THIBODAUX – The family of the late Bubba Hale unveils his portrait at the dedication of the AADE Memorial Johnson L. “Bubba” Hale Jr. Drilling Fluids Laboratory on Friday, Sept. 7, at Nicholls State University. From left, Hale’s family members are son Paul, daughter-in-law Katie, daughter-in-law Melissa, granddaughter Stella, son Nicholas, granddaughter Rosalie, son Lyons, granddaughter Vivian, daughter-in-law Jennifer and brother Robert. Hale was a Nicholls alumnus and vice president of FlowChem Technologies.
Michael Gautreaux, Nicholls State University’s program coordinator for safety technology and petroleum services, gives a tour of the new AADE Memorial Johnson L. “Bubba” Hale Jr. Drilling Fluids Laboratory in Peltier Hall. The lab’s equipment, funded by the state Department of Education and private donations, will help students learn how to monitor drilling sites and prevent oil rig disasters.