The following year, a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884, the town and parish of Natchitoches purchased the property.

Three of the four great white columns that once supported the east gable of the mansion still stand on "The Hill" and serve as the unofficial symbols of the university.

In 1944, the institution's excellent service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition by Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to Northwestern State College of Louisiana.

On June 18, 1970, Governor John J. McKeithen signed a legislative act that brought the old campus its greatest distinction, changing its title to Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Although primarily a regional institution, Northwestern State also offers an opportunity for education at satellite locations, including Leesville, Shreveport, and Alexandria.

[8] A large piece of limestone, known as "The Rock" was placed on campus in 2006 at a major intersection for registered student organizations to paint designs promoting their groups.

"[11] In 2021, Marcus Jones became the first African-American President in the university's 137-year history after he was unanimously approved by the Louisiana Board of Supervisors.

Among other names submitted by students were Sharks, Daredevils, Musketeers, Pelicans, Prather's Ground Hogs, Bloodhounds, Cyclops, and Serpents.

Singer-songwriter Jim Croce died in a plane crash hours after finishing a 1973 concert on the NSU campus.

[13] Northwestern's online news source with occasional printed special editions, The Current Sauce, was founded in 1914.

[14] In 2021, the newspaper and campus radio station, KNWD, merged their news operations into a shared digital platform, "Purple Media Network.

The Spirit of Northwestern marching band features over 300 members each year, with membership open to any major and classification of student.

Materials may be accessed on such figures as Ethma Odum, the pioneering woman television personality at KALB-TV in Alexandria;[20] James B. Aswell, Kate Chopin, Robert DeBlieux, Caroline Dormon, and the Cane River.