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

5/12/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Keeping the buildings and grounds at a growing university in good shape has been a difficult job, but John Winston has enjoyed the challenge.

Winston will retire June 30 as Vice President for University Affairs at Northwestern State University. He has been at NSU since 1994 when he was appointed by former Northwestern president Dr. Robert Alost. Winston was the first African-American vice president at a predominately white institution in the University of Louisiana System.

"I've had some good days and I have had some bad days. I've had some hills to climb and some weary days, but through it all I won't complain," said Winston. "I have worked with some wonderful people and as with anything with a trailblazer, there are obstacles to overcome."

Winston said having an African-American as a member of the President's Cabinet at NSU has been beneficial for the university and would help in the future.

"It gives people a voice," said Winston. "That is extremely important in a town like Natchitoches where everything is centered around the university. The community looks to the university for guidance and direction. I hope the university will continue on a course toward diversity."

As vice president for university affairs, Winston has overseen Northwestern's physical plant which includes the campus' buildings and grounds. During his eight years, a number of major renovation projects have taken place on NSU's Natchitoches campus. Northwestern has received funding to rehabilitate Russell Hall, Lee H. Nelson Hall, the home of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, South Hall, Bienvenu Hall, Roy Hall. Morrison Hall and the Family and Consumer Sciences Building. Repairs and renovations were also done in three campus residence halls, Sabine, Rapides and Boozman Hall.

Winston also instituted a work order system to utilize campus work crews more efficiently. He also oversaw energy conservation measures which saved NSU several hundred thousand dollars and lessened the impact of an energy surcharge on students. The university was also able to begin executing oil leases on Northwestern property in Bossier Parish, generating funds for campus improvements and equipment.

"It has been my privilege to work with John Winston over the past seven years. As vice president for university affairs, he has been a contributing member of the President's Cabinet at Northwestern," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "We have recently made significant strides in enhancing the beauty and functionality of our campus and its infrastructure. We want our facilities and grounds to be a source of pride to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. We appreciate Mr. Winston's efforts toward this end."

University administration was something Winston never thought he would be interested in when he came to Natchitoches as a coach at Central High School in 1967.

"I went to college to major in recreation but I recognized that I wanted to coach, so I majored in health and P.E.," he said. "Teaching was not my major interest, but it evolved."

In 1970, when Natchitoches High and Central High merged to create Natchitoches Central High School, Winston lost his coaching position and was placed in the social studies department.

"I taught American history, civics and government, but I hadn't taken those courses in five years," said Winston. "I stayed up every night until 1 or 2 a.m.to prepare. Teaching those courses motivated me to get a master's degree and developed an interest in community affairs and politics."

Winston became involved with the Natchitoches Voters and Civic League and ran for the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury in 1975. He lost that race, but was elected to the Natchitoches City Council in 1976 and served six terms on the council.

In 1977, Winston was named principal of Clarence Elementary/Junior High. Four years later when the school was closed, he was named principal of Parks Elementary. While at Parks, he was named Parish Principal of the Year and was one of five finalists for State Principal of the Year. Winston implemented a reading program at Parks that improved student test scores from the bottom 15 percent to the 80 to 90 percent range.

"The students and teachers did so well," he said. "That is something I could hang my hat on. It was exciting."

Winston said he plans to run for mayor of Natchitoches in March, 2004. Regardless of how that race turns out, Winston plans to continue working to promote the importance of education in the community.

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