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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 102
BY SENATOR LONG AND REPRESENTATI VES BROWN AND COX
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend Dr. Randall J. Webb for his commitment, service, singular contributions, and
outstanding accomplishments upon his retirement as president of Northwestern State
University and to express gratitude for his exemplary term of dedicated and highly
productive public service.
WHEREAS, Dr. Randall J. Webb has served as president of Northwestern State
University since 1996 and in July will become the university's longest serving president; and
WHEREAS, under Dr. Webb's leadership, Northwestern State University has
received well-deserved national and international attention for its academic programs and
student accomplishments; university facilities have been renovated to better serve students;
and two capital campaigns have set fundraising records at the school; and
WHEREAS, he has led the move toward higher admissions standards at the
university which has resulted in students having greater academic potential and aptitude and
the university has had its largest graduating classes in school history during his tenure as
president; and
WHEREAS, retention has increased at Northwestern State University, the average
ACT score of students has gone up, and high school student leaders have enrolled at the
university in record numbers; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb has also expanded the university's outreach by spearheading
the development at NSU of the largest electronic education and distance learning network
of any university in Louisiana as the university offers courses and thirty-four accredited
degree programs to students across the nation and world through Internet and compressed
video and several university online programs have been rated as being among the best buys
in the United States; and SCR NO. 102 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, millions of dollars have been obtained during his presidency for new
and renovated facilities with new facilities including the Wellness, Recreation and Activity
Center, Student Services Center, University Place I and II residence halls while Morrison
Hall, the Family and Consumer Sciences Building, Williamson Hall, Russell Hall and
Caspari Hall have been completely renovated and restored; and
WHEREAS, Northwestern State University has achieved Tier I status in the United
State News and World Report ranking of regional universities on two occasions and the
master's program in nursing was rated as one of the Top 100; and
WHEREAS, a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program was created along with a
Post Master's Certificate in Global Security and Intelligence and a master's in homeland
security and the university has added new undergraduate academic programs in theatre,
criminal justice, unified public safety administration, organizational leadership, addiction
studies, liberal arts, general studies, communication, and allied health; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Webb has held positions of leadership at the national level in
intercollegiate athletics, serving as chair of the board of directors of the Southland
Conference and as a member of the prestigious NCAA Executive Council and the NCAA
Division I Board of Directors that oversee all major policy decisions by the governing body
for major college sports, while also serving as the Southland Conference representative on
the NCAA Presidential Advisory Group; and
WHEREAS, he has been active in the community as a member of the board of
directors of the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce and as 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, Randall Webb and his wife Brenda have two daughters, both honor
graduates of Northwestern who are each married to former NSU student-athletes.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Dr. Randall J. Webb for his outstanding accomplishments upon his retirement as
president of Northwestern State University, does hereby record for posterity his
commitment, contributions, and remarkable service as president, does hereby express SCR NO. 102 ENROLLED
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enduring gratitude for his extraordinary contributions, and does hereby extend to him best
wishes for full measures of success and happiness in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.
Randall J. Webb.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES