Albert Davis is quick to correct anyone who calls his upcoming “career change” his “retirement.”

In regards to his 35 years at Nicholls State University, Davis said, “I’ve done it all.”

Some of his previous positions include department head, distinguished service professor of languages and literature, associate dean, dean of University College, assistant vice president and interim vice president for academic affairs and novelist in residence.

“It’s a difficult decision for me,” Davis said. “I really don’t want to leave because I’m working with the best people on the Earth.”

Davis said that making the decision to “technically retire” was not easy. The word “retirement” is taboo in Davis’ family. His mother worked in the Terrebonne Parish school system until she was 84.

Born and raised in Houma, Louisiana, Davis graduated from Nicholls in 1969. He went straight into teaching in Terrebonne Parish and spent the next 44 years of his life in English and education.

“I’ve put my time in, but I’ve still got some kick left in me,” Davis said.

He and his agent spent years trying to get novels published in New York before Louisiana State University Press published his first two novels “Leechtime” and “Marquis at Bay.”

Davis said that he would like to complete his two unfinished novels, and the only way to do that is to go into “some kind of retirement mode.”

“Now I’m starting to say the clock is ticking,” Davis said. “You better start if you want to get those two novels done.”

Out of all of the hats he’s worn in his time at Nicholls, Davis said that his favorite part has been time spent just sitting down and talking with students, particularly those that want to be writers.

He has especially enjoyed his time spent advising freshman because he likes when grades are not involved.

“The relationship with students seems to change when you have to give them a grade,” Davis said. “I will miss talking with students about their lives but I won’t miss the grading part of teaching at all.”

Because he is an Alcee Fortier Distinguished Professor, the highest academic ranking at Nicholls, the University will provide him with an office where he plans to continue writing.

“University College is a beautiful mix of programs, but it’s an unusual mix,” Davis said.

He is hoping to stick around in a stage of “transitional retirement” to help the culinary department move into their new building next semester. He also mentioned construction to Gouaux Hall to better accommodate the growing petroleum program.

He is also excited to contribute to President Murphy’s strategic plan, which was finally completed earlier this week.
Davis said that the strategic plan was assurance that he was leaving his position in a place where the next person can come in and better what he has already done.

“I’m reconditioning my mind,” Davis said when he mentioned new writing projects he has already taken on.
He calls his unfinished novel his own Cajun epic.

“I’m still writing poetry, but you can’t write a novel part-time,” Davis said.

“I’m publishing a lot of poetry, but it’s not the same,” Davis said. “I don’t want to die a poet. I want to die a novelist.”