THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls Foundation received three donations from Entergy Louisiana in support of Nicholls’ Tour Tuesday program, Bayou Region Incubator and Department of Music’s Opera Workshop.
Tour Tuesday
Thanks to Entergy’s $10,000 contribution, Nicholls State University will be able to continue its Tour Tuesday program. This program focuses on bringing underrepresented students to Nicholls’ campus for tours, giving students a chance to see how higher education can benefit them.
Since its inception in 2016, over 2,500 students and 30 high schools in Entergy and Nicholls’ service area have toured Nicholls campus through the Tour Tuesday program, with about 300 students expected to participate this year.
“Entergy Louisiana is proud to support Nicholls State University’s efforts to provide transformative educational experiences for students across the Bayou Region,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “These initiatives align with Entergy’s commitment to investing in the communities we serve. As a good community partner, we are honored to contribute to programs that enrich the lives of students and residents both in the Bayou Region and across the state.”
By working with area high school guidance counselors, Nicholls is able to identify students who meet Nicholls’ admissions standards but may not be considering college as an option. Charter buses transport students from these high schools to Nicholls campus for a tour and overview of academic programs and student organizations. Any interested students will have an opportunity to meet with admissions counselors who can aid in filling out applications and any available financial aid forms.
To learn more about attending Nicholls, visit www.nicholls.edu/admissions.
Bayou Region Incubator
The Bayou Region Incubator, powered by Nicholls State University, is a hub for Colonels and local businesses to nurture their business ideas from initial inception to successful growth. The facility provides resources, support and mentorship to help businesses grow, succeed and contribute meaningfully to our local economy.
With Entergy’s $4,000 contribution, the BRI will be able to help alleviate membership costs and workshop seats to idea stage entrepreneurs so that they can receive the initial support needed to launch successfully into our economic region.
The BRI offers several levels of membership from weekly passes to fully-furnished, private offices and complimentary workshops. The facility offers booking for meeting spaces, with discounts available for non-profit organizations and government agencies. In addition, Nicholls students and employees can work in and attend events and workshops at the BRI at no cost.
To learn more, visit bayouregionincubator.org.
Nicholls Department of Music’s Opera Workshop
The Nicholls Opera Workshop, led by Dr. Valerie Francis, has been in operation for over 14 years and brings college students, local community members and local elementary, middle and high school students together for one production per year.
Entergy’s $2,500 contribution will help cover costs for the 2026 opera performance of “Help! Help! The Globolinks!” set to take place from April 16 to 19 in the Mary and Al Danos Theater. In this performance, extraterrestrials invade Earth to steal away music, but will the power of music prevail?
Members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will perform alongside Nicholls Bridge to Independence students, alumni, music majors and minors, guest artists, K-12 students and members of the community. In addition, the New Orleans Opera Scenic Studio will provide the opera set for production.
The mission of the Nicholls Opera is to promote community outreach, fellowship and fun, with a motto of “Dare to be Different.” Past productions include Mozart’s Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Puccini’s La Bohème. To learn more, visit www.nicholls.edu/music/choirs.
About Entergy Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated Entergy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 24,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 5,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,000 employees. To learn more, visit www.entergylouisiana.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu