The University is finalizing event preparations to celebrate its 60th Anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 23. A planning committee has organized events for the entire day to commemorate the special occasion.

“Nicholls has had a tremendous impact on the lives of almost everyone in our region, and we have great reason to honor our glorious past,” University President Stephen Hulbert, said. “It is also clear that the University continues its transition to a comprehensive university engaged in meaningful research while educating at the undergraduate and graduate levels and serving the greater community at large.”

The anniversary events will begin with an invitation-only retiree breakfast at 8 a.m. in Galliano Cafeteria.

Hulbert will speak on current and future plans for the University and charter faculty members will be honored.

Following the breakfast, a lecture will be held on “Lessons Learned from WWII” at 9 a.m. in Talbot Theater. This event is free to the public. The University will have a lecture on a humanities topic each year on the anniversary date.

There will be an umbrella-decorating contest at 10:30 a.m. in the Student Union. Individuals, departments, organizations and non-University groups are encouraged to decorate umbrellas to be used in the second-line parade that will be held at 11:30 a.m. beginning at the Student Union and moving into the quad.

The second-line parade will include music performed by a brass band. The first 250 people that arrive for the second-line parade will receive handkerchiefs with the 60th Anniversary logo.

Following the second-line parade, the University will have a birthday party at noon in the quad. Food and beverages will be available. Hulbert and distinguished guests will preside over a cake-cutting ceremony. Also, the winners of the umbrella contest will be announced and the University’s official graduation ring will be unveiled.

The day’s celebrations will conclude with a piano concert at 6:30 p.m. in Talbot Hall. The concert will feature faculty, students and alumni performing together on a Yamaha grand piano and four new Steinway pianos.

The musicians will also perform a selection commissioned specifically for the 60th Anniversary that was composed by Stuart Folse, a Nicholls graduate and former member of the music faculty. Refreshments will be served before and after the concert. Seating for the concert is limited. Tickets are $60 per person. A limited number of tickets are available for students at a discounted rate of $10 each.