Allons
News from the
Nicholls State University Foundation
Vol. 12, No. 1, Spring 2011
Danos family endows scholarship, professorship Further demonstrating their commitment to faculty and students, longtime Nicholls supporters Al and Mary Danos established the Danos Family First Generation Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship as well as a newly endowed professorship in the College of Nursing and Allied Health. The LA Board of Regents will match both gifts of $60,000 with $40,000. The two endowments will total $200,000. “Nicholls is so fortunate to have Mary and Al Danos as benefactors, and Becky and I are equally fortunate to have them as our dear friends,” Dr. Stephen Hulbert, university president, said. “These two wonderful individuals were ‘difference-makers’ at Nicholls long before we arrived, and all of us at Nicholls are grateful that they continue to enhance opportunities for our students and faculty.” The scholarship will be awarded to eligible students who meet the criteria provided by the donors and the LA Board of Regents.
Recipients must be Louisiana residents who are graduates of South Lafourche High School and whose parents or legal guardians did not graduate from college. Scholarship awardees must also have been awarded federal Pell grants, and they must be fully qualified for admission to Nicholls and enrolled as full-time students. In accepting the scholarship endowment, Nicholls has agreed to abide by the Board of Regents’ policy mandating that each recipient receive structured support through active and engaged advising. Furthermore, the university will provide each recipient with campus employment of at least ten hours per week. Recipients will receive a scholarship valued at a minimum of $1,000 per academic year, which they may hold for a maximum of eight semesters as long as a minimum grade point average of 2.0 is maintained. Specifics regarding the new professorship endowed by the Danos family are still under review by the Nicholls administration.
Pictured from left are Al Danos and Dr. David Boudreaux, vice president for institutional advancement.
Callais recreation center construction under way Nicholls hosted the ceremonial ground- corner of Bowie Road and Ardoyne Drive. expected in fall 2012. The ceremony was the latest step in a breaking of the Harold J. Callais Memo- Completion of the 63,000-square-foot facilrial Recreation Center Dec. 15 near the ity, funded with self-assessed student fees, is process that began in April 2010, when a student-led referendum to provide the funding necessary to operate the facility passed by a 79-percent margin. It was the largest student-voter turnout since Dr. Stephen Hulbert became university president in 2003. Later, in June, the Board of Regents granted approval for Nicholls to begin construction of the facility. “I am so pleased that Nicholls is one step closer to no longer being the only University of Louisiana System institution without a recreation center,” Hulbert said. Pictured from left are Dr. Sonya Premeaux, board chair of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce; state Rep. For additional information, including Joe Harrison of Napoleonville; Brittany Taraba, president of the Nicholls Student Government Association; a live-camera shot of the construction Corey Callais, son of Harold J. Callais; Gloria Callais, widow of Mr. Callais; C. Michael Callais, son of Mr. Callais; site, updated every five seconds, go to Hulbert; Charlotte Randolph, president of Lafourche Parish; Tommy Eschete, mayor of Thibodaux; Eugene G. Gouaux Jr., chairman of the Nicholls Facilities Corporation; Dr. Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs and nicholls.edu/recreation/. enrollment services; Michael Matherne, director of campus recreation; and state Sen. Norby Chabert of Houma.
A Message from the Chairman
As chairman of the Nicholls Foundation, I am well positioned to observe the progress of our regional university from a unique vantage point. Just over seven years ago, I watched a new president come in to take the helm of Nicholls during what can be described as “good budget years.” Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert almost immediately began transforming the campus by resurfacing streets, tearing down old buildings, constructing new facilities and remodeling others while relentlessly pursuing the purchase of new land and the authority to construct the student recreation center and the culinary arts building. Under his leadership, the Nicholls administration has achieved remarkable success. When the economy soured and Nicholls was faced with the challenge of ensuring its very survival as a regional comprehensive university, my good friend Steve provided even greater leadership in informing both the public and government leaders about what was at stake for those who depend on Nicholls. Students, alumni and friends of the university joined to spread the message of what needed to be done to maintain the range and quality of programs that Nicholls provides our citizens. Under Steve’s guidance, Nicholls also eliminated programs that were no longer viable and took steps to reduce staff wherever possible. Now, with Governor Jindal’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, it appears that Nicholls will remain a strong comprehensive regional university. It is my pleasure to commend Dr. Hulbert for his clear vision and inspired leadership in guiding Nicholls through these two difficult years. As the economy continues to improve and budgets become even more stable, Nicholls will be here to serve the good people of the Bayou Region. In future years we will look back on these times and be very grateful that Stephen Hulbert was at the helm to guide us through some very troubled waters. Thank you, Steve!
