Northwestern opens on-call week with Faculty Institute, state-of-the university address and awards

NATCHITOCHES – In advance of the school’s 142^nd academic year, Northwestern State University personnel began on-call week Monday with the annual Faculty/Staff Institute that included awards, recognitions, introduction of new faculty and President James Genovese’ state of the university address.

“When we speak of education, it’s not a momentary thing, it’s an enduring value. We at Northwestern stand at the intersection of tradition and transformation,” Genovese said. The university has made strides in enrollment growth in recent years and currently serves more than 8,400 students across Louisiana beyond. “High achieving students are choosing NSU for affordability, access and outcomes.”

Genovese’ Legislative update included:

• Higher education institutions received an additional $56 million through the state’s higher ed funding formula, resulting in $2.54 million in additional funding for NSU.

                  • More support for internships, apprenticeships and job training

                  • Ability to raise tuition and fees for up to 10 percent annually

                  • Streamlined dual enrollment and strong career connections

                  • New rules for accreditation, campus safety, deepfakes and hazing

Funding is in place for improvements to Warrington Place at NSU’s Shreveport campus for nursing education and training spaces.  Athletic facility improvements include new turf fields for baseball and softball, new scoreboards for Brown-Stroud field and Prather Coliseum and upgrades to the Walter P. Ledet Track and Field Complex.

Several colleges and departments secured grants that will significantly benefit public health and quality of life beyond the university.  The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, Child and Family Network, Department of Social Work, Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development and College of Business and Technology secured funding for programs and initiatives to improve public health, access to resources, workforce development, facility improvements and pathways to fill critical needs in communities.

The development of Innovation Park is underway, a future hub for entrepreneurship, collaboration and economic growth that will support regional workforce development.  Created in partnership with the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, the complex will be located on University Parkway and serve as a gateway to the university and City of Natchitoches.

Several faculty members were recognized for teaching excellence, innovation in academic practice, mentorship, advising, service and academic culture.

• Dr. Cynthia Lindsey, professor of psychology, was recognized with the Distinguished Teaching and Impact Award, presented to a senior faculty member with 10 or more years of service whose sustained excellence in teaching and scholarly activity has profoundly influenced students, programs and institutional culture.

• Dr. Rebecca Macijeski, professor of English, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes faculty who demonstrate effective instruction, student engagement, instructional quality and commitment to student learning.

 • Melissa Kelly, professor in the Department of Mathematics, received the award for Innovation and Academic Practice in Teaching in the General Education Core.

Dr. Allison Rittmayer, right, was honored for Excellence in Academic Advising. The award was presented by Steve Hicks, executive director of Academic Engagement and Student Success.

• Dr. Allison Rittmayer, professor of English, was awarded the Outstanding Advisor Award. This award recognizes a faculty member who generously gives of their time, shares knowledge, inspires students to grow, encourages students with challenges and leads by example with integrity and professionalism.

• Edgar Cano Lopez, an assistant professor of art, and Dr. Nicole Lobdell, assistant professor of English in the Louisiana Scholars’ College, were named recipients of the Dr. Mildred Hart Bailey Faculty Research Award. The award is presented to faculty for outstanding research or distinguished artistic performance or creative work substantially completed in the past three years.

Looking ahead to the Fall, the university plans to open the David and Sherry Morgan Sports Performance Center, a cutting-edge training and rehab facility that will service more than 100 student-athletes.  Plans are also in motion for two significant fund raisers: the Top of the Boot Music Festival that will take place on campus Oct. 16-17 and feature Texas country/Americana artists (www.topofthebootmusicfest.com), and the Demon Dream Home Giveaway, a raffle for a new home from Rhodes Properties (https://www.demondreamhome.com/ .

“When I go out and speak about Northwestern, not only is it the best regional university in Louisiana, but with the scholarships that we offer and our access with I-49, we give you something that no one else can give you in the state of Louisiana, a private, hands-on education at a public university,” Genovese said.

Move In Days on campus will be Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15.  Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 17.