Bridge to Independence hosted its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, dedicating its newly renovated center to Nicholls students.
Gossen-Holloway-Cortez, an architecture firm based in Thibodaux, designed the renovations to suit the needs and desires of Bridge to Independence.
B.E.T. Construction conducted the renovations and installed all new interiors and floors of the computer lab, office spaces and two learning classrooms. The process began in August 2024 and concluded in early spring of this year.
“It’s all new interior finishes and new floors,” said Greg Renolds of B.E.T. Construction. “We divided some spaces here. We created a new computer lab, which is for all students to use.”
Julie Folse, the director of Bridge to Independence, said the space previously functioned as Nicholls’ old library. The organization had utilized a partition to separate rooms before, and now a wall has been built dividing the respective spaces.
“We wanted a clean, streamlined space,” Folse said. “We were looking for something that would be functional for many years to come. From colors to seating, we want to create an atmosphere where Nicholls students can learn the best that they can.”
The completion of the $1 million project was made possible through two primary donors. Bridge to Independence received $500,000 from the family of the late William D. Hunter, an alumnus of Nicholls. Additionally, they received $500,000 donated by Jeannette Guillory Thomason in honor of her late husband, Hebert “Allen” Thomason.
“No program on campus is more transformational than this one,” Nicholls President Jay Clune said. “It changes the lives of students, their parents and their families.”
