Thibodaux // A Small Town Setting
By Brandon Cherry, Staff Writer Universities are not made by just the students within them, but also the community that surrounds them. The community of Thibodaux combines history, culture and hospitality to create a small college town. “I’m from New Orleans, so Thibodaux was a great change of pace for me,” says student Marianna Rocha. “The reason I moved to Thibodaux was because it was a great place to focus on my school work while still having fun downtown.” Located in Lafourche Parish, Thibodaux has been around since the 1800s. The city lies 66 miles from New Orleans and 67 miles from Baton Rouge, making it a short drive to the two biggest cities in Louisiana. In recent years, downtown Thibodaux has become the place for many students to hang out after class. Five bars are within walking distance from each other, making it easy to get from place-to-place. Also, plenty of bars have there own signature drinks. Rene’s “Mind Erasers” is one signature drink downtown. The shot comes in a cup which is taken through a straw. Rocha says it is a stop everyone makes when going downtown. The Purple People Eater at Last Call has become a staple for many students of Nicholls. Nicknamed “The Bucket”, the beverage comes in a white bucket filled to the rim with cherries on top. This beverage has become a tradition for many students to enjoy on Thursdays nights after classes. Downtown Thibodaux is not the only place in town that supports Nicholls. Many businesses around town show their Colonel Pride through partnerships with the university. Rouses supermarket recently opened a Nicholls State University themed grocery store. Located across the street from Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, it’s a short distance from campus. The interior of the store displays Colonel red and gray colors with the cafe featuring a basketball scoreboard. Raising Canes also supports Nicholls with a Colonel-themed restaurant. The branch displays a Nicholls State University logo on its front doors while also allowing students to purchase meals with Colonel Cash, which is on-campus money. Alec Stieffel, a former Raising Cane’s employee and a Nicholls alumnus, says the restaurant was a perfect environment to work at. “I really enjoyed working at Raising Cane’s in Thibodaux because of their involvement with Nicholls,” Stieffel says. “They also worked around my school schedule making it easy to maintain having a job while being in college.” The Thibodaux community maintains partnerships with Nicholls State University as Stieffel says the city and local university contribute to one another. Nicholls State University brings people all over the state to visit Thibodaux. The Manning Passing Academy is an annual event that has many pro and college quarterbacks visit the Bayou region. According to the Manning Passing Academy website it has been held in Thibodaux for over 25 years. With all these traditions made in Thibodaux, the memories made from students enrolled at Nicholls State University lives on, and they look to continue as the school grows in size and advances in construction projects.
The Drip: A Video Series
Choosing to be the Minority Episode 2: One Big Picture with Davonte BurseNicholls NAACP President & Crown Mentorhttps://youtu.be/oAUrVoKCQGs Episode 3: Double Sided with Brandon Thomas & Shannon Royal https://youtu.be/rbh04cwWYFU Episode 4: Big Pressure with Grant HenryMen’s Basketball Manager & Crown Mentorhttps://youtu.be/MiJOmai5YA4 A LITTLE HELP WITH THE TERMS The Drip dictionary HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities PWI Predominantly white institution Cultural Appropriation When a different culture adopts cultural traditions of another culture Divine 9 A common name for The National Pan-Hellenic Council, an organization made up of nine historically black sororities and fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Iota Phi Theta Minority The smaller number or part, especially a number that is less than half of the whole number Cultural Appreciation Taking the time out to learn about different cultures and their traditions. To become more open in understanding the truths about a culture and embracing them in a respectful manner Diversity The condition of having or being composed of differing elements, the inclusion of different types of people (such people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization NAACP The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Nicholls Flashback // Then & Now