A Message from the President
Donald “Boysie” Bollinger Chairman of the Board
My term as president of the Nicholls Foundation has come to an end, and I am pleased to report that it is ending on a positive note. With the market rebounding and with the board’s current investment strategy at work, the foundation is once again experiencing remarkable success with its portfolio. During the challenging period through which we have just come, we still managed to pay every dollar to which we committed for each endowed scholarship we hold. Additionally, whenever we earned enough on our investments to meet the Board of Regents’ guidelines, we were able to fund some endowed professorships and chairs. While we were disappointed that we could not fund all of those, we are currently pursuing strategies that will allow those dollars to be awarded to deserving faculty who hold those chairs and professorships. There is still more good news. Since the last publication of Allons, many generous benefactors have continued to give generously to Nicholls, and you can read about them and their gifts in this issue. We have additional endowed scholarships to tell you about, including three new first-generation scholarships, each endowed at the $100,000 level, and a new endowed professorship in nursing. Allons is also filled with many articles about members of the Nicholls Foundation and their dedication and support of Nicholls. I encourage you to read these stories and to resolve that next spring one of those articles will be about you. Let me conclude by thanking each of you for what you have done to support the Nicholls Foundation. Your membership and your gifts have sustained Nicholls during some difficult moments. You have made me proud to serve as your foundation president, and I sincerely thank you.
Hugh Hamilton President
Nicholls Foundation Board Members Chairman of the Board.................................................... Donald “Boysie” Bollinger President........................................................................................... Hugh Hamilton Vice President.................................................................Richard “Dickie” Barker III Secretary/Treasurer.............................................................................Allen Danos Jr. At-Large Board Members..........................................................Arlen “Benny” Cenac Daniels Duplantis Christopher Riviere
2 / Allons Spring 2011
Volume 12, No. 1, Spring 2011 Allons is published annually by the Nicholls State University Foundation to inform members of news and events. News items, comments, and suggestions should be sent to Allons, Nicholls State University Foundation, P.O. Box 2074, Thibodaux, LA 70310.
Annual fund drive a success Honors program benefactor, The Nicholls Foundation’s Annual Fund drive for 2010 has resulted in the highest giving total to date, according to data reported by Tammy Toups, administrative office manager for the Office of Institutional Advancement. “There are three individuals who are totally responsible for the huge success of this year’s efforts. They are Tammy Toups, Jenny Schexnayder and Jenny Thibodaux,” said Dr. David Boudreaux. “These women analyzed how we conducted our annual fund drive in years past. They looked at the results and said we could do better. After listening to them, I supported their proposals and the foundation board gave us the goahead. As a result, we dramatically
reduced the overhead of conducting the campaign and more than doubled the net profit. I could not be more proud of these young ladies. I also know that they join me in thanking each individual donor for investing in Nicholls’ future.” The giving total for this year’s mailing campaign is more than $32,000, with many gifts unrestricted. The donations that are restricted will be used strictly in accordance with the intentions of the donors. Among the areas supported with restricted gifts are culinary arts, nursing and the colleges of arts and sciences, business and education. “We continue to learn from our efforts, and I am sure that we will be even more successful in the future,” Boudreaux said. “If our donors are
R. E. “Bob” Miller, recognized R. E. “Bob” Miller, business owner from Morgan City and longtime benefactor of the University Honors Program at Nicholls, received an award of recognition from honors students Nov. 1, at the Nicholls Foundation’s semiannual meeting and dinner on campus. Dr. John Doucet, director of the University Honors Program, said Miller’s generosity “has made it possible for the honors program to offer overseas programs for students as well as opportunities for original research.”
willing to support us at this level during the most difficult economic times we have faced since the Great Depression, it is clear that they view
Nicholls State University as something of true value. One hopes that this support will grow even stronger as the economy improves.”
