Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

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Training Corps Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit was approved for activation on the campus ; classes began in September. Coach H. Lee Prather assumed the presidency after having been a member of the faculty for thirty-seven years, having served as coach, athletic director, dean of men, and professor of government. During his term the following were erected : Armory, 195 1 ; School of Nursing Building, in Shreveport, 1953 ; and new Industrial Education Building, 1954. The major academic development which took place during Mr. Prather ' s administration was the rapid growth of the collegiate nursing program. In 1953 the Department of Nursing became the School of Nursing, with its own dean; the School now had divisional campuses in Shreveport, established in 1949; Alexandria, 1950; and Baton Rouge, 1 95 1. Students combine nursing and academic courses in a program that leads to the R. N. certificate and the B. S. degree. There have been 497 graduates since the program began ; and 374 students were enrolled in the School during the 1958 fall semester. Upon President Prather ' s retirement, Dr. John S. Kyser became President, May 15, 1954; he had been a member of the faculty since 1923, and had been Head of the Social Sciences Department for twenty-one years. During the first five years of his incumbency, the physical plant of the College experienced another period of major development. Construction projects include: Prudhomme Hall, 1956; Addition to Russell Library, 1957 ; Biological Sciences Building, 1958 ; Addition to Caspari Hall, 1958; Natchitoches Hall, 1958; and St. Denis Cafeteria, 1958. Dormitory rooms were built into the stadium in 1957 ; and South Hall and West Hall were extensively renovated during 1958. Sibley Drive was extended north- westward to College Avenue, opening another area of the campus, and paved parking lots were provided, in 1956. Ex- tensive landscaping and beautification projects were carried out. A momentous event in the history of the College was the establishment of the Graduate School, with its own dean, in 1954. In 1955 authorization was granted for offering extension courses to graduate students ; and such courses have been conducted in Shreveport, Alexandria, Jonesboro, Minden, Mansfield, DeRidder, Monroe, Lake Charles, and Winnfield. Limited to degrees in Education during the first years of its existence, the School began, in 1958, to offer programs leading to the Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees. There was a graduate enrollment of 499 students during the 1958 summer term. 1° I 955, the Special Education Center began its widespread activities. Two very important parts of the college are the Williamson Museum, in recently enlarged and renovated quarters in Guardia Hall ; and the North I ouisiana Archives Room, in the Russell Library. At the present time the faculty includes forty-five persons possessing the Doctor ' s degree. During the 1958 fall semester there were 2,659 students enrolled in the College. The College is a member in good standing of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Association of American Colleges, and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. All programs for teachers are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Nursing curricula are accredited by the Louisiana State Board of Nurse Examiners and the National Nursing Accrediting Service. Thus, our campus has seen seventy-five historic years. And still the three stately columns stand — symbols of that glorious past the College has known — but guideposts also, ever pointing the way toward even greater achievements and triumphs for our beloved Alma Mater in the years that lie ahead.

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HIRTEEN PRESIDENTS HAVE EDWARD E. SHEIB THOMAS DUCKETT BOYD BEVERLY C. CALDWELL JAMES BENJAMIN ASWELL Jan. 25, 1885-May, 1888 July 2, 1888-July n, 1896 1896-1908 Sept., 1908-June 30, 1911 VICTOR LEANDER ROY WILLIAM WHITE TISON ALBERT ASA FREDERICKS JOE FARRAR A C. MADDOX (Acting) July 1, 1911-June 30, 1929 July 1, 1929-Sept. 1, 193+ Aug. 1, 1934-June 30, 1941 April 1, 1941-June 30, 1947 Nov. 21, 1946-June 30, 1947 JOSEPH E, GIBSON July 1, 1947-June 30, 1949 GARNIE WILLIAM McGINTY July 1, 1949-Sept. 1, 1950 H. LEE PRATHER Oct. 24, 1 9 50- May 15, 1954