NEWS RELEASE

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

8/2/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -Northwestern State University is partnering with Pilgrim's Pride to make it easier for the company's employees to earn a college degree.

Beginning this fall, Pilgrim's Pride employees can sign up for classes at Northwestern State at no cost. However, the employees must make a grade of "C" or better in a course or they will be billed for the class.

Northwestern State is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

"We look forward to welcoming Pilgrim's Pride employees to Northwestern. Pilgrim's Pride company is an important part of the Natchitoches community and many communities around the country,' said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "As I became more familiar with Pilgrim's Pride, I was impressed by the emphasis they place on continuous improvement for their employees. I can think of no better way for individuals to improve than by through education."

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is the second largest poultry company in the U.S. and Mexico with sales of $5.7 billion in 2005. Pilgrim's Pride is a Fortune 500 company and was named one of Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies for 2005.

Pilgrim's Pride employs more than 40,000 people in the U.S. and Mexico.
The company has major facilities are in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Other facilities are in Arizona, Florida, California, Iowa, Mississippi and Utah.

"Several companies offer tuition reimbursement for employees, but this makes it easier for Pilgrim's Pride employees, who can take classes without having to pay upfront," said Stephanie Boyt, coordinator of credit courses in the Office of Electronic and Continuing Education at NSU.

"Education can benefit any one person and any corporation. By sending our hourly employees back to school it gives them great potential to not only move up in the
company, but to better themselves and possibly move on to what their personal dreams and goals have been for years past," said Julie Post, Continuous Improvement Advisor/Training Manager at Pilgrim's Pride.

Post said Pilgrim's Pride has had a tuition reimbursement program that allows employees to earn a GED, bachelor's or master's degree and gain reimbursement after attaining a grade of "C" or better, but she thought the program could be more beneficial.

"Last year when I started with Pilgrim's Pride I realized that many, including myself, could not come up with money up front to continue their education so I initiated the relationship with Northwestern and we've been able to create a wonderful partnership," she said.

NSU is experienced in delivering online education to students. The university offers 11 degree programs, the Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and General Studies, the Radiologic Technology to B.S. in Radiologic Technology, Registered Nurse to B.S. in Nursing, Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Master of Education with Concentration in Educational Technology, Master of Art in Art and Adult Education, Master of Science in Health and Human Performance with concentration in Health Promotion and Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership and Instruction with concentration in Educational Technology online. An add on certification as a school media specialist is also available online.

"This partnership creates a win-win situation for both Northwestern and Pilgrim's Pride," said Darlene Williams, director of Electronic and Continuing Education at NSU. "Northwestern has an opportunity to provide education to additional students and Pilgrim's Pride can benefit as its partners gain a college education. The communities which Pilgrim's Pride is a part of will also gain an economic development benefit by having a better educated workforce."

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