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NSU honors Dr. Karl Carpenter for 45-year career in education
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Retiring Pineville High School Principal Dr. Karl Carpenter was awarded the Nth Degree by Northwestern State University, which honors individuals for an 'unselfish devotion to duty and the willingness to go the extra mile in meritorious service.'
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Carpenter graduated from NSU in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in music education and earned his master's degree the following year. He became the band director of Oberlin High School before serving at Winnfield Senior High and Tioga High School, where he molded the band into one of central Louisiana's largest and most decorated through regional, state, and national awards.
Carpenter eventually became Pineville High School's principal in 2007 and presented nearly 4,500 diplomas to graduating seniors over 18 years. He highlighted the importance of educating students as individuals, saying, 'They don't teach chemistry. They don't teach English. They don't teach American History. They teach people.'
Outside of administration, Carpenter was also on the Louisiana Music Educators Association's (LMEA) board of directors for two decades. His time with LMEA saw him serve as president, band division chairman, orchestra division chairman, and district director, demonstrating his commitment to improving music education in Louisiana.
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'Carpenter has been an important partner to NSU through the years,' a press release stated. 'He facilitated the Dual Enrollment offerings at Pineville to provide streamlined services to students that enabled them to obtain Associate of General Studies degrees, which became a model for other high schools.
'Pineville has been the #1 feeder school to NSU over the last five years and leads other schools in the state in AGS obtainment rates. He has also facilitated NSU visits with all seniors and juniors each year, providing access to NSU opportunities for Pineville students.'
Carpenter was inducted into NSU's Hall of Distinguished Educators in 2010. The Louisiana House of Representatives passed House Resolution 171 to praise Carpenter on his retirement as principal of Pineville High School.
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