Nicholls State University facts for kids
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Former name
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Francis T. Nicholls Junior College (1948–1956) Francis T. Nicholls State College (1956–1970) |
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| Motto | People Creating Possibilities |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | September 23, 1948 |
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Parent institution
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UL System |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $30 million |
| President | Jay Clune |
| Students | 6,366 |
| Undergraduates | 5,717 |
| Postgraduates | 649 |
| Location |
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U.S.
29°47′25″N 90°48′10″W / 29.7903°N 90.8027°W |
| Colors | Red & gray |
| Nickname | Colonels |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FCS – Southland |
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Nicholls State University is a public university located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It was started in 1948 and is part of the University of Louisiana System. The university is named after Francis T. Nicholls, who was a former governor of Louisiana. He also served as a judge on the state's highest court and was a general during the American Civil War.
The university campus covers about 287 acres (1.16 square kilometers). It used to be part of a large farm called Acadia Plantation. The campus is located along Bayou Lafourche, a waterway. It's about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of New Orleans and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Baton Rouge. The oldest building on campus is Elkins Hall, finished in 1948. This building is recognized as a historic place.
Nicholls State is in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. It's also near the Mississippi River Delta, which is a large area of land formed by the river. The university is close to the Mississippi River, its smaller branches, Louisiana's wetlands, and the Gulf of Mexico.
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University History
Nicholls State University first opened its doors on September 23, 1948. Back then, it was called Francis T. Nicholls Junior College and was part of LSU. In 1956, the Louisiana government decided that Nicholls State should become its own college. This meant it could offer four-year degrees.
So, in September 1956, it became Francis T. Nicholls State College. The first students to earn four-year degrees graduated in May 1958. Later, in 1970, the state government changed the school's name again to Nicholls State University.
Leaders of the University
Here are the people who have led Nicholls State University over the years:
- Charles C. Elkins (1948–1962)
- Vernon F. Galliano (1963–1982)
- Donald J. Ayo (1983–2003)
- Stephen T. Hulbert (2003–2013)
- Dr. Bruce Murphy (2014–2017)
- Dr. Jay Clune (2018–present)
What Students Learn at Nicholls
Nicholls State University offers many different subjects for students to study. The university has a student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1. This means there are 20 students for every one teacher. This allows for more personal attention in classes.
To get into Nicholls, students usually need a good academic record. The average grade point average (GPA) for new students is 3.2. They also usually have an ACT score of 21. For students who want to join the university's special honors program, the average GPA is 3.6 with an ACT score of 26.
About 62 percent of the students at Nicholls are women. Also, about 3 percent of the students come from other countries.
Different Colleges and Study Areas
Nicholls State University is divided into several colleges, each focusing on different subjects:
- College of Sciences and Technology (for science and tech subjects)
- College of Business Administration (for business studies)
- College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (for teaching and understanding human behavior)
- College of Nursing (for students who want to become nurses)
- College of Liberal Arts (for subjects like art, English, and history)
- University College (helps new students get started)
- University Graduate Studies (for students earning advanced degrees)
The Department of Art helps students learn about visual arts and design. It is a recognized program for art education. The Department of Mass Communication is also highly recognized. It teaches students about journalism and public relations. Students can work at the university's radio station, KNSU, or help create the weekly student newspaper, Nicholls Worth.
Nicholls State University has some special programs that are known for being excellent. These include the John Folse Culinary Institute, which teaches cooking. Other strong programs are Marine and Environmental Sciences, Nursing, and Teacher Education. They also have great programs in Accounting and Information Systems.
Nicholls was one of the first universities in the United States to offer bachelor's degrees in Culinary Arts. Students learn about different types of cooking, including Cajun and French cuisine. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is the only American member of the famous Institut Paul Bocuse.
Many teachers at Nicholls have been recognized for their work. They have received awards and grants from important groups like the National Science Foundation. The university also has the only certified public health geneticist in the Southern United States. Nicholls is also home to the Louisiana Center for Women and Government and the Dyslexia Center of Louisiana.
