THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University hosted a showcasing event with guest speaker Governor John Bel Edwards on Nov. 7 to highlight the university’s groundbreaking for its Coastal Center, announcement of a new College of Nursing building and concluded with a ribbon cutting for its athletic covered practice facility. This is the first time three construction projects have taken place on campus simultaneously during Nicholls’ 75 years, with almost $45 million dollars in state investment.
Other guest speakers included Sen. Bret Allain, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson and Thibodaux Mayor Kevin Clement, with Dr. John Doucet, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology, serving as the event’s emcee. All Nicholls faculty and staff were invited to the event, with many in attendance.
During the ceremony, Governor Edwards said, “We have been making every effort to invest in higher education. We need first-class, state-of-the-art facilities in order to do the work our state needs, and that’s what all this is about. Our state is working on some of the largest, most transformative projects ever completed in the history of our coastal program, with many of the projects we’re working on being the largest attempted in the country. It’s imperative we do this to protect our state, and many of these projects are taking place right here in this region.”
“We are happy to break ground, announce new facilities, and cut ribbons, but most importantly, we are strengthening the foundation upon which Nicholls State University stands.” said Nicholls State President Jay Clune, PhD. “These three buildings represent the next phase of growth for our university.”
“We need to continue our efforts to invest money in higher education so that at the same time, we create unprecedented opportunity and prosperity here at home for our people, giving confidence to those making investment decisions that they can invest in Louisiana and be successful,” Edwards said. “The human-talent pipeline is in place to guarantee their success, and it’s one of those things that results in a virtuous cycle. Every time you drive across this campus, you’ll be able to look at real, tangible signs of progress, and I want to thank the legislature for working with me to make this happen. I am confident that the best days of our state are ahead.”
As the university celebrates its 75th anniversary, Nicholls is embarking on the implementation of its new Strategic Plan for 2023-2028, “Experience Nicholls: Louisiana’s Coastal University.” The new plan, built on the foundations of sustainability, communication and safety, will focus on the Nicholls experience through the pillars of the student, employee, academic and community experience.