Since 1990, Northwestern State University has honored outstanding former students with induction into its Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line.  The noteworthy achievements of those alumni reflect the success and accomplishments of countless others across the nation and world who prepared for lives and careers at NSU.

If you would like to nominate a person for the Long Purple Line, click here.

1990
William J. "Bill" Dodd
Adm. Rondald J. Hayes
Dr. Carolyn Leach Huntoon
Harry "Rags" Turpin
Ora G. Williams
Maj. Gen. Erbon W. Wise

1991
Mary Evelyn Parker
H. Lee Prather
Dr. Murphy Rogers

1992
Dr. Jolly Harper
Thelma Kyser
Maj. Gen. Guy A.J. LaBoa

1993
Maj. Gen. Oris B. Johnson
Mary Gunn Johnston
Don Kelly
Walter Ledet
Jimmy Long
Dr. Charles "Red" Thomas

1994
Marjorie Dial
David Morgan
Dr. William V. Muse
Melba Law Steeg

1995
Gen. Claire Lee Chennault
Dr. Arnold Kilpatrick
Mrs. Joanna Magale
Karl W. Moore

1996
Dr. Edward C. Greco
Bobby Harling
Theodore H. Roberts

1997
Paul "Doc" Marx
Edna Tarbutton
Hon. Richard Ware
Dr. Doyle Z. Williams

1998
Dr. Mildred Hart Bailey
Jesse L. Boucher
Eugene Christmas
Lucile M. Hendrick
Robert F. Kelley

1999
Daniel Lee Chase
Dr. Thomas L. Hennigan
George Stanely Lewis
Leonard O. Nichols
Mavis Pate

2000
Dudley Fulton
Elise P. James
Larry W. Rivers
Col. Ralph E. Ropp
Joe Sampite
Jackie Smith

2001
Dr. Allen R. "Buddy" Bonnette
Ed Bradley
Fred Clark
Hon. Rebecca F. Doherty
Jimmy Patterson

2002
Dr. A.A. Fredericks
Bobby Hebert
Charlie Ragus
Raymond Strother
Hon. R.B. Williams
Cheryl Wilson

2003
Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr.
Grover Davis
Gary Fields
Theodore (Ted) L. Jones
Dr. Patricia Thompson
Gayle Hatch

2004
Joseph G. Dow
Valsin A. Marmillion
Dr. J. Michael Miller
Gregory B. O'Quin
Lela Mae Wilkes

2005
Dr. Robert Alost
Ellis Coutee
Melva Juanita Martinez Coutee
Maxine Roge' Johnson
John R. McConathy
Ken Moran
Tom F. Phillips

2006
Tom Carleton
Dr. Robert Eugene Easley
Brig. Gen. Curtis F. Hoglan
Kevin Lynch
Barbara Jo Pease
Joe R. Salter

2007
Bryant Lewis
John A. Manno, Jr.
Maj. Gen. Charles W. "Chuck" Thomas
David Wright

2008
Dr. Robert Charles Brown
Speedy O. Long
Dr. Melissa L. Lynn
Al Moreau
Dr. Tom Paul Southerland
Maxine Aycock Southerland


Northwestern State University Office of Alumni and Development

535 University Parkway | Natchitoches, LA 71497

Phone (318) 357-4414 or Toll Free (888) 799-6486