Update, April 28, 2020
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:
As this extraordinary Spring, 2020, semester comes to a close, work is nearing completion on the first Virtual Commencement Ceremony in the university’s 136-year history.
The purpose of the program, obviously, is to honor the hundreds of Northwestern students who have completed their studies, but the ceremony will be significant in many other ways.
This unprecedented virtual event at NSU will reflect the indomitable spirit of students who overcame the obstacles of a global calamity to earn their degrees and of faculty and staff members who moved mountains to help make their achievements possible.
Graduates, their families, friends and others who will want to participate in the virtual commencement program can find schedules and additional information on the Commencement 2020 webpage, https://www.nsula.edu/graduation/.
As the university continues to plan for summer and fall classes and programs, we will be guided by directives from the governor and other state officials that are based on Louisiana’s continuing response to the pandemic and information from health care and science communities.
Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that he will extend Louisiana’s Stay at Home Order until May 15, https://gov.louisiana.gov/home-order-extended-may15/. There are glimmers of optimism in the new order, which relaxes some restrictions on restaurants and other businesses. The governor and the Louisiana Department of Health had earlier relaxed restrictions on some non-emergency health care services.
His extension announcement, which will be issued on Friday May 1, emphasizes the importance of wearing masks in public. Essential university personnel who are continuing to work on campus and faculty and staff who are in and out of university offices may obtain masks from Jennifer Kelly in University Affairs. Her email is andersonje@nsula.edu.
All of us who are seeking sources of tranquility and inspiration in these difficult times and who are so deeply indebted to the nation’s heroes in health care will be moved by the video featuring Northwestern’s acclaimed Chamber Choir, https://vimeo.com/412807638/06921921cc.
The NSU Marketing and Branding Department assisted with the production of the video, which features numerous Northwestern Nursing and Allied Health alumni and others who are on the front lines in the fight against the pandemic.
Please stay safe and healthy.
Chris Maggio, President
