Nicholls, with various other on campus organizations, have been sponsoring events that will celebrate women’s history month. Dr. Rose Harris, director for the Louisiana Center for Women and Government and Michelle Caruso, dean of student services, will be coordinating the Woman of Achievement Awards Luncheon.
The Louisiana Center for Women and Government will be holding its second annual Nicholls Woman of Achievement Awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Plantation Suite tomorrow. The purpose of the awards ceremony will be to honor both a female student and a faculty or staff member who has made contributions toward Nicholls by their daily actions.
The awards lunch will begin with a presentation from Harris. Following Harris’ presentation will be the revealing of the winners of the “Woman of Achievement Award.”
“My purpose is to bring an awareness of the achievements women have made on the civil rights movement and to highlight the current achievements of women,” Harris said.
The nominees for the woman of achievement award will be judged on their work. The woman of achievement should serve as a healthy role model for women on the Nicholls campus and is known to inspire women and make an impact on women’s issues and student services at hand. She should make contributions towards an advancement of a field of study, career or interest that has future opportunities for other women.
Nominations for the Woman of Achievement award are open to students and faculty. However, a select committee of people from the community makes the final decision on naming the winners. The judges for this year are Joanne Ferriot, Gretchen Landry and Ida Chauvin.
The nominees have all been notified and have received a free ticket to the awards luncheon. At the luncheon there will be a brief summary that will profile each of the nominees and their achievements.
The winners of the Woman of Achievement award will receive a plaque engraved with their name and contribution for the year.
This year there are six student nominees and nine faculty or staff member nominees.
The six student nominees are Cheramie Gosnell, dietetics senior from Cut Off, Lisa Lawrence, government sophomore from Thibodaux, Jeanie Van der Loo, art senior from Thibodaux, Samiko Price, government senior from Bourg, Keli Bonvilliain, management senior from Thibodaux and Lisa Pierce, education masters graduate student from Thibodaux.
The nine faculty or staff nominees are Elizabeth LaFleur, professor in management and marketing; Jean Hemard, assistant professor/director of family resource center and family service center in family and consumer sciences, Felicia Harry, instructor in mass communications; Carol Mathias, interim director in Ellender Memorial Library; Jacinda Bonvillain, assistant professor, family and consumer sciences, Louise Bonin, senior women’s administrator/assistant athletic director, Elaine Musso, clerk chief for the student government association; Patricia Gabilondo, associate professor of English in languages and literature and Dr. Alice Pecoraro, Vice president for academic affairs.
The theme for this years women’s history month is “Women Pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement.” According to Harris this theme is in line with the national theme,” Women Pioneering the Future”.
Many people around campus did not even know that March is the national women’s history month.
Crystal Gros, elementary education major from Labadieville, did not know March was women’s history month but said, “I think it’s a good thing to have, that way women can get recognized for their achievements. ”
“Women’s history month is an important part of the multi-cultural learning experience. Students need to be able to understand history, and remember the contributions of the people before us. Women have had a positive impact on society through their contributions. Women of today enjoy many new privileges,” Caruso said.
The Louisiana Center for Women and Government will also be hosting the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Friday, Mar 28. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Tickets must be purchased before March 20th. The ticket prices will be $25.00 for the general public and $15.00 for students. To purchase tickets call the Louisiana Center for Women and Government office. (985) 448-4770.