Hall of Distinction

Dr. Jack Russell was a professor of Computer Information Systems at NSU’s College of Business and Technology from 1999 to 2015.  He served as coordinator of CIS for several of those years and helped to bring a nationally recognized CIS program to NSU.  He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Computer Science Teaching and an M.S. in Computer Science from Florida Tech.

During his career he was named Information Systems Educator of the Year by the AITP Education Foundation, awarded the Ben Bauman Outstanding Award for Excellence by the International Association of Computer Information Systems and authored two textbooks in Business Programming Logic & Design.  Russell was as a Regents Professor with the Texas A&M University System before coming to NSU.  He helped train and educate over 600 graduates in CIS at NSU and helped prepare and coach six student National Champion teams in Systems Analysis and Design.  He also published 26 articles regarding the teaching and delivery of CIS courses and curriculum.

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

After receiving her Master’s in Computer Science in 1979, Barbara Russell worked in industry for five years as a Programmer-Analyst. She and her husband Dr. Jack Russell moved to Tarleton State University in Texas in 1984 to begin her 33-year teaching career.  She and Jack moved to NSU in 1999, beginning their 16-year career at NSU, retiring in 2015.

While at NSU, she served as faculty sponsor of the Association of Information Technology Professionals and helped the many students achieve national recognition at annual National Student Conferences. AITP awarded her the national Advisor of the Year award in 2002.She published several papers in national journals, presented topics several times at state and national conferences and was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award at NSU in 2002.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Williams taught business law and was a member of Northwestern State’s faculty for 47 years. He was an adjunct faculty member for 19 years and became a full-time faculty member for 28 years and was a professor of business. Williams also maintained a law practice in Natchitoches and was first assistant district attorney for Natchitoches Parish. He enjoyed teaching over the course of 47 years, sometimes teaching the children and grandchildren of former students. He was known for his educational anecdotes that included Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Hobart Macgroniac, Lillie Lickskillet, and Susie Stepingofetchit.

A 1962 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, he earned a degree in agribusiness from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated from Tulane Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree in civil law.  He entered the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty in September 1968 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in February 1969. He graduated from the Naval Justice School in August 1969 and joined the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California, where he was a defense lawyer, a prosecutor and finally was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy as a military judge. Williams returned home and began to practice law. His wife, Suzanne, is teacher certification coordinator for NSU’s School of Education.

Williams passed away in May 2020.

ACCOUNTING

Graduated 2010

Courville is a certified public account who joined Heard, McElroy & Vestal in May 2011 and works in the audit department. Prior to joining HMV, he was employed at KPMG, LLP, as an audit associate. His duties included performing audits and attestation engagements of closely held businesses, financial institutions and not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, he prepares financial statements, journal entries and reconciliations of client information and researches technical issues and formulates the appropriate conclusions in order to effectively communicate the solution to team members and clients. He became a partner in 2019.

Courville received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in May 2010. He was a participant in the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program in 2014 and the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organization Community Leaders Program in 2013. In November 2014, he was recognized as a ‘40 Under 40’ recipient by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

He holds membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants (LCPA). He serves his community as a member of Holy Angels’ Champions advisory committee, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church finance council and Provenance Institute for the Arts, Culture and Environment board.

ATMO ENERGY CORPERATIONS, VICE PRESIDENT

Graduated 1985

Hill is vice president of Rates and Regulatory Affairs with Atmos Energy.  His responsibilities include working with industry peers, elected officials and governmental agencies to ensure compliance and in achieving successful regulatory outcomes.  He has been involved in the governmental arena in Louisiana for over 20 years.   He received his degree in business administration from NSU in 1985.  Hill began his career with Atmos Energy and its predecessor companies upon graduation following a successful interview set up by NSU’s Career Planning and Placement Center.  He has been with Atmos Energy for over 34 years.  During his career, he and his family have lived in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Pineville and Lubbock, Texas.

Hill and his wife of 34 year, Jackie, have three grown children, Andrew, 27; Brennan, 25, and Rachael, 22.  He is currently a member of the Association of Louisiana Lobbyists and serves as a board member for the NSU Alumni Association and the Public Affairs Research Council, a non-partisan governmental policy research organization.  He is a past board member and past president of both the Louisiana Gas Association and Kiwanis, past board member of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and One Acadiana, the regional chamber in Lafayette. He has been engaged in many leadership roles for the United Way, school organizations and numerous charitable, professional and civic groups.

