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 |
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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 was also a member of the Louisiana Supreme Court and a general during the American Civil War.
The campus covers about 287 acres (1.16 km²). It used to be part of a large farm called Acadia Plantation. The campus is right on Bayou Lafourche, which is a bayou (a slow-moving stream or river). 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, which was finished in 1948. It is listed as an important historical place.
Nicholls is in the Acadiana region of Louisiana, known for its unique culture. It's also near the Mississippi River and the many wetlands that lead to the Gulf of Mexico.
Contents
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 Louisiana State University.
In 1956, the Louisiana government decided that Nicholls State should become its own school. It was allowed to offer four-year college degrees. So, in September 1956, it became Francis T. Nicholls State College. The first students graduated with degrees in May 1958. Later, in 1970, the school's name was changed again to Nicholls State University.
Who Has Led Nicholls?
Here are the people who have been in charge of 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)
Learning at Nicholls
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Nicholls State University aims to help students learn and grow. In 2010, there were about 20 students for every teacher. This means students can get more attention from their professors.
To get into Nicholls, students usually need a good academic record. The average GPA (grade point average) for new students is about 3.2. Their average ACT test score is around 21. Students who join the university's honors program often have an even higher GPA of 3.6 and an ACT score of 26.
Most students at Nicholls are women, making up almost 62 percent of the student body. About 3 percent of the students come from other countries. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, it affected many students and the university. Nicholls helped students from other schools that were damaged by the hurricane.
What Can You Study?
Nicholls State University has several different colleges where students can focus on specific subjects:
- College of Sciences and Technology
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Liberal Arts
- University College
- University Graduate Studies
The Department of Art helps students learn about visual arts and design. It teaches them skills for careers in these fields. The Department of Mass Communication is also well-known. It teaches students about journalism and public relations. Students can work at the KNSU radio station or help create the weekly student newspaper, Nicholls Worth.
Nicholls State University is known for some special programs. These include the John Folse Culinary Institute, which teaches cooking. Other strong programs are Marine and Environmental Sciences, Nursing, and Accounting.
Become a Chef!
Nicholls is one of the first schools in the United States to offer a bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts. Students learn to cook many types of food, including Cajun and French cuisine. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is very special because it's the only American member of the famous Institut Paul Bocuse in France. Students can even earn a master's degree in business after their culinary degree.
Amazing Teachers
Teachers at Nicholls have won awards from groups like the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The university also has the only certified public health geneticist in the South. Nicholls is home to the Louisiana Center for Women and Government and the Dyslexia Center of Louisiana.
Online Learning
Nicholls Online offers many degrees that students can earn completely online. They have over 100 online courses. These courses are often shorter, lasting 8 weeks, and have a different fee structure.
Ellender Memorial Library
The Allen J. Ellender Memorial Library is a great place for students to do research. It has over 125 online databases and many traditional reference books. Students can also access more than 61,000 e-books and over 245,000 physical books. Librarians are available to help students with their research.
The library has a collection of popular books and magazines for fun reading. There are also quiet rooms for studying alone or with a group. If a book isn't at Nicholls, the library can often get it from another university in Louisiana.
The library also keeps important government documents. It has been a special place for Louisiana state government papers since 1960. Since 1962, it has also kept U.S. federal government documents. This means the public can access many books, maps, and other materials from state and federal agencies. These cover topics like health, history, and education.
The Archives and Special Collections Department in the library keeps historical records. These include old papers, business records, photos, and diaries. Many of these documents tell the story of the plantation era and the sugar cane industry in the region. This department also has special collections of rare books and genealogy resources.
Sports and Teams
Nicholls State University has many sports teams. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is a top level for college sports. Their football team plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). All Nicholls teams are part of the Southland Conference.
The official colors for Nicholls athletics are red and gray. The teams are called the Colonels. Nicholls has men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, and tennis. The women's teams include 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 sometimes at away games or marching festivals.
Nicholls' main sports rivals are Southeastern Louisiana University and Northwestern State University.
Famous People from Nicholls
Many people who went to Nicholls State University have become well-known in different fields.
In Politics and Law
- Robert Billiot: A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Marty J. Chabert: A state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
- Norby Chabert: Also a state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
- Gordon Dove: A state representative for Terrebonne Parish.
- Hunt Downer: A former speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Anthony Guarisco Jr.: A lawyer and state senator from Morgan City.
- Joe Harrison: A state representative from Assumption, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes.
- Francis C. Heitmeier: A former member of the Louisiana House and Senate from New Orleans.
- Sam S. Jones: A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for St. Mary Parish.
- Morris Lottinger Jr.: A former state legislator and judge.
- Jerome "Dee" Richard: A current member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Lafourche Parish.
- Billy Tauzin: A former member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Jerome Zeringue: A Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
In Sports
- Bobby April: A coach in the National Football League (NFL).
- Gary Barbaro: An NFL safety.
- Gerald Butler: An NFL wide receiver.
- Anatoly Bose: An international basketball player.
- Bobby Felder: An NFL cornerback.
- Darryl Hamilton: A Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder.
- Hilton Koch: A former owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets.
- Kareem Moore: An NFL safety.
- Darryl Pounds: A former NFL defensive back.
- Antonio Robinson: An NFL wide receiver.
- Dwight Walker: A former NFL running back and wide receiver.
- Lardarius Webb: An 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 sopranos (singers).
- Andrew Simoncelli: A TV producer and professor.
- Rocsi Diaz: A talk show host and TV correspondent.
Famous Teachers at Nicholls
- Monnie T. Cheves: An education professor who also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
- Thomas G. Clausen: The last elected Louisiana state superintendent of education.
- Marilyn Kilgen: A microbiologist who studies seafood safety.
See also
- Elkins Hall
- Louisiana Center for Women and Government Hall of Fame
