Formal ceremonies to invest Dr. Chris Maggio as the 19th president of Northwestern State University will take place Friday, Sept. 15, beginning with a morning Mass, followed by the investiture, a reception and several other events planned around the celebration. Maggio was named president of the university in May. The public is welcome to attend all events.
The Sept. 15 events will begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 9 a.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 613 Second St., Natchitoches, in which NSU musicians and vocal ensembles will participate.
The investiture will take place at 11 a.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium beginning with a procession by faculty and will include an address by NSU alumnus Gary Fields, an award-winning senior reporter for the Wall Street Journal.
Immediately following the investiture will be a community reception for all friends of NSU at the Arnold R. Kilpatrick President’s Residence, 1 Normal Drive, until 3 p.m. In addition to offering congratulations to the Maggio family, guests can enjoy refreshments, along with music and art by students and faculty in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. NSU’s ROTC Cadets will hold a POW/MIA ceremony at the NSU Freedom Tree, located in front of the President’s Residence, to conclude the reception.
Friday’s Investiture will be the highlight of many activities planned during the week. On Thursday, Sept. 14 NSU will hold the Demons Come Out at Night Pep Rally at 7 p.m., followed by a concert featuring The Molly Ringwalds in the tailgating field that is free and open to the public. Events on Saturday, Sept. 16 will include a service project coordinated by NSU’s First Lady Jennifer Maggio, Forks Up for Literacy, in which 1,884 new and gently used books for children ages 5-15 will be collected for distribution at schools and youth facilities throughout north Louisiana. Anyone who would like to participate is invited to drop off books at Collins Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 16. NSU’s first home game versus Lamar will kick off at 6 p.m.
Since Maggio was named president, NSU has recorded the largest amount of private financial contributions to the university in the school’s 133-year history. University officials also expect to report an increase in enrollment for Fall 2017, as well as an increase in fall to fall retention.
Maggio is a 1985 summa cum laude graduate of Northwestern State. As a senior, he was elected Mr. NSU by his fellow students. Maggio earned his master’s of education at NSU and a doctorate in developmental education from Grambling State University.
Maggio has been married to his wife, the former Jennifer Zeagler, for 25 years. Mrs. Maggio earned a graduate degree at NSU in 1992. The couple has three children, Melanie, Scott and Emily.
More information on the Maggio Investiture is available at nsula.edu/investiture where friends can also send online congratulations and RSVP for the reception at the President’s Home.