Danos generosity makes Camerata performance in Cut Off successful When the Nicholls Camerata gave its second public performance, it was no accident that the setting was Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Cut Off. Friends of the university, Mary and Al Danos, led the way for the string ensemble to per-
form in this setting on the evening of March 18. “When James Alexander, the faculty head of the string program, approached me about taking the Camerata off campus, Al and Mary immediately came to mind,” Dr. Da-
vid Boudreaux said. “They have been such generous supporters of Nicholls, and they regularly attend university concerts and recitals. I also knew of their involvement in the church and cultural activities in South Lafourche. Their immediate response was over-
whelmingly positive.” On the evening of the performance, Father Freddie De Cal, pastor of Sacred Heart, welcomed an audience of almost 400 to the church. Led by guest conductor Crispin Ward of University College in Chichester, England, the Nicholls string ensemble entertained the audience with selections from Purcell, Elgar, Hayden and Shostakovich. Dr. Luciana Soares, associate professor of music, performed on the latest edition to the Nicholls music department’s collection of Steinway pianos, a model B. “I am deeply grateful to Mary and Al Danos for their gift that made the purchase of this magnificent piano possible,” Soares said. “It was genuinely moving to play it for the first time in a performance at their church, and to play for the people of South Lafourche was also special for me.” The Nicholls strings program is under the direction of James Alexander, who also performs with the group. The next performance will be scheduled for the fall semester of 2011.
Allons Spring 2011 / 3
Geomatics program receives $100,000 for scholarship
The Nicholls geomatics program received $100,000 to establish the “Jules Oreste Chustz Memorial Student Endowed Scholarship,” named in memory of the late child of Jimmy Chustz of Chustz Surveying Inc. Contributions include $50,000 from Chustz Surveying Inc., $25,000 from the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors and $25,000 from the Contractors Educational Trust Fund. Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, acting department head of applied sciences, said the ultimate goal is a $250,000 endowed scholarship, offering 20 annual awards of $1,000 each to Nicholls geomatics students. The geomatics program, which prepares students for careers as land surveyors, con-
struction surveyors, mappers and planners, is one of a kind in Louisiana. It was fully accredited in August 2010 by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of ABET Inc., the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. “This doesn’t happen very often to new programs going through their first accreditation evaluation,” Dr. Terry Dantin, professor of geomatics, said. “Needless to say, we are extremely pleased with the outcome. Accreditation certifies that the program meets national standards, which fortifies the Nicholls geomatics degree in industry and academia.” For more information about the program, go to nicholls.edu/doas.
Thursday, May 5, 2011, 6:30 p.m. The Cypress Columns 157 Tourist Drive, Gray, Louisiana For reservations, call 985-448-4005. 4 / Allons Spring 2011
Pictured are Boudreaux, Dantin, Chustz and Hulbert.
Donors meet recipients at Scholarship Reception
Stephanie Graebert, biology pre-med senior from Norco, spoke to attendees of the President’s Scholarship Reception Nov. 2, in the Bollinger Memorial Student Union at Nicholls. The reception, attended by nearly 165 donors, scholarship recipients and additional guests, allowed donors and recipients to meet each other. Graebert talked about how her award benefitted her and her family. Nicholls students received nearly $4,800,000 in scholarship funds in 2009-10.
Michele D. Guidry executive MBA classroom dedicated Scores of faculty and staff members, community leaders and family members of the late Michele Dantin Guidry, former instructor of accounting at Nicholls, gathered for the dedication of the new Michele D. Guidry Executive MBA Classroom at the Nicholls College of Business Administration March 16. Funded via a $35,000 gift from Guidry’s husband Jude, a $10,000 commitment from the Nicholls Foundation and approximately $11,000 in additional private donations, the classroom accommodates 20 students in a boardroom environment. Suitable for case discussions, seminars and lectures, the room encourages interaction among students and professors via state-of-the-art, user-friendly technology. Teaching tools include a viewing monitor that allows interactive writing and recording on the screen, ceilingmounted surround speakers and a high-resolution projector. Nicholls maintenance personnel built the classroom.
Pictured from left are Michele Guidry’s children – Thad, Taryn and Trisha – her husband Jude and Dr. Shawn Mauldin, dean of the College of Business Administration.
Capital One establishes ‘Stand Up for Nicholls Scholarship’ Capital One Bank donated $20,000 to Nicholls to create a scholarship for low-to-moderateincome students who meet established entrance requirements. “At Capital One Bank, we believe that a quality education is the key to success,” Robert Naquin, triparish market president of Capital One Bank, said. “Capital One is a longtime supporter of Nicholls, and we know that the education and encouragement students receive here help prepare them to take on and meet almost any challenge. With this grant, we are pleased to be able to help reward the dedication and hard work of students who want to pursue their dream of a college education.” The university will make the scholarships available to students who meet the criteria in the fall of 2011. Twenty scholarships valued at Pictured from left are Naquin and Boudreaux. $1,000 for the academic year will be available. Students wishing to apply One Bank Stand Up for Nicholls Stephen Hulbert said. “A great corporate citizen for our area, Capital One should contact the Nicholls Office Scholarship. “Capital One continues to be a is always there to enable us to provide of Financial Aid (nicholls.edu/ finaid) and ask about the Capital valued partner to this university,” Dr. better educational experiences for our
students. We deeply appreciate this bank’s strong and visible commitment to Nicholls and to our students from the Bayou Region.”
