To reserve space, media representatives are asked to call (985) 448-4770.

Hollywood celebrities and Louisiana dignitaries will join members and guests of the center for this fundraising event. Slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and entertainment at 8, the evening’s proceeds will benefit the center’s wide array of programs, including the Louisiana Girls’ Leadership Academy, National Women’s Leadership Summit and regional leadership councils.

For additional details, see the press release posted Tuesday, Nov. 3, at www.nicholls.edu/news.

Sponsored by the Omicron Beta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Nicholls – and directed by Dr. Kenneth S. Klaus, professor of music and director of choral activities – the chorus will deliver performances centering on a theme of brotherhood. Howard Nixon, minister of music at New Rising Sun Baptist Church in Houma and retired vocal music teacher, will accompany the singers on the piano.

The group will present part-songs written by members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity – as well as traditional fraternity songs. Attendees will also be treated to the rarely heard, three stanzas of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by an arrangement of the Nicholls Alma Mater.

Additional arrangements include selections from the opera “Xerxes,” by G. F. Handel; the patriotic hymn “God of our Fathers,” by George W. Warren as arranged by Howard Helvey; the contemporary Christmas carol “Mary Did You Know?” arranged by Jack Schrader; and “Will the Circle be Unbroken?” by early 20th century gospel hymn composer Charles Gabriel.

Lighter numbers include a calypso selection entitled “Marry a Woman Uglier than You” – and “The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students Conservatory Band” from the Broadway musical “Where’s Charley?”

The concert is free and open to the public. For additional information, call (985) 856-9357 or (985) 448-4606.

The Louisiana Center for Women and Government, headquartered at Nicholls, will host two workshops on performance craft – an on-camera audition class, slated for 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and an improv workshop, scheduled for 2:30 to 4 p.m. Both classes will be conducted in Gouaux Hall, with a fee of $30 each, and are open to teens and adults.

Acting coaches include Bear Badeaux, a Thibodaux native who performs at the Comedy Store, iO West and L.A. Connection, and Crystal Rivers, co-founder of Southern Rivers Productions, former Bud Light and Natural Ice Girl and a performer with several film and television credits to her name. These and other professional entertainers will teach enrollees how to succeed in performance.

Proceeds from the classes will benefit the Louisiana Center for Women and Government. Established in 1991, the center encourages and promotes the leadership of women by providing resources and non-partisan support through educational workshops, training seminars and outreach programs. With more than 600 members from eight regions across Louisiana, the center promotes women in government and public service, acknowledges achievements of women and teaches all citizens about the importance of public service and responsible citizenship.

To register for the performance classes, call (985) 448-4770 or (985) 209-4221.

This year’s celebration is themed “LaFete de Lyon: Celebrating Chef Paul Bocuse and his World Class Cuisine.”

The 2009 Bite of the Arts festivity will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a three-course gourmet dinner featuring the skills of approximately 300 student culinarians. Recipes made famous by the world-renowned French chef Paul Bocuse will be featured throughout the evening, which will culminate with a lavish dessert buffet.

In addition to fine dining, attendees can look forward to the annual live and silent auctions. More than 60 items and services are up for bids in the silent auction, including a two-night stay at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans; a copper chafing dish from Birdsall Jewelry in Thibodaux; dinner for four at Flanagan’s in Thibodaux; a seven-course tasting menu for four at Stella’s Restaurant in New Orleans; a stainless steel smoker from Bruce Foods in New Iberia; and a dinner and jazz cruise for two on the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans.

Corporate tables for 10 are available for $5,000. Regular seating is $150 per guest. Wine will be served during the meal, and every couple in attendance will receive a commemorative event poster.

To order tickets, contact the John Folse Culinary Institute at (985) 449-7114.

“We are thrilled to be able to honor the men and women who have selflessly served our country,” Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services and Veterans Day Committee member, said. “This year’s program is uniquely special because of the several new veterans who have recently joined our student body. They, as well as those who have come before them, are an inspiration to the faculty, staff and students at Nicholls.”

Gilberto Burbante, a junior government major, U.S. Marine veteran and president of the Veterans Club at Nicholls, will deliver the opening remarks – followed by keynote speaker Daniel Nail, state inspector for the Louisiana Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, Nail is a candidate for judge advocate general of the national VFW organization.

In addition to his keynote address, Nail will lead a short ceremony honoring American prisoners of war, as well as those missing in action.

Members of the Nicholls chapter of Phi Mu Alpha will perform the National Anthem, and students from the Generations Teaching Generations program at Nicholls will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Thibodaux High School JROTC will present and retire the colors, and the invocation will be delivered by Emeris Kraemer, a freshman history major and U.S. Army veteran.

All veterans who attend the ceremony are invited to eat a free lunch in Galliano Dining Hall following the proceedings. Parking will be available alongside Stopher Gymnasium.

There are currently 121 known veterans who are enrolled at Nicholls – as well as 21 known offspring of deceased or disabled veterans.

Earlier this year, G.I. Jobs magazine named Nicholls a Military Friendly School for 2010 – an honor shared with 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. The recognition stems from the efforts of Nicholls to recruit and retain active military and veteran students.

Members of the military – as well as veterans – can expect priority service when enrolling at Nicholls. Admissions criteria are exempted for veterans who have received a discharge for any reason other than dishonorable, and enrollees may register before the general student population.

Nicholls administrators have also identified a group of individual advisors to serve as veterans’ advocates. Veterans may consult with these faculty members for information, advice or understanding as they work their way through university rules and regulations.

For additional information, call (985) 448-4507 or go to www.nicholls.edu/admission. Click “Veteran Admissions” under the “Undergraduate Admissions” link on the left side of the page.

