Lafourche Parish government will donate $100,000 a year to Nicholls State University for its help in implementing the parish’s Geographic Information System (GIS). Nicholls will serve as a backup site for the parish’s GIS data, help standardize parish data and offer continuing education courses in surveying and mapping technologies. Students in the Nicholls geomatics program will gain research experience by helping maintain and update the parish’s geospatial data, including address and street data, drainage plans and parish master plans. After the initial year of the agreement, parish officials hope to expand the collaboration with Nicholls to include regional projects and outreach. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert, university president; Charlotte Randolph, Lafourche Parish president; Debi Benoit, Nicholls director of research and sponsored programs; Archie Chaisson III, Lafourche Parish administrator; and Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, Nicholls applied sciences department head.
