Tommy Chester

Chester earned a bachelors in wildlife management in 1967 and a masters in student personnel services in 1969.  While at Northwestern, Tommy met his wife, the former Cynthia (Cindy) Thomas.

He served in the U.S. Air Force. Chester was a teacher in Red River and DeSoto parishes and director of Student Activities at Louisiana College and Louisiana Tech. He started a successful career with State Farm Insurance beginning in 1977 in Arcadia. As an agent, Chester has won numerous awards.  Early in his career he was named a Travel Agent and was as an Honors Agent multiple times throughout his career.  He has also been named as a Select Agent.

His community service includes serving as president of the Arcadia Jaycees and Arcadia Lions Club.

Chester joined the NSU Alumni Association Board of Directors in the 1980s, and later became vice-president, and president; serving in that role for 10 consecutive years.  He holds the distinction as the longest serving president in Alumni Association history.  He has also been a member of the NSU Athletic Association Board of Directors.  Tommy and Cindy Chester   established the Doris G. Chester Scholarship through the Gallaspy Family College of Education.

Chester initiated an award for NSU faculty which is now the Excellence in Teaching Award. The honor is presented to a faculty member from each academic college during the fall semester.   He worked with the late President Dr. Randall Webb in the late 1990s to gain student support to fund construction of the Randall J. Webb Wellness and Recreation Center.