The University continues to welcome new students to the Colonel community as part of the last day of early orientation.

High school students visited campus this week to meet other students, be introduced to some of the organizations on campus and to schedule their classes for their first semester. Karley Guidry, a senior at Morgan City high school said the faculty, ambassadors and everyone else she encountered were very helpful throughout the orientation process. She said that the University’s highly-ranked nursing program and close proximity to home is what made her sure Nicholls was the right place for her.

Orientation team members and student ambassadors led groups of students around campus. Alex Guzman, a sophomore marketing major, said being on orientation team “makes my passion for the school grow and makes me feel much more connected to the University.”

Seth Browning, a sophomore biology major from Houma on orientation team, said he was excited to see one of his groups full of nursing majors because he is confident in the quality of the University’s program. He also agrees with Guzman that the orientation experience is equally as fruitful for the team members as it is for the incoming students.

“It boosts my school pride and reminds me what Nicholls is actually about,” Browning said.

Delynn Boudreaux, mother of Zachary Boudreaux, a senior at South Lafourche high school, said she likes that the atmosphere of the University feels like home and is close to home for her son.

Grace Rosado, senior at E.D. White Catholic high school, also appreciates having a University close to home so she can live at home while transitioning to adult life.

Stephanie and Joe German, parents of Hannah German, senior from Prarieville, were highly impressed and comforted by Chief Jaccuzzo’s presentation on behalf of campus police during orientation.

Meghan Louviere, a senior at Ponchatoula High School, expressed eagerness to become part of the environment that she experienced during orientation even in the midst of the hectic moments of scheduling.

Boudreax and Louviere agree that one of the most exciting aspects of entering into the community of Nicholls is having the opportunity to be as involved as they can. They said that a lot of potential and hope for their future in the campus and the people who are already here.

Kaylee Cole, a junior health sciences major and student ambassador, said, “I’ve gotten so many questions about the activities and organizations Nicholls has to offer, which is a breath of fresh air to see that 18-year-olds are just as excited about the University as I am.”

Although she has been a part of the orientation process for three years, Cole is still impressed by the family atmosphere of the University.

“We have such a good relationship, not only between just the orientation team and the and the ambassadors but also between us and the faculty as well as all the people who work so hard to put this together,” said Cole.