Hill plans to retire from Atmos Energy at the end of the year and will remain engaged in many of his current activities while providing governmental consulting services to a small group of clients.

SENATOR DISTRICT 31

Graduated 1973

For 24 years, Bernard served the citizens of Natchitoches Parish as Clerk of Court. In that role, he sought NSU students to hire them in positions at the court and became a friend of the School of Business by volunteering his time for Future Business Leaders of America district meeting annually hosted at NSU.  Bernard diligently works with the collegiate sponsor of Phi Beta Lambda, the collegiate version of FBLA, to ensure that the students that come from all over the state are successful at NSU.  Bernard was recently elected state senator for District 31 which includes all or parts of Natchitoches, Sabine, Red River, Winn, Grant and Rapides parishes.

Bernard is a life-long member of First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches and a 1973 graduate of NSU. He has been married for the past 44 years to Gayle Haworth Bernard. They have three children and four grandchildren.

MORRIS INSURANCE

Graduated 2006

Morris is a 2002 graduate of Leesville High School and son of Malcolm (NSU 1970) and Shirley Morris.  He earned a degree in business administration at NSU in 2006 and is a successful licensed insurance agent and realtor at Morris Insurance Agency and Morris Team Realty. He is a member of First United Methodist Church of Leesville and is a fourth-generation president of the Leesville Lions Club and current treasurer.  He is a board member and finance chairman of the Louisiana Lions Camp, Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions International, 2012 president of the Greater Fort Polk Area Realtors, 2019 President of Louisiana Realtors, celebrating its centennial this year, and 2020 President of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

MCNEESE UNIVERSITY, VICE PRESIDENT

Graduated 1961, 1964

Turner is an assistant professor in the College of Business.  Previously, he served as vice president for business affairs at McNeese State University and at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  Turner’s broad experience includes teaching accounting and other business subjects at the high school and college levels. In addition, he co-authored an accounting textbook that has been adopted by multiple schools.  He is a frequent speaker at educational conferences, seminars and workshops around the country.  Turner is a 1961 NSU School of Business graduate.

FACULTY

Dr. John Hix was born on April 25, 1937, in Batesville, Arkansas, the only child of John A. and Monnie Hix. The family moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where Hix attended high school. He went on to attain his Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar State University in Beaumont, Texas, where he met and married Jo Condray.  Upon graduating from Lamar, Hix earned a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in marketing from the University of Arkansas in 1972.  A life-long educator, he held teaching positions at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL-Lafayette), Northwestern State, McMurry University, Louisiana College and overseas graduate programs for the University of Arkansas, Troy State University and Boston University. Hix died on November 24, 2018.

STATE FARM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Graduated 1989

Howard is originally from Tyler, Texas. Upon graduating from high school, he attended and graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in business administration and a minor in marketing.  After graduation, Howard held several jobs in sales and marketing before joining State Farm Insurance company as a claim representative. After 10 years in State Farm operations, he opened his own State Farm Insurance and Financial Services Agency. Howard has owned his own company for the last 20 years. Since the inception of his business, Howard has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career with the highlight being the prestigious Presidents Club Award on three occasions and the Chairman’s Circle award.

Howard is very active in his community. He is currently the fundraising chairperson for the local YMCA. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of America organization that provides mentorship to young men and serves on the NSU Foundation board of directors at NSU. He is a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity incorporated.  He was joined for the induction by his wife Carol, also a graduate of Northwestern State. They have two children, Brandon and Kennedy Howard.

PARTNER  - PRIVATE CLIENT SERVICES

Graduated 1973

A Northwestern State University alumnus who has had a long and successful accounting career created an endowed professorship in the School of Business at NSU. The Thomas M. Wright Professorship in Accounting was created with a donation to the NSU Foundation with matching dollars from the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund to complete a $100,000 endowment.

WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE

Graduated 2000

NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY & DCCCD

Graduated 2007

Graduated 1960

Theodore Jones passed away on August 11, 2019. A native of Tifton, Georgia, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Northwestern State with special studies in accounting and economics in 1960. He received a Juris Doctorate at the University of Mississippi in 1963 and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1970.

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL

Graduated 1982

KPMG

Graduated 1999

STATE FARM

Gradated 2003

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CENTURYLINK

Graduated 1973

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER- SWEPCO

Graduated 1969

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ARGENT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Graduated 1961

FOUNDER ADVOCARE INTERNATIONAL, LP

Graduated 1965

Charlie Ragus was a successful businessman, building AdvoCare into one of the Dallas area’s fastest growing companies. The company was founded because of Ragus’ concerns about the health of others. A member of the football team at Northwestern, Ragus played with the Kansas City Chiefs. The first endowed chair in the NSU School of Business was named in his honor.

Graduated 1977

SUPERIOR RESTAURANT GROUP

Graduated 1976

VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER NELSON ENERGY, INC.

Graduated 1971

Passed away August 20, 2017.

DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & ZONING CITY OF NATCHITOCHES

Graduated 1998

NSU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ALUMNI

Graduated 1973

Twenty-two Northwestern State University students were named recipients of inaugural Morgan First Generation Scholarships made possible by NSU alumni David and Sherry Morgan.  Seventeen additional students were named recipients of the David and Sherry Morgan Extra Mile Scholarships.  The Morgans established the scholarships to assist members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

PRESIDENT & CEO REAL VISION SOFTWARE INC.

Graduated 1980

Chicola is president of Real Vision Software based in Alexandria, a company he founded in 1992 after working as a programmer for 12 years. His company’s big break came when IBM saw the advantage of having Real Vision Software’s product along with IBM’s product covering mid-range businesses. They were later expanded to small businesses for IBM in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Central America. The company sells to businesses including banks, insurance companies, service bureaus, hospitals, government agencies, casinos, trucking firms, investment firms, manufacturers and utility companies.

PRESIDENT & CEO RECYCLING SERVICES INC.

Graduated 1963

Ken Moran passed away August 22, 2020. He was an Alexandria entrepreneur who has built several successful businesses from scratch. He was involved in the recycling, manufacturing and trucking businesses and is noted for being able to take advantage of opportunities that become available. Moran has also actively supported local charities and Northwestern State University.

SYSTEM ADVISOR EXXON COMPANY USA

Graduated 1958

VICE PRESIDENT/ COO EBS ASIA PACIFIC

Graduated 1985

Passed away on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, in Plano, Texas after a valiant battle with cancer. Born Sept. 1, 1958, in Natchitoches, La., he was the son of Herman and Wilda Bridges. He grew up with brothers Doug and Mike and sister Betty Katherine Shutt. After moving to Fort Wayne with EDS, he met and married Judith Schenkel.

CAMPUS CORNER, INC

Graduated 1986

LOUISIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Graduated 1958

Jean McGlothlin Doerge graduated from Northwestern in 1958 with a B.S. in Education and joined the staff at Minden High School. The next year, she and her husband moved to Arp, Texas, to teach at the Arp Independent School, where she taught business classes and was an adviser for the school newspaper, yearbook and cheerleaders.

MANAGING PARTNER COUTEE & COUTEE TAX CONSULTANTS

Graduated 1960

Ellis Coutee spent 30 years as a Senior Agent and Insurance Specialist in the U.S. Treasury Department before becoming an Enrolled Agent in private practice. Coutee has been active in church and civic affairs in Baton Rouge and around the state and has been a generous contributor to NSU, setting up scholarships and endowed professorships at Northwestern.

PRESIDENT & CEO INTRACORP

Graduated 1982

FACULTY

Graduated 1969

NSU STAFF

Graduated 1955

Dr. Loneta Graves passed away September 11, 2011. Best remembered for her 34 year career of what was to become Northwestern State University, she began work in the auditor’s office and would go on to retire as the first female vice president of a public college or university in the state of Louisiana as Vice President of Financial and Administrative Affairs, as well as EEO Officer and Appointing Authority for Civil Services. She held professional membership in Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Omega Pi, Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma.

