View source for Northwestern State University

{{Short description|Public university in Natchitoches, Louisiana, US}}
{{Redirect|Northwestern State|the former administrative division of Nigeria|North-Western State}}
{{For|universities with a similar name|Northwestern University (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Northwestern State University of Louisiana
 | former_names           = Louisiana State Normal School (1884–1944)<br />Northwestern State College of Louisiana (1944–1970)
 | image_name             = Northwestern State University seal.svg
 | image_size             = 200
 | endowment              = $20.8 million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Data USA: Northwestern State University of Louisiana |publisher=Data USA |date=October 21, 2023 |url=https://datausa.io/profile/university/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana}}</ref>
 | motto                  = Dedicated to one goal. Yours.
 | established            = {{start date and age|1884}}
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | president              = [[James T. Genovese]]<ref>{{Cite web |first=Tyrenisha |last=James | date=November 17, 2021 |title=Marcus Jones chosen as 20th president of NSU |url=https://purplemedianetwork.com/14087/news/marcus-jones-chosen-as-20th-president-of-nsu/ |website=Purple Media Network |access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]
 | state                  = Louisiana
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{coord|31.750|N|93.0972|W|region:US-LA_type:edu|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Rural, {{convert|916|acres|ha}}
 | students               = 9,389 (2022)
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] [[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] – [[Southland Conference|Southland]]
 | nickname               = [[Northwestern State Demons and Lady Demons|Demons / Lady Demons]]
 | mascot                 = [[Vic the Demon]]
 | colors                 = Purple and White<br />Orange accent<ref>{{cite book |title=Northwestern State University Visual Branding Guidelines |url=https://www.nsula.edu/wp-content/uploads/NSULA_VisualBrandingGuidelines.pdf |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref><br />{{color box|#663399}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FFFFFF}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FF6600}}
 | parent                 = [[University of Louisiana System|UL System]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
 | website                = {{URL|www.nsula.edu}}
 | logo                   = Northwestern State University logo.svg
 | logo_size              = 250
}}

'''Northwestern State University of Louisiana''' ('''NSULA''')<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 9, 1997 |title=Northwestern State of Louisiana |url=https://www.nsula.edu/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Northwestern State University of Louisiana}}</ref> is a [[public university]] primarily situated in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana]], with a nursing campus in [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]] and general campuses in [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]]/[[Fort Johnson]] and [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]]. It is a part of the [[University of Louisiana System]].

[[File:Friedman Student Union Building IMG 2000.JPG|200px|right|thumb|<span style="font-size:100%;">The Friedman Student Union Building is named for the late [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana State Senator]] [[Sylvan Friedman]] of Natchitoches.</span>]]

[[File:NSU Business Building, Natchitoches, LA IMG 2026.JPG|right|thumb|200px|<span style="font-size:100%;">The NSU Business Building</span>]]

[[File:Williamson Hall at NSU, Natchitoches, LA IMG 1992.JPG|200px|right|thumb|<span style="font-size:100%;">Williamson Hall houses the NSU engineering program.</span>]]

[[File:Revised photo of NSU Student Recreation Center IMG 2020.JPG|200px|right|thumb|<span style="font-size:100%;">NSU Wellness Recreation and Activity Center</span>]]

[[File:Nsu columns.jpg|thumb|right|200px|<span style="font-size:100%;">The three columns of Northwestern State University</span>]]

NSU was founded in 1884 as the '''Louisiana State Normal School'''. It was the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in nursing and business education. NSU, along with numerous other state colleges, gained university status in 1970 during the administration of President Arnold R. Kilpatrick, a Northwestern State alumnus who served from 1966 to 1978. Kilpatrick succeeded the 12-year president, John S. Kyser, a native of [[El Paso, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lahistory.org/site28.php|last=Kyser|first=John S.|publisher=[[Louisiana Historical Association]]|title=A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography|work=lahistory.org|access-date=December 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201234813/http://www.lahistory.org/site28.php|archive-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref>

NSU was one of the first six colleges to enter into [[NASA]]'s Joint Venture Program. Students worked with NASA scientists to help analyze data and do research for the 1996 [[Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] shuttle mission. NSU also hosts the [[Louisiana Scholars' College]], Louisiana's designated honors college in the liberal arts and sciences. The [[Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts]], a state-supported residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, is also located on the campus. It was a brainchild of former [[Louisiana State Legislature|State Representative]] [[Jimmy D. Long]] of Natchitoches, who also attended NSU.

NSU offers more than 50 degree programs. Fall 2018 total enrollment was 11,081, the largest in the university's 133-year history, although the school saw enrollments decline during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which hampered recruitment efforts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=James |first=Tyrenisha |date=November 8, 2021 |title=NSU records nine percent decrease in enrollment |work=The Current Sauce |url=https://purplemedianetwork.com/14015/news/nsu-records-nine-percent-decrease-in-enrollment/ |access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref>
NSU also claims more than 70,000 alumni.

==History==
[[File:Main entrance to NSU IMG 2031.JPG|200px|thumb|<span style="font-size:100%;">Main entrance to Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana</span>]]
Northwestern State University stands on ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over 100 years. Before the [[American Civil War]], a portion of the present campus was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches. As early as 1856, the Bullard mansion was in use as a [[convent]] by the Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following year, a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884, the town and parish of Natchitoches purchased the property. Three of the four great white columns that once supported the east gable of the mansion still stand on "The Hill" and serve as the unofficial symbols of the university.<ref>{{cite report|last=Stevens|first=Christopher|title=Cultural Landscape Report for National Center for Preservation Technology and Training: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana|date=2006|publisher=Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, National Park Service|location=Boston, Massachusetts|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/olmsted/ncptt_clr.pdf|access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref>

In 1884, the [[Louisiana State Legislature]] by Act 51 created the Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers. Shortly thereafter, a freshman member of the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana House of Representatives]], [[Leopold Caspari]] of Natchitoches, offered the convent site as a campus for the school with the anticipated approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was accepted, and from 1885 to 1918, the school offered two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate programs were inaugurated, and the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana State Normal College. In 1944, the institution's excellent service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition by Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to '''Northwestern State College of Louisiana'''.

Northwestern State maintained and strengthened its tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer a master's degree. The Specialist in Education degree was first offered in 1966 and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degrees were authorized in 1967. On June 18, 1970, Governor [[John McKeithen|John J. McKeithen]] signed a legislative act that brought the old campus its greatest distinction, changing its title to Northwestern State University of Louisiana. In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places under the title "Normal Hill Historic District."

Although primarily a regional institution, Northwestern State also offers an opportunity for education at satellite locations, including [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]], [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]], and [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]]. The Nursing Education Center, located in Shreveport, provides the educational environment for nursing majors enrolled in clinical courses, as well as general education courses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/|title=NSU Student Handbook|website=nsula.edu|access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref>
[[File:The NSU Rock (cropped)2.jpg|alt=The Rock at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.|thumb|200px|"The Rock" on Sam Sibley Dr. featuring a [[Caesar Cipher]] promoting the Demon Cipher Society in September 2022]]
A large piece of limestone, known as "The Rock" was placed on campus in 2006 at a major intersection for registered student organizations to paint designs promoting their groups.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Rock |url=https://nsutraditions.com/our-heritage/the-rock/ |website=NSU Traditions |publisher=Northwestern State University of Louisiana |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> The list of student organizations available grows every semester.<ref>{{cite news |title=NSU offers students a growing list of club sports and extracurricular activities |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/education/nsu-offers-students-a-growing-list-of-club-sports-and-extracurricular-activities/article_47e49cd4-11fc-11ee-a4c6-ff1f60e10bc9.html |access-date=26 August 2023 |work=KTBS |date=23 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2012, the university, along with [[Southeastern Louisiana University]] and [[Louisiana State University]] was [[List of colleges and universities censured by the American Association of University Professors|censured]] by the [[American Association of University Professors]] for violations of AAUP standards on faculty rights.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AAUP Censures 3 Universities |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/06/18/aaup-censures-three-louisiana-universities |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref> In response, [[Randy Moffett]], then University of Louisiana System president, said that “placing universities on a censure list has little, if any, practical implication."<ref name=":0" />

In 2021, Marcus Jones became the first African-American President in the university's 137-year history after he was unanimously approved by the Louisiana Board of Supervisors. Four years later, in 2024, he was succeeded by Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice James Genovese.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-09 |title=Northwestern State University of Louisiana Chooses Its 1st Black President in Its 137-Year History |language=en |url=https://www.theroot.com/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana-chooses-its-1848025886 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162341/https://www.theroot.com/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana-chooses-its-1848025886 |archive-date=2023-02-05}}</ref>

===Vic the Demon===
On November 8, 1922, by proclamation of President V. L. Roy and Coach [[H. Lee Prather]], all athletic teams became known as the Demons. The name was decided upon by a contest open to all students, with a grand prize of $10. A committee was appointed by the president to narrow down the names submitted by the student body. The final selection was decided by a vote of the students. The two most popular choices were Braves and Demons. Among other names submitted by students were Sharks, Daredevils, Musketeers, Pelicans, Prather's Ground Hogs, Bloodhounds, Cyclops, and Serpents. The official winners were Aileen Ritter and Truett Scarborough.

On September 22, 1984, the Demon received his official given name using another contest sponsored by the athletic department. The contest was open to faculty, staff, and students. The objective was to find a name for the Demon. Over 300 entries were submitted to the committee. The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid weekend at the Louisiana State Fair Classic. Ray Carney, an alumnus of the university, was the official winner with "Vic", which is short for "Victory".

