NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
http://www.nsula.edu/news
6/27/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES – Nick Frederick is happiest when no one notices the work he does. Frederick, a theatre major at Northwestern State University, should become practically invisible over the next few months as NSU implements a grant to purchase new sound equipment for the A.A. Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts.
Northwestern received $392, 246 from the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Support Fund for three projects, “The Renovation of the Audio Infrastructure for the A.A. Fredericks Fine Arts Building” by principal co-investigators Scott Burrell, Shawn Parr, J. Mark Thompson and Masahito Kuroda, “Establishment of Modern Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratories,” written by principal co-investigators Zafer Hatahet and Francene Lemoine and “Technology Integration to Enhance Student Clinical Competencies in Radiologic Technology,” by principal investigator Laura Aaron.
The A.A. Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will receive a new soundboard, digital sound equipment, computer software and processing equipment.
“The facilities in A.A. Fredericks are used a great deal by the university and the community and this equipment will greatly enhance the experience for those attending a performance or other event,” said Burrell. “Our technical theatre students will be able to learn using state of the art equipment.”
Burrell said NSU will receive equipment that is so new that it not yet available on the market.
“We have been using outdated equipment, so it will be nice to use the newest equipment that is used in the industry,” said Frederick, who is from New Orleans and is studying to be a sound engineer. “I looked over the equipment that we will be getting and I know it will make a huge difference to audiences.
“Ideally, no one in the audience will be able to tell there has been amplified sound. If we do our job as sound engineers, no one will know we exist.”
According to Hatahet, biology majors at Northwestern are required to pass upper level courses in genetics and molecular biology. The class in molecular biology has a companion course, but the laboratory class in genetics has not been offered because of a lack of equipment and qualified personnel. Most of the equipment obtained can also be used to improve the molecular biology laboratory.
“Few educators would argue against the indispensable role of hands-on laboratory experience in both cementing the understanding of abstract concepts and stimulating the interest of students in learning,” said Hatahet. “Establishment of a genetics lab along with enhancement of the molecular biology lab would provide our students with the basic skills to conduct biological and biomedical research. Such skills have always been essential for those pursuing Ph.D. degrees, and are increasingly desired in student pursuing professional schools.”
Hatahet said the enhanced labs would also help students who are not planning to pursue postgraduate education.
“Some of the best opportunities for employment have been in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Providing our students with critical molecular biology lab skills should give them an edge in obtaining employment in such industries,” said Hatahet.
Northwestern will use the radiologic technology grant to purchase digital imaging systems for laboratories in Alexandria and Shreveport. Funding will also be used to line lab walls with lead for radiation protection and safety purposes in Alexandria.
“This equipment is what is being used in the vast majority of our clinical education settings,” said Aaron, program director and assistant professor of radiologic technology at NSU. “In the past, x-ray images were created on film, but new equipment creates digital images that are viewed on computer monitors. This will allow the students to practice using the type of technology that is being used on the job.”
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