Allons Spring 2011 / 5
Three Foundation members receive awards for excellence The Nicholls Alumni Federation honored Nicholls Foundation members Tim Emerson, Gloria Callais and Stephanie Hebert for their contributions to the university at its annual Awards for Excellence reception, held March 20. The James Lynn Powell Award, the highest honor awarded to an alumnus or alumna, was presented to Tim Emerson, senior vice president of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Houma. A wealth management specialist with several professional certifications, Emerson is a member of the Nicholls Foundation, Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, South Central Industrial Association, Nicholls Alumni Federation and College of Business Administration Alumni Association. He also serves on the United Way board and is a member and past president of Kiwanis of Houma. Emerson graduated magna cum laude from the College of Business Administration in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. “Nicholls means a great deal to me, so I am very humbled to receive this award, particularly when I look at the names of the past recipients and the economic
contributions they made to this state,” Emerson said. “It is truly an honor.” The Harvey Peltier Award, the highest award presented to a nongraduate of Nicholls, was awarded to Gloria Callais, wife of the late Harold J. Callais, a Louisiana Board of Regents member and Nicholls supporter. Mrs. Callais and her family established the Harold J. Callais Endowed Chair at Nicholls to memorialize her husband, along with three endowed scholarships. The gift was the largest gift to Nicholls or the
Nicholls Foundation at that time. Callais and her family also support Bite of the Arts, the John Folse Culinary Institute’s largest annual fundraising event. “I was both honored and humbled to receive this fine award,” said Callais. “My late husband thought Nicholls was a wonderful university, and I learned so much about it through him. I love Nicholls as well, and I consider this award a prestigious acknowledgement.” A final alumni award, the Corporate Mark of Honor, was
presented to the Stephanie Hebert Insurance Agency Inc., an Allstate business based in Houma, for Hebert’s consistent support of Nicholls activities and functions, including women’s athletics and the Sponsor A+ Scholar Wine and Food Extravaganza. Hebert also established an endowed scholarship for students with dyslexia. “It was a great honor for me and my staff to receive this corporate award. We all love Nicholls, and we thoroughly enjoy helping the university, however we can.”
Callais
Emerson
Hebert
Leave a legacy and pave the way for students at
with a commemorative brick in the campus quadrangle. For more information, call (985) 448-4134. 6 / Allons Spring 2011
J. Ray McDermott gives Nicholls a $5,000 boost
J. Ray McDermott Inc. of Morgan City donated $5,000 to the Nicholls Foundation as part of the company’s 2010 Aid-to-Education program. At the request of the company, the grant will fund scholarships for students in the Nicholls petroleum services and geomatics programs, both in the Department of Applied Sciences. Pictured from left are Dantin; Boudreaux; Rick Johnson, project director for J. Ray McDermott Inc.; Asrabadi; and Michael Gautreaux, instructor of safety technology for the petroleum services program.
Ellender Memorial Library receives $25,000 donation
Daniel Walker, an attorney from Houma representing the estate of his late aunt, Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” Wurzlow, presented a check for $25,000 to the Nicholls Foundation on Jan. 5. In accordance with Wurzlow’s wishes, the donation will be used for improvements at Ellender Memorial Library. Pictured from left are Carol Mathias, library director, and Walker.
Elkins Hall features watercolors by Lula Ameen
Watercolors by Lula Ameen, the late namesake of the Ameen Art Gallery at Nicholls, now adorn the foyer of Elkins Hall, the university’s oldest building. Donated to the Nicholls Foundation by Rubye Beal Fitzgerald – the mother of the watercolors’ late owner, Joe Frank Beal Jr. – the display memorializes both Ameen and Beal. The former received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nicholls and subsequently taught watercolor at the university from 1972 to 1989.
Allons Spring 2011 / 7
NICHOLLS F O U N DAT I O N
P.O. Box 2074 î ˘ Thibodaux, LA 70310
News from the
Nicholls State University Foundation
Ride with Colonel Pride!
Visit http://omv.dps.state.la.us/ to get your Nicholls license plate. The Nicholls General Scholarship Fund receives a portion of the fee charged in addition to the regular vehicle registration. 8 / Allons Spring 2011