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.

Coleman has been a teacher and the head boys basketball coach at Natchitoches Central High School since 2006 where he led the program to two state titles in the last three years and four Top 28 appearances in the last five years. Coleman earned his undergraduate in health and physical education at Northwestern State in 1999, master’s in sports administration in 2002 and +30 in education leadership in 2012. He is certified as a secondary PE teacher, parish/city school supervisor of instruction and principal.

Coleman began his career as a science teacher at Negreet High School and was a graduate assistant and assistant men’s coach for the NSU men’s basketball team. He was also an assistant men’s basketball coach at McNeese State University, assistant boys basketball coach and teacher at Sam Houston High School and head boys basketball coach and teacher at Hamilton Christian Academy in Lake Charles where he led the team to its first-ever quarterfinal appearance before joining the NCHS staff. He is a member of several professional and athletic organizations, as well as First Baptist Church of Natchitoches and Jaycees and has been recognized as the state Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, All CenLa Basketball Coach of the Year, 5-time District Coach of the Year, Shreveport Times Basketball Coach of the Year and Kiwanis Southeast U.S. Regional Teacher of the year.

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.