After spending three days interviewing the six remaining candidates, the Nicholls State University Presidential Search Committee announced the two finalists for University President last Thursday.
Mirta M. Martin, dean of the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business at Virginia State University, and Bruce T. Murphy, vice president for academic affairs at Air University in Alabama, were announced as the finalists after the committee entered executive session in the Ballroom of the student union last Thursday morning. Voting among the committee was unanimous to send Martin and Murphy to Baton Rouge Sept. 10 to go before the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors for consecutive public interviews.
Interviews are set to begin at 9 a.m., and after both candidates are interviewed, the board will enter executive session to deliberate and announce whom to appoint as President of Nicholls.
“We feel very good about this decision,” Sandra Woodley, president of the University of Louisiana System, said. “It was a hard decision with many special candidates, but in the end, two of them really rose to the top to help with where Nicholls is today.”
Martin, who was interviewed last Monday, highlighted the importance of helping and being available to students during a breakfast with student-leaders prior to her interview.
“I do not want to be one of those ivory tower presidents that no one knows their face or name,” Martin said. “I want to visit with students whenever possible.”
She also mentioned a sign that she keeps behind her desk that reads, “No excuses. Students first, family always.”
When asked about her expectations of both academics and athletics at Nicholls, Martin said, “I expect excellence in all I do, and I don’t apologize for it. I believe if you set the bar high, people will rise to it.”
Martin said she felt “very much at home” during her visit to Thibodaux last week. She admitted during her breakfast with students that what sold her on Nicholls was the “Say Hello to Nicholls State University” video on the university web site and the line “Here, handshakes are often replaced with hugs.”
“When I heard that, I thought it sounded just like me,” Martin said. “I am always looking for a family, and I believe that I can certainly have a family here at Nicholls.”
Murphy, whose interview and breakfast with students were last Wednesday, firmly believes in delivering new opportunities for student success.
“Anyone that calls itself a university has to provide a universe of opportunities,” Murphy said. “My first priority is student opportunity and success, and that comes in many forms.”
Murphy said that he wants to make sure to leave Nicholls in a better state than when he arrived if he were to become University President.
“I have a background in scouting, so I believe you leave the campsite better than you found it,” he said. “I try to do that every place I’ve been.”
Before the committee entered executive session to decide the two finalists, they gave audience members the opportunity to make comments regarding the candidates.
Three students, all of which are members of the Student Government Association, voiced their support for candidate Karla Hughes, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Morehead State University in Kentucky.
Biology Junior from Thibodaux Anthony Naquin said that Hughes was the only candidate that said she wanted a student-centered university.
“All the candidates really talked about forming relationships, but she had concrete ideas,” Naquin said. “We fell in love with her personality and the way she connected with us.”
Brittany Chiasson, psychology senior from Napoleonville, also vocalized her opinion on Hughes.
“She reminded me of a female Dr. Hulbert,” she said referring to former University President Stephen Hulbert. “Can’t get better than that.”
Upon hearing the decision for the two finalists, the audience had some surprised expressions, but most people respected the board’s decision.
“I believe that we have two excellent candidates and a win-win situation for Nicholls,” Deborah “Raz” Raziano, director emeritus of Alumni Affairs, said.
While he was “a little disappointed” that Hughes was not selected, Naquin still supports the decision.
“I thought her educational background and some of her ideas to help the University would have been beneficial,” Naquin said. “I respect the decision of the board, and whoever they decide, we the students will back them 100 percent.”
Melissa Cloutet, Student Government President and a non-voting member of the search committee, said that she was pleased with the search process.
“I believe the committee made a great decision and selected the two best finalists,” Cloutet said. “It was a great process, and I believe the students will get a highly qualified president that they can connect with.”
Cloutet went on to say how glad she was to see students participate in last week’s events like the breakfasts with the candidates.
“It really showed they cared,” she said. “The student participation at the breakfasts and forums was outstanding, and I was very impressed. Students did have a close relationship with Dr. Hulbert, and they want to continue it with a new president.”