In 1987 she was awarded the status of Vice President Emeritus from NSU, only to be followed up by an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities in 1992 and acknowledged as a Golden Jubilee Alumnus in 2005. After that she was enrolled in the “N” Club for distinguished service in 2008.

FACULTY

Graduated 1939

Kenneth Durr passed away August 22, 2012. Member of The Greatest Generation, Kenneth loved life, family, friends, teaching, his country and his church. Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, in-law, cousin and uncle are family roles he enjoyed over a long and productive life that lasted almost a century.

NASA

Graduated 1962

Dr. Robert Eugene Easley served at the NASA Johnson Space Center from 1964 until 1998 in several leadership positions. He was a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service. Easley received the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. From 1998 to 2005, he was an executive at The Boeing Company Space Exploration Division.

FACULTY

Graduated 1968

CPCU DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS STATE FARM INSURANCE

Graduated 1985

Agency Field Leader at State Farm Insurance.

MANAGER BELLSOUTH CORPORATION

Graduated 1966

FOUNDER OF WINNFIELD FUNERAL HOMES WINNFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WINNFIELD CASKET COMPANY

Awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters 2001

Mr. Ben Johnson was an entrepreneur and humanitarian who helped to build a community while he was building an empire.

PRESIDENT & CEO KILPATRICK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Graduated 2000

PRESIDENT & CO-OWNER VERMILLION CONSTRUCTION, VERMILLION HOMES C & M TECHNOLOGIES

Graduated 1978

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT REGIONS BANK

Graduated 1972

Mr. Robert M. McGuirt is Executive Vice President-Business Banking at Citizens National Bank, NA (Bossier City, Louisiana) and Executive Vice President-Business Banking at Citizens National Bancshares of Bossier, Inc. (Louisiana).

VICE PRESIDENT, TRUST GROUP H.LEVNIAN NATION BOARD

Graduated 1974

ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE

Graduated 1945

Passed away February 8th, 2003.

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA CHAIR MAN HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

Graduated 1974

AVOYELLES PARISH PRESIDENT HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

Graduated 1972

CPA & PARTNER MARCUS, ROBISON & HASSELL A&M MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Graduated 1963

PUBLICATION & COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Graduated 1967, 1968

Gary Pittman is a Vein Specialists at Vein Therapy News based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Previously, Gary was a President at Publications & Communications.

MANAGING PARTNER & FORESTER WEAVER BROTHERS LAND & TIMBER COMPANY

Graduated 1957

Weaver is the general partner and forester of Weaver Brothers Land & Timber Company. Weaver is married to Sue Wells Fowler. He was married to the late Jerri Roberts, with whom he has four children.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO KILPATRICK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Graduated 1977

RESIDENT CLAIM SUPERINTENDENT STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

Graduated 1964

CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER JAMES & HARDY

Graduated 1966

AREA PRESIDENT NORTHEAST REGION HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

Graduated 1971

PRESIDENT BROWN - EAGLE GROUP, INC.

Graduated 1968

Lela Mae Lea Wilkes has been President of Brown-Eagle Group, leading a 500-employee company.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR CORPORATE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATION

Graduated 1967

MANAGING PARTNER INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ANDERSEN WORLDWIDE

Graduated 1958

Passed away June 12, 2017.

FOUNDER CHAIR, AND CEO PATTERSON INSURANCE GROUP

Graduated 1959

Patterson, a member of Northwestern State's Long Purple Line, the highest honor granted by the university to its alumni, was 76 when he passed away on June 6th 2013. He served on the NSU Athletic Association Board of Directors and was a key in many endeavors on behalf of NSU and its athletic program for many years.

Jimmy Patterson was a long-time business and civic leader in the Shreveport area. Patterson was President of Siblings Financial, LLC. He was the founder, Chairman of the Board, and CEO of the Patterson Insurance Group. Patterson has been the recipient of numerous professional and service awards. A respected member of the insurance industry, Patterson has served on several prestigious insurance regulatory boards.

REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 23 LOUSIANA HOUSE OF REPRENTATIVES

Graduated 1999

Rep. Jimmy Long was the dean of the Louisiana House of Representatives, served for 32 years and was later on the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

OWNER HEBERT'S TOWN & COUNTRY CHRYSLER

Graduated 1999

MID-SOUTH REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES

Graduated 1971, 1972

CHAIR LOUISANA BOARD OF PAROLE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING NSU

Graduated 1950, 1956

Fred Clark received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern and is the former President/CEO of Sterling Sugars, Inc. He has also been active in the banking industry and served Northwestern as a faculty member and Executive in Residence in the College of Business. Clark has also been Chairman of the State of Louisiana Board of Parole.

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT HOH - PAK LTD

Graduated 1951

PRESIDENT & CEO FOREST TERATT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Graduated 1982

President/CEO at Centric Federal Credit Union / West Monroe, Louisiana, United States

PARTNER WHITEHEAD LAW OFFICERS

Graduated 1960

Charles Whitehead passed away September 15, 2021. He, began practicing law in Natchitoches in August 1966 and served the Natchitoches community in many areas including, Assistant District Attorney, 1970-1973, Board of Directors, Natchitoches Industries, 1981-1984, Chairman, City of Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission, 1970-1976, Board of Commissioners, Natchitoches Parish Hospital, 1976-1982, Chairman, Natchitoches Parish American Red Cross Fund Drive, 1968, and President, Natchitoches Parish L.S.U. Alumni Association, 1969-1975.  Charlie also served Immaculate Conception Church in various capacities including, St. Mary’s School Board, 1975-1978, Trustee, Lector and Eucharistic Minister and as terms as President, Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Council.  Charlie was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1357 since 1956.  In 1983, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, an order of knighthood in recognition of personal service to the Holy See and to the Roman Catholic Church.  Charlie was inducted into the Northwestern State University, College of Business and Technology Hall of Distinction in 1999 and the St. Mary’s Academic Hall of Fame in 2002.

OWNER AND CEO MAGNOLIA PULPWOOD CO.

Graduated 1958

Bryant O. Lewis passed away at the age of 83, on December 17, 2019. Bryant O. Lewis was a successful businessman who owned and operated Magnolia Pulpwood Company along with Timberland Holdings. He was an active in a number of professional and civic organizations in his community as well as on a statewide and regional basis. Lewis was a generous supporter of the university, donating endowed professorships and scholarships. He also served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

MANAGING PARTNER ICT GROUP LLC

Graduated 1969

Passed away at the age 68 on October 18, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana surrounded by family and close friends.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ENERGY OPERATION ENRON CORP

Graduated 1976

PRESIDENT INVESTING AND DEVELOPMENT, INC.

Graduated 1944

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (CFO) INTERNATIONAL PAPER EUROPE

Graduated 1960

Karl Moore rose through the ranks to become one of the top officials at International Paper. Moore was International Paper’s Staff Vice-President and Chief Information Officer responsible for company resources around the world. In addition, he has been generous to the university by organizing alumni chapters and assisting in development operations.

FIELD VICE PRESIDENT AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL SERVICES

Graduated 1969

Shirley Winfree Gayle died peacefully at her Lake Charles home on May 22, 2010. She was born on July 19, 1914 in Leesville, LA of a pioneer Vernon Parish family. She graduated from Louisiana State Normal College, now Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, and taught at Leesville High School. In her college years she was an accomplished student of acrobatic dance and ballet, performing for a season at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 1933 she was named "Miss Vernon Parish" in a popular beauty pageant. In 1937 she wed William Gedge Gayle, a businessman with Kelley-Weber & Co., and moved to Lake Charles where she resided until her death. During World War II, the Gayle family relocated for almost two years to San Antonio, Texas for Gedge Gayle's military training at Ft. Sam Houston prior to his US Army service on Saipan and Guam in the Pacific Campaign.

FOUNDER & CEO UNITED TEACHERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

Graduated 1973

After graduation, he started his career in the insurance field selling insurance to active teachers in Louisiana. In 1981, he began United Teacher Associates Inc., an insurance agency specializing in insurance benefits to members of large state retired teacher associations. Morgan purchased an insurance company three years later and started writing the association member insurance policies through the company. The renamed United Teacher Associates Insurance Company grew annual revenue to more than $200 million with 250 full-time employees and more than 3,000 agents across the company. In 1999, he sold United Teacher Associates to a Fortune 500 company.