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.

Thrash has been principal at Bossier High School since 2006 and has also served as principal at Haughton Middle School, assistant principal at Haughton High School and as a teacher and coach at Benton High School and Ringgold High School.  He graduated from NSU in 1983 with a degree in social studies and health and physical education, earned a master’s in health education at Louisiana Tech and +30 in education leadership at Centenary College.  Thrash spent 15 years teaching middle and high school at Benton where he was head baseball and football coach and led both groups to the state semi-finals.

Thrash’s awards include being named Louisiana Principal of the Year, Bossier Parish Principal of the Year and Bossier Press Tribune Readers’ Choice School Principal finalist. He is a member of several professional, community and leadership organizations, including the Bossier City Lions Club, Bossier Association of Principals, Louisiana Association of Educations and National Association of Secondary School Principals. Since 2012, he has served on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association school relations committee and has also served as the 3A District chairperson for LSHAA.  He has served on the Bossier Parish School Board since 1985.

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.