By Kevin Shannahan
After a hiatus due to COVID, Northwestern State University’s The Flavor of Louisiana fundraiser made a welcome return as Prather Coliseum was once again transformed into what was arguably the finest restaurant in the state Friday, April 8. Thirty area establishments presented their best seafood dishes and drinks to over 1,000 Northwestern State University supporters. The diners enjoyed some of the best seafood dishes to be found anywhere while supporting our hometown university. Several NSU sororities also sold homemade goods and held a raffle.
The Flavor of Louisiana is a signature fundraiser for NSU’s Columns Fund. The money raised will be used to further the Columns Fund’s mission of supporting NSU students with scholarships and travel funds, as well as providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff to reach out to the surrounding community. The event is expected to raise over $72,000 for this worthy cause.
Lt. Gov Nungesser’s office, in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Board, provided the seafood served at the event. The Louisiana Seafood Board is charged with promoting the use of seafood from Louisiana’s waters. The dinner featured each of the six species of fish, alligator, crab, oyster, shrimp, and crawfish that are native to our state. Lt. Gov. Nungesser and the Seafood Board thought of the Flavor of Louisiana event as a way to both promote the use of local seafood and as a way to raise needed funds for our state’s colleges and universities.
The event is a true community effort on the part of the NSU family. NSU women’s basketball coach Anna Nimz was joined by her staff and 8 players in working at the evening’s event. They joined over fifty of their fellow students and staff members in working behind the scenes to ensure a smoothly running event. Friday’s Flavor of Louisiana marks the fourth year of what will hopefully be many more. The Bayou State features some of the best seafood to be found anywhere!
The young men and women attending NSU are a hardworking and talented group of young people. They make life in our community richer and better. The money raised at the Flavor of Louisiana will help young men and women achieve their dreams of a better life. Let us help make Northwestern State University an even better place!
