Dr. Joseph Christopher Maggio will reign as King of the Spring Festival Court presented by the St. Denis Art League at its 50th annual ball Saturday, April 28 at the Sylvan Friedman Student Union Ballroom on NSU’s campus.
Dr. Maggio is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vincent Maggio Sr. He has been married to the former Jennifer Zeagler for 25 years and they have three children, Melanie Marie, Scott Michael and Emily Grace.
Dr. Maggio became the 19th president of Northwestern State University in 2017. A lifelong resident of Natchitoches and long-time faculty and staff member at Northwestern State, he was previously vice president for the Student Experience at NSU.
As vice president, Maggio led the Dean of Students and the Offices of Admissions, Recruiting, Financial Aid, Student Activities and Organizations, First Year Experience and Leadership Development, Judicial Services, Counseling and Career Services, Student Life, the Student Activities Board, Student Government Association and Greek Life.
During his first year as President, Northwestern State recorded its highest student enrollment in the 134-year history of the university and received the largest amount of private donations to the university. Enrollment for the Fall 2017 semester was 10,572 students and the university received 28 $100,000 endowments.
During his tenure at NSU, Maggio served as assistant vice president of External Affairs for University Advancement from 2013 until 2015. He was Dean of Students and assistant provost for Student Success in 2007 –13. Maggio was director of Alumni and Development in 2003-2007 and executive director of the NSU Foundation in 2005, and director of Alumni Affairs in 1999-2003.
Under Maggio’s leadership as executive director, the NSU Foundation completed its first capital campaign in Northwestern’s history, exceeding a campaign goal of $18.84 million and raising $31 million to support the university. He has also been a faculty member in the Department of Health and Human Performance for more than 20 years as an instructor, assistant professor and associate professor.
During his career at NSU, Maggio also served as director of Admissions and Recruiting and director of Enrollment Services. He joined the staff at Northwestern State as a track and field coach.
Maggio is a 1985 summa cum laude graduate of Northwestern State. As a senior, he was elected Mr. NSU by his fellow students and was an academic all-conference athlete. Maggio also earned his Master’s of Education at NSU in 1991. He received a Doctorate in Developmental Education from Grambling State University in 2002.
In the Natchitoches community, he is a member of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister, past president of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation Board and has served on the Exchange Bank Board of Directors.
His family has been a part of the League’s festivities for many years. His sister, Carmella Maggio McCart, was presented as a Lady of the Court in 1985. His daughter, Melanie, was also presented in 2013. His son, Scott, was a Gentleman of the Court in 2016 and his daughter, Emily, will serve as an usher this year.
King Joseph Christopher Maggio was formally presented at the annual Spring Festival King’s Party Saturday, March 17, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Keenan Kirk Kelly at the Prudhomme-Rouquier House.