NATCHITOCHES – John Dillon of Athens, center, was named the Jimmy D. Long, Sr., Louisiana Scholars’ College Distinguished Alumnus of 2022.  Dillon was recognized during Northwestern State University Homecoming festivities Oct. 22 and congratulated by LSC Director Dr. Tyler Travillion, left, and Dr. Margaret Cochran, professor of ecology and mathematics.  A 1997 graduate of the Scholars’ College and teacher of English at Minden High School since 2006, Dillon was named Best Teacher in Webster Parish in 2020.  He is also an expert on Louisiana birds, president of the Louisiana Ornithological Society and on the Board of Directors at Briarwood Nature Preserve.  Dillon’s breadth of interest and depth of knowledge across his distinguished career exemplify what it means to be a Scholar. Established by the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education in 1987, the Louisiana Scholars’ College at NSU serves as the state’s selective-admission honors college of the liberal arts and sciences. Its mission is to provide highly motivated students with a rigorous, customized honors education firmly grounded in the liberal arts and sciences.  Information on the Scholars’ College is available at https://www.nsula.edu/scholars/.