NSU Marketing Department Named 2026 Go Natchitoches Award Recipient
Posted 02-04-2026
Natchitoches, LA, February 4, 2026: The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Northwestern State University Marketing Department as the recipient of the 2026 Go Natchitoches Award, recognizing the Proud to Be Purple campaign and its impact on strengthening connections between Northwestern State University, its students, and the Natchitoches Parish community.
The Go Natchitoches Award recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations whose work strengthens community alignment and contributes to the long-term success of Natchitoches. Through the Proud to Be Purple campaign, the NSU Marketing Department created a framework that intentionally connected campus identity with community participation, positioning the University not as a separate entity, but as an integrated part of the local landscape.
While designed to engage students, the campaign generated a broader local impact by reinforcing the idea that Northwestern State University and Natchitoches Parish are deeply interconnected. By inviting the community to take an active role, Proud to Be Purple helped shift the narrative from campus, city, and parish operating separately to working together with shared pride, shared visibility, and shared investment in the broader community’s success.
Launched in 2025, Proud to Be Purple focused on creating a consistent, visible presence both on and off campus. Approximately 500 community-facing items were distributed, and more than 100 local businesses received Proud to Be Purple kits, resulting in widespread participation across storefronts, offices, and shared community spaces. This approach helped extend school pride beyond campus and into the community, reinforcing mutual support between NSU and Natchitoches.
Students were a visible part of this connection, helping carry the campaign beyond campus and into the community. Through direct outreach and distribution efforts, students interacted with local businesses and organizations, encouraging greater engagement with the places, people, and experiences that make up Natchitoches’ local economy.
The community is invited to join the celebration as the NSU Marketing Department and other outstanding businesses and individuals are recognized. Registration for the Go Natchitoches Awards Banquet is now open at GoNatchitoches.com/Awards.
The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation. The Chamber is committed to championing business, connecting community, and cultivating growth in Natchitoches Parish.
The Go Natchitoches Award recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations whose work strengthens community alignment and contributes to the long-term success of Natchitoches. Through the Proud to Be Purple campaign, the NSU Marketing Department created a framework that intentionally connected campus identity with community participation, positioning the University not as a separate entity, but as an integrated part of the local landscape.
While designed to engage students, the campaign generated a broader local impact by reinforcing the idea that Northwestern State University and Natchitoches Parish are deeply interconnected. By inviting the community to take an active role, Proud to Be Purple helped shift the narrative from campus, city, and parish operating separately to working together with shared pride, shared visibility, and shared investment in the broader community’s success.
Launched in 2025, Proud to Be Purple focused on creating a consistent, visible presence both on and off campus. Approximately 500 community-facing items were distributed, and more than 100 local businesses received Proud to Be Purple kits, resulting in widespread participation across storefronts, offices, and shared community spaces. This approach helped extend school pride beyond campus and into the community, reinforcing mutual support between NSU and Natchitoches.
Students were a visible part of this connection, helping carry the campaign beyond campus and into the community. Through direct outreach and distribution efforts, students interacted with local businesses and organizations, encouraging greater engagement with the places, people, and experiences that make up Natchitoches’ local economy.
The community is invited to join the celebration as the NSU Marketing Department and other outstanding businesses and individuals are recognized. Registration for the Go Natchitoches Awards Banquet is now open at GoNatchitoches.com/Awards.
The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation. The Chamber is committed to championing business, connecting community, and cultivating growth in Natchitoches Parish.
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