Kenny BoudreauxReporter

Dr. Judy Chauvin, a Nicholls professor of physical science, recently won the Distinguished Service to Science award presented at the Louisiana Science Teachers Association’s annual banquet in Baton Rouge because of her accomplishments.

Besides winning a plaque, Chauvin also received a $100 gift certificate and a complimentary one-year membership to LSTA.

The LSTA, a group of science teachers from all levels of education, annually awards one of their members who have made contributions to scientific development and outstanding teaching.

“I was surprised. I’m just overjoyed. It’s exciting to be recognized for your work,” she said. “I know some of the people who have won it in the past, and I’m just humbled to think people consider me to be in the same class as them.”

Julie Brown, a master teacher at Terrebonne High School and member of LSTA, nominated Chauvin. Brown, one of Chauvin’s former students at Nicholls, created a binder with several letters of recommendation in favor of Chauvin, lists of her accomplishments and a copy of her teaching rsum. Brown submitted it to the LSTA for review.

Chauvin has been teaching for 30 years, and 28 of those have been at Nicholls. Before becoming a chemistry and physical sciences teacher at Nicholls in 1974, she was a math and physics teacher at Terrebonne High School, Oaklawn Junior High School and Southdown Middle School.

Throughout her teaching career, she has spoken at several conferences and meetings. Several of her reports and articles have been published and used by science teachers across the nation.

“It’s been fun. I love teaching, and I hate to think of stopping,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever retire.” she said.

Besides teaching in the classroom, Chauvin is one of the directors of the Louisiana Systematic Initiatives Program. As one of the directors, Chauvin trains and mentors high school science teachers. At several conferences, she shares new ways to teach science and technology.

“Over the past five years, I have been able to train more than 100 teachers through LaSIP. Those teachers, in turn, have been able to train hundreds of other teachers. It’s exciting because it keeps spreading,” Chauvin said.

Through LaSIP, she is currently exploring new ways to measure the quality of water in the bayous.

“(The award) is one of my career highlights. But the biggest highlight is when my students graduate, move on and become successful,” Chauvin said. “Then when they come back and say good things about you, it’s amazing.”

“Dr. Chauvin definitely deserves the award. She is very dedicated to her work and her students,” said Glen Lo, assistant professor of physical sciences. “She means so much to our department and Nicholls.”

Melecia Ingram, a Nicholls math instructor who deals with calculations for Chauvin said she agrees with Lo.

“I have never seen anyone more caring about improving the quality of education,” she said. “I really enjoy working with Dr. Chauvin.”

Chauvin has received several grants from the National Science Foundation, LaSIP, and other state grants to help improve education and assist in her research efforts.

Chauvin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Nicholls in 1967 and earned a master’s and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of New Orleans in 1971.