Dr. Pete Gregory, professor of anthropology at Northwestern State University, was recognized as Archaeologist of the Year by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on May 24. From left are Nungesser, Cheryl Smith, chief of the Jena Band of Choctaw; Gregory and Dr. Charles McGimsey, director of the Louisiana Division of Archaeology. Winners were selected from public nominations earlier this year in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission, Louisiana Folklife Commission and Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Gregory will begin his 56th year as a member of Northwestern State’s faculty this fall. He is believed to be the longest-serving employee in Northwestern’s 132-year history.

Retired Northwestern State University Professor Dr. Cathy Seymour and Dr. Eileen Kendrick, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Leadership and Counseling within the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, received the Louisiana Culture Award for Preservation Education from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser May 24. This award was in recognition of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation’s Characters, Customs and Crypts Tour, mourning display and accompanying Natchitoches curriculum units for eighth grade students in Natchitoches Parish. The American Cemetery was established in 1714 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in Louisiana. The eighth grade tour provides enactors that portray various significant historical persons buried in the American Cemetery. The display of mourning artifacts connects the past and present traditions through the visual display. From left are Nungesser, Dr. Cathy Seymour, Dr. Dan Seymour, president of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation; Kendrick and Nichole Hobson-Morris, executive director of the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation.