LSMSA – The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) Alumni Association has named the following graduates to assume executive council roles on July 1, 2020:

• President – Mandeville native Kirby Hopkins (‘94), The Woodlands, Tx;
• Vice President – Lake Charles native Erin Schrepfer (’04), Lake Charles, La.;
• Recording Secretary – Haughton native Cody Grosshart (’07), Shreveport, La.;
• Treasurer – Mandeville native Jennifer Herron (‘95), Shreveport, La.;
• Natchitoches Liaison – Pride native Matthew Couvillion (‘93), Many, La.

The LSMSA Alumni Association promotes the interests of all current and former students, faculty and staff associated with the school by informing, involving, and serving the members of the LSMSA family throughout their lifelong relationship with LSMSA.

“It’s an honor to be elected to work so closely with fellow LSMSA alumni in this capacity,” said President Kirby Hopkins, who attended Vanderbilt and the University of Texas School of Law after his 1994 graduation from LSMSA. “Our bond is truly like that of a family, and I know that no matter where I live or travel, I can find others who treasure the life-changing experience of attending LSMSA.”

Hopkins represents clients in banking, financial services, oil and gas, real estate, construction, and other industries at the civil trial and appellate boutique law firm he co-founded in 2013, Hopkins Centrich Winkelman & Drucker. He has served on the LSMSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the LSMSA Alumni Association’s Executive Council, and on The Woodlands Bar Association Board of Directors, including as President, and has been recognized as a Rising Star in Texas Monthly and one of Houston’s Top Lawyers in Business Litigation. Hopkins lives in The Woodlands, Tx., with his wife, fellow LSMSA alumna Jennifer Chen (’95), and their sons.

Erin Schrepfer graduated from LSMSA in 2004 and earned a Master’s Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from the University of New Orleans. Schrepfer is a full-time instructor for Delgado Community College’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program.

Cody Grosshart graduated from LSMSA in 2007 and earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University before returning to Shreveport to practice in private civil litigation.

Jennifer Herron graduated from LSMSA in 1995 and earned her Bachelor’s in Mathematics and a commission in the United States Air Force through the University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently on her second assignment at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, where she plans to finish her military career in 2023.

Matthew Couvillion is a 1993 LSMSA graduate who earned his degree in accounting from DePaul University before attending the LSU School of Law. Couvillion lives in Many and works for the Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

Alumni recently elected Schrepfer, Grosshart, Herron and Couvillion, while Hopkins was chosen during the Alumni Association’s presidential election last spring. They will be joined on the Executive Council by Immediate Past President Jamie G. Smith (’88) of Geismar.

CEASE AND DESIST ORDER

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in response to the outbreak of the respiratory disease, coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

WHEREAS, effective March 25, 2020 at 8:00 a.m., to assist in preventing potential fire-related dangers during this state of emergency and to diminish any airborne irritants caused by burning, the State Fire Marshal ordered a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to his authority under R.S. 40:1602 with private burning only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government;

WHEREAS, the cease and desist order does not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law;

WHEREAS, a severe thunderstorm moved through Vernon Parish on April 19, 2020, bringing with it heavy rainfall and high wind gusts resulting in downed trees, debris (which includes, vegetation, limbs, and fallen trees), and other damage;

NOW THEREFORE, I, H. “BUTCH” BROWNING, Fire Marshal of the State of Louisiana, by the authority of Louisiana R.S. 40:1602, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The March 25, 2020 statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to his authority under R.S. 40:1602, with private burning only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government, is modified to allow for the burning of debris resulting from the April 19, 2020 thunderstorms and wind gusts unless prohibited by the local governing authority. This modification is limited to Vernon Parish.

This order is effective April 20, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. and shall remain in effect until April 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

NSU– As times and ways of accessing information change, library faculty at Northwestern State University understand new methods are needed to encourage students to use Watson Library’s vast resources. One method is social media.

Librarians use social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to engage students and let them know the library can help them find accurate information as they work on research papers and other projects. Watson Library’s social media team is Head of Collection Development and Cataloging. Deborah Huntington, Head of Serials-Media Anna T. MacDonald and Assistant Archivist Sharon Wolff,

“We seek to be engaging and inspiring,” said Huntington. “We share and post information that promotes libraries, reading, information literacy and encourages life-long learning.”

Wolff said the various feeds have a “word of the week” feature every Wednesday that defines a word and give synonyms, antonyms and uses it in an example sentence. Once a month, she is responsible for a “throwback Thursday” post that uses materials from the Cammie G. Henry Research Center in a topical way. The team is also on the lookout for national/international events or holidays, such as Banned Book Week, where NSU can add its voice to other libraries, archives, and museums across the country. On Twitter, Wolff participates in a monthly archive hashtag party sponsored by the U.S. National Archive that allows her to display Cammie G. Henry Research Center resources on a national level.

According to MacDonald, the latest campaign features home offices and “new coworkers,” which usually involves people’s pets.

“I came up with several new hashtags and campaign ideas that I sent to the other committee members to get their opinion,” she said. “We are using #WatsonLibraryStrong with the home office/coworker campaign and it plays off the #LibraryStrong the national advocacy effort aimed at highlighting the value of academic, public, and school libraries, an initiative of 2018-2019 American Library Association President Loida Garcia-Febo.”

The team created hashtags for specific information in posts like #WatsonReads when we are focusing on a specific title or book-related posts and #WatsonYourLibrary for events and programs.

“I like to find fun and engaging posts that I think will entertain and get a reaction from the members,” said MacDonald. “Additionally, I like to feature events and programs and anything in the arts that I can tie into a book or database offering.”

Posts from Watson Library’s accounts may also promote other university events.

“Our goal aligns with the Watson Library motto, which is ‘Serve all who seek knowledge,” said Wolff. “We create and share posts with the intent of spreading information, creating learning opportunities, raising awareness of library resources and participating in the NSU community.”

Each faculty member who works on the account had a different perspective on how they became involved with social media. They each emphasize the importance of effectively communicating with those who grew up in a time when they always had a smart phone and social media platforms.

“I have so many student workers in my department and they have taught me how to communicate and interact with their generation,” said Huntington.

MacDonald began learning about social media in library science and marketing classes and has added to her skills.

“I think it helps being surrounded by young people every day and we are all advisors in Alpha Beta Alpha, the library fraternal organization, where we have to use social media to communicate with them,” said MacDonald. “We realize that to communicate with our student population and the NSU community we have to get out there and engage them on whatever social media platform they may be using.”

Wolff said that as an information professional, it is part of her job to understand how people conduct research and access knowledge.

“I remember what it was like as a student and how most of the information I consumed, even about official university events and resources, I accessed on social media,” said Wolff. “I know it is far more likely that a student or faculty member will see information on a library resource on social media than it is for them to see it in a campus-wide email, and be more receptive to it there as well. For the most part, I share and create posts that I would be interested in seeing on a social media platform that I followed.”

Northwestern State University’s chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars held a virtual welcome session for new members and general membership meeting April 19 in lieu of the Eta Mu chapter’s annual induction program.

A special guest at the Zoom meeting was Winnie Brophy, a representative of the National Phi Beta Delta board. Brophy is director of the Center for Global Engagement at the City University of New York-College of Staten Island.

Members of Phi Beta Delta include faculty, staff and students who are selected on the basis of their international orientation, scholarship accomplishment and/or contribution to international exchange.

“While the formal induction will take place in the fall semester when school reopens, the NSU Phi Beta Delta Board wanted to honor the eight new members and welcome them into this international honor society,” said Sharon Joy, president and chapter coordinator.

New faculty/staff members are Dr. Sarah McFarland, professor of English; Dr. Karen Walker, assistant professor in Child and Family Studies; Leah Jackson, director of Public Information and Media Relations; Dr. Terrie Pohl, associate professor in curriculum and instruction, College of Education, and Terrie Marshall, instructor and advisor in Student Support Services. New student members include graduating senior in Business Technology Jared Boystun, Aura Hernandez Canedo of Colombia, a graduate student in music, and Isabelle Ming Lao Vivien of China, a fine and graphic art major.

Phi Beta Delta’s goals are to increase the recognition, credibility and importance of the international experience and create a catalyst for international academic-based programming on college campuses while providing support and recognition to those individuals on campuses who are involved in international endeavors.

The Northwestern State University Chapter of Phi Beta Delta was chartered in April 2010 with the mission of supporting international students, domestic students who are interested in international travel and affairs and faculty and staff who engage in international research and travel. Phi Beta Delta is interdisciplinary in nature and includes individuals from all content areas. The chapter awards an annual scholarship for international and domestic students.

Earlier this year Phi Beta Delta hosted Chinese and Hindu language and culture lecture series with proceeds benefiting the scholarship.

Joy encouraged members to participate in this year’s international Phi Beta Delta annual conference that was already scheduled to be held online May 14-15. 

“Several of our NSU faculty will give presentations at this conference,” Joy said. “This conference will include Phi Beta Delta news, an interesting keynote speaker and many fascinating presentations from university faculty and researchers from around the globe. I serve on the conference proposal submission committee and I am impressed with the diversity of topics on the theme ‘International Education in Our Changing World.’”

NSU’s Phi Beta Delta board voted to pay a chapter registration fee for the conference, which will allow members, students and anyone in the NSU community to attend, Joy said. Those who plan to participate should notify Joy so she can include all names on the Eta Mu access list.

“If faculty teach a course with an international focus, they may want to encourage their students to participate, even though May 14-15 is after our school semester ends. This is a wonderful opportunity for our NSU community,” Joy said.

To cover the conference fees, the Phi Beta Delta board members created a MobileCause system to provide an optional donation portal. The portal allows users to make a donation for the conference or scholarship fund and members to pay renewal dues. Donors can also text PHIBETADELTA to 91999.

For more information about Phi Beta Delta or supporting the Eta Mu Scholarship, call Joy at (318) 357-5754. 

Nicholas Hopkins of Bossier City has been elected as Northwestern State University’s Student Government Association President for the 2020-21 academic year. Kristen Prejean of Lafayette will serve as Vice President. Hopkins and Prejean were elected without opposition and will take office on Monday, April 27 at 6 p.m. in a ceremony that will be done via WebEx.

Hopkins, a junior business administration major, has been active in the SGA for the past two years as a senator and was Speaker of the Senate last year. As Speaker, he helped draft legislation that allows students to sit on university hiring committee and recognizes student and faculty achievement.

“I wanted to get involved with the Student Government Association because I really wanted to make an impact on this university,” said Hopkins. “I saw as a freshman that the campus leaders that were really making an impact were doing so through SGA. I wanted to be a part of that group, helping to enhance and enrich the student experience at Northwestern State.”

Prejean, a junior biology major, has been active in the Student Government Association for two years as student affairs commissioner.

“One thing that I love about SGA is getting to talk with students and hear their concerns and figure out what we can do to address concerns as well as enhance the student experience,” said Prejean.

Hopkins said his top initiatives will be geared towards student health and well-being. He plans to create a recreation area along Chaplain’s Lake near the Jefferson St. entrance to campus as a space where students can go to do homework or gather on the edge of the lake. He envisions the area as a relaxing place that will have benches and posts for students to hang hammocks from.

Prejean and her student affairs committee began exploring the hammock station idea as well as a bike rack near the library. This year, she would like to develop an online calendar of SGA events to inform students about upcoming events.

Hopkins succeeds Jacob Ellis of Athens, who served two terms as SGA President. He credits Ellis’ administration for its work of engaging students and helping to create a good student experience.

“We hope to continue to enhance the student experience at Northwestern State,” said Hopkins. “We will continue to build off the last administration’s civic engagement initiatives by hosting voter registration drives and other events that provide information on the candidates running for public office.”

The COVID-19 virus has had a major impact on the current academic year. No one knows how the pandemic will affect the upcoming academic year, but Hopkins plans to find ways to help students.

“We will have a heavier focus on the mental health of students when they return to campus,” said Hopkins. “We understand this pandemic has added great amounts of stress to everyone and we will work with the university administration to help our students however we can. We are currently in the process of planning initiatives that will help students transition back to life on campus and help return normalcy to the student experience.”

Students had to undergo a major transition, going from in person to online classes and they face another transition in the next academic year.

“With the unforeseen circumstances that occurred with the COVID-19, I want to be able to make the transition back from online to in person classes as smooth as possible for students as well ensuring that individual’79s mental health remains a top priority,” said Prejean. “Once we return back to some type of normalcy, we will have a better understanding of more needs that students have and will be able to address them to the best of our abilities.”

Hopkins is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta academic honor society, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society and the Catholic Student Organization. He served as a Freshman Connection orientation leader in 2018 and 2019.

Prejean is the Panhellenic delegate for Phi Mu fraternity, a member of Purple Jackets, Alpha Lambda Delta, Order of Omega, Blue Key, and Tri Beta honors societies. She was a Presidential Ambassador and Freshmen Connection orientation leader for two years.

Pictured: Incoming Northwestern State University Student Government Association President Nicholas Hopkins, left, and Vice President Kristen Prejean.

Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.

NATCHITOCHES:
Christine Rhea Manning
June 10, 1925 – April 18, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Mark Fox
April 17, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Eloise Armstrong
April 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Bernadine W. Peters
April 17, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Adell Sims Scott
April 15, 2020
Arrangements TBA

L. V. Jackson
April 14, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Mary Isaac
March 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Florida Mae Brown
September 2, 1944 – March 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Defend Against COVID-19

Stay home. Follow the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. Only leave your home if it is necessary for essential work or for essential items. Click here to read the Stay at Home order that expires on April 30.

Defend Against COVID-19. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Recognize the symptoms. Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Stay home especially if you are sick.

Maintain a Social Distance of 6ft. Social distancing means keeping 6ft. of physical space between yourself and others. This helps to prevent the spread of illness.

By Kevin Shannahan

That truism has become a bit of a cliche, bandied about endlessly often with little, or no, thought as to the ramifications of the statement: “Not everyone goes to college”. That is obviously true, but what follows next bears considerable thought. We need to be careful on several fronts, precisely because not everyone goes to college immediately after graduation, if at all. High school may be the end of formal education for many, if not most, students. The graduates will go on to raise families, be voters and serve on juries, among other duties. They will go on to be citizens in our nation, both in their own right and in transmitting the values of our civic culture to their children.

Civilization is only one generation deep. We do our children and ourselves no favors when we shortsightedly truncate a student’s education. Secondly, few, if any, children are fully formed as teenagers. How many of us who are many years removed from high school are doing anything near what we thought we would be doing with our lives back then? There is a big world out there, bigger than most high school aged children realize.

By looking at high school from a purely utilitarian mode with an eye to an immediate payoff, we risk stunting students’ chances for advancement. A student who chooses Jumpstart to become, let us say, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), will indeed be ready for a job at graduation. After a few years work experience, should that young graduate wish to become a registered nurse, not having taken higher math or chemistry will make that choice more difficult to achieve. That lack will not become apparent until the student is well out of school. I am not entirely sure we did right by that young man or woman.

Do I think vocational education is bad? Do I think every student needs physics, calculus and AP English? No. What I object to is viewing vocational vs. academic tracks as a dichotomy, as if the decision to become a welder somehow precluded trigonometry, or conversely taking calculus precluded learning to weld or repair a machine. The two tracks should have a very permeable border between them.

Asking a high school senior, let alone a sophomore, to make a decision that will have repercussions, possibly not apparent for years, is asking a bit much of a 16 year old.

My late father was the first college graduate in our family. My grandfather was an electrician whose education stopped at eighth grade, my grandmother stopped at the sixth. When my father was in high school, the guidance counselor couldn’t understand why he didn’t just take the vocational courses and follow his father into the trades. Why did he want to take calculus and physics? Didn’t he know how lucky he was to have a father who could get him into the union? My grandmother straightened the counselor out, and my father was allowed to take the courses. It put him on a path that eventually led to a PhD in Physical Chemistry. Is there anything wrong with being an electrician? Certainly not. On that job, my grandparents raised a family of three children, no mean feat during the Great Depression.

What my father remembered, decades later, were the assumptions the counselor held. Because he came from a working class family, his horizons were different, and shorter, than others. It didn’t help that he grew up in an era in which an Irish, Italian, Jewish, or other “ethnic” last name was still an impediment to rising in society.

My reservations are that while it is true that everyone does not go to college, everyone does need to be educated as far as their abilities can take them. Aside from the obvious benefit to the student, the needs of our society demand it. Forty years ago, when I walked out of Seton Catholic Central for the last time, I could never have imagined where life would take me. I was fortunate, more so than I realized at the time. My father was not a believer in free choice when it came to high school. Latin, science through Physics and a New York Regents diploma were not negotiable. He did allow me to stop at trigonometry when it became painfully obvious to one and all that the Liberal Arts were to be my forte.

I am fairly sure I was the only senior in my class to go to a college south of the Mason-Dixon line, let alone one with an armory. It was a path I had chosen on my own, occasionally mystifying to my draftee father who informed me that I was the first volunteer in the family since the Civil War. Were I left more to my own devices in high school, I am sure I would not have taken the courses I did. My father’s combination of insistence on going as far as I could combined with a hands off, but supportive approach after graduation was a rare gift that I only really appreciated years later.

I would like the different pathways in Jumpstart to not only place a foot on the first rung, but the education to help them climb that ladder.

Northwestern State University will honor Spring 2020 graduates with a virtual commencement ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 8. The virtual ceremony will include many elements of NSU’s traditional graduation ceremonies with messages from NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, college deans and university officials. The name of each graduate will be read aloud.

“Although unexpected circumstances have required that all of us make changes in our lives and habits, we believe that our graduates deserve to be recognized and we plan to do exactly that with all the traditions that make commencement special,” Maggio said. “Family and friends will be able to join the celebration from the safety of their homes and memories can be shared on social media and other platforms. Northwestern State University’s Spring 2020 commencement will be remembered as an unprecedented event during unprecedented circumstances.”

Students are invited to submit photos of themselves on campus, graduation photos in caps and gowns, gathering with friends and/or at NSU events to be included in a slideshow that will be featured at the end of the virtual commencement celebration. To be included in the slideshow student should submit photos to marketing at marketing@nsula.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, May 1.

NSU alumna Holli´ Conway will be commencement speaker. Conway is a 2016 magna cum laude graduate of NSU who was Miss Louisiana 2018 and second runner-up in Miss America 2018. A graduate of NSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Conway made her Broadway debut last fall in “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.”

In addition to the virtual ceremony, a traditional graduation program is being planned for spring graduates on Aug. 8. This date is contingent on health and safety guidelines that are in effect at that time. Graduating seniors should check their email for messages related to upcoming ceremonies. Students will have the option to participate in the August 8 ceremony or Fall Commencement on Dec. 18.

Administrators encourage graduating seniors to participate in the virtual ceremony and submit their photos for the slideshow.

“I love commencement day. It is one of the happiest and most meaningful moments of the college experience,” said Dean of Students Frances Conine. “It’s a time to say good job, good luck and goodbye. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Commencement is one of academia’s most treasured ceremonies and traditions and one that allows us, as a community, to celebrate our graduates and wish them well as they continue to move on into their professions,” said Dr. Greg Handel, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the Graduate School. “While a virtual ceremony cannot replace an in-person ceremony, please rest assured that we are working to create a unique and special experience that highlights and celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of our graduates throughout a difficult time. Also, know that you are invited back to campus to participate in a later ceremony of your choice — either in the summer or fall.”

A traffic stop near Clarence on Wednesday afternoon has led to the arrests of three people, two on felony narcotics charges and one for simple burglary according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

On Wednesday afternoon April 15 at approximately 3:45pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Special Task Impact Patrol Unit stopped a 2006 Cadillac SRX on La. Hwy 1226 near the Trichel community for a traffic violation.

Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle and learned he did not have a driver’s license.

Four passengers were in the vehicle. Three were identified as Kenny D. Bynog, Rachelle Racine, and Rufus I. Dunn.

A local warrants check revealed Bynog was wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding criminal warrant for Simple Burglary in connection with the March 29, 2020 burglary of Manning Storage Buildings on St. Maurice Lane in Natchitoches. Taken in the burglary were tools, pressure washers and other assorted items.

Bynog was placed under arrest.

During the traffic stop, deputies observed indicators that led them to believe criminal activity existed.

Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle and occupants.

During a search deputies seized several grams of suspected methamphetamine with a potential street value over $1000 and half of a suspected alprazolm narcotic pill after Racine handed them the illegal narcotics from her pants.

Deputies also seized a loaded syringe and drug paraphernalia.

Racine admitted that Dunn handed her the illegal narcotics just prior to the traffic stop.

Deputies arrested:

* Kenny Dewayne Bynog, 36, of the 1700 block of Johnson Chute Road, Natchitoches transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Simple Burglary.

Detectives other charges are pending on Bynog as they investigate other burglaries he may have been involved in near Natchitoches.

*Rachell Racine, 40, of the 9600 block of Hwy 71, Montgomery transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Possession of CDS Schedule IV Alprazolam, Criminal Obstruction of Justice and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

A Tenth Judicial District Court Judge has set bond on Racine at $18,000 dollars.

*Rufus I. Dunn, 43, of the 200 block of McGinty Road, Montgomery transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute-2nd Offense, Illegal Possession of CDS Schedule IV Alprazolam, Criminal Obstruction of Justice, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Open Container.

A Tenth Judicial District Court Judge set bond on Dunn at $28,500, however, a probation hold has been placed by State Probation and Parole.

Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents were contacted and assisted in the investigation.

The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.

The driver and other passenger were released at the scene.

Sheriff Victor Jones and Sheriff-elect Stuart Wright both commented although we are experiencing unprecedented circumstances involving COVID-19 our deputies are equipped with PPE equipment when dealing illegal activity-we are prepared and ready to respond to any situation, we are not going to allow criminals to just roam free in Natchitoches Parish, if you are thinking about committing a crime, transporting or selling illegal narcotics expect our deputies and task force agents to take the appropriate action.”

