After serving as the Director of Facilities Services for the last 12 years, Mike Davis will be retiring as of Jan. 8, 2016.

As facilities director, he has been in charge of the capital outlay budget, all the new construction on campus, maintenance grounds, campus safety and major renovations.

“When it’s time to move, it’s time to move, but I thought when it came time for my retirement that it would be easy to walk away. I realize now that it’s not going to be easy,” Davis said.

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Davis first came to Nicholls in the fall of 1968 with hopes to play for the baseball team. He was offered a walk-on tryout that a family friend had arranged with the coach, and through “a great amount of luck” was kept to play for the team as shortstop. Davis was a part of the 1970 Nicholls State University baseball team, which was the first in Nicholls’ history to go the College World Series. In 2008, Davis and his teammates were inducted into the Nicholls Hall of Fame.

“I get emotional talking about it; this is my love here. The coach saw something in me, and because of that and a favor for my father, I got to play for four years and graduate here,” Davis said.

One of Davis’ favorite memories as a student was when the baseball team travelled to Illinois for Regionals, where they had one of the greatest comebacks in Nicholls history.

Joining his memories as a student are the memories made with the staff as an employee for the University.

“I would say my best memory would be the outstanding and dedicated people I have had the fortune of working with over the years here at the University. I don’t think the general public knows what good people we have here. It’s all out of love,” Davis said.

For Davis, Nicholls represents family and a forever home. He owes so much to the University. On campus is where he first met his wife, and their son was also a member of the baseball team and a graduate of Nicholls State University.

“I love this place. It’s been home for me all these years. It’s much more than a job for me. My whole life has revolved around this place,” Davis said.

Davis first came back to work for the University on Jan. 5, 1987, as Director of Purchasing, but has since been working at Nicholls for 29 years. He worked in several departments in that time. However, as Director of Facilities Services, he was most impacted by the legacy left in the buildings around campus.

“I’m fond of all the projects we worked on over this year. They’re all important to me because they all are a part in what makes this campus look the way it looks like today. Just knowing you had a role in putting those buildings together is pretty rewarding,” Davis said.

Davis had no favorite project, but the idea of the work benefitting students for the future was his favorite aspect of his position.

“The greatest thing about working here is the positive atmosphere, to be able to do things that’ll assist young people in starting their own careers. That’s been fun, and that’s been what has impacted me most,” Davis said.

To Davis the employees are what make the University great. All of the custodians, grounds workers and the maintenance workers play an important role in sustaining the campus.

“They really care about the University, and to them, it’s more than a job. This is their home, and everybody wants their home to look the best it can possibly be. This place looks the way it does because of all of the hard work of the employees,” Davis said.

Although he will no longer be working at Nicholls, Davis still intends to be active in the campus community, particularly as an announcer at the football games. Still, he knows that things will be different after retirement.

“I just cannot cut the string and no longer be associated with the University. I still plan on being a part of Nicholls, but the worse thing will be losing the relationships, and not being here everyday. I know that that will be the hardest thing,” Davis said.

“I consider myself extremely lucky. God blessed me quite a bit to have worked here. Working in a positive atmosphere to better the university and the young people that come here has been the most rewarding,” Davis said.
– See more at: https://thenichollsworth.com/7001384/news/mike-davis-reflects-on-his-years-at-nicholls-state-university/#sthash.9WCME0Lx.dpuf