NATCHITOCHES – Nehemiah Riggs began the week being honored for completing more than 350 hours working with ESPN+ sports broadcasts in Northwestern State University’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts. On Thursday, he collected his Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in history and a concentration in journalism, digital media and broadcasting.

Nehemiah Riggs

His path to graduation was anything but easy.  After Riggs’ mother died of cancer in 2011, he lived from home to home.  Three years ago, he started working at McDonald’s and decided to enroll at NSU, walking to campus from work to register for classes. He was eventually able to get an apartment and continued working full-time while a full-time student. Last year, he bought his first car. But life brought more painful losses, the loss of his 3-year-old cousin in a car wreck and the loss of his dad at the first of this year.

Although he didn’t have financial help or anyone telling him to go to school, Riggs was inspired by his mother who worked three jobs before she died.

“I’ve always been a person to never give up.  My mother was the same way.”  He is planning a career in film and/or marketing.

NSU’s Fall Commencement took place with three ceremonies over two days Dec. 13-14. The university awarded degrees to 1,101 summer and fall graduates.

Riggs is only one example of students who overcame hardship on the path to earning a degree. For others, going back to school as a non-traditional students presented a different set of challenges.

Brian Goody is an investigator for the NSU Police Department.  He earned an undergraduate degree in business at Grambling State University in 1994 and worked in the insurance, retail and the corporate sectors for 15 years before changing gears completely and pursuing law enforcement. Two and a half years ago, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in Homeland Security to broaden his knowledge in law enforcement and make himself more marketable for future opportunities.

“The pursuit of this degree was challenging, exciting and life-changing,” he said.  “I have become a better person professionally and personally.  This degree has allowed me to gain new perspectives on our country and the world’s challenges.”

Brian Goody

To encourage his fellow non-traditional students considering a change, Goody said, “Just do it. Be prepared to sacrifice time and energy and open your mind to new ideas and possibilities. I have gained more than I have sacrificed.” He plans to continue towards earning a Ph.D. in criminal justice or justice studies.

Another noteworthy group of graduates were 17 doctoral students who were part of the inaugural cohort in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. That program began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven of the 17 graduates have already passed the national certification examination and are now Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, a highly specialized field.

NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones awarded two posthumous degrees, a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences to the late William Clifford Ashmen and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to the late Lauren Vaughn.  Jones asked for a moment of silence to honor 18 individuals – faculty, staff and students – who passed away in the past year.

Jones congratulated the graduates on accomplishments in and out of the classroom.  NSU students completed more than 6,000 hours of community impact projects this year addressing the environment, literacy, public health and wellness, mental health and many other needs

Master’s degree and doctoral graduates concluded commencement ceremonies with the university’s Alma Mater. From left are Melanie Maggio, Dr. LaTisha Pierre Standokes, Cara McFarland and Dr. Julie Ann Yavarian.

“Service-learning and community involvement are essential responsibilities,” he said. “Through cleanups, literacy initiatives, health clinics, food and supply drives, and awareness events, NSU students have demonstrated their commitment to serving others and making a positive impact on society.”

Following Fall Commencement, the university will be closed Dec. 18-Jan. 3, 2024.  Information on registration for the Spring 2024 semester will continue through Jan. 7.  Spring 2024 classes begin Jan. 8, 2024. More information is available at www.nsula.edu.