If you observe suspicious activity contact the NPSO at 352-6432, or narcotics activity at 357-2248.

Natchitoches, LA, April 7, 2020 – The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) has joined thousands of Public Libraries around the world by subscribing to The Freegal® Music Service from Library Ideas, LLC. Registered cardholders can download three items a week and stream three hours each week at no direct cost via the NPL. These limits reset each Monday at 12 AM.

The Freegal® Music service allows patrons to access a collection spanning over 15 million songs, music videos and audiobooks from more than 40,000 music labels worldwide including Sony Music, Epic, RCA, and Columbia. Freegal® Music also offers a completely rebuilt mobile app and website which ensuring an easy-to-use and enjoyable experience. The free application is available for library cardholders and can be downloaded in the Apple® App Store and Google® Play store.

“We know our patrons are looking for ways to spend their days safely at home during this trying time,” says Alan Niette, NPL Community Outreach Coordinator. “We’re happy to be able to offer this new service to deliver great music, audiobooks, and music videos to our cardholders and hope it helps them pass some time.”

With Freegal Music, you only need your library card and PIN to access today’s hits, expertly curated playlists, and songs from more than 200 genres. Also, you will have the ability to create and share your personal playlists with your library and much, much more.

If you need help accessing the NPL’s digital services, you may message the NPL’s Facebook page or email alan@natlib.org. If you do not have a library card, the NPL is temporarily allowing remote sign-ups via Facebook messenger or online at natlib.org. From the library’s homepage, hover over “How Do I?,” then click “Register for a library card?”.

The Farm Bureau Insurance companies are offering a variety of financial assistance measures in response to unexpected hardships for its customers and the communities it serves due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This includes a one-time estimated premium credit of $30 million to policyholders and a donation of $2.3 million to local food banks across all six states.

“Everything we do is built around helping people. Insurance is a safety net designed to provide you comfort and peace of mind in the face of adversity—and now more than ever, people need to feel that peace,” said Blaine Briggs, Louisiana Executive Vice President and State Manager. “This is how the Farm Bureau Insurance companies can give back to the communities we serve and we are happy to help you during this difficult time.”

One-Time Premium Credit

The Farm Bureau Insurance companies are distributing a one-time credit to all personal auto policyholders. This special credit is based on 15 percent of two months auto premium paid for each vehicle covered—an estimated value of about $30 million.

No action needs to be taken by the customer to receive this special assistance. The Farm Bureau Insurance companies will simply credit their customers’ next invoice after the program begins.

Feeding Families

Farm Bureau’s founding mission is to feed and support the families who put food on our tables.

In an effort to hold true to the core values of its organizations by providing relief to communities in a time of need, the Farm Bureau Insurance companies have jointly decided to donate $2.3 million to local food banks across six-states.

Dr. Robert Alost, a 1990 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee and former Northwestern State University president, died Friday at age 85 after battling a long illness.

Alost was a two-year football letterman in the 1954 and 1955 seasons for the Demons, playing tackle. Following his playing career, he began a decorated academic career that culminated with his 10-year role as the president of his alma mater.

Alost’s tenure at the helm of Northwestern State was characterized by tremendous growth in all facets of the university, including the athletic program.

During Alost’s time as the head of the university, the Demon football team captured the 1988 Southland Conference championship and produced seven NFL draftees. Northwestern State collected four SLC baseball championships and reached two NCAA regionals in Alost’s tenure while the Lady Demon basketball program notched conference championships in the Gulf Star and Southland conferences while reaching the semifinals of the 1995 WNIT.

Individual student-athletes also enjoyed success during Alost’s tenure with high jumper Brian Brown winning the 1989 title at the USA Outdoor Championships and added the 1990 NCAA Indoor high jump crown to his resume.

“Dr. Alost inspired countless initiatives that elevated the profile of his beloved alma mater during his tenure as NSU’s president, including many that impacted the university’s athletic department,” said NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke, who was an Assistant Athletic Director at NSU from 1986-92.

“As a Demon football alumnus and N-Club Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Alost had an understanding of and appreciation for the value of an athletic program to its campus and community. He loved supporting our student-athletes. In fact, the same drive that motivated him to excel on the gridiron was without a doubt the foundation for the exceptional career path that he carved on so many levels. The NSU family, past and present, offers its condolences to the family of Dr. Alost at this difficult time.”

In the middle of his term as university president, Alost was named to the 46-member NCAA Council Board of Directors in 1992.

Alost’s administrative resume included a key role in the development of the Louisiana Scholars College at NSU and a 1975 appointment as the dean of NSU’s College of Education, a position he held until co-founding and becoming the director of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in 1982.

