After 26 years of service at Nicholls, Irma Arceneaux, mass communication secretary, is retiring at the end of the semester. Arceneaux started at the University when there was no communication or mass communication departments, only a speech department.

While in the department, she was very active in helping with the theater.

“It was always very interesting around the office, because there was so much to do with the television station, the radio station and the various plays” Arceneaux said.

However, the department was later renamed the communication department, and finally separated into the mass communication department.

Arceneaux said her most outstanding memory she will take with her from her experiences at Nicholls, was when she was awarded the Maime Bourgeois and Charles Dunbar awards.

“It is a great honor to have received these awards, and it is something that will always be a very proud moment in my life,” she said.

Arceneaux said there are definite signs when someone should retire.

“When you know all the people who have buildings named after them at Nicholls, it is time to retire,” she said.

Before working at Nicholls, Arceneaux worked at Thompson Machinery for seven years and at Dr. George Whitman’s office as an optician for five years.

She plans to be involved with her church, spend more time with her family and travel in her free time.

“First Methodist has already recruited me to work the entire Pumpkin Patch festivities in October,” Arceneaux said.

Arceneaux said she also plans to be able to take advantage of the luxuries of being retired.

“I have already been practicing not having to use my alarm clock in the morning. I can’t wait until I won’t have to use it at all,” she said.

Arceneaux has four children: Dwain, Darin, and Timothy Arceneaux, and Christy A. Chadick, and seven grandchildren.

Arceneaux said she has truly enjoyed working with the students and faculty.

“It has been great working with everyone here. I am really going to miss everyone,” she said.