Nicholls Online offers full degrees that students can earn completely online. They have over 100 online courses. These online courses are often offered in shorter, 8-week sessions.
Ellender Memorial Library
The Allen J. Ellender Memorial Library is the main library at Nicholls State University. It helps students and teachers with their research. The library has over 125 online databases and many traditional books. It also offers access to more than 61,000 e-books and over 245,000 physical books.
Librarians are available to teach students how to do research. They also offer one-on-one help. The library has a collection of popular books and magazines for students to read for fun. There are quiet rooms for studying alone and group study rooms for working with friends.
If the library doesn't have a book you need, they can get it from another library through a service called interlibrary loan. Students can also get a special card to check out books from other universities in Louisiana.
The Ellender Library also has a special collection of government documents. It has been a place where Louisiana state government publications are kept since 1960. Since 1962, it has also kept U.S. Federal government documents. This means the public can access many books, magazines, maps, and other materials published by state and federal agencies. These documents cover topics like health, history, and education.
The Archives and Special Collections Department in the library keeps historical records of the university. It also collects materials about the history and culture of the local area. These collections include old letters, business records, historical photos, and diaries. They also have old newspapers and recorded interviews. Many of these collections tell the story of the old plantation days and the sugar cane industry in the region. This department also has special collections of rare books and resources for people researching their family history.
Sports at Nicholls
Nicholls State University has many sports teams. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports. For football, they are part of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). All Nicholls teams play in the Southland Conference.
The university's colors are red and gray. Their sports teams are called the Colonels. Nicholls State University has men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, and tennis. They also have women's teams for basketball, cross-country, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
The official mascot for Nicholls athletics is Colonel Tillou. He wears a bright red uniform and a military officer's cap.
The "Pride of Nicholls" is the university's marching band. They perform at all home football games and some away games. They also perform at marching band festivals in the fall.
Nicholls' main sports rivals are Southeastern Louisiana University and Northwestern State University.
Famous People Who Went to Nicholls
Many successful people have graduated from Nicholls State University.
Politics and Government
- Robert Billiot: A former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Marty J. Chabert: A former state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
- Norby Chabert: A former state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
- Hunt Downer: A former speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He also served in the Louisiana National Guard.
- Anthony Guarisco Jr.: A lawyer and former state senator from Morgan City.
- Joe Harrison: A state representative since 2008.
- Francis C. Heitmeier: A former member of both the Louisiana House and Senate.
- Morris Lottinger Jr.: A former state legislator and judge.
- Jerome "Dee" Richard: A former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Billy Tauzin: A former member of the United States House of Representatives.
Sports Stars
- Bobby April: A coach in the National Football League (NFL).
- Gary Barbaro: A former NFL safety.
- Gerald Butler: A former NFL wide receiver.
- Anatoly Bose: An international basketball player.
- Bobby Felder: A former NFL cornerback.
- Darryl Hamilton: A former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder.
- Hilton Koch: A former owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets team.
- Kareem Moore: A former NFL safety.
- Darryl Pounds: A former NFL defensive back.
- Antonio Robinson: A former NFL wide receiver.
- Dwight Walker: A former NFL running back and wide receiver.
- Lardarius Webb: A former NFL cornerback.
Other Notable Alumni
- Donald J. Boudreaux: An economist and professor.
- Punkie Johnson: An actress and stand-up comedian, known for Saturday Night Live.
- Kellyn LaCour-Conant: A restoration ecologist.
- Cyril and Libbye Hellier: Operatic singers.
- Andrew Simoncelli: A TV producer and professor.
- Rocsi Diaz: A talk show host for shows like 106 & Park and Entertainment Tonight.
Notable Teachers at Nicholls
Some teachers at Nicholls State University have also been very well-known:
- Monnie T. Cheves (1902–1988): An education professor who also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Thomas G. Clausen (1939–2002): The last elected Louisiana state superintendent of education.
- Marilyn Kilgen (born 1944): A microbiologist and expert in seafood safety.
See also
- Elkins Hall
- Louisiana Center for Women and Government Hall of Fame
