Dr. Joseph Christopher Maggio was installed as the 19th president of Northwestern State University Sept. 15 in a formal Investiture ceremony attended by students, faculty, alumni, friends, family, dignitaries and honored guests from throughout the state. The installation of Maggio as president capstones a life and career dedicated to service and student success at the university where he has served on faculty and/or staff in numerous leadership and instructional capacities since 1988.

“I am honored to be surrounded and supported today by so many members of my families. The word families is plural because I am referring to my parents, wife, children, siblings and other relatives and to our Northwestern State family of students,” Maggio said. Dr. Maggio and his wife, the former Jennifer Zeagler, were joined by their children, Melanie, Scott and Emily.

Pulitzer Prize winning veteran journalist and NSU alumnus Gary Fields (Class of 1982 and 1984) was guest speaker, who said Maggio has a way of connecting with people and bringing them together. “Chris was headed for this job from the moment he was born,” Fields said, noting that each position Maggio held at NSU throughout his years built upon the previous one.

The Investiture program concluded with the university’s alma mater and a benediction by Dr. Hayward “Sonny” Hargrove Jr. (Class of 1964), a member of the NSU Alumni Association Board.

Following the Investiture, the Maggio family received visitors at the Arnold R. Kilpatrick President’s Residence. The community event featured the talents of students from NSU’s Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts. Artwork by students, faculty and alumni selected especially for the occasion was on display in the home and refreshments included Italian delicacies made from recipes passed down through the Maggio family.