THIBODAUX, La. — Education advocate, businesswoman and philanthropist Charlotte Bollinger will serve as the keynote speaker for the 103rd Commencement at Nicholls State University on Saturday, Dec. 15 in Stopher Gym.
This year, graduation will be split into three ceremonies. Graduation ceremonies for the College of Business Administration and the College of Education will be at 9 a.m., the College of Arts and Sciences at noon and the College of Nursing and Allied Health at 3 p.m.
A Lockport native, Bollinger is the executive vice president and corporate secretary of Bollinger Shipyards. She has devoted her life to education and family. The former teacher joined her brother Donald “Boysie” Bollinger in running the family business in 1984. Since that time, Bollinger Shipyards has grown into one of the premiere shipbuilders and repairers for military and commercial vessels in the country.
“Like so many people in our region, our family has always understood the significance of Nicholls to our community,” Bollinger said. “We love the university and appreciate the high quality of education and college life experiences provided to students. I am humbled and honored to have been asked to speak to the graduates at the fall commencement. Dr. Clune has brought a fresh and vibrant vision for Nicholls. It is exciting to watch it happen and to be a part of his team.”
Bollinger has remained an active advocate for education. She served on the Louisiana Board of Regents after being appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and also served on Gov. Buddy Roemer’s School-to-Work task force. She is a former president of the Lafourche Education Foundation and previously served as the chairwoman of the board for the New Orleans Ballet Association.
She has long recognized the value of Nicholls State University to the Bayou Region. Along with Boysie and sister Andrea, they donated the first $1 million endowment in Nicholls history in 1997. Recently, Bollinger donated to renovate the Cotillion Ballroom in the Donald Bollinger Student Union.
Bollinger also serves on the board of directors for the La 1 Coalition and the executive committee for coastal nonprofit, Restore or Retreat.
In 1999, she was elected to the Louisiana Center for Women in Government Hall of Fame.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 6, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
