The Fifth Annual Chef John Folse & Company Dinner for scholarships will take place in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Student Union next Monday. “This annual event continues to be a successful way to raise money for scholarships at Nicholls,” David Boudreaux, vice president for institutional advancement, said.
The dinner originally began to help fund Nicholls’ 50th Anniversary Celebration. The fundraising took place for two years. Boudreaux promised that all proceeds left over would be contributed to the University’s scholarship fund.
As a result of the success of the first dinner, the University decided to continue the dinner and donate all proceeds to a scholarship fund.
Over the years, more than $10,000 has been made in net profit. This money is taken and added to the University’s scholarship fund and used to recruit valedictorians and salutatorians from across the Nicholls service region. Scholarship winners have been recruited from Lafourche, Terrebone, St. Charles, St. Mary, St. James, Assumption and Jefferson Parishes.
The theme for this year’s dinner is “Celebrate America.” It was never intended for there to be a theme each year, but events such as the 50th anniversary and introducing the new logo to the University community last year gave this year’s dinner a reason to have one.
“With the events that have faced our nation, and with the way the people of America have responded to the threats, we felt a patriotic theme would be most appropriate,” said Boudreaux.
The dinner is prepared by Chef John Folse and his staff. The contents of the meal parallel the theme “Celebrate America.” The dinner will include Johnny cakes, rice and she-crab soup, plank-roasted salmon, California goat cheese salad, cowboy steak with chipotle sauce served with stuffed baby pumpkin and orchard apple pie with hand-churned vanilla ice cream.
The cost to attend this dinner is $75 per person or $600 per table of eight.
“The dinner keeps gaining more and more support each year,” Boudreaux said.
Entertainment will be provided by the Nicholls State Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Klaus, professor of music. Chamber singers will reinforce the theme with patriotic songs. Selections include America the Beautiful, Carolina in the Morning, Seattle, Home on the Range and Yankee Doodle.
The dinner is supported by faculty, staff, alumni and businesses. Congressman William “Billy” Tauzin has also made donations to the fund.
The scholarships are in a fixed dollar amount of approximately $1,000 per student. The University decides how many students receive these scholarships.
Students are treated to a special lunch and interviewed on an annual Scholar’s Day. A standing committee rates their qualifications, interviews them and then decides who receives the money that was raised.
“I’m sure the dinner will continue to be a success as it has gained greater support throughout the years. I appreciate all of the support Nicholls alumni, faculty and staff have given,” Boudreaux said.
