THIBODAUX – Paying tribute to all veterans past and present, Nicholls State University will host a Veterans Day ceremony in the campus Quadrangle at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The public is encouraged to attend.
“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.
