Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development will recognize several individuals during Homecoming festivities.  The College will induct five new members into the Hall of Distinguished Educators and recognize an Outstanding Young Professional and a Friend of Education.  An induction ceremony will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Teacher Education Center auditorium.

Preceding the ceremony will be a reception and reunion from 1-1:30 p.m. in the Commons Area of the Teacher Education Center.

Honored as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Distinguished Educators are the late Dr. Raymond Gilbert, Mack Daniel Knotts of Bossier City, Edwina Lewis of Natchitoches, Robert Silvie of Shreveport and David Thrash of Bossier City.  Micah Coleman of Natchitoches is the Outstanding Young Professional and Paula Hickman of Shreveport is this year’s Friend of Education.

Knotts earned a bachelor’s degree at Northwestern State in health and physical education in 1961, a master’s in health and physical education/administration in 1963 and +30 at Louisiana Tech in 1973.  As an undergraduate, Knotts was a member of the Demon baseball team, Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity and Kappa Blue Key Honor Fraternity.  He is also a member of Northwestern State’s N Club Athletic Hall of Fame.

He began his career as a coach and teacher at St. Mary’s High School and Haynesville High School and served as principal at Haynesville Elementary and Jr. High from 1970-81 and principal at Haynesville High School from 1981-1992 before serving as a Bossier Parish School Board member from 1998-2010. While a School Board member, he served as chairman of the Insurance Committee and as president and helped generate support and secure funding for several schools, including Parkway High School. After retiring, he worked as an insurance agent and was a volunteer basketball and baseball coach and recreation director in Haynesville.  He lives in Bossier City.

NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development annually recognizes educators whose work has made an impact on the lives of others.  For more information on the College visit nsula.edu/academics/education-human-development.  A full schedule of Homecoming events is available at northwesternalumni.com/homecoming16.