Northwestern State University’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health held a ribbon cutting to thank lead donors who contributed to facilities improvements at the Nursing Education Center in Shreveport. From left are Dr. Laura Aaron, director of NSU’s School of Allied Health; Committee of 100 donors George Fritze, John Geoge, Jack Sharp and Patrick Harrison, NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson and Dr. Dana Clawson, dean of NSU’s College of Nursing surrounded by nursing and allied health students.
Northwestern State University’s Shreveport Nursing Education Center hosted a ribbon-cuttingFriday to thank donors who contributed to improvements on the campus at 1800 Line Avenue in Shreveport. Students and faculty from NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health publicly acknowledged the Alta and John Franks Foundation, Willis-Knighton Health System and CEO James K. Elrod, The Committee of 100, Past President Patrick Harrison and members Roy Griggs, John George, Glenn Kinsey, George Fritze and Steve Skrivanos for their assistance in funding new lighting, security cameras and cosmetic improvements.
“Before this project, we had a dark parking lot with no security,” said Dr. Dana Clawson, dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “There is no question we are safe. We appreciate the difference you made and we hope you see the benefits of what you’ve done in the community.”
Willis-Knighton has long been a partner to Northwestern State’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health through endowments that support student scholarships and professorships that enable faculty research, teaching and public service. Willis-Knighton also provides facilities for clinical experience for students in a simulated patient care environment. The Alta and John Franks Foundation is a Shreveport charitable non-profit that supports numerous philanthropic causes.
The Committee of 100 is a nonpolitical, nonprofit membership group organized as an education, civic and charitable organization whose members are the highest-ranking local executives of business and professional enterprises in northwest Louisiana. The Committee works to mobilize the business community to improve Shreveport, Bossier City and the surrounding areas maintaining active interests in regional economic development, education and community relations.
“The Committee of 100 gets grants from different organizations and finds ways to contribute to areas of the community,” Harrison said. “We look for specific projects that really make a difference. This one was perfect. It is beneficial to both higher education and healthcare. NSU’s College of Nursing has always been an asset to Shreveport. In this day and age you want to keep your students safe. We were glad we could help.”
NSU’s Shreveport Nursing Education Center provides the educational environment for approximately 1,000 nursing and radiologic sciences majors enrolled in general academic or clinical courses. The Center consists of the Line Avenue School, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Library Building, Faculty Tower and Warrington Building.
For information on Northwestern State’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, visit nursing.nsula.edu.