A LOOK BACK with Dr. Eugene Dial While students come and go, many faculty and staff have chosen to spend their careers at Nicholls. Those members, like Dr. Eugene Dial, and their memories and presence are as much a part of the unversity as the physical structures. Dial, who is currently an associate professor of education and the vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, has been a part of the Nicholls community for 30 years. He’s watched and been a part of the school’s many changes. Memories with Dr. Dial https://youtu.be/fIuUmWGaUdc on campus SHAVER GYM 1960S SHAVER GYM 2019 BEAUREGARD HALL 1960S BEAUREGARD HALL 2019 ELKINS HALL 1960S ELKINS HALL 2019 NICHOLLS FOUNTAIN 1960S NICHOLLS FOUNTAIN 2019
A Place to Stay // Nicholls Retention
By Erik Koike, Features Editor Enrolling in college after completing high school is a choice for many high school graduates, but keeping college students enrolled until they reach graduation is a challenge that many universities face. Nicholls State University has created several iniatives aimed at keeping students, especially those most at risk for leaving, once they’ve enrolled. One program that aims to keep a group of students on campus is the Colonel Retention of Winners Network, or “CROWN.” CROWN focuses on the retention of first-year black male students through a system that pairs freshmen with experienced mentors. CROWN coordinator Farren Clark says the overall focus of the program is on academic success, as well as cultural exposure and awareness. “The challenge is that many first-year students don’t understand what it takes to be successful,” Clark says. “To know that there are others who are willing to connect with you and who have the same questions is so important for these students to understand.” CROWN was established in the spring 2018 semester, and prior to the start of the program, retention for black male freshmen was below 50 percent. According to Rene Hicks from the Nicholls’ Office of Institutional Research, those retention rates grew to just below 60 percent by the end of the programs first year. Hicks also added that the most recent data shows rates for this group now at 70 percent, which is the highest the school has ever seen. Clark says that part of CROWN’s success is simply giving these students a representation around campus which they may not have found otherwise. “When you look at the makeup of faculty at Nicholls, there is a large contrast, so having a peer mentor creates a level of teamwork and a shared goal of success. For these young men in CROWN, they are being reintroduced to themselves to work out the purpose they already carry within them.” Another program to improve retention rates at Nicholls is “SAM,” which stands for Student Advising and Mentoring. The program began in 2015 with the goal of improving the advising process of sophomore level students and above, since Nicholls already had a freshman advising center in the works. The director of SAM, Amy Adams says she intends for the program to better train and educate the advisors and faculty, while also helping students learn about internships, undergraduate research, service learning and more. “We want them to understand more about their degree program and the path that they’re taking, anything we can do to help them get to their career goal,” Adams says. Adams also hopes that SAM will continue to build off what CROWN has started. “We want to create CROWN for females, as well as mentoring programs for all first-time freshman within their specific programs no matter their race.” With various programs and organizations already existing and more planned for the future, Nicholls is setting up for continued success. With increasing enrollment and retention rates, the school looks to expand with various renovation projects and a larger population of Colonels for the foreseeable future.
A Leading Pair // Jay & Allison Clune
