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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 127
BY REPRESENTATIVES COX, BROWN, AND HOWARD
A RESOLUTION
To commend Dr. Randall J. Webb for his outstanding accomplishments and singular
contributions to Northwestern State University upon his retirement as president and
to express gratitude to him for his exemplary term of dedicated and highly
productive public service.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Dr. Randall J. Webb as he prepares to
retire as president of Northwestern State University, a position in which he has served with
great honor and effectiveness for nearly two decades; and
WHEREAS, in July of 2014, Dr. Webb will become the longest-serving president
in the one hundred thirty year history of Northwestern State University, having assumed the
position in 1996; and
WHEREAS, under Dr. Webb's leadership, Northwestern State University (NSU) has
received unprecedented national and international attention for its academic programs and
student accomplishments, university facilities have been renovated to better serve students,
and two record-setting capital campaigns have taken place; and
WHEREAS, enrollment has reached record levels during Dr. Webb's tenure as
president, and higher admission standards have resulted in students at the university having
greater academic potential and aptitude; and during his presidency, NSU has had the largest
graduating classes in its history; and
WHEREAS, retention has increased at NSU, the average ACT score of students has
gone up, and high school student leaders are enrolling at Northwestern State University in
record numbers; and
WHEREAS, external funding for NSU has increased dramatically during Dr. Webb's
presidency; two capital campaigns far exceeded their goals, and in addition to private
funding, NSU has received more grant money in recent years from state and federal agencies
and private foundations than at any time since its founding in 1884, and millions of dollars
have been obtained for new and renovated facilities; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 127
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WHEREAS, Dr. Webb has expanded the university's outreach by spearheading the
development of the largest electronic education and distance learning network of any
university in the state; and
WHEREAS, NSU's academic programs and athletic teams receive positive national
recognition, the Computer Information Systems program has won numerous national
championships, NSU achieved Tier I status in the U.S. News and World Report ranking of
regional universities on two occasions, and the same publication rated the master's program
in nursing as one of the Top 100 in the nation; and
WHEREAS, a new doctor of nursing practice program has been created during Dr.
Webb's tenure, along with a post-master's certificate program in global security and
intelligence and a master's program in homeland security, and NSU has added new
undergraduate programs in theatre, criminal justice, unified public safety administration,
organizational leadership, addiction studies, liberal arts, general studies, communication, and
allied health; and
WHEREAS, several faculty members have earned prestigious Fulbright Fellowships
to teach internationally, and NSU students have received several of the top scholarships
awarded for graduate studies; and
WHEREAS, Demon and Lady Demon athletic teams have won conference
championships in baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, soccer, softball, and
women's tennis and have had numerous All-Americans in men's and women's track and
field; and student athletes at NSU also excel academically; and
WHEREAS, a former center on the NSU football team, Dr. Webb is an avid
supporter of NSU's athletic programs and has held positions of leadership at the national
level in intercollegiate athletics; and
WHEREAS, a 1965 graduate of NSU in mathematics and business education, Dr.
Webb earned a master of science degree in mathematics from NSU in 1966 and a doctorate
in education with a concentration in mathematics and research from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb was a member of the faculty of Longwood College in
Farmville, Virginia, from 1966 until 1974; served as director of higher education and teacher
certification at the state Department of Education from 1974 through 1976; and moved to ENROLLEDHR NO. 127
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Southeastern Louisiana University in 1976, spending thirteen years there in positions
including director of institutional research, Equal Employment Opportunity officer, registrar,
and member of the mathematics faculty; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Dr. Webb became a professor of mathematics and NSU's dean
of instruction and graduate studies, a position in which he was responsible for campus-wide
policy development, planning, advancement, and review of both graduate and undergraduate
programs; while he was dean, graduate enrollment and internal funding for faculty research
both increased significantly; and
WHEREAS, as dean, Dr. Webb proposed the concept for NSU's successful Freshman
Connection Program and served as a member of the writing team for a grant proposal that
resulted in a major grant to improve student retention; he also chaired the steering committee
for NSU's Self Study for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb has been active in the community as a member of the board
of directors of the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Association for
the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, the
Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society, Rotary Club, and the First Baptist Church;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb and his wife Brenda have two daughters, both of whom are
honor graduates of NSU and married to former NSU baseball players; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb will be profoundly missed for his leadership, his intellect, and
all of the incomparable gifts and talents that he has lent to NSU for so long and so well, and
he will continue to bring deep pride to the university and the citizens of this state as a
dignified scholar and a gentleman whose loyalty and dedication to NSU are inspiring and
unwavering; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Randall J. Webb merits highest commendation for the indelible
mark he has left on Northwestern State University and its students, faculty, and staff as one
of the state's finest public servants.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Dr. Randall J. Webb for his outstanding
accomplishments and singular contributions to Northwestern State University, does hereby
record for posterity his remarkable service as the longest-serving president in university ENROLLEDHR NO. 127
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history, does hereby express enduring gratitude for the noble strides he has taken in this
position and for the vast and innovative improvements installed at NSU under his leadership,
and does hereby extend to him best wishes for continued success and happiness in all of his
future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Dr. Randall J. Webb.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES