northwestern state university
Northwestern State University is a responsive, student-oriented institution
committed to acquiring, creating, and disseminating knowledge through innovative
teaching, research, and service. With its certificate, undergraduate, and
graduate programs, Northwestern State University prepares its increasingly
diverse student population to contribute to an inclusive global community with a
steadfast dedication to improving our region, state, and nation. History
Northwestern State University was established in 1884 as the Louisiana State
Normal School, an institution created specifically for the training of teachers,
in a time when public education was an increasing priority across the nation.
The location of the school is tied to the roots of the city of Natchitoches and
is the oldest continually occupied site for higher education in Louisiana. When
legislation was introduced in 1884 to create a state Normal School, local civic
and business leaders marshaled support to purchase the 100-acre site of a former
convent and school and offer it as the site of the new state school. The
selection was announced in October 1884 and a short, two-month session began in
March 1885 with an enrollment of 60 students. In 1921, the Louisiana State
Normal School, which initially offered a 2-year degree program to prepare
educators, began offering a 4-year educator degree program and was renamed the
Louisiana Normal College. In 1944, the further expansion of degree offerings led
to the school’s name being changed to Northwestern State College. In 1970, the
college achieved university status and was renamed the title it still holds
today: Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Ever-growing, Northwestern
State also serves the region at its off-campus instructional sites in
Shreveport, Alexandria and Fort Polk. Since its inception, Northwestern State
University has had a tremendous social and economic impact on northwest
Louisiana and beyond. NSU has provided and continues to offer educational and
cultural opportunities to prepare individuals for success in life, careers and
citizenship.
