Six distinguished Northwestern State University of Louisiana alumni were inducted into the university’s alumni hall of distinction, the Long Purple Line. Other guests were recognized for their service to the university during a luncheon and induction ceremony.
On Friday, Oct. 25, the 2024 Long Purple Line inductees were the late Jack Brittain Jr., Henry Burns, Steve Horton, Doug Ireland, Chris Maggio and Robert “Skeeter” Salim.
The program was held in conjunction with NSU Homecoming festivities and the celebration of the 140th anniversary of the university’s founding in 1884.
The Long Purple Line is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni and represents the history, traditions and achievements of NSU. Members of the Long Purple Line have made significant contributions to NSU and have left a lasting impact on the university and the community.
Drake Owens, executive vice president and chief of staff at NSU, emphasized the significance of the Long Purple Line and what it means to alumni. He introduced President James Genovese who gave the awards to the inductees.
“It’s important for people’s service and their contributions to mankind,” Owens said. “This award is for alumni who have distinguished themselves and given back to their alma mater.”
Ireland graduated from NSU in 1986, and he returned in 1989 and began a three decade-long career as the Sports Information Director at NSU until 2019. He was also recognized for his contributions as an advisor to NSU’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
He played a key role in establishing the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (LSHOF) and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches.
Throughout his career, Ireland received numerous awards, including a record-breaking performance in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s writing contest in 1987.
In 2021, he was inducted into the LSHOF for his contributions to sports journalism. Ireland has served as the sports director for Online Journals LLC, overseeing 14 parish journals in Louisiana since 2021.
Ireland shared why this award is an honor and why it was a very special achievement. “Seeing friends, the people I love, celebrating the university I love, meeting new people, getting inspired and making this place even better than it is now,” Ireland said. “I want to help give students the same treasured experience that has carried us along our life’s path.”
Brittain graduated from NSU in 1979, and was a four-year football letterman and member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later earned a law degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) and worked as an aide to U.S. Sen. John Bennett Johnston and Sen. John Breaux.
After his government service, he worked as a financial planner in Shreveport before returning to his hometown of Natchitoches to join the Brittain Family Law Firm. He then ran his own legal practice until his passing in July 2023.
Brittain was a sideline reporter for the Demon Sports Network at NSU for 18 football seasons and was inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame in 2013. He also played a key role in establishing the LSHOF and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum, receiving the Mac Russo Award in 2017.
Burns graduated from NSU in 1973 with an upper elementary education degree, where he was named Mr. NSU. He is a U.S. Army veteran, a board member of the Louisiana War Veterans Museum and a member of the NSU Foundation Board of Directors.
He is a former two-term member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 9 in Bossier Parish, where he also served 15 years on the Bossier Parish School Board. Burns founded The Wooden Spoon bakery, earning multiple awards for the outstanding success of the business.
Burns contributed to the completion of the Interstate 49 corridor as the last chair of the Northwest Louisiana Delegation. In 2016, he became a Business Development Consultant for BOM Bank, actively engaging in local civic organizations and community activities in Bossier and Caddo Parishes.
Horton graduated from NSU in 1988, where he was also named Mr. NSU. He also attended LSU, where he earned a master’s in journalism in 1990 and a doctorate in vocational education/ communication in 1998.
In 1989, he returned to NSU and held various positions including director of Alumni Affairs, head of the Journalism Department, dean of the Graduate School and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Horton earned several awards for his leadership and contributions to NSU. He is active in community service and currently serves on the Board of Directors for City Bank and Trust Company of Natchitoches.
Salim graduated from NSU in 1972, where he was a Dean’s List student and was a four-year tennis letterman. He later earned his law degree from Loyola Law School in 1976 and joined the Louisiana State Bar.
He is affiliated with several legal organizations in Natchitoches and has been consistently recognized for his excellence. He was named one of the 100 Top Trial Lawyers and America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.
Salim has been a supporter of Demon baseball for two decades, leading to significant upgrades at the Brown-Stroud Field. His contributions were acknowledged when he was inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame with a Distinguished Service Award in 2019.
Maggio graduated summa cum laude from NSU in 1985, where he was named Mr. NSU. He served as NSU’s 19th president, concluding his 33-year career at NSU. He led the university through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to online classes in 2020.
Under his leadership, NSU achieved a record enrollment of 11,447 students in Fall 2020. NSU’s economic impact and private funding reached an all-time high, leading to 25 new professorships and contributions to the NSU Foundation.
Maggio expanded academic programs, introducing a master’s in computer information systems, a nurse anesthesia concentration, and a nursing clinical program on the Natchitoches campus.
Before his presidency, he held various roles, including vice president for the Student Experience, Dean of Students, and assistant provost.
Maggio shared a message with students at NSU: “You can achieve anything you want. Northwestern is going to give you the background, the foundation, the work ethic and leadership skills,” Maggio said. “Just take that, believe in yourself with a positive attitude, and you can do anything you want to.”
Each inductee had a portrait unveiled that will hang in the Friedman Student Union on the second floor, accompanying the other NSU alumni of the Long Purple Line.
