Nicholls State University

Public university in Thibodaux, Louisiana, US

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Nicholls State University

Former name

| Francis T. Nicholls Junior College (1948–1956)
Francis T. Nicholls State College (1956–1970)
Motto| People Creating Possibilities
Type| Public university
Established| September 23, 1948 (1948-09-23)

Parent institution

| UL System

Academic affiliations

| Space-grant
Endowment| $30 million[1]
President| Jay Clune
Students| 6,366[2]
Undergraduates| 5,717[2]
Postgraduates| 649[2]
Location|

Thibodaux, Louisiana

U.S.

29°47′25″N 90°48′10″W﻿ / ﻿29.7903°N 90.8027°W﻿ / 29.7903; -90.8027
Colors|  Red & gray
Nickname| Colonels

Sporting affiliations

| NCAA Division I FCS – Southland
Website| www.nicholls.edu

Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Founded in 1948, Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System. Originally named Francis T. Nicholls Junior College, the university is named for Francis T. Nicholls, a former governor of Louisiana, member of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.

The 287-acre (1.16 km2) campus, once part of Acadia Plantation, fronts on Bayou Lafourche, about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of New Orleans and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Baton Rouge. Its oldest structure, Elkins Hall, was completed in 1948 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nicholls is located in the Acadiana region. It is also within the geographical bounds of the Mississippi River Delta, and close to the Mississippi River, its distributaries, Louisiana's wetlands, and the Gulf of Mexico.

## History

[edit]

Nicholls State opened on Sept. 23, 1948, as Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of Louisiana State University. In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls State from LSU and authorized it to develop four-year curricula. In September 1956, the former junior college became Francis T. Nicholls State College and granted its first degrees in May 1958. In 1970, Act 93 of the State Legislature changed the name of the institution to Nicholls State University.

University leadership

* 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)[3]
* Dr. Jay Clune (2018–present)[4]

## Academics

[edit]

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[5] Race and ethnicity  | Total

|

White | 65%  |

Black | 18%  |

Hispanic | 6%  |

Two or more races | 3%  |

American Indian/Alaska Native | 2%  |

Asian | 2%  |

International student | 2%  |

Unknown  | 2%  |

Economic diversity
Low-income[a] | 38%  |

Affluent[b] | 62%  |

Academic rankings

Master's
Washington Monthly[6]| 203
Regional
U.S. News & World Report[7]| 102 (South)

Princeton Review statistics from 2010 list the student-to-faculty ratio at Nicholls as 20:1. Admission has become selective. The average GPA upon entry is 3.2 with an ACT score of 21. The average GPA of undergraduate students admitted to the university's honors program is 3.6 with an ACT score of 26. Almost 62 percent of the student body are women; and nearly 3 percent are international students.[8] As with nearly all academic institutions in Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina affected Nicholls' completion rate and overall ranking. During the aftermath of Katrina, Nicholls suspended its admissions selectivity in order to accommodate students from hurricane affected institutions. The university also had many matriculating students who were affected by the hurricane and did not return.

### Colleges

[edit]

* 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 is built upon a broad liberal arts foundation and preparation in studio disciplines required for careers in the visual arts and design. The Department of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The Department of Mass Communication is one of five mass communication programs in Louisiana accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). The department offers two concentrations: journalism and public relations. Nicholls mass communication students and faculty employ three computer labs and a broadcast studio for learning and instruction in communication principles. Students within the department are also encouraged to apply for jobs with the KNSU radio station and student publications, helping to produce the yearbook or publishing the weekly newspaper, the Nicholls Worth.[9]

The University of Louisiana System has identified the following areas as Unique Areas of Excellence at Nicholls State University.[10] These are areas of study that, because of either their unique classes or their leadership in Louisiana education, have been selected for this special honor. These include the John Folse Culinary Institute, Biological Sciences (Marine and environmental sciences emphasis), Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Teacher Education, Accounting and Information Systems, and Child, Family and Social Services. Other notable degree programs include: Bachelor of Arts in art, English, mass communication, and music; Bachelor of Science in applied sciences geomatics; and master's degrees in marine and environmental biology, education, and business administration (in addition to an Executive MBA program).

Nicholls is one of the first institutions in the United States to offer bachelor's degrees in Culinary Arts. Students gain expertise in both Cajun and French cuisine. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is the only American member of the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse. Students also have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts and then work towards earning the MBA.

Nicholls' faculty have been recognized nationally and internationally by the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Phi Kappa Lambda, the Renaissance Society of America, and other organizations and associations. In the past three years, several faculty members have been awarded grants from the Louisiana Board of Regents. The university has the only certified public health geneticist in the South. Nicholls is also the home of the Louisiana Center for Women and Government,[11] as well as the Dyslexia Center of Louisiana.

Nicholls Online provides complete degrees online in a variety of disciplines.[12] It offers over 100 online courses through its Division of Distance Education.[13] Nicholls Online is different from regular online courses at Nicholls in that the courses are offered through 8-week sessions and have a unique fee structure.

