NEWS RELEASE

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

3/31/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University will name the main building on its Leesville-Fort Polk campus in honor of Chester Creighton Owen.

Owen was the longtime executive director of NSU's Leesville/Fort Polk campus who died in November 2002.

"Creighton Owen was an individual who did so much for education in Vernon Parish and all of west central Louisiana," said NSU president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "His contributions to Northwestern and the Leesville/Fort Polk campus are immeasurable. Because of his dedication, countless people were able to have access to a college education and have the opportunity to improve their lives."

Owen had a long, distinguished career as an educator in Vernon Parish. He
taught English for many years in the school system before serving the Vernon Parish
School Board as a guidance counselor, supervisor of instruction, director of
curriculum and superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools. After retiring as superintendent of schools, he was an adjunct and graduate advisor at NSU Leesville/Fort Polk before becoming the campus' executive director.

I feel honored to be working in a building named for Mr. Owen," said Dr. Larry Monk, acting executive director of the NSU Leesville/Fort Polk campus. "Many times in my career, I have had the opportunity to advise educators seeking promotions. I always told them, 'Never follow a legend.' But I'm not following my own advice, because Mr. Owen is a legend.

"Mr. Owen and I had had a special life-long relationship. He was my junior high English teacher, my supervisor when I first started teaching, the superintendent who brought me to the central office, and the person who hired me to teach full-time for NSU. Additionally, when he knew he would be vacating this position, he recommended me for the job. Equally important, he was my friend."

Owen earned a bachelor's and master's degree at Louisiana State University and did additional graduate studies at McNeese State University, Northwestern State University and the University of Southern California;

As a community activist, Owen was president of several organizations including the local PTA, Louisiana Schools Supervisors Association, Leesville/Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce (Twice), Leonidas Polk Chapter, Association of the United States Army, Owen was also involved in organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys and Girls Club and the Governor's Military Advisory Commission.

He was a charter member of the NSU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, life
member, Sigma Chi Fraternity, member, Sons of American Revolution, Vernon Arts
Council and was a Mason, Shriner and a veteran having served in the United States
Army.

Owen was the recipient of the P.T.A. Lifetime Achievement Award, Northwestern State University Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year and was selected to attend the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar. NSU honored him with an Nth Degree Award for devotion to duty and meritorious service to mankind.

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