By Erik Koike, Features Editor Since Jay Clune has been President of Nicholls State University, he and his wife Allison have embraced a full partnership in achieving their vision of a cultural and physical reformation of the university. “I go to a lot of events for Nicholls and the community,” Allison Clune says. “I see myself as an ambassador in that role, which is a role I love because I believe Nicholls is such a wonderful place. I just love this kind of community. It’s the people and the culture, they opened up the doors from the minute we got here, they’re just incredible.” Dr. Donald J. Ayo, who served as Nicholls president from 1983-2003, recognizes the Clunes’ impact since coming to lead Nicholls in 2018. “I think Jay and Allison have set a new direction for Nicholls State University, and it’s very refreshing to have a local person who is a graduate of Nicholls to come back,” Ayo says. “Nicholls is a very unique institution, and you have to have a real love and feeling for it to be able to respond to the needs of the people that we serve.” The Clunes have spent the past 20 years living outside of Louisiana. For 13 years, Jay Clune served in various roles at the University of West Florida. They say when the opportunity came for Jay to serve as president of his alma mater, it became an obvious choice. Allison Clune, a Louisiana native, says their final decision to make the move came down to one thing: family. “It’s coming home for us. Louisiana is always in your heart, it’s such a unique place and we were just thrilled to come back.” Allison Clune spent the first five years of her childhood living in Plaquemines Parish before Hurricane Camille devastated the area in 1969. This storm forced her parents to move their family to New Orleans. However, she spent many of her weekends, summers and holidays returning to Plaquemines to spend time with other family members who remained in the area. She recalls her father speaking Cajun-French and riding with him on his tractor through the family’s orange grove. She says the lifestyle she has discovered in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes brings back these childhood memories. Jay Clune was born in Houma and earned his undergraduate degree at Nicholls in 1986. He says his time spent studying at Nicholls was likely similar to many students who are just starting college: a young person trying to find the areas of study that are the most interesting. “I was good at flying under the radar. I was so mediocre that no one knew I came here. I didn’t always exert myself in the classroom, so I got to really explore the campus.” More than 30 years later, Jay Clune says his experience as a Nicholls student helped him to identify locations that needed the most attention. “I absolutely love this campus. I loved being on it and I loved every minute I was here. I knew every nook and cranny, and even after we left I would come back for visits and see what was changing.” Now at the helm of Jay’s alma mater, the Clunes explain their vision as a culmination of three simple ideas: people, places and programs. “We talk about people places and programs in that order because if you don’t have the right people and faculty, nothing is going to work, so we try to keep the best and brightest faculty here,” Jay Clune says. “The places they live have to be first class, because the new recruits are not going to come if places like the union continued to look the way it looked. And the academic programs you matriculate in need to be first class and high quality, if you don’t have the right professor, nothing else matters.” As a team, Jay and Allison Clune have provided input and created ideas that have helped bring to life the beautification of buildings such as the ballroom, Bollinger Suites and Student Union. “It’s all about making “sticky places” where students want to be and want to stay,” Jay Clune says. “They won’t leave campus, they won’t go back to their dorm rooms, they want to hang out. In everything we do that’s what you’re going to see. A place where students want to be.” The Clunes make no secret that the Nicholls’ students and faculty are their priority, but they still value the time spent together at home as a family once their work day is done. “I have to remind Allison that we are off sometimes because she’s always talking about projects. Sometimes I need to say ‘I’m off the clock’, but she’s always thinking about this place and dreaming about what’s next.” The Clunes make it a priority to represent Nicholls as a team. From traveling to away Colonels football games to attending conferences, the Clunes travel together as much as possible. “We often get the comment that we don’t see other presidents and their wives out together as a team,” Jay Clune says. “And I don’t know how I’d do it without her because this is more than a full-time job even for two people.” Just as the Clunes work together for Nicholls, they say they are just a part of the collaboration with the region — all working for a better Bayou region. “As goes Nicholls so goes the entire Bayou region, and as goes the Bayou region goes Nicholls.”