## Ellender Memorial Library

[edit]

The Allen J. Ellender Memorial Library offers research assistance to the Nicholls State University community via 125+ databases and traditional reference books. The Library provides access to over 61,000 e-books as part of a collection of more than 245,000 books. Librarians provide library research instruction classes in all disciplines as well as individual consultation sessions. A leisure book collection with recent popular writers and 50 popular magazine titles is also available. The Library has both single and group study rooms for patron use. There is also an interlibrary loan service which acquires materials from other libraries, and a courtesy card service that allows patrons to check out materials from other Louisiana universities.

Ellender Library, through its Government Information Department, has been a selective depository for Louisiana state government publications since 1960 and a selective depository of the U.S. Federal Depository Library Program since 1962. The Library is a congressionally designated depository for United States government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law (Title 44 USC). In its role as a depository, Government Information houses an extensive collection of books, periodicals, microfiche, maps, CDs, and kits published by Louisiana state and federal agencies on a wide array of topics such as health, geology, military history, law and legislation, education, statistics and more.

The Archives and Special Collections Department of Ellender Memorial Library is the archival repository for the historical records of the university and serves as a repository for primary and secondary material relating to the geographical, historical and cultural uniqueness of the region. The collections include personal papers, business and organizational records, historical photographs, literary manuscripts, maps, diaries and scrapbooks. Newspapers, oral histories, and numerous other formats are also represented. Many collections document the plantation era and the sugar cane industry. The Archives and Special Collections Department is also home to the library's Regional, Rare Book, and Genealogy Collections.[14]

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Nicholls Colonels

Nicholls sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision or FCS for football) in the Southland Conference. Nicholls' colors are red and gray and the athletics teams are nicknamed the Colonels. The Nicholls State University Department of Athletics currently sponsors men's intercollegiate baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf and tennis along with women's intercollegiate basketball, cross-country, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

Nicholls' official athletics mascot is Colonel Tillou. The modern version wears a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary-style military officer's cap.[15][16]

The Pride of Nicholls is the marching band which represents the university.[17][18] The band performs pregame and during halftime at all Nicholls Colonels home football games, selected away games and in exhibitions at selected marching festivals during the fall semester.[17][19]

Nicholls' primary athletic rivals are Southeastern Louisiana University and Northwestern State University.

## Notable alumni

[edit]

This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article and are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (September 2023)

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### Politics and judiciary

[edit]

* Robert Billiot, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Jefferson Parish from 2008-2020 [20]
* Marty J. Chabert, state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes from 1992 to 1996
* Norby Chabert, state senator for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes from 2009-2020
* Hunt Downer, former speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives; assistant adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard
* Anthony Guarisco Jr., lawyer and state senator from Morgan City from 1976 to 1988[21]
* Joe Harrison, state representative since 2008 from Assumption, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes
* Francis C. Heitmeier (born 1950), Democratic member of the Louisiana House from 1984 to 1992 and the Louisiana Senate from 1992 to 2008; businessman and lobbyist from New Orleans[22]
* Morris Lottinger Jr., former state legislator and judge from Terrebonne Parish
* Jerome "Dee" Richard, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Lafourche Parish, one of only two Independents in the chamber[23]
* Billy Tauzin, member of the United States House of Representatives from 1980 to 2005

### Athletics

[edit]

* Bobby April, National Football League (NFL) coach
* Gary Barbaro, NFL safety
* Gerald Butler, NFL wide receiver
* Anatoly Bose, international basketball guard and forward
* Bobby Felder, NFL cornerback
* Darryl Hamilton, Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder
* Hilton Koch, former owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets
* Kareem Moore, NFL safety
* Darryl Pounds, former NFL defensive back
* Antonio Robinson, NFL wide receiver
* Dwight Walker, former NFL running back and wide receiver
* Lardarius Webb, NFL cornerback and return specialist

### Other

[edit]

* Donald J. Boudreaux, economist and professor
* Punkie Johnson, actress and stand-up comedian, featured player on Saturday Night Live from 2020 to 2024.[24]
* Kellyn LaCour-Conant, restoration ecologist
* Cyril and Libbye Hellier, operatic sopranos
* Andrew Simoncelli, WWL-TV producer, professor
* Rocsi Diaz, talk show host of 106 & Park, Entertainment Tonight and ABC correspondent

## Notable faculty

[edit]

* Monnie T. Cheves (1902–1988), education professor; served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from Natchitoches Parish from 1952 to 1960
* Thomas G. Clausen (1939–2002), the last elected Louisiana state superintendent of education, on Nicholls faculty from 1967 to 1972
* Marilyn Kilgen (1944), microbiologist and seafood safety scientist

## See also

[edit]

