Nicholls State University

Current Student Resources

DEPARTMENT MENU

We’re happy you’re a part of the Department of Mass Communication at Nicholls!

We know your time here is an important part of your future success. While you’re here, we will work hard to help you find your path, build on your strengths and succeed.

Make sure to use the resources available to you. Join student organizations, get internships and just get involved. You are building your future now.

ADVISING

Advising is a very important component of your education — not only does it help you get the course information in the best order and sequence, but it also helps you graduate on time. Students are encouraged to contact their departmental advisor as well as refer to the MACO handbook to plan and schedule courses. If you do not have an advisor yet, our office manager Marnya Forbes will assign you one of our faculty members. She can be reached at 985-448-4586 or in 102 Talbot Hall. When planning schedules, students should also use the Degree Evaluation feature through Banner to show what requirements have been met and which courses and requirements are open. Directions on how to find and use your degree evaluation, which can also be set to a new major, can be found on the Nicholls website.

MACO HONOR CODE

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Click images below to download pdfs.

Previous Handbooks

(make sure to choose the handbook that corresponds to your catalog year)

Need to use a camera for class?

Click below to fill out the camera check-out request form.

ORGANIZATIONS

MACO student organizations are open to all students across campus. Meeting times and locations are posted regularly, so come join us!

Public Relations Society of America

The Nicholls chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a professional organization, cultivates a mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.

DUES: $50 a year

FACULTY ADVISOR: Dr. Linda Martin

FACULTY ADVISOR: Dr. Andrew Simoncelli

Radio Television Digital News Association

The Radio Television Digital News Association is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.

DUES: $65 a year

Society of Professional Journalists

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), a professional journalism organization, works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ welcomes broadcast, print, and public relations students, as well as anyone interested in journalism and a free press.

DUES: $36 a year

FACULTY ADVISOR: Ms. Nicki Boudreaux

FACULTY ADVISOR: Dr. James Stewart

Kappa Tau Alpha (Honorary)

The Nicholls chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha invites into membership each fall juniors and seniors who rank in the top 10 percent of their classes academically. The national honor society promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

INITIATION FEE: $20

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

In addition to the financial aid and scholarships programs available to the general student body, about $18,000 in scholarships and prizes is awarded annually to full-time majors in Mass Communication.

BONNIE TOUPS WELLS FEATURE WRITING PRIZE of $350 is presented each year by the Wells family of Houma to the Mass Communication student who submits the best feature story of at least 1,000 words on any aspect of Louisiana French or Cajun culture. Entries must have been published in a newspaper or magazine on or off campus in the year before Dec. 1.

ALFRED DELAHAYE AWARD is presented each year to the outstanding Mass Communication graduate of the academic year. The recipient, chosen by the Mass Communication faculty, receives an engraved plaque and at least $200.

CLARENCE DOUCET REPORTING AWARD is presented each year to a Mass Communication major. The award consists of at least $200 and an engraved plaque. A judge determines the winner on the basis of three stories published on or off campus in the year before April 30; an entry consists of one hard-news story, one feature and one story of the entrant’s choice. Doucet was managing editor of the Houma Daily Courier in the 1970s. The award is sponsored by John Gravois, 1980 Mass Communication graduate and government editor of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.

OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR IN EACH SPECIALTY. Every spring the faculty in each specialty names the outstanding graduating senior in Journalism and Public Relations.

CONGRESSMAN BILLY TAUZIN SCHOLARSHIP of about $625 a semester is awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior in Mass Communication specializing in public relations. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average, and a recipient must maintain at least that average for the scholarship to be renewed. The scholarship was established by the National Propane Education and Research Council.

CLAUDIA BONVILLAIN SCHOLARSHIP of about $150 a semester is awarded to an outstanding Mass Communication major who can demonstrate an interest in advertising. It was established by the Houma Courier and Daily Comet.

WALLS SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded to Mass Communication students who are high school graduates from Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, St. Mary or Terrebonne parishes, and who are pursuing courses of study in print journalism or advertising. Second priority is given to students of any parish or state. About seven scholarships of about $700 a semester are awarded each semester and each is renewable if minimum requirements are met.

JOHN B. GORDON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full-time student specializing in print journalism. First priority goes to students planning newspaper careers and who live in Terrebonne Parish or who are graduates of Terrebonne Parish high schools. Second priority goes to high school graduates from anywhere. A 2.0 grade-point average is required. The scholarship pays about $200 a year.

JENNIE & CO. FILM PRODUCTION SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a minority student in Mass Communication with a concentration in broadcast journalism. It consists of about $150 a year.

NEW YORK TIMES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded to deserving minority students in print journalism or advertising. The amount is usually about $400 a semester depending on interest rates.

BOB BLAZIER BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full-time Mass Communication junior or senior interested in broadcasting and who has at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must demonstrate the hard work ethic exhibited by Bob Blazier, who taught broadcast courses at the time of his death.

LOWREY SCHOLARSHIP of about $150 a year is awarded to a Mass Communication major on the basis of need, grade-point average and professional potential.

COMMUNITY BANK EXCELLENCE IN MASS COMMUNICATION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a Mass Communication major chosen by the University Scholarships Committee after considering applications from entering freshmen who are graduates of a Louisiana high school.The four-year award pays about $1,000 a semester as long as the recipient is a full-time student in Mass Communication and earns at least a 2.75 grade-point average each semester.

INTERNSHIPS

The INTERNSHIP PROGRAM is designed to give students practical mass communication experience to accompany their classroom education.

In most cases, internships are taken during the summer between the student’s junior and senior years. The internship need not be an entire summer, although that is usually the best arrangement. Students receive credit in Mass Communication 390.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Department of Mass Communication (MACO)

Office Location

102 Talbot Hall

Mailing Address

PO Box 2031, Thibodaux, LA 70310

Phone

985.448.4586
fax: 985.448.4577

Email

Dr. James Stewart, Head

CAMPUS LOCATION

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