Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Main entrance to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches , Louisiana Northwestern State University stands on ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over 100 years. Before the American Civil War , a portion of the present campus was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches. As early as 1856, the Bullard mansion was in use as a convent by the Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following year, a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884, the town and parish of Natchitoches purchased the property. Three of the four great white columns that once supported the east gable of the mansion still stand on "The Hill" and serve as the unofficial symbols of the university. [ 7 ] In 1884, the Louisiana State Legislature by Act 51 created the Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers. Shortly thereafter, a freshman member of the Louisiana House of Representatives , Leopold Caspari of Natchitoches, offered the convent site as a campus for the school with the anticipated approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was accepted, and from 1885 to 1918, the school offered two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate programs were inaugurated, and the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana State Normal College. In 1944, the institution's excellent service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition by Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to Northwestern State College of Louisiana . Northwestern State maintained and strengthened its tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer a master's degree. The Specialist in Education degree was first offered in 1966 and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degrees were authorized in 1967. On June 18, 1970, Governor John J.

McKeithen signed a legislative act that brought the old campus its greatest distinction, changing its title to Northwestern State University of Louisiana. In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places under the title "Normal Hill Historic District." Although primarily a regional institution, Northwestern State also offers an opportunity for education at satellite locations, including Leesville , Shreveport , and Alexandria . The Nursing Education Center, located in Shreveport, provides the educational environment for nursing majors enrolled in clinical courses, as well as general education courses. [ 8 ] "The Rock" on Sam Sibley Dr. featuring a Caesar Cipher promoting the Demon Cipher Society in September 2022 A large piece of limestone, known as "The Rock" was placed on campus in 2006 at a major intersection for registered student organizations to paint designs promoting their groups. [ 9 ] The list of student organizations available grows every semester. [ 10 ] In 2012, the university, along with Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University was censured by the American Association of University Professors for violations of AAUP standards on faculty rights. [ 11 ] In response, Randy Moffett , then University of Louisiana System president, said that “placing universities on a censure list has little, if any, practical implication." [ 11 ] In 2021, Marcus Jones became the first African-American President in the university's 137-year history after he was unanimously approved by the Louisiana Board of Supervisors. Four years later, in 2024, he was succeeded by Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice James Genovese. [ 12 ] Vic the Demon On November 8, 1922, by proclamation of President V. L. Roy and Coach H. Lee Prather , all athletic teams became known as the Demons. The name was decided upon by a contest open to all students, with a grand prize of $10.

A committee was appointed by the president to narrow down the names submitted by the student body. The final selection was decided by a vote of the students. The two most popular choices were Braves and Demons. Among other names submitted by students were Sharks, Daredevils, Musketeers, Pelicans, Prather's Ground Hogs, Bloodhounds, Cyclops, and Serpents. The official winners were Aileen Ritter and Truett Scarborough. On September 22, 1984, the Demon received his official given name using another contest sponsored by the athletic department. The contest was open to faculty, staff, and students. The objective was to find a name for the Demon. Over 300 entries were submitted to the committee. The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid weekend at the Louisiana State Fair Classic. Ray Carney, an alumnus of the university, was the official winner with "Vic", which is short for "Victory".

Singer-songwriter Jim Croce died in a plane crash hours after finishing a 1973 concert on the NSU campus. [ 13 ]