Growing in Spirit // Colonel Pride
by Brandon Cherry, Staff Writer Nicholls State University has long been known for a lack of school spirit, but students and alumni say Colonel Pride is growing with sports teams winning and a national nod for best regional university three years in a row. “School spirit at Nicholls has really soared since I graduated,” says Wade Rodrigue, who graduated with a degree in English education in 2002. “In my years at Nicholls State spirit was poor. Many students and faculty did not attend sporting events or participate on campus.” It was not until recently that students on campus began to show their Colonel Pride. Thibodaux resident Timmy Pineville, a former painter at Nicholls State University, remembers when Nicholls had a terrible football team. “I wouldn’t even go to the football games because it wasn’t worth my time,” says Pineville, who now attends every home game. The rise in school spirit is driven, in part, by the success of Nicholls athletics and potential academic successes. Many students are finding their school spirit in 2019 because they have something to cheer about. The recent turnaround started with the hiring of head coach Tim Rebowe before the 2015 season. In his five years of coaching the Colonels’ football team, Rebowe has turned the program from perennial doormat to postseason contender. The team won a Southland Conference title in 2018, the team’s first banner in 13 years. During the season, the team faces Southeastern Louisiana University in the River Bell Classic, an annual rivalry game where the winner walks away with the River Bell Trophy. Nicholls student Caroline Scorsone says that game brings out the most enthusiasm for both schools. “I believe we have a lot of school spirit, especially against Southeastern,” Scorsone says. The rivalry runs deep, as the two teams are tied (14-14) in head-to-head matchups, and they face each other Nov. 21 at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, La. Like many schools, football seems to draw the most attention and students. “I believe Nicholls has school spirit but it could be so much more, people recently have been excited for football but not other sports and that should change,” says Nicholls international student Esther Leal. Like football, women’s basketball also now has a winning record. Under coach DoBee Plaisance, the Lady Colonels finished (20-12) in 2018. This record pushed them to a Southland Conference Tournament title and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Although they were eliminated in the first round, their run provided another spark for the Nicholls athletic department. As the athletics started to see some success, the university itself earned some national recognition. Nicholls was recently named one of the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report for the third year in a row. Students are given individualized guidance on their career path, resulting in a better success rate. According to USA Today, the national average retention rate is 44 percent, and Nicholls has a 72 percent retention rate after the second year. After students understand what Nicholls has to offer, they end up finishing their degree at Nicholls. Many students begin their first semester with the mindset that Nicholls was just an easy and logical choice for college. Nicholls’s enrollment is about 6,500 students compared to the state’s largest university — LSU with more than 32,000 students. Despite the lower number of students at the university, Nicholls aluma Cherish Pitre says the school is a special place. “I am so glad to have obtained my degree in marketing from Nicholls,” Pitre says. “I will always have Colonel Pride and hold the memories I made at Nicholls close to my heart.” a colonel football tailgate Nicholls’ Tilou and Patrice Guidry heading over to the student section to get the crowd pumped up for the game. The new Nicholls State beer produced by Abita. Boots Clune wondering why it is still so hot in October?! Reed Boudreaux, Allie Massey, and Elizabeth Schouest hanging out under the Sigma Alpha Epsilon tent. Students in fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon having fun, playing a game of corn hole. Cinda Cervantes, Zach Gremillion, Evelyn Martinez, Maegan Terrell, and Olivia Bilello heading into the game. University President, Dr. Jay Clune introducing Colonel Retreat beer, the new Nicholls State beer produced by Abita. Jessie Geoghagan, Benjamin Gautreaux, Emilee Evans, SGA Vice President Markaylen Wiltz, and Jade Hawkins gather at the Nicholls Veterans tailgate.
Building a Winning Culture // Nicholls Athletics
by Leroy Triggs, Staff Writer Nicholls State University has come a long way to make its sports programs more successful — from focusing on good coaching, more rigorous academic standards to improving facilities. “Everybody understands that athletics are bigger than just a Saturday. It’s what can a Saturday do for the institution. We’re a marketing outreach for the school,” says Athletic Director Matt Roan. The institution experienced a revival in athletics in the 2017-2018 school year that continues this year. In 2017-2018, the football team made an FCS playoff appearance; men’s basketball won the regular season title; women’s basketball won the Southland Conference Tournament title; and softball won the regular season title. In 2019, the football team is ranked as a Top 25 FCS team, and is favored to repeat as Southland Conference Champions. Part of creating a winning culture is good coaching and believing in success. In football, the Colonels finished (8-3) and third in the Southland Conference in the 2017 season, earning their first playoff appearance since 2005. The next season, the