NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University was voted Best Online Presence in the Best of Natchitoches contest sponsored by the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, a social media contest in which individuals were invited to select their favorite business in a variety of categories.
In conjunction, Jerry Pierce, NSU’s vice president for External Affairs, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Chamber invited nominations earlier this year in a variety of categories resulting in nominations for 156 member businesses and individuals. Nominees were asked to submit a narrative on their businesses, speaking to specific criteria, including company management, community service, economic stability, ethics and integrity, growth of company, new jobs created for the community and upward mobility for employees. The narratives were reviewed by a cross section of business professionals who then scored each nominee narrative according to the criteria to determine the top three businesses in each category.
“I’m incredibly proud and honored to receive the Best of Natchitoches Award,” said Josh McDaniel, director of Marketing and Branding. “Our Office of Marketing, Branding and Digital Media prides ourselves on providing online content at the highest quality we possibly can, and it is incredibly rewarding to see our dedication and hard work be rewarded by the Natchitoches community and the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce.”
The Office of Marketing and Branding’s overall message to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community is that NSU is a place where every individual matter and can find the place where they fit. McDaniel and his staff stay current with trends in digital and social media with content that sets NSU apart from competitors in higher education and from businesses throughout the region.
The office has a staff of three full-time employees, McDaniel, Zack Breaux, assistant director, and Ashley Smith, administrative assistant, and three student workers, Abby Nelson, Alyssa McLain and Jacob Kiser.
“We strive every day to represent the affirmations and mission of our university, our students, our alumni, and our communities,” McDaniel said. “I’m grateful to Jerry Pierce and Dr. Chris Maggio for trusting us with the NSU brand and giving us the creative freedoms to do what we do best.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes one outstanding leader of our community each year whose long-term active engagement in the community has had a significant, positive economic impact locally. This is the third year the chamber has recognized an individual with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The inscription on the award reads “In recognition and appreciation for your significant contributions to the Natchitoches area.”
Pierce said, “Natchitoches and Northwestern are extraordinary places to live and work. Any contribution that I might have made to the community and region over the years is a reflection of my genuine appreciation for Natchitoches Parish and the people who make it so distinctive and exceptional. I am truly honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Jerry Pierce received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce for decades of service to Northwestern State University and the Natchitoches Community. Anna Waxley, Chamber events coordinator, left, and Laura Lyles, Chamber president, presented the award.
