Northwestern State University will hold a ceremony rededicating its Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center in honor of the late Dr. Randall J. Webb Tuesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. A reception will be held prior to the dedication at 2 p.m. To RSVP for the reception, contact Christie Price at (318) 357-4412 or at pricec@nsula.edu.
Webb was the longest-serving president in the history of Northwestern State, holding the position from July 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2014.
Northwestern State students approved a referendum in 1998 to fund construction of the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center. The $6.9 million project converted the former Intramural Building into a modern 81,000 square foot facility which was completed in 2004.
Under Webb’s leadership, Northwestern State received unprecedented national and international attention for its academic programs and student accomplishments. University facilities in addition to the WRAC were renovated to better serve students and two record-setting capital campaigns took place.
Enrollment reached record levels during Webb’s tenure as president and exceeded 10,500 for the first time in school history in the fall of 2004. Webb led NSU toward higher admission standards, which has resulted in students at the university having greater academic potential and aptitude. During Webb’s tenure, Northwestern State had the largest graduating classes in the university’s history.
Webb expanded the university’s outreach by spearheading the development at NSU of the largest electronic education network of any university in Louisiana.
Millions of dollars were obtained during Webb’s presidency for new and renovated facilities. Other new facilities include the Jimmy D. Long Sr. Student Services Center and University Place I and II. Morrison Hall, the Family and Consumer Sciences Building, Williamson Hall, Russell Hall and Caspari Hall were completely renovated and restored.
A 1965 graduate of Northwestern in mathematics and business education, Webb earned a master of science degree in mathematics from NSU in 1966. He received a doctorate in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1971 with a concentration in mathematics and research.
Webb passed away in Nov. 2015.
