoft.Net Framework.
"This new object-oriented platform or framework provides
for easier development of Web-based and Windows-based applications,
allows objects from different languages to operate together and
standardizes how computer languages refer to data/objects,"
said Russell. "In other words, it creates a seamless environment
for developing new business systems regardless of the programming
language or development platform. New graduates with these skills
will be in very high demand starting now and into the future."
Computer information systems students at Northwestern are regularly
recruited by leading companies such as Wal-Mart, Lowe's and JC
Penney in addition to State Farm.
That recruitment by national companies is likely to grow.
"Once our students gain employment and are successful,
their companies
tend to go back to places with a proven track record," said
Russell. "These companies spend a great deal of time and
effort searching for the best employees they can find and a growing
number are coming here."
Northwestern has continued to develop its e-commerce program to assist companies who want to use the Internet to promote their business. The e-commerce program is one of top two career tracks in the field along with systems analysis.
"E-Commerce and Web Development is the newest track or concentration within CIS at NSU," said Russell. "Companies are moving their businesses rapidly to the Internet. Today, software designers and developers skilled in Internet development languages are in high demand. NSU's undergraduate, four-year bachelor's degree offers a full concentration of four e-Commerce classes in addition to the support classes in programming, database design, systems analysis and telecommunications."
The State Farm Insurance Classroom will be a "high tech, showcase lecture facility," according to Russell with new carpeting, desks, chairs and a teacher workstation. It will also have the latest available presentation system.