THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls State University has received a $155,000 gift from Lakewood Foundation Inc., to ensure that Nicholls nursing students continue to have access to state-of-the-art technology and high-quality facilities.
“We are grateful for the generous gift from the Lakewood Foundation,” said Dr. Lynn Gillette, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The funds will support our efforts to expand the number of students that we accept into our nursing program. Given the shortage of working nursing, this support will help Nicholls provide even more qualified nurses to the region.”
Over the summer, Ayo Hall received more than $200,000 in renovations to help increase the number of students Nicholls nursing program could accept.
“We are so very grateful to the board members of the Lakewood Foundation for designating nursing at Nicholls to receive this generous gift,” said Dr. Sue Westbrook, dean of the college of nursing and allied health. “It will be used for educating and preparing nursing students to meet the healthcare challenges in the 21st century.
Lakewood Foundation Inc. was recently dissolved by its board after more than 50 years assisting health care services in St. Mary Parish. The board voted to donate its remaining dollars to local nursing programs, including the money to Nicholls.
“One of the main missions of the Lakewood Foundation was encouraging nursing careers to support our area’s hospitals,” said B.A. “Red” Adams Sr., the foundation president.
Nicholls nursing program is one of the top programs in the state, with 96 percent of Nicholls graduates passing the national licensure exam on their first try – higher than their state and national peers – and 100 percent of graduates employed or in graduate school after they leave Nicholls.
“This type of gift will have a lasting impact on the Nicholls Nursing program for many, many years,” said Jeremy Becker, executive director of the Nicholls Foundation. “We are grateful for the Lakewood Foundation, their board and the people of St. Mary parish for such a generous gift.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 21, 2017
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