* United States portal

* Elkins Hall
* Louisiana Center for Women and Government Hall of Fame

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
2. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Nicholls State University Foundation Audit" (PDF). LLA Default Homepage. Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
2. ^ a b c "Preliminary Enrollment Survey Headcount Enrollment Survey Summary". Louisiana Board of Regents. September 2017. Archived from the original on 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
3. ^ "Humble president celebrated at Nicholls' 1st Inauguration". The Daily Comet. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
4. ^ "Clune Named President at Nicholls State University". usnews.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
5. ^ "College Scorecard: Nicholls State University". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
6. ^ "2024 Master's Universities Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
7. ^ "2024-2025 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
8. ^ "GPA of Honors students". The Princeton Review.
9. ^ "Department of Mass Communication Office Site". Retrieved March 1, 2013.
10. ^ "Nicholls State University Report: Economic and Community Impact Study" (PDF). University of Louisiana System. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
11. ^ "Louisiana Center for Women & Government at Nicholls State University". Nicholls State University. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
12. ^ "Nicholls Online Degrees". Retrieved August 23, 2017.
13. ^ "Division of Distance Learning". Retrieved March 1, 2013.
14. ^ "Archives and Special Collections at Nicholls State University". Retrieved December 9, 2015.
15. ^ "Colonel Tillou". Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
16. ^ "New mascot at Nicholls State under fire". Content.usatoday.com. 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
17. ^ a b "The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band". nicholls.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
18. ^ "Nicholls State Marching Band". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2014-03-08. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
19. ^ "Nicholls State University-Band". prezi.com. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
20. ^ "Robert E. Billiot". house.louisiana.gov. Retrieved May 4, 2015.[permanent dead link]
21. ^ "Anthony J. Guarisco, Jr". martindale.com. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
22. ^ "Francis Heitmeier's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
23. ^ "Representative Jerome "Dee" Richard's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
24. ^ "Art and Creativity Has Absolutely Nothing to do With Gender by Punkie Johnson of MewNowTV.com's TALKIN' POINTS". Film Courage. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2022-03-23.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nicholls State University.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Nicholls State University

Located in: Thibodaux, Louisiana

Academics|

* College of Arts and Sciences
* College of Business Administration
* College of Education
* College of Nursing and Allied Health

Campus|

* Chef John Folse Culinary Institute
* Elkins Hall
* Louisiana Women's Govt & Bus Hall of Fame

Athletics|

* Sports: Nicholls Colonels
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Men
* Women
* Cross country
* Football
* Soccer
* Softball
* Track and field
* Volleyball
* Southland Conference

* Venues: Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild
* Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field
* Colonel Tennis Complex
* Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium
* Nicholls Soccer Complex
* Stopher Gymnasium
* Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park

* Traditions: Colonel Tillou
* Pride of Nicholls Marching band

Media|

* KNSU

* Founded: 1948

* v
* t
* e

Public colleges and universities in Louisiana

Research universities|

* Louisiana State University
* Louisiana Tech University
* University of Louisiana at Lafayette
* University of Louisiana at Monroe
* University of New Orleans

Comprehensive universities|

* Grambling State University
* Louisiana State University of Alexandria
* Louisiana State University Shreveport
* McNeese State University
* Nicholls State University
* Northwestern State University
* Southeastern Louisiana University
* Southern University
* Southern University at New Orleans

Specialized centers|

* LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
* LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport
* Paul M. Hebert Law Center
* Southern University Law Center

Community and technical colleges|

* Baton Rouge Community College
* Bossier Parish Community College
* Delgado Community College
* L. E. Fletcher Technical Community College
* Louisiana Delta Community College
* Louisiana State University at Eunice
* Louisiana Technical College
* Northwest Louisiana Technical College
* Nunez Community College
* River Parishes Community College
* South Louisiana Community College
* Southern University at Shreveport
* Sowela Technical Community College

* v
* t
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Thibodaux, Louisiana

History|

* Thibodaux massacre

Education|

* Lafourche Parish PS
* Thibodaux HS
* E. D. White Catholic HS
* Nicholls State University
* Template

| Former|

* C.M. Washington HS

|

Landmarks|

* Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium

Media|

* The Daily Comet

Culture|

* Cajun Rollergirls

* v
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Education in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Lafourche Parish Public Schools

High schools|

* Central Lafourche HS
* South Lafourche HS
* Thibodaux HS

Historic elementary schools|

* Bayou Boeuf ES

Former high schools|

* Golden Meadow HS
* Larose-Cut Off HS
* Lockport HS
* Raceland HS

Former K-12 schools|

* C.M. Washington HS

Private schools

High schools|

* Edward Douglas White Catholic HS

Tertiary

Universities|

* Nicholls State University
* Template

Community colleges|

* Fletcher Technical Community College

This list is incomplete.

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Southland Conference

Full members|

* East Texas A&M Lions
* Houston Christian Huskies
* Incarnate Word Cardinals
* Lamar Cardinals
* McNeese State Cowboys
* Nicholls State Colonels
* New Orleans Privateers
* Northwestern State Demons
* Southeastern Louisiana Lions
* Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
* Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders
* UTRGV Vaqueros

Associate members|

* Boise State Broncos1
* San Jose State Spartans1

Related entities|

* Southland Bowling League

* 1beach volleyball

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

Other|

* Yale LUX

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