THIBODAUX — To honor one of its most generous benefactors, Nicholls State University renamed La Maison du Bayou as the John A. Brady Jr. Residential Complex during a dedication ceremony on Friday, Feb. 22.
Opened in January 2004, the eight-building complex houses about 400 students in its 114 apartment-like units. The complex was the first in a long line of campus construction projects undertaken to boost student life, which now includes a renovated cafeteria, three new residence halls and a state-of-the-art recreation center.
“One of the things John Brady instilled in me was the importance of building community,” said Dr. Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs. “We’re very happy to have the name of this complex associated with him because that’s exactly what these units were built to do.”
A lifelong resident of Larose and active civic leader, Brady worked alongside his parents in operating and managing Lafourche Telephone Company (Latelco) and was instrumental in launching MobileTel Inc., SJI Inc. and Solo Communications.
“While my dad never attended Nicholls, he was a huge supporter because he knew it gave the bayou community easy access to higher education,” said Bonnie Brady Babin, John’s daughter. “He knew the benefits of campus housing, the networking it affords and the lifelong relationships that develop here. I know that many lives will be changed inside these doors.”
