NATCHITOCHES – With anthems, celebration and welcome words from the student body and faculty, James T. Genovese was invested as Northwestern State University’s 21st president Friday, Oct. 25.
NSU faculty and delegates from other colleges and universities in full academic regalia led a formal procession to begin the ceremony that was interspersed with special musical selections and greetings from Student Body President Terrell “TJ” Woodard Jr., Faculty Senate President Dr. Frank Serio and Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education.
“President Genovese, your vision and commitment to the continued betterment of Northwestern State University resonate deeply,” Woodard said. “You embody the spirit of innovation and collaboration that we strive for as a student body.”
Serio said he is assured that Genovese “understood that the existential purpose for a university is to provide a strong educational foundation for students to build their careers and in fact their lives on and that he has demonstrated even in the brief time he has been in the office that he will listen to the concerns of the faculty and support the work of the faculty and advocate for the needs of the faculty.”
“We have a shared vision for a more prosperous Louisiana, and we know the road to success for our state leads through institutions like this one where a president and faculty and staff come together to prepare students to lead in disciplines that are needed in our economy today and in the future,” Reed said.
Woodard, University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot and Robert “Skeeter” Salim, a 1972 graduate, recent appointee to the UL System Board of Supervisors and long-time friend of Genovese, joined to install the new president, presenting the robes and other ceremonial trappings of office.
NSU’s 21st President James Genovese was presented with academic regalia, a gift from the student body, during Friday’s formal investiture ceremony. From left are University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot, Robert “Skeeter” Salim, a member of the UL System Board of Supervisors; Genovese, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Greg Handel and Terrell Woodard Jr., president of NSU’s Student Government Association.
Genovese said the investiture was a full circle moment.
“Thank you all for being here today and participating in this investiture, one of the greatest honors of my life,” he said. “It is an opportunity to reflect on the journey that brought me here and the exciting future that lies ahead for Northwestern State University.
“The investiture of a president is not just a celebration of one individual. It’s a symbolic moment for our entire university community. It marks the start of a new chapter, not only in my personal journey but in the story of Northwestern, a story that began 140 years ago and continues to evolve and innovate and inspire.
“As I reflect on the honor of being entrusted with the leadership of this beloved institution, I am reminded of my own journey that began right here at Northwestern. My relationship with this university is not just professional. It’s deeply personal. I was once a student walking these same halls and grounds unsure of what the future held but confident that Northwestern would provide the foundation needed to succeed.
“I’m proud to say that Northwestern exceeded all my expectations and today I return not just as an alumnus but as the president of this incredible university. It’s truly a full circle moment for me and I couldn’t be prouder.
“This university has a rich history and a bright future, and I’m honored to lead to lead us into the next chapter. Together we will continue to build on the legacy of those who came before us, preparing future generations to lead, innovate and inspire,” Genovese said.
Special guests at the ceremony included the Genovese family, First Lady Martha Genovese, daughters Adrian, Sarah and Elizabeth and the president’s brother Robert Genovese, along with numerous local and state elected officials, colleagues from the legal community, chancellors and presidents of several academic institutions, alumni and longtime friends of the Genovese family.
Academic investiture has symbolized the pursuit of knowledge since the Middle Ages and incorporates many academic traditions, such as the presentation of the president’s chain, regalia and mace, which represent the president’s leadership and responsibility for the university.
The NSU’s president’s chain holds the seal of the university cast in bronze with engraved platelets bearing the names of all former presidents. The regalia, a gift from the Student Government Association on behalf of the student body, represents the mutual trust, respect and collaboration between students and administration and incorporates design elements exclusive to the regalia of Northwestern State’s president. The walnut and bronze mace bears the seal of the university with details of oak and pine. The mace is topped with a silver fleur de lis finial symbolizing the French heritage of the area and is encircled by the original Latin motto of the school, “Educatio Adulescentis Est Civiliatis Salus “The Education of the Youth is the Salvation of the State).”
Genovese is a native of Opelousas who previously served as an associate justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court. He was named NSU’s 21st president on July 18, 2024.
Genovese graduated from the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Opelousas in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern State University in 1971. He received a juris doctorate from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1974 with honors in property law.
Genovese practiced law in Acadiana from 1974-1995 and was past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the St. Landry Parish Bar Association. He is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association and American Bar Association. He is admitted to the bar in all state and federal courts in Louisiana, including the United States Supreme Court.
Genovese’s judicial career began as a judge ad hoc of the Opelousas City Court from 1975-1989. He was elected district judge of the 27th Judicial District Court for St. Landry Parish in 1995 and served as district judge through 2004, whereupon he was elected to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. He served on the appellate court from 2005-2016. He was elected Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, commencing January 1, 2017.
Genovese has been a panelist, speaker and lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars on topics such as professionalism, ethics, summary judgment, writs, appeals, practices and procedures of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal.
He served on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Judicial Council Appellate Court Work Point Values Working Group and the Trial Court Committee to Review the Need for Judgeships and as chairman of its Long-Term Subcommittee. He was the Supreme Court’s appointee to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission. He is a board member of the Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society.
As an undergraduate at NSU, Genovese was a four-year letterman in tennis at No. 1 Singles and Doubles. He was named to Who’s Who Among Universities and Colleges, Who’s Who Among Greek Fraternities and Sororities of America and Outstanding College Athletes of America. He was also president of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and involved with Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association and intramurals. Genovese was inducted into the Long Purple Line, NSU’s alumni hall of distinction, in 2018.
Genovese is married to Martha Anne Janes, who also attended Northwestern State, and is the father of four daughters, Celeste, Stephanie, Adrienne and Sarah, and a stepdaughter, Elizabeth. He is the grandfather of four.
The Investiture was held in conjunction with Homecoming festivities and a celebration of the 140th anniversary of Northwestern State’s founding in 1884. Following the program, the NSU community and alumni gathered for the Long Purple Line luncheon and induction to honor esteemed alumni. Friday’s events also included the annual Homecoming parade in downtown Natchitoches and a pep rally on riverbank.
For information on Northwestern State, visit www.nsula.edu.
