Nicholls is hosting numerous festivities in commemoration of Black History Month including the third annual Unity Gala.Most of the month’s activities took place between Feb. 9-17, including a “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” karaoke event on Monday and tree decorating in the Donald Bollinger Memorial Student Union on Tuesday. The tree depicts some of history’s most notable black figures, including President Barack Obama.
“In the same spirit the year-round tree has in the lobby of the library, we thought we’d do something the students and faculty could participate in. When the tree is completely decorated, the question will be asked about what it means. It is to commemorate black history,” Rushton Johnson, dean of student life, said.
Upcoming events include a National Pan-Hellenic Council Exhibition on Feb. 19 and the third annual Unity Gala on Feb. 26.
Johnson commented on the organization of these events and the upcoming Unity Gala.
“The activities are usually student-run and decided,” Johnson said. “I became aware that this office serves as the coordinating office for Black History Month activities and I pulled students together and we came up with the events on the fliers.”
The fliers were placed on bulletin boards around the campus and list all the Black History Month events, times and locations.
The Unity Gala, which honors University students and faculty, is the largest event planned for the month. Student Educators and Leaders is hosting the gala, but other student organizations, including NAACP and Tau Kappa Epsilon, will contribute.
“It’s an evening event along the lines of a banquet. Staff and faculty nominate students, and there is a staff or faculty member nominated by students,” Johnson, who will be a guest speaker at the event, said.
The gala will honor Tommy Ponson, the director of parking services and judicial affairs, and seven students: Ugo Ezema, biology senior from Jamaica; Whitley Garrison, nursing sophomore from Donaldsonville; Gael Cleophat, computer information systems senior from Thibodaux; Marquita Hill, general family and consumer sciences senior from Luling; Ketura Kemp, culinary arts junior from Prairieville; Sally Gilfour, education senior from Thibodaux, and Paul Cook, mass communication junior from Gray.
These seven students will receive the Unity Achievement Award, which honors individuals who show leadership in diversity and academic advancement and who make a positive impact on the University community. The Adversity Achievement Award, which recognizes students active in campus organizations that promote diversity, will be given to Phong Truong, accounting senior from Vietnam.
The event began five years ago to honor African-American students and their achievements. It was given the name “Unity Gala” two years later when the spectrum broadened to honor students and faculty of all races, Jonathan Kerry, SEALS president, said.
“We are aware of the culture, the roots and the contributions that has made our country strengthen,” Kerry said. “There is so much rich history this month that we believe all students should be engaged in to increase their awareness and knowledge of the culture.