Colonels won the Southland Conference title and their first playoff game since 1986. Quarterback Chase Fourcade says the job head coach Tim Rebowe had done was phenomenal. “From the beginning we have always had the mentality of ‘why can’t Nicholls win’, because we know we had the talent to be the best and we’re motivated to go show it,” Fourcade says. In women’s basketball, head coach DoBee Plasiance says the team advancing to the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament could not have been possible without the student-athletes buying into the program and striving for excellence. For the women’s basketball team, it had to build itself up from the bottom as she became head coach before the 2008-2009 season. Plasiance says her goal of helping the team win was only possible through help from above to try and change the culture. “I believed we could win when I took the job but I knew the only way we could win is through the grace of God and if we set standards that we don’t even bend on,” Plaisance says. “All I could do is give them a vision because at first I had nothing to show them. They wanted to come to Nicholls and make a difference.” In addition to improving the teams play on the field, coaches like Angel Santiago, Nicholls softball head coach, says raising his team’s overall GPA has contributed to overall success. Nicholls has won the top 10 percent award for two years in a row, applauding teams for their excellence on the field and in the classroom. “When we first came to Nicholls the team GPA was at 2.75 now its at 3.4. That gives us a lot of respect from the professors because they know our players care about their grades.” While teams are winning more, Athletic Director Roan says it isn’t possible without continued improvements to many of the teams’ buildings and facilities. Since 2016, Roan has worked to increase the budget for Nicholls Athletics, and it has grown almost $3 million from 2016-2019. “When I came (to Nicholls), the facilities needed to be upgraded, which helps when you’re trying to change a culture and mindset that winning can happen at Nicholls.” meet the players
A Drop of Red // Nicholls State University’s Students, Alumni and Community
by Daniel Benitez & Erik Koike, Managing Editor & Features Editor It starts with a drop of ink, spreading and growing. The red and gray Colonels of Nicholls State University are growing too, this year being named the top regional university in Louisiana by the U.S. News & World Report in September 2019. “For U.S News & World Report to say that were are number one in the state for public, southern universities, I think it’s a pretty big deal,” says Todd Keller, Nicholls Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Nicholls is located in Thibodaux, the 21st largest city in Louisiana, in other words, a pretty small town. With a population of just under 15,000, Thibodaux is not as known as other Louisiana cities like Alexandria, Lafayette, Monroe or even its neighbor, Houma. In fact, Houma more than doubles the population of Thibodaux with around 34,000. The institution itself has an enrollment of about 6,500, making it one of the smaller universities in Louisiana. And while state funding has gone down in recent years, enrollment is increasing for the fourth year in a row according to the university’s enrollment office. And students is where everything begins. Together, they make up the spirit and culture of the school. In fact, the university has 107 programs of academic study and over 800 students involved in Greek life. Ethan Adams, director of student rights and grievances, says Nicholls provides a beneficial education with a unique bond between its students and Thibodaux. “Nicholls offers an opportunity for its students to get a world-class education from quality professors, while also still having a small community feel (to it),” Adams says. Adams says the faculty at the university choose to stay and work in Thibodaux because of the region’s laid-back family culture. “We have incredible professors that could be at ‘better’ universities, but they love living here, and so that’s why we retain them.” Patrice Guidry, a nursing major from Lafayette, says Nicholls size allows faculty and staff to more personally help guide students in their college careers. “I feel like it’s a school that’s not too small or too big, and I feel like it’s more family-oriented where everybody knows everybody,” Guidry says. Jay Clune, university president since 2018 and a 1986 alumnus, has attempted to push the school forward with various campus renovations. From the announcement of a multi-million-dollar football facility, to the restoration of the front lawn of Elkins Hall, the revamping of the Bollinger Student Union and many more projects, Clune and his administration are trying to draw in more students to Nicholls through this work. The university is stretching out to each corner of the Bayou region in southern Louisiana and using its physical location as “Closest to the Coast” as a way to actively engage, participate and lead coastal research and work. These areas of study and engagement draw many different kinds of students, from people who come from families with no college backgrounds, to out-of-state and international students. This fall 2019 edition of Garde Voir Ci is focusing close to home, delving into the lives of Nicholls students, alumni and the community. Our staff will be continuously adding new content with videos, podcast series, feature stories, and more throughout the course of this issue exploring how much can be contained in A Drop of Red. Loading…
Night Out // Bayou Night Life
by Brandy Dunbar, staff videographer
GVC’s Bayou Favorites
by Lexcie Lewis, Special Sections Editor