He returned to Northwestern State as university president in 1986, serving in that role for a decade in which the university’s enrollment grew from 5,272 to more than 9,000 students.

A two-time Northwestern State graduate (1957 undergraduate, 1958 master’s), Alost is survived by his wife, Yvonne, sons Michael, Stan and Wesley S. Alost, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his N-Club Hall of Fame credentials, Alost is a member of NSU’s Long Purple Line, the Northwestern Alumni Hall of Distinction and was named a Natchitoches Treasure in 2018.

Photo: Nortnwestern State University

Northwestern State University is extending some deadlines for graduate programs that still require the submission of the GRE. For graduate students interested counseling, health and human performance, homeland security, student affairs in higher education (allows a provisional semester) and psychology, the Graduate School will extend the deadline for submission of scores to Dec. 1. These students will be admitted as provisional admits, according to Dr. Greg Handel, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the Graduate School.

Handel also said the provisionally admitted students will be eligible for appointments as graduate assistants on recommendation of program faculty.

Last fall, NSU created alternative pathways to the GRE for admission to some of its graduate programs.

“The NSU Graduate School already has programs that do not require the GRE and offer alternative pathways to admission,” Handel said. Programs that require alternative pathways for admission include art, English, radiologic sciences, nursing (when the student has a GPA of 2.5 or higher), adult learning and development, music, Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching and Education Specialist degrees. Alternative pathways vary by program, but include portfolios, as well as either a statement of purpose, writing sample, resume or special licensure or the Praxis for the Master of Arts in Teaching.

“Understanding that everyone’s situation has been affected by COVID-19, the administration at Northwestern State is doing everything we can to help and accommodate students,” Handel said. “We are here to assist in any way that we can to help solve problems to keep students on track and moving forward.”

Information on Northwestern State’s graduate programs is available by visiting http://www.nsulaledu/academics and exploring options available within each discipline.

For more details email the Graduate School at grad_school@nsula.edu

Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.

NATCHITOCHES:
Christine Rhea Manning
June 10, 1925 – April 18, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Mark Fox
April 17, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Eloise Armstrong
April 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Bernadine W. Peters
April 17, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Adell Sims Scott
April 15, 2020
Arrangements TBA

L. V. Jackson
April 14, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Mary Isaac
March 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Florida Mae Brown
September 2, 1944 – March 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

WINN:
Hazel Odell Coon
May 23, 1932 – April 17, 2020
Service held April 18

RED RIVER:
Celesta Faye Smith
December 18, 1939 – April 16, 2020
Service held April 18

We must continue to support small business and one of the best ways to do that is to continue eating with our LOCAL restaurants. Our LOCAL restaurants provide local jobs and tax revenue for our community.

The NPJ is providing a local portal to access our LOCAL restaurants and comply the order of our Governor. Here are some of the dining options available for you as we face this temporary suspension of “dine-in” services:

Order Direct/Pick up: 318-238-4227
Hours: 11a-2p; M-F
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Order Direct/Pick up: 318-238-4700
Hours: 10a-8p; M-F &Sun; 9a-8p Sat; Boiling at 12 Everyday
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup
5811 Hwy-1 Bypass; Natchitoches, LA 71457

 

Order Direct/Pick Up:  318-238-5464
Hours: 7a-9p
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup/Drive-thru

Order Direct/Pick Up & Delivery:  318-352-3353
Hours: 11a-2p, M-F
Limited Menu: NENU
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Order Direct/Pick Up:  318-352-2080
Hours: 11a-7p
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup/Drive-Thru

Porch Side Pick Up: 318-238-3555
Hours: 5p-7:30p M-Sun;11a-2p Sat & Sun
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-7711
Hours: 7a-7p: Everyday
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-6658
Hours: 11a-2p; 4p-10p
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-6634
Hours: 10:30a-7p
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-356-9200
Hours: 3p-10p M-Sat.;Closed Sunday
Website: peggyshomemadepizza.com
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-652-6694
Hours: 5:30p-12mid
Item: Hunt Brothers Pizza –  Made fresh to order. 
Delivery: Curbside/Pickup

The NPJ will continuously update the list of options.  If your restaurant would like to be listed among our LOCAL options.  Please send an email to:

NPJNATLA@gmail.com
Bill Vance
Natchitoches Parish Journal

* EZ Street amd WaitR are online/app ORDER & DELIVERY sites.   

