[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4251-S4252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF DR. ROBERT A. ALOST

 Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding Louisianian, my good friend, Dr. Robert A. Alost, who has 
announced his retirement as president of Northwestern State University 
after a long and distinguished career of service to NSU, the city of 
Natchitoches, and the State of Louisiana.
  During his 10-year presidency at NSU, Northwestern has been 
transformed from a regional university to an institution of statewide 
prominence. Dr. Alost's tireless efforts to widen and enrich the 
educational experience of his school have strengthened every aspect of 
the institution. Student enrollment has increased by over 71 percent 
and the average ACT score is up, the school's academic curriculum has 
expanded by leaps and bounds, and its financial status has never been 
stronger.
  While this progress merits commendation, Dr. Alost is even more 
deserving of recognition because he considers his accomplishments as 
simply part of his service to his alma mater, to a school he loves, and 
to a faculty and student body he considers his family. There are three 
words which come to mind when describing Robert Alost: service, 
leadership, and innovation. I know that countless other Louisianians 
would agree with this assessment, for his personal and professional 
history truly exemplify each of these qualities.
  Dr. Alost's dedication to Northwestern State University is rooted in 
his own experience as a student at NSU, where he received his 
undergraduate degree is 1957 and a masters degree in 1958. After 
receiving a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University in 1963, 
Dr. Alost had a wide range of aspirations, and of all the opportunities 
available to him, he decided to dedicate his career to the advancement 
of Northwestern State University. He has risen from a young faculty 
member to its president, and has left a lasting legacy which will be 
appreciated for generations.
  Under Dr. Alost's watch, the expansion of NSU's research and academic 
programs have placed it at the forefront of several innovative programs 
in higher education. Northwestern became America's first university 
selected to participate in the JointVenture [JOVE] Program with the 
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The results of this project, 
involving the analysis of data collected in space exploration, will 
have unlimited applications. Young people from across the United States 
will benefit from this cutting-edge program, and NSU's new space 
science curriculum and summer camp program will help support America's 
future scientists. Dr. Alost oversaw the development of the Louisiana 
Scholars College, which was designated by the State Board of Regents as 
the State's selective-admission college of the liberal arts and has 
elevated NSU's reputation to statewide prominence.
  Dr. Alost has overseen many other noteworthy additions to NSU. 
Northwestern began a program in intercollegiate debate which won the 
1994 Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship and has 
been the top program in the country over the past 5 years. Dr. Alost 
supervised the establishment of a doctoral program in educational 
technology to instruct educators on the most effective methods of using 
technology in the classroom. Northwestern is working with

[[Page S4252]]

the nationally recognized Duke University Talent Identification 
Program, which identifies verbally and mathematically gifted young 
people, and it offers regional residential courses to these special 
students. Dr. Alost has also overseen the establishment of Northwestern 
Abroad, which provides travel-study opportunities to students who wish 
to expand their knowledge of other cultures.
  I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Alost when we brought the 
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to NSU, a 
national institution dedicated to historic preservation. This one-of-a-
kind center was established by the National Park Service to train 
cultural resource professionals and serve as a clearinghouse for the 
transfer of historic preservation technology across the country. It is 
the innovate examples I have just cited which have designated 
Northwestern State University as a premier institution for higher 
learning.
  Dr. Alost's service has also touched those outside of the 
Northwestern community. Over the years, numerous civic, professional, 
and religious organizations have flourished under his leadership. He 
has served as president and on the board of directors of the 
Natchitoches Tourist Commission. As an administrator and educator, he 
served as president of the Louisiana Council for Deans of Education, 
the Louisiana Association for Colleges and Teacher Education, and the 
Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
  While Dr. Alost is a great source of pride for Northwestern State 
University, he has also been honored with many local, State, and 
national awards. In 1985, he was recognized by the Louisiana 
Association of School Executives as the State's Educator of the Year. 
In 1986, he received the Leadership Award from the Louisiana 
Association of Gifted and Talented Students. The citizens of 
Natchitoches proclaimed him Man of the Year in 1987. His achievements 
were heralded on a national level in 1989 when he was presented with 
the Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Member Award.
  Dr. Robert Alost's lifetime of achievement is truly an inspiration, 
and he serves as an incredible role model for those who believe that 
the possibilities are limitless. It has been an honor and a privilege 
to know him. I congratulate Dr. Alost on his distinguished career and 
wish him well as he enjoys the well-earned rewards of 
retirement.

                          ____________________