THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls alum and world-renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker will serve as the keynote speaker for the 104th Commencement at Nicholls State University on Saturday, May. 18 in Stopher Gym.
Graduation ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences will be at 9 a.m., the College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing at noon and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at 3 p.m.
A native of Bourg and graduate of South Terrebonne High School earned his doctorate from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his residency at Lafayette Charity Hospital. He was awarded fellowships at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans and at Harvard Medical School.
“A college degree represents a true accomplishment, but it is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning,” said Dr. Walker. “I’m proud to serve as the commencement speaker at my alma mater.”
He returned to the Bayou Region in 1983 when he opened the Houma Heart Clinic. At the time, he was the clinic’s only employee. But 35 years later, the Cardiovascular Institute of the South has 19 locations and 60 physicians.
More than an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Walker also founded the esteemed international conference, New Cardiovascular Horizons to discuss innovations and advancement in the cardiovascular field.
Outside of the clinic, he has also co-authored a heart-healthy cookbook with Chef John Folse, titled “Something Old & Something New, Louisiana Cooking With a Change of Heart.”
For his contributions to the field of medicine, Dr. Walker will be awarded an honorary doctorate from Nicholls during the commencement ceremony.
For more information visit www.nicholls.edu/commencement.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2019
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
