“Nicholls State University: The Ayo Years, 1983 to 2003,” written by Alfred Delahaye, professor emeritus of journalism, chronicles the campus’ progression through budget cuts, Jubilee festivals, online technology, new buildings, Saints’ camps, Sept. 11 and more.This book is the follow-up to “The Elkins-Galliano Years, from 1948-1983”, published in 1999, which covers the first and second Nicholls presidencies of Charles Elkins and Vernon Galliano.

“Originally the book was supposed to cover 1948 to 1998, but I realized it would be too thick,” Delahaye said. “To keep it at a reasonable thickness, I cut it off at the end of Galliano’s tenure. But while in Dr. Ayo’s office I felt guilty and decided to write another book.”

Delahaye spent five to six years shifting through research and compiling it in a 599-page book with an appendix of campus leaders and honorees and sports statistics of 55 years.

“As a retiree, I can’t just sit on the back porch and watch the grass grow,” Delahaye said about his motivation to author both histories.

He said since he wrote a faculty/staff newsletter during the first decade of Ayo’s tenure, those chapters were relatively easier to write.

Delahaye relied upon bound press clippings, news releases, University catalogs, The Nicholls Worth issues and La Pirogue yearbooks for research. He was also allowed to go through Ayo’s presidential files. He said his biggest surprise was learning that Nicholls became debt-free in 2001.

“A year and a half ago I asked for a report on the University’s indebtedness,” Delahaye said. “I was surprised to find out we have none. In all of the parties and tributes to Ayo, it was never mentioned that he left Nicholls debt-free.”

The Lorio Foundation funded the printing of 700 copies of the book. All proceeds will go into scholarships for mass communication students. The $29.95 book can be purchased in the Department of Mass Communication office, Hofman Music and Wal-Mart in Thibodaux or on www.nicholls.edu/ayoyears. Delahaye said approximately $1,300 books were sold in the first nine or 10 days.

Delahaye said he does not have plans for another Nicholls history, such as the “Hulbert Years,” but included a brief summary of the current president’s tenure in the last chapter of “The Ayo Years, 1983 to 2003.