LSMSA Executive Director and CEO Dr. Steve Horton Inducted Into NSU’s Alumni Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line

The Long Purple Line recognizes individuals whose career accomplishments or service to their fellow man have enhanced the reputation and prestige of NSU.  This designation is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus of the University.  Pen-and-ink portraits of all Long Purple Line inductees are displayed on the second floor of NSU’s Friedman Student Union; portraits may also be viewed online at www.NSUtraditions.com. Northwestern has honored 152 alumni since the establishment of the Long Purple Line in 1990.  

 

“This honor has given me a chance to say, ‘thank you’ to my NSU family,” Horton said during his induction remarks. “The idea that I’m up there on that wall, alongside some very important people in my life, is still difficult for me to believe. I only hope that my small part in the story of NSU made a mark on those who I crossed paths with during my time here.”

View Dr. Horton's full remarks here:

 

 

A former Mr. NSU, Horton earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and secondary teacher education from Northwestern in 1988 and earned his advanced degrees from Louisiana State University. During his senior year at Northwestern, he served as a Resident Advisor for LSMSA. He returned to Northwestern in 1989 as an instructor of journalism and served in various positions including Director of Alumni Affairs, head of the Department of Journalism, Dean of the Graduate School, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. He ended his tenure at Northwestern in July 2016, when he was named Executive Director and CEO of LSMSA. He continues to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in communication and teacher education for Northwestern and serves as a member of the NSU Foundation Board of Directors. 

 

A member of the Board of Directors of City Bank & Trust Co., he is a past president of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society, and the Mystic Krewe de St. Denis.  He was recently named chair and CEO of the Board of Trustees of the Mary R. Gallaspy Charitable Trust No. 2 operated by the NSU Foundation. 

 

ABOUT LSMSA
LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a nominal room and board fee to cover housing, meals, and campus activities. The LSMSA Foundation offers assistance for families so that no eligible student is denied the school’s 42-year legacy of a college-level living/learning experience. For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the Fall ‘25 academic school year, visit www.LSMSA.edu.