Northwestern State University’s fall semester will kick off with Move In Day on Saturday Aug. 19, launching a packed schedule of events for students, including some special features open to the Natchitoches community, alumni and friends. Fall classes will begin Monday, Aug. 21.
“Demon Days is a series of fun events that are free to new and returning students at Northwestern State,” said Reatha Cox, director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development at NSU. “Demon Days begins with Move In and continues through the month of September – so basically it’s through Day 42 at NSU.”
Community volunteers are welcome to join the NSU move-in crew as they assist students moving into campus residence halls beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. For information on volunteering, contact Cox at coxr@nsula.edu.
In addition to numerous initiatives aimed at getting students involved in campus life, organizations and service, many activities help educate new students about campus resources and NSU traditions, such as the Demons Come Out At Night Pep Rally, which this year will include a concert by the Molly Ringwalds that is free and open to the public. The Thursday, Sept. 14 pep rally will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Turpin Stadium, followed by the concert at the tailgate field at 8 p.m.
This year’s Demon Days will also include special activities honoring Dr. Chris Maggio, who will be invested as NSU’s 19th president Friday, Sept. 15. A Mass of Thanksgiving will take place at 9 a.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by formal investiture ceremonies at 11 a.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium with a community reception immediately following at the Arnold R. Kilpatrick President’s Residence.
In addition to tailgating and events surrounding NSU’s football home opener against Lamar University on Saturday, Sept. 16, NSU First Lady Jennifer Maggio is sponsoring The 1884 Campaign for Literacy service project in which she and students in the President’s Leadership Program will collect 1,884 new and gently used books for children ages 5-15. The books will be distributed at schools and community youth facilities throughout north Louisiana. A drop-off location will be at Collins Pavilion beginning at 2 p.m.
Northwestern State will present the 60th annual Lady of the Bracelet pageant at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Affiliated with the Miss America Organization, the Miss Northwestern-Lady of the Bracelet pageant is one of the largest scholarship opportunities available through the Student Activities Board. The event will be preceded by a Lady of the Bracelet reunion on Friday, Sept. 22.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, NSU’s Student Government Association will host ESPN contributor Tom Rinaldi to discuss his book “The Red Bandanna: A Life, A Choice, A Legacy,” that pays tribute to 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. Rinaldi will speak at 7 p.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium
NSUs annual Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 30 will coincide with the 11th annual Natchitoches Classic Car Show, that will feature more than 400 antique cars on display downtown. Family Day will be from 2-5:30 p.m. on the tailgate field and will include music, food and family fun before NSU kicks off against Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m.
“The city of Natchitoches and our community of loyal alumni and friends have always been supportive in welcoming our new and returning students back to campus,” Cox said. “The Demon Days schedule is full of activities to help students explore Northwestern State. And on Fridays, we wear purple!”
For more information on these or other activities, visit the university’s website at http://www.nsula.edu/fye/demondays.