Latest news with #NorthwesternStateUniversity
American Press
03-06-2025
- General
- American Press
Linda Sue Chapman
Linda Sue Cato Chapman, 86 years old, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Spring, Texas after a seven year battle with dementia. Linda was born on Oct. 20, 1938, to Ruby and Willie Cato of Gloster, La. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Philip Joseph Chapman, who passed away in 2022 and her beloved grandson, Nicholas Fletcher. Linda is survived by her daughter, Lezlie Fletcher (Ken); son, Billy Chapman (Cheree); grandchildren, Blake Chapman (Linda), Grace Chapman, and Emily Fletcher. From an early age, Linda demonstrated a passion for music. She attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. where she majored in piano and music education and was actively involved in the university chorus and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. After graduation, Linda married Philip and the couple settled in Westlake, La. where she began a lifelong career in education, teaching music to hundreds of children at Western Heights Elementary and serving as the pianist for over 25 years at Westwood Baptist Church. Upon retirement, Linda and Philip moved to Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas where they quickly became involved in this close knit community that meant so much to them. Linda led the choir at Petit Jean Baptist Church and developed countless cherished friendships. After nearly two decades, they returned to Louisiana and following Hurricane Laura in 2020, moved to a personal care home in Spring, Texas. Markeith and Nequita Hicks, and their children, Mia, Alicia, Zeniah, and Markeith Jr., who became a second family, lovingly cared for both Linda and Philip during their battles with dementia. Our family is deeply grateful to this team who became an extension of our family during this chapter of their lives. A memorial service honoring both Linda and Philip will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 6 p.m., with visitation beginning at 4 p.m. until the time of the service. Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Summer Rock Camp at NSU: Learn instruments & perform
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — If you have the urge to rock, Northwestern State University has a program for you. NSU Theatre and Dance students land summer roles nationwide The Summer Rock Camp offers hands-on instruction in multiple instruments and disciplines. It features and provides electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and drums along with singing help. The camp ends with a performance at the end of the week. The Summer Rock Camp is on June 23-27 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fine Arts Annex. Spots in the camp are limited due to the number of instruments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NSU honors nursing student with $38K in scholarships
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Northwestern State University awarded Jesci Lord Marchand with its Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship, which is given annually to a student enrolled in NSU's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 'I am pursuing nursing because I deeply want to help and serve others,' Marchand said. 'While all areas of nursing interest me, I feel particularly inclined to neonatal nursing.' The scholarship was created to honor Lauren Vaughn, who lost her life in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. This was the second year that the Lauren Vaughn Foundation hosted the LV5K on Easter weekend, which celebrated Vaughn's life and raised $38,000 for the scholarship while bringing awareness to the dangers of drunk driving. NSU's web development program among the nation's most affordable Marchand is originally from Bastrop but moved to Pineville in 2020 to attend Louisiana Christian University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. Marchand said she felt a calling to pursue a healthcare career. She initially planned to apply to medical school before learning about NSU's accelerated nursing program. The program allows students with a bachelor's degree to complete the necessary nursing courses for the BSN in 16 months. 'Through communication with [Assistant Professor] Kathy Vaughn, I learned about the accelerated BSN program and how to apply for it, so I jumped at the chance,' Marchand said. 'I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to obtain my BSN in one year.' Marchand will pursue her nursing degree at NSU's Cenla campus in Alexandria's England Industrial Airpark. 'Because my husband and I live in Ball, Louisiana, I am exceedingly thankful for the convenience of Northwestern State University's Alexandria Campus,' Marchand said. 'I am thankful for every opportunity provided by NSU's nursing program, and I am especially grateful for the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship. I am thrilled to begin the accelerated BSN program in May.' NSU School of Business receives accreditation extension Vaughn graduated from Alexandria Senior High School in 2018 and became interested in medicine on a field trip to LSU Medical Center. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology at Louisiana Tech. Vaughn was enrolled in NSU's accelerated BSN program and scheduled to graduate in August 2023. On March 31, 2023, Vaughn was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses. She passed away just a few days later on April 7. For information about the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation, visit or the group's Facebook page. Donations to the Lauren Vaughn Scholarship can be made at To learn more about degree programs at NSU's College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, go to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NSU presents ‘Music Jam 2025,' a summer music camp for kids
NATCHITOCHES (KTAL/KMSS)—Northwestern State University's Department of Music presents Music Jam 2025, a summer music camp for children ages 5 to 11. ArtWalk returns to Marshall at Bear Creek Smokehouse event Campers can participate in singing, playing instruments, music games, composing, and crafts. The camp will be held from June 2 to June 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at NSU's Performing Arts Complex. It costs $150 per camper, with a $10 discount for siblings. For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Pulling at pullingj@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Northwestern State University expanding club sports programs to meet student requests
Natchitoches (KTAL/KMSS) – Northwestern State University's club sports program continued growing by adding three sports with more reportedly on the way. According to a press release, NSU has seven club sports, with more than 100 students participating. New volleyball, tennis, and chess teams have recently been formed to join established teams in rowing, bass fishing, archery, and Esports. Students are also setting up club teams for golf, disc golf, and powerlifting. Northwestern State to host Destination Science camp Northwestern Associate Director of Competitive Sports Dr. Jason Stelly defines a club sport as a registered student organization formed by students who share interests in a specific sport or physical activity. He says the clubs' purpose 'is to encourage participation and engage its members in competitive, extramural sports.' Each sport can be competitive or recreational and is founded, organized, managed, and maintained by student leaders. 'Club Sports provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, management and organizational skills, as well as competition, physical activity and social well-being for all participants,' said Stelly. 'Joining a club sport gives students a balance of having collegiate sport experience without the intensity of a varsity athletic team. Club sports are a great opportunity to continue an athletic career or learn new skills while also building new friendships.' Stelly added that these clubs can compete with clubs and organizations of other colleges and universities. Club sports fundraise to cover almost all expenses, and teams can request limited funding. There is a small student fee dedicated to club sports. LSU Shreveport honors five in Most Outstanding Faculty awards According to the release, NSU's fishing team is nationally ranked, and the rowing team has produced All-Americans, attracting positive attention for the university. The volleyball team was formed last June and has almost two dozen participants, most of whom are also active in several other campus organizations. 'I formed the team because of my love of volleyball,' said Michael Bertrand, a senior accounting major from Lake Charles, who leads the program. 'I've only been playing for about two and a half years. Like most guys on the team, I didn't know there was a league in this region men could compete in.' Bertrand added that NSU has two men's and just one women's teams. NSU mainly competes against other Louisiana colleges and universities. He said the team has been competitive and recently finished third in a tournament at UL-Lafayette. NSU's chess club has five members and aims to compete against other schools in the future. 'I formed the chess club because of my love for the game,' said Aniyah Smith, a junior nursing major from Shreveport. 'I had only been playing for one year prior to forming the club, and I thought to myself if I love the game, I'm sure there are others that do too.' Bossier Parish Community College debate team earns national championship NSU's club tennis team is coed and allows students from all skill levels to play and learn more about the sport. 'I played tennis throughout all my years in high school, so going to club tennis practices allows me to keep that skill alive and is the reason I joined,' said Lia Portillo Cantarero, a senior communication major from Galliano. For more information about NSU's club sports, contact Dr. Jason Stelly at stellyj@ or Club Sports Coordinator Courtney Chancellor at chancellorc@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