June 10, 1925 – April 18, 2020

Christine Rhea Manning went to be with her Lord on April 18, 2020, at the age of 94. She was born on June 10, 1925, in Quanah TX and later lived in Gainesville TX where she graduated high school and went to work for the Red Cross on an Army base during World War II. This is where she met Bill Manning who was serving in the Army on the base. When she was 18 years old and he was 33 years old, Chris traveled to Natchitoches LA on a cold Christmas Eve in 1943 and married Bill. She worked hard to care for her family and support her husband while he built his various businesses. She cared for her husband’s parents for eleven years until their death a month apart. They were blessed with four children and made a lovely home at Evergreen Lodge on Cane River. Always the supreme hostess, she welcomed friends and guests into her home. They celebrated their 49th anniversary on Christmas Eve 1992, one day before Bill passed away.

After completing her family obligations, Chris became a Realtor in the late 1970’s and partnered with Fay Norman and Carol McCoy to establish Cane Heritage Realty. She helped so many in buying or selling their home and cared a great deal about those she served for 38 years. Chris was a member of First Baptist Church, serving as GA Director for several decades and in other capacities and was a member of her beloved Couples Too class. She served as a board member for Habitat for Humanity for many years.

Chris is survived by daughter Kay Steed and husband Jim, granddaughters Mary Steed and Sheridan Steed, all of Austin TX; and daughter Janice Bolton and husband Kevin, grandson Michael Harper and wife Mickey, granddaughter Sarah Prudhomme, all of Natchitoches; and granddaughter Jenny Prudhomme of Asheville NC; great-grandchildren Christopher Harper, serving in the US Air Force, Alex Harper of Natchitoches, Derek Koslowski of Houston TX, Madeline Harper of Natchitoches and Brianna Prudhomme of Natchitoches; and great-great-granddaughter Monroe Rae Harper of Salt Lake City UT. She felt like so many others were family-too many to count.

She was preceded in death by husband William (Bill) Manning, son Richard Manning, daughter Marilyn Ann Manning, mother Gladys Parker Haley, brothers Dr. Bill Parker and Dr. Don Parker, and great-granddaughter Hailey Harper.

She loved the Lord and served all her life, was a sacrificial mother and an honorable wife.

She gave all she had and through every trial made life much sweeter because of her smile.

The family would like to thank her Angels on earth Linda Eli and Peedy Mallory for the loving care that allowed Chris to stay at home these last few years; Shelia, Pat, and Suzie who considered her “Nother Mother”; Sam Watson for all the Friday nights out; and her sisters in Chapter AP, PEO where she was a Golden Girl. The family asks that any memorials be made to Samaritan’s Purse or First Baptist Church of Natchitoches. Burial will be at Fern Park Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.2 Corinthians 5:1

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS.

Guidance for the Public

Louisiana health officials are advising the public to practice social distancing by not gathering with groups larger than 10 people. Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. This virus will impact every parish and community in our state. Take precautions to defend against COVID-19.

Questions about Coronavirus?

If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.

Stressed about COVID-19? We’re here to talk.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special Keep Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.

Call 1-866-310-7977 24/7

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS.

Guidance for the Public

Louisiana health officials are advising the public to practice social distancing by not gathering with groups larger than 10 people. Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. This virus will impact every parish and community in our state. Take precautions to defend against COVID-19.

Questions about Coronavirus?

If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.

Stressed about COVID-19? We’re here to talk.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special Keep Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.

Call 1-866-310-7977 24/7

The Natchitoches Parish School Board met Thursday, April 16 via an online teleconference. They went into executive session and then came out of it to unanimously vote to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dale Skinner effective April 19. They then voted to create a new position titled Superintendent Consultant at Dale Skinner’s superintendent pay rate. Dale Skinner was then appointed as the superintendent consultant. The board then accepted Skinner’s resignation as the superintendent consultant effective on June 30, which is the expiration date for his original superintendent contract.

The Board also unanimously voted to approve giving Linda Page a $10,000 stipend for her work as interim director during the months of February, March and April. She acted as interim superintendent on top of her duties as personnel director for the Natchitoches Parish School District.

The Board moved on to accept the superintendent contract in the amount of $123,000 for the district’s new superintendent Grant Eloi. The contract includes a $7,200 car allowance and two tax checks (amounts TBD).

Board President Billy Benefield then officially introduced Eloi as the new superintendent for Natchitoches Parish schools.

“I’m amazed at the beauty of this community,” said Eloi. “Board and community members have reached out and made me feel like a part of the community already. My wife, my children and I are excited to start this new journey. To parents and students, I just want you to know that this is your board and your district.”