The microbiology lab in room 208 of Gouaux Hall became the Marilyn B. Kilgen Laboratory of Biological Sciences on Nov. 1, dedicated to the former head of the biology department.
Kilgen was overwhelmed with happiness and humbled to receive this honor.
“I am so excited that the lab was dedicated to me for doing what I love,” she said.
Kilgen retired this past Sep., but she continues to help out with research projects on campus.
Faculty and staff gathered in honor of Kilgen’s dedication. Interim President Larry Howell, Dean of Arts and Sciences John Doucet and current biology department head Quenton Fontenot were among the people that attended this event in support of Kilgen.
Kilgen received her bachelor’s degree in science from Nicholls State University. She then went to earn her doctorate in microbiology from Auburn University in 1970.
Kilgen became head of the biology department in 1994 and she stepped down in 2006. While she was department head, the master’s degree program in marine and environmental biology was created. This put Nicholls State University’s biology department on the map in validating the safety of Louisiana oysters.
Kilgen greatly impacted the lives of biology students and faculty at Nicholls and her colleagues were eager to award her this honor.
Fontenot gave a brief, lighthearted speech about Kilgen’s life and her impact on Nicholls State’s campus. Fontenot even spoke about how he received his first job at Nicholls from Kilgen.
Doucet also spoke about Kilgen saying, “We dedicate labs because of the people inside them that inspire us.”  
Lab 208 has a very special place in Kilgen’s heart.
“I used to teach cell biology in this lab,” she said. “This lab was created specifically for the type of research I was doing.”
The event was complete with the presentation of the lab and a short reception afterwards.
It is easy to see the love that Nicholls has for its former biology head. There was nothing but nice things to say about Kilgen and the work that she has done for the biology department.
“In most cases, people that get things dedicated and named after them are dead,” Kilgen said. “I’m so glad I get to experience this while I am alive.”