NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University threw a party Friday night and everyone showed up. The school’s annual spring fund raiser, Flavor of Louisiana, drew more than 700 guests to mix and mingle while sampling Louisiana seafood dishes prepared by some of the region’s most popular chefs. Guests enjoyed seafood wontons, crawfish and grits, jambalaya and much more paired with shamrock martinis, Demon daiquiries and a festive atmosphere.
Organizer Cristy Bernard said this year’s event was the best one yet.
“This year was a great success. Our chefs did an amazing job,” Bernard said. “Ticket sales, sponsorships, word of mouth promotion…it was all positive. I’m so grateful for everyone who attended, the chefs and vendors and our wonderful volunteers.”
In addition to seafood dishes, guests could opt for chicken and sausage gumbo, mini meat pies or pizzas bites with pralines and gourmet coffee liqueurs for those with a sweet tooth.
Bernard said Flavor of Louisiana raised about $125,000 to benefit student scholarships and support faculty development in the form of funding for research and travel to conferences. Proceeds will also go towards academic enhancements such as upgrades in technology and instructional tools. Flavor of Louisiana was presented in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Board.
Earlier this month, the NSU Foundation announced that contributions over the past three years have shown steady increases. Events like Flavor of Louisiana play an important role in engaging with the community and enhancing relationships with alumni.
Flavor of Louisiana kicked off a big weekend in Natchitoches, as many alumni had also returned to town for the popular St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl hosted by Natchitoches Young Professional that took place Saturday, March 16. An added bonus was the first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade presented by the Krewe of Dionysos after their Mardi Gras parade was rained out back in February.
“I’d like to thank everyone who attended Flavor of Louisiana for their continued support for Northwestern,” said Dr. Drake Owens, vice president for External Affairs. “An event like this takes a lot of teamwork and I want to compliment the Office of Development staff for all they did to make it successful.”
Sponsors of Flavor of Louisiana are as follows.
Title Sponsors: BOM Bank, Shawn Daily, Jo Pease, David and Sherry Morgan, Darryl Willis, Scott Andrews, Wes Breeden and Tommy Wright
Louisiana Sponsors: Brown Eagle Group – Lela Mae Wilkes and the Evans Family
Bayou Sponsors: NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones, Vice President for External Affairs Drake Owens, Atmos Energy, Wil Adams, Louie and Gayle Bernard, Phil and Mary Brown, City of Natchitoches/Mayor Ronnie Williams, Dunahoe Law Firm, DLM Properties-Leigh Ann Myers, Pete Abington, Dr. Virginia Burkett, Robert Geoghagan, Brett Harris, International Paper, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Tandy Jackson Agency, NSU College of Business and Shirley Walker
Magnolia Sponsors: Louisiana Seafood Board, Alliance Compressors, Pi Kappa Phi-Robert Broadwell, Tommy Chester, City Bank and Trust Co., Exchange Bank, First Federal Bank, Dr. Greg Handel and Jeff Gary, Ryler Hassell, Brian Bailey and Michelle Hollenshead, Jack and Krista Jenkins, Keenan and Jennifer Kelly, Chris and Jennifer Maggio, Leah Middlebrook, Sen. and Mrs. Alan Seabaugh, PJ Mitchell Attorney at Law, Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission, Regina Pierce, S & S Industrial Supply-Stacy and Crystal Stewart, Heard, McElroy & Vestal-Nick Courville
