Boudreaux Retires from Nicholls After 46 Years

THIBODAUX — After more than 46 years of service to Nicholls State University, Dr. David Boudreaux has left his post as vice president for institutional advancement — a position he has held since 1998.

Boudreaux technically retired on June 30, 2012, but for another full year, he continued working in his same position without a salary. In the midst of severe budget cuts, his zero-dollar contract made it possible for Nicholls to avoid terminating any institutional advancement staff and to continue forging ahead with campus fundraising initiatives.

“David’s selfless decision to retire yet continue with his day-to-day responsibilities truly reflects his love for Nicholls,” said Larry Howell, interim president. “It’s because of dedicated staff such as David that Nicholls has been able to continue growing despite the budget crisis. The university community is incredibly fortunate to have benefited from his 46 years of service.”

A native of New Iberia and two-time graduate of Louisiana State University, Boudreaux joined the Nicholls English faculty in 1967 and dedicated his entire career to the university. He left the Thibodaux campus only twice: to serve as a U.S. Army officer in the Vietnam War and to earn his doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Before becoming vice president, Boudreaux served as an English professor, head of the Department of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. As chair of the university’s 50th anniversary planning committee, he led the charge to raise funds and build the now-iconic eternal flame monument in the quadrangle.

During his tenure, Boudreaux also revived the Mosaic literary magazine, created the Women’s Night Out for the Lady Colonels fundraiser and helped to increase the Nicholls Foundation’s assets from less than $1 million to more than $20 million. Most recently, he helped Nicholls secure private funding for the “All-Steinway” piano initiative, the construction of a culinary arts facility and women’s soccer complex, and renovations to the Mary M. Danos Theater in Talbot Hall, among other projects.

“For more than 46 years, I have been privileged to have been a member of this university, which is so vital to this region, and to have served as both educator and administrator,” Boudreaux said. “I am truly grateful and forever indebted to all of those with whom I have worked, including students, faculty, staff, foundation members and the community at large. I am also appreciative of the loyalty and hard work of the administrative assistants who have worked with me during these years, especially Tammy Toups, who has been indispensible. Nicholls has not been a job but a way of life! My wife, Carol, and I will always be thankful for having been a part of this very special family.”

Boudreaux will continue working part time as the executive director of the Nicholls Foundation, the university’s fundraising arm.

 

Dr. David Boudreaux Headshot 2013

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