On April 11, the Seventh Annual Student Employee of the Year Awards ceremony was held in the Plantation Suite in the Student Union Ballroom. According to Rachel Babin, assistant director of financial aid, 30 nominees represented 28 departments on campus. This was one of the largest groups thus far.

This year, the awards were expanded to award two other outstanding student employees. These awards were for departmental and paraprofessional support staff.

“There was a very large group of nominees this year. They all did such an outstanding job,” Babin said.

The winners of the two new awards received $150 scholarships, and the winner of the Student Employee of the Year award received a $250 scholarship. All scholarship money was donated by Chase Student Loans and were in memory of former Nicholls faculty member Irma C. Leche who was assistant director of financial aid services.

The Paraprofessional Support Winner was Larry White, government junior from Zachary and house director of Millet/

Zeringue.

“Winning this award was a great achievement. Being hall director has been a learning experience. In the beginning I wasn’t perfect. I’m still not, but through hard work, dedication and the trust and confidence of Sabrina Laurent, I have grown and learned a lot,” White said.

Stephanie Ledet, biology junior from Thibodaux and alumni affairs worker, was the Departmental Support Winner. Because there was no secretary for some time, she played the role for a while.

“I’m very excited. I love my job and working with the people I work with,” Ledet said.

The Student Employee of the Year Award went to Drake Trosclair, human resources junior from Thibodaux.

“I was definitely surprised,” Trosclair said.

Trosclair has worked two years for the energy audit program. The objective of this newly founded program is to teach students how to asses energy consumption of commercial and public buildings and through computer analysis develop economic solutions for more efficient energy use.

Trosclair is the student director of the energy audit program. Currently, he is supervising 12 new students and seven continuing students that are in training. He organizes their work schedule, monitors their time and supervises their training. He schedules client contact meetings and gives presentations meeting of the results.

Under his leadership, audit teams have completed energy audits of over 30 campus buildings, Assumption Parish school campuses and various hospitals. He is presently supervising audits of the Lafourche Parish school campuses.

“There’s always a lot of paperwork, but it’s a relaxed atmosphere to work in with a lot of freedom,” Trosclair said.