NEWS RELEASE

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

8/22/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University President Dr. Randall J. Webb said the university's emphasis on quality academic programs is continuing to pay off as the institution begins its 2002-2003 academic year.

Webb outlined NSU's accomplishments over the past year and future plans for the university in an address at the annual Faculty Institute.

"As I travel around Louisiana, I hear good things about what you are doing as members of Northwestern's faculty," said Webb who is beginning his seventh year as NSU's president. "I hear exceptional things about the quality of the academic program at the university and how people's perceptions about that quality are causing more and more of the better students to choose Northwestern."

Webb said the number of students accepting academic scholarships increased by 41 percent over last year. In addition, the number of high school valedictorians and salutatorians accepting scholarships has increased. The University also had a record number of students attend the summer orientation program, Freshman Connection.

"We have the makings of a freshman class with tremendous potential," said Webb.

Increases in enrollment and attracting better students has led to increased private support by alumni, businesses and friends of the university.

Over the past year, the NSU Foundation.has received a $400,000 donation from Gen. Erbon Wise and his wife Marie to create an endowed chair in journalism. The
Foundation has also received commitments to fund an endowed chair in the College of Education to honor Melba Law Steeg and to create the Charles E. Ragus and Family Endowed Chair in the College of Business.

Two endowed professorships, the Rapides Regional Medical Center Professorship in Radiologic Technology and the Melba L. Steeg Endowed Professorship in Primary Education, have also been created.

"These donations give you a good overall feeling knowing that our alumni and friends are working diligently to enhance the quality of our academic programs and support the work of our faculty," said Webb.

The Northwestern president told the faculty about several building projects on the Natchitoches campus. Renovation work has begun on Morrison Hall, the home of the Louisiana Scholars' College and the Family and Consumer Sciences Building. The project to renovate and expand the Intramural Building into the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center should begin by year's end.

As far as future plans, NSU hopes to obtain planning money for a campus fiber optic network and the renovation of Williamson Hall during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Webb said if those lines of credit are issued, the university plans to seek planning funds to renovate East and West Caspari Hall and renovate and expand Watson Library.

Webb also commended the faculty for its willingness to get involved in the university's electronic learning program. NSU has taken the leadership role in the state of Louisiana in electronic learning. In the spring 2002 semester, there were 3,105 enrollments in classes offered by the Internet, compressed video or desktop video, which is 27 percent of all those taking electronic classes at Louisiana universities.

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