Northwestern State University President Dr. Jim Henderson was recognized with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the Louisiana National Guard. Lt. Col. Jeff Mathews, NSU’s director of bands and a member of the faculty in the School of Creative and Performing Arts, nominated Henderson for the award, which was presented by Col. (Ret). John Pugh, state chair of for the Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense . The Patriot Award was created to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding support and cooperation to their employees serving in the Armed Forces. From left are Pugh, Mathews, Henderson, Major General (R.) Erbon Wise and ESGR Sector Chair Eddie Wise.
Lt. Col. Katherine Carlson, a professor of military science at Northwestern State University, signed a Department of Defense State of Support of the Guard and Reserve to provide a visible reminder of the program’s support of the nation’s troops. Seated are Carlson with Major General (Ret.) Erbon Wise. Standing are John Pugh, state chair for the Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and ESGR Sector Chair Eddie Wise. According to Pugh, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve Units.
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