From The Heart

Sometimes people ask me how long I have been associated with Northwestern.  I tell them, “since birth,” since I was born across the street from the campus and my father was a chemistry professor here.

Actually, approximately fifty members of my family attended Normal, or Northwestern.  That includes both my parents, my wife and me, both our daughters, and both their husbands.  I am so very grateful for the rich legacy that has been handed down to me as President of this magnificent university.

Northwestern was founded in 1884 as the State Normal School, whose purpose was to prepare teachers for the schools of Louisiana.  Not only does the Northwestern of today continue that rich heritage of preparing teachers and other school leaders, but the emphasis on quality teaching permeates every department and program of the University.

Many of our staff members are graduates of Northwestern.  They know from experience what an exceptional university this is and the positive impact it can have on the lives of students.  They want the students at Northwestern of today to have the same kinds of enjoyable and fulfilling experiences they had here when they were students.

Northwestern has a wide array of academic degree programs, services, and opportunities for student leadership involvement in activities, organizations, and governance.  This university has everything a student needs to prepare for graduate or professional school, the world of work, active citizenship, or the living of a more fulfilled life.  But our most important asset is the personal touch our faculty, staff, and administrators afford our students, whether the students are taking classes on campus or electronically through eNSU, our extensive campus in cyberspace.

Purely and simply, we at Northwestern strive to add value to the lives of our students.  We feel we are in the life-changing business, and we take that mission quite seriously.

Sincerely,

Randall J. Webb
President