Fifty-six Nicholls students out of the 80 University nominees were selected for Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges.
Eugene Dial, vice president of student affairs, said this honor means the University formally recognizes these students for outstanding leadership inside and outside the classroom. He said a benefit of this honor is that perspective employers will know the students who made Who’s Who were in the top one percent at their University.
“I was very excited when I found out I made Who’s Who,” Lauren LeBlanc, communicative disorders junior from Berwick, said. “This is an honor that I have been striving for ever since I began college.”
Dial said the qualifications for Who’s Who is that the student must be classified as a junior, have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and submit a co-curricular transcript.
Dial said a student could be nominated for Who’s Who by himself, the dean of student life, an academic dean, department head, faculty, staff members or a student.
“I am never surprised by who is selected for the honor, however I am always surprised by the number of Nicholls students we have out there performing outstanding services to the community,” Dial said. “I am always impressed to see that a big number of students are involved in making the community better.”
Dial said Who’s Who has been around since 1934, and it is one of the premiere recognitions for leadership across the country.
According to Dial, the Who’s Who process starts in September. The announcement goes out for nominations and is screened by a University selection committee.
The selection committee is comprised of the vice president for student affairs, the dean of student life, academic dean of each college and two student representatives from each college.
The committee screens the co-curricular transcripts by evaluating them using a point system. The nominations receive points for academic performance, service to the University, leadership positions, extra-curricular activities, scholarships, awards and honor societies. Points are totaled up to give the committee an idea of which students are at the top of the list.
Usually 50 to 60 students are selected, but the University is allowed 73. Dial said there is usually a natural break off point between the top student leaders and students who are really involved in the University.
Dial said he would encourage all students to make sure they participate in activities on campus even if they have limited time. He said they should find time to participate in the professional organization in their discipline and look at leadership opportunities. He said students should “step up to the plate,” be a leader and learn leadership so when they graduate they can act as an employee who is ready to manage and direct.
“It is an exciting time of the year when we have students named to Who’s Who because it recognizes a good thing, and you have to be excited about that,” Dial said.
According to Dial, on a University level the president holds a reception for the students who have made Who’s Who to be recognized for this honor. The people who nominated the winners of Who’s Who also attend the dinner.
“This is a national honor that people across the country recognize and employers know that any student who has been selected for Who’s Who is an outstanding student,” Hollie Garrison, mass communication senior from Thibodaux said “Students should get involved because that is what makes your degree something special and will make you shine above all other students competing for perspective jobs.