Northeastern's NET Building to be renamed for W. Roger Webb

TAHLEQUAH -- In honor of his leadership that led to its construction, the name of W. Roger Webb will officially be added to Northeastern State University's NET Building in a renaming ceremony in the facility's auditorium April 21 at 1:30 p.m.

The building's new name will be the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center.

Dr. Don Betz, NSU president, will deliver the welcoming remarks to open the event. Speakers include Jan Gordon, a member of the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, and 1984 NSU graduate John deSteiguer, vice president for advancement at Oklahoma Christian University and a member of the NSU President's Leadership Class from 1980 to 1984. Webb's speech will highlight the ceremony.

Music will be provided by the NSU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Tommy Poole.

The decision to rename the building, which was approved in February by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (NSUs governing body), honors the enduring impact that Webb had on the institutions progress as president from 1978 until his departure in 1997 to become president of the University of Central Oklahoma. He is one of the two longest serving presidents in NSU history.

The facility has housed the universitys computing and telecommunications services since 1997. Dedication of the NET was a milestone at NSU; under Webb's visionary leadership, the university laid claim to the distinction of becoming Oklahomas first fully electronic campus at a time when computer networking technology and the Internet were still in their infancy. Centralizing the campus computer system was the culmination of a philosophy Webb established in the mid-1980s investing in technology to ensure a competitive edge with other universities.

With more than 30 years in higher education to his credit, Webb is the longest serving university president in the state and recognized throughout Oklahoma as an innovative and influential leader.

Under Webb's leadership at NSU, several initiatives began, including the River City Players and Downtown Country performances, NSU Jazz Lab, Model United Nations, and the renovation of historic Seminary Hall, which confirmed the institutions long range commitment to preserving a unique heritage that dates to the creation of the Cherokee National Female Seminary in 1846.

The renaming ceremony is free and open to the public.