Christian LeBlanc

Slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and entertainment at 8, the evening’s proceeds will benefit the center’s wide array of programs, including the Louisiana Girls’ Leadership Academy, National Women’s Leadership Summit and regional leadership councils.

The Los Angeles Connection Comedy Theater Improv Troupe, which includes Thibodaux native Bear Badeaux, will provide dinner entertainment – and Christian LeBlanc, New Orleans native and three-time Emmy winner for his role in “The Young and the Restless,” will serve as master of ceremonies.

Other dignitaries include Eric Paulsen, morning show host and news anchor for WWL in New Orleans; Laura Buchtel, WWL meteorologist; Martin Folse, owner and president of HTV-10 in Houma and host of the “Bayou Time” program; Ken Hollis, former state senator and current president and chief executive officer of Hollis Companies; and Monica Pierre, WWL radio host.

Nearly 45 additional dignitaries from throughout the area will serve as “celebrity waiters” – including the Hon. Glenny Lee Buquet, member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; Windell Curole, general manager of the South Lafourche Levee District; Carla Dartez, former state representative from the 51st District; Marguerite Knight Erwin, vice president of J.P. Morgan Chase; Jake Giardina, chairman of the board of the Thibodaux Regional Medical Center; Eugene “Bubba” Gouaux, attorney at law; Hon. Jerome “Dee” Richard, state representative from the 55th District; Hon. Karen St. Germain, state representative from the 60th District; and Hon. Craig Webre, sheriff of Lafourche Parish.

Cocktail attire is requested, and complimentary wine will be served with dinner. Tickets are $65 per person or $500 for a party of eight. Sponsorship opportunities include the Director package for $1,000 and the Producer package for $1,500. Both packages offer several benefits, including a choice of celebrity waiter, prints by Alvin Batiste, preferential seating, inclusion in post-event publicity and more.

The dinner menu includes Sweet Potato and Andouille Soup, Garden Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Smoked Pork Chop with Cranberry Mint Relish, Roasted Vegetable Compote, Dinner Rolls and Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu.

Established in 1991 and headquartered at Nicholls, the Louisiana Center for Women and Government encourages and promotes the leadership of women by providing resources and non-partisan support through educational workshops, training seminars and outreach programs. With more than 600 members from eight regions across Louisiana, the center promotes women in government and public service, acknowledges achievements of women and teaches all citizens about the importance of public service and responsible citizenship.

For additional information, or to purchase tickets, call (985) 209-4221 or (985) 448-4770.

Celebrating the diversity of Nicholls, the banquet will feature international cuisine; multicultural artistic performances by students from various nations; and student awards.

In addition, new students from Russia, China, Jordan and Finland will add their nations’ flags – via a ceremonial procession – to the 47 international flags already hanging from the student union ceiling.

Tickets to the banquet are $20 and can be purchased by calling (985) 449-7038. Those who cannot attend the banquet but would like to offer their support may send a donation to the Office of International Student Services, P.O. Box 2007, Thibodaux, La., 70310, with a check payable to Nicholls International Community.

The 157 international enrollees at Nicholls represent 43 nations – the top five of which are Nepal, France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Vietnam. Among the total, 30 are graduate students.

Most international students at Nicholls major in business, education, biology or chemistry.

Robinson’s lecture – “Is There One American Culture?” – is free and open to the public. A question-and-answer session with the author is scheduled for 10:45 to 11:40 a.m. in the Bollinger Memorial Student Union’s Le Bijou Theater. A pre-lecture reception will begin in the Powell Auditorium lobby at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6.

Robinson will be available to sign books after the event.

The Fletcher Lecture Series, named after former Nicholls department head Marie Fletcher, brings outstanding scholars and writers to Nicholls each year. Past presenters include Robert Penn Warren, Ernest Gaines, Maxine Hong Kingston, Henry Louis Gates and Sam Pickering.

“It is a great asset for our program and the university,” James Schilling, head golf coach, said. “A lot of people in and around the community, as well as our own maintenance staff, pitched in to make this facility possible. It really helps our student-athletes focus on getting better, not only on the course but in the classroom as well.”

Schilling helped with the construction of the facility and continues to help Nicholls maintenance and grounds personnel maintain the area.

Since the inception of the golf program in the 1960s, student athletes traveled up to 70 miles, without reimbursement, to daily practice at area golf courses. Now the golf team can practice on campus, thereby avoiding the risks and expenses associated with travel. Plus, they will have more time to concentrate on academics.

“I am excited for our golf team,” Rob Bernardi, Nicholls athletics director, said. “For them to have a practice facility within walking distance of their dorm rooms and classrooms is a convenience the team has never before enjoyed. Our goal has always been the welfare of our student athletes. Clearly this new facility helps in achieving that goal.”

The facility, paid for with student-assessed athletic fees and a grant from the Lorio Foundation, is closed to the public, much like other athletic facilities on campus. The student-assessed athletic fees – which can only be used for athletic facility improvements, student athlete safety, wellness and gender equity – were voted upon and approved by students in fall 2006. The grant from the Lorio Foundation was marked for the specific purpose of building the facility.

Built at a cost of about $180,000, the facility is situated on 19.61 acres of land donated to the university by Acadia Agricultural Holdings in October 2007. Located on Bowie Road, the facility includes a small office; filming capabilities for student athletes to review and study their techniques; putting greens; and hitting boxes for distance-swing practice.

“The university is deeply appreciative to the Lorio Foundation for its ongoing support of Nicholls State University,” Dr. David Boudreaux, vice president for institutional advancement, said. “We welcome all funding that enhances our campus and serves our students.”

Pictured from left are Dr. Shawn Mauldin, dean of the College of Business Administration; Dr. Carroll Falcon, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Cashen; and Dr. Allayne “Laynie” Barrilleaux, assistant vice president for academic affairs.