THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls State University recognized an advocate for campus women and veterans, the student body president and a former professor as the 2020 Women of Achievement Award winners.
Brandy Burbante, cataloging librarian at the Ellender Memorial Library, received the faculty/staff award. Emma Bourgeois, Student Government Association president, received the student honor. Linda Stanga, retired instructor of English, receiving the community award. Awards were presented Thursday at the 2020 Bonnie J. Bourg Lecture Series and Women’s History Month Luncheon.
Each winner has contributed to future opportunities for other women, served as a role model for women on campus and contributed to the advancement of their field on campus.
In addition to her role with the library, Burbante spends her free time advocating for women and students on campus through the American Association for University Women and Nicholls State Veterans Organization. Burbante is a faculty advisor for the AAUW where she mentors and supports female leaders on campus. In November 2019, she organized an AAUW Veterans Day panel featuring student and alumni women veterans.
A senior health science major from Thibodaux, Bourgeois has been involved in student government since she arrived on campus. Before serving as the SGA President, she was elected as a freshman senator and senator for the College of Nursing and Allied Health. She chaired the SGA Judiciary and Campus Affairs committees before serving as vice president. She is also a member of Phi Mu.
For nearly four decades, Stanga was a staple on the Nicholls campus teaching English and writing courses. During her tenure, she organized the Fletcher Lecture Series which brought internationally recognized writers, radio hosts and filmmakers to campus. She has remained active in the community after her retirement from Nicholls in 2018 as a member of the TaWaSi Civic Club.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@nicholls.edu