===Jim Croce===
Singer-songwriter [[Jim Croce]] died in a plane crash hours after finishing a 1973 concert on the NSU campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/jim-croce-20872021|title=Jim Croce Biography|access-date=October 15, 2015|website=Biography.com|publisher=A&E Television Networks}}</ref>

==Student media==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Northwestern State University of Louisiana|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?160038-Northwestern-State-University-of-Louisiana|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=June 30, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]]/[[Alaska Native]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:yellow}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|54|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|30|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|47|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|53|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Newspaper and yearbook===
Northwestern's online news source with occasional printed special editions, ''The Current Sauce'', was founded in 1914.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Portillo Cantarero |first=Lia |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Letter from The Current Sauce: Welcome to NSU |url=https://purplemedianetwork.com/16111/showcase/letter-from-the-current-sauce-welcome-to-nsu/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Purple Media Network}}</ref> In 2021, the newspaper and campus radio station, [[KNWD]], merged their news operations into a shared digital platform, "Purple Media Network."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Leah |date=2021-09-27 |title=NSU Student Media transitions to Purple Media Network |work=Natchitoches Times |url=https://www.natchitochestimes.com/2021/09/28/nsu-student-media-transitions-to-purple-media-network/ |access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref> Its annual student-run yearbook is called ''The Potpourri''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NSU Student Media: Potpourri |url=https://www.nsula.edu/newmedia/student-media/the-potpourri/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=NSU Student Media}}</ref>

===Radio and television===
The student-run radio station is The Demon ([[KNWD]] 91.7 FM)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knwdradio.org/ |title=Home |website=knwdradio.org}}</ref> and a faculty-administered and student-operated local television station is NSU22, on which can be found biweekly student-produced newscasts.

===Literary magazine===
NSU's literary magazine is called ''The Argus''. It is student-run and published during the spring semester. The magazine content is provided by competitions in various fields of writing and artwork.
==Music==
The ''Spirit of Northwestern'' marching band features over 300 members each year, with membership open to any major and classification of student. Their uniforms are purple and white with a thin orange stripe. Other bands at Northwestern are the Pep Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, numerous chamber groups, and the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.
==Athletics==
{{Main|Northwestern State Demons and Lady Demons}}
The Northwestern State athletic teams go by the Demons, with women's athletic teams generally called the Lady Demons, and its mascot is [[Vic the Demon]]. The university is a member of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) and competes in the [[Southland Conference]] at the [[NCAA Division I]] level. Northwestern State sponsors 12 varsity athletic teams, five men's teams and seven women's teams.<ref>{{cite web|title=Northwestern State University Athletics|url=http://nsudemons.com/index.aspx|access-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref> The official list of sports changes by semester as new groups are approved.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-23 |title=NSU offers students a growing list of club sports and extracurricular activities |language=en |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/education/nsu-offers-students-a-growing-list-of-club-sports-and-extracurricular-activities/article_47e49cd4-11fc-11ee-a4c6-ff1f60e10bc9.html |access-date=2023-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627040243/https://www.ktbs.com/news/education/nsu-offers-students-a-growing-list-of-club-sports-and-extracurricular-activities/article_47e49cd4-11fc-11ee-a4c6-ff1f60e10bc9.html |archive-date=2023-06-27}}</ref>

==Archive==
NSU maintains an archive through the Cammie G. Henry Research Center. Collections cover a diversity of individuals and topics. Materials may be accessed on such figures as [[Ethma Odum]], the pioneering woman television personality at [[KALB-TV]] in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.nsula.edu/assets/CGHRC_Finding/odumethma.htm|title=Ethma Odum Collection|publisher=Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana|access-date=June 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722224515/https://library.nsula.edu/assets/CGHRC_Finding/odumethma.htm|archive-date=July 22, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[James B. Aswell]], [[Kate Chopin]], [[Robert DeBlieux]], [[Caroline Dormon]], and the [[Cane River]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.nsula.edu/cammie-henry-research-center/|title=Cammie G. Henry Research Center |publisher=library.nsula.edu|access-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{Main|List of Northwestern State University alumni}}

==Notable faculty and administrators==
* [[James B. Aswell]], president of NSU and U.S. representative for [[Louisiana's 8th congressional district]]
* [[Medford Bryan Evans]], english professor and [[Conservative (politics)|conservative]] activist
* [[Mike Johnson]], professor of law & Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
* [[Julie Kane]], poet
* [[Ralph L. Ropp]], professor of speech and head of the forensics department, president of Louisiana Tech

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.nsula.edu/ Official website]
* [https://www.argusatnsula.com/ Argus website]
* [https://purplemedianetwork.com/ Student media website]

{{commons category}}

{{Northwestern State University}}
{{Natchitoches, Louisiana}}
{{Education in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana}}
{{Public universities and colleges in Louisiana}}
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[[Category:Northwestern State University| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1884]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Education in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Natchitoches, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Shreveport, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Education in Vernon Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Education in Rapides Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:1884 establishments in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Louisiana]]