NEWS RELEASE

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

9/12/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Sarah Griffith, Melanie McBride and Jamila Maxie have joined the staff of Northwestern State University's Office of Admissions and Recruiting, according to Director of Admissions and Recruiting Jana Lucky.

Griffith, McBride and Maxie will be part of a group of recruiters who will travel throughout the state of Louisiana as well as in east Texas, south Arkansas and west Mississippi to inform prospective students about opportunities at NSU.

Griffith earned a bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis in professional writing. She is originally from Johnson Bayou. While a student, Griffith worked at Dominic's Italian Restaurant and at Guillet Realty in Natchitoches. She served as president of the Student Activities Board and was active in the Student Government Association. Griffith was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity and Purple Jackets. She was selected to Northwestern's Homecoming Honor Court in 2000 and 2001.

"I want to tell students how Northwestern gives you an opportunity to succeed," said Griffith, who will recruit in the Lafayette and Houma-Thibodaux area. "Wherever you came from, you have a chance to do something at Northwestern. I came from a small town, but was able to earn scholarships and succeed academically."

Griffith said she will let students know about NSU's successful athletic programs which was one of the top 35 Division I programs in winning percentage, according to U.S. News and World Report. She will also promote Northwestern's leadership role in electronic learning and let students know about numerous scholarship opportunities.

"There are a number of scholarships available. The University has scholarships for academic achievement and leadership as well as performance-based scholarships," said Griffith. "I proudly tell parents I am a Northwestern graduate and let students know that someone like them was able to earn scholarships."

Maxie received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in public relations from NSU. She was an honor graduate and is originally from Shreveport.

Maxie worked for two years at People's State Bank as assistant marketing director and marketing assistant and customer service representative. She aided in coordinating and implementing marketing and product campaigns. Maxie also wrote and distributed press releases. Maxie also worked as an in-school coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Central Louisiana.

She was a member of the staff for the Potpourri, NSU's student yearbook, Purple Jackets and Phi Kappa Phi. Maxie was also named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

"This is an exciting job for me," said Maxie. "No day is like the day before. I look forward to assisting students, both those who are considering Northwestern and those who are already part of the Northwestern family."

Maxie will recruit the New Orleans area and will tell prospective students about some of the advantages they will have at Northwestern.

"Northwestern is just the right size," said Maxie. "It's large enough to provide services and a variety of majors, but small enough so that students can receive individual attention."

McBride will recruit central Louisiana. For the past year, she worked for the law firm of Luster and Conine as a client liaison and customer service representative. McBride also worked as an intern at Natchitoches Parish Hospital and as a sales and fitness representative at Champs Health Club.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with an emphasis in health and exercise science from Northwestern. While at NSU, she was a member of Purple Jackets and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. McBride was president of the National Order of Omega and was a freshman connector.

"I will stress to students the importance of involvement," said McBride. "There is something here for every student to get involved in whether it is a fraternity or sorority, the Student Activities Board or an organization associated with their major or an interest."

McBride grew up in Natchitoches and said she is glad to be working on the NSU campus.

"I grew up here and attended the Elementary Lab School and the Middle Lab School. I couldn't have imagined going anywhere but Northwestern," said McBride. "I am familiar with Natchitoches and Northwestern and all the progress that has been made at the University."

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