THIBODAUX — At its first fall faculty meeting, Nicholls State University welcomed its employees back to campus and presented several awards recognizing outstanding faculty accomplishments.
The highest honors went to Dr. Michele Robichaux, associate professor of biological sciences, who received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence, and to Dr. Scott Beslin, head of the Department of Mathematics, who received the Presidential Award for Academic Administrator Excellence. Both will receive a $1,000 salary increase.
Nicholls also awarded professor emeritus titles to two university retirees, Dr. Bruce McManis and Dr. Earl Melancon. A member of the College of Business Administration faculty from 1978 to 2011, McManis inspired hundreds of finance students during his career as a professor and head of the Department of Finance and Economics. Melancon, who came to Nicholls as a student in 1969 and stayed for 44 years, led the Department of Biological Sciences and gained national attention for his oyster research projects.
Recognizing the role that faculty members play outside of the classroom, the annual Apple Awards program honored five Nicholls employees. Dr. Tiffany Papa, assistant professor of teacher education, was named Outstanding Faculty Adviser of a Student Organization. Ann Laure Chamberlain, instructor of mass communication, received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. Farren Clark, instructor of mass communication, was presented the Outstanding Faculty Support for Student Activities Award. The Student Affairs Faculty Merit Award went to Dennis Guillot, assistant professor of human performance education. And, Dr. John Lajaunie, professor of finance, was presented the award for receiving the most letters of commendation from recent graduates.
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CUTLINE: At the start of the fall semester, Nicholls honored several faculty members. Apple Award winners, pictured from left, are Larry Howell, interim president; Dr. John Lajaunie, professor of finance; Dennis Guillot, assistant professor of human performance education; Dr. Tiffany Papa, assistant professor of teacher education; Farren Clark, instructor of mass communication; and Dr. Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs. Not pictured is Apple Award recipient Ann Laure Chamberlain, instructor of mass communication.
