THIBODAUX, La. — Delegates from La Universidad Marista de Merida toured the Nicholls State University campus Thursday with the goal of developing academic partnerships between the two institutions.
Visiting the Nicholls campus from Merida were Miguel Baquedano, president of Universidad Marista de Merida; Jorge Carlos Bolaños, director of health science; Javier Espinosa, research director; Gina Centeno, coordinator of the tourism administration degree; and Diana Gonzalez, international program coordinator.
Universidad Marista de Merida is a private school with an enrollment of approximately 4,500 students. They opened their doors in 1996.
Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune said the connection between the two schools is natural.
“The warmth of the people, the quality of the food and the culture of the two environments are very much common,” Dr. Clune said. “I see this as an opportunity for our students and our faculty.”
The group toured the campus, ate lunch at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute and met with faculty and administrators from the College of Business Administration, the Culinary Institute and the Department of Biological Sciences.
“I would like to give our students a study abroad program and Merida is a good place to do it. Merida is a place with a rich history, a rich culture and excellent universities,” Dr. Clune said. “This is an opportunity for our students to learn another culture and language for a reasonable price, and for their students to do the same. Study abroad changes lives; it changed mine”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
