College of Education and Human Development
2012 Distinguished Alumnus: Norman Stafford
Norman James Stafford, a resident of Franklinton, LA, graduated from Southeastern
in 1954. His rewarding career in the field of education included teaching at Fifth
Ward Junior High in St. Tammany Parish and serving as principal for Lacombe Junior
High and Franklinton Senior High.
He then held various positions in education on the state level, including serving
as assistant superintendent for vocational education for the Department of Education.
He is a former president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and
was elected twice to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
A former president of the Southeastern Alumni Association, he was named Louisiana’s
Outstanding Educator in 1978 and Superintendent of the Year in 1990. In 2006, he received
the National Education Association Special Award and in 2007 was awarded the Distinguished
Service Award from the National Association of State Boards of Education.
One of the best of Southeastern, Dr. Norman James Stafford. Pictured here with Dr.
Stafford are left to right: Dean of Education John Faschetti, Alumni Director Kathy
Pittman, Mrs. James (Lillian) Stafford, Norman James Stafford, and Alumni Board Member
Josie Mercante.