The Louisiana Academy of Sciences met last weekend at Nicholls State University and seven students were recognized with awards for their presentations.

This was the 89th meeting of the Academy, which has not met at Nicholls State since 1996. According to Gary Lafleur, the chairman of the host committee, a lot has changed since then.

“A lot of the visiting professors were impressed with our facility and said that we have much improved since the last time we hosted the academy,” Lafleur said.

Seven Nicholls students won in their division. Lafleur said that Nicholls students being recognized for their work is more special because the event was held at the University.

“It is so amazing to see students winning on their home turf. It really shows what Nicholls has to offer and the quality of our students,” Lafleur said.

Shiena Marie Normand, a government senior from Niceville, Fl., won first place in the social science division with her study on Chinese hegemony.

“It is so exciting to even have the opportunity to present at the academy, much less win,” Normand said. “I am so thankful for the judges who thought my work was worthy of such an honor.”

Another event that Lafleur said made this particular event so special was John Doucet being named president elect for the Louisiana Academy of Sciences.

“It was so exciting to see John being named the new president of the academy at the University he calls home,” Lafleur said.

A new president is named every other meeting of the Academy and serves for two years.

Doucet is best known for kick starting a new humanities division three years ago to include more people in the academy and to gain perspective of humanities and art as a science.

“A lot more students and professors have attended the Academy in recent years because they feel more included, and it just opens the door for a greater dynamic of students that are apart of the Academy,” Lafleur said.

According to Lafleur, there was a great turnout compared to past years. Nicholls thought that registration would be low because of the location in the state, but 260 students were in attendance – 10 more than last year’s meeting.

“I have heard a lot of great feedback from visiting professors, and they are going to take note on how Nicholls has prepared for the event so they can incorporate it in the way they prepare for the event last year,” Lafleur said.

The event is held at Louisiana State University Alexandria every other year, located in the middle of the state so that it is more accessible for students around the state.

“We couldn’t have made this event a success without the student union, continuing education and other professors and students that took the time and work to make this happen,” Lafleur said.