THIBODAUX – Edison Chouest Offshore, a vessel service company based in Galliano, La., recently donated $100,000 to the Nicholls State University College of Business Administration.

 The gift will supplement the Capstone Fund, a permanent endowment established in October 2006. The interest earned from the endowment will be used at the discretion of the dean, under the direction of the college’s executive advisory board, to address the college’s greatest needs – including student development, scholarships, faculty/staff development, equipment and software.

“As a 1989 accounting graduate of Nicholls State University, I am proud to represent two generations of Chouest family members who claim Nicholls as their alma mater,” said Dionne Chouest, general counsel for Edison Chouest Offshore and member of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board.

By: Bobby Fletcher

April is the month that most outdoor plants growing in your landscape should be in full swing. It is also the month that you can fertilize your lawn! Many of you have been waiting patiently to do this and I commend you for waiting. You will have less disease and insect problems in your lawn by waiting until now to fertilize.

April is your last chance to apply dormant oils on your outdoor plants to control scale insects. Use the oils on camellia, hollies, variegated privet, magnolias and gardenias. Oil sprays are safe only when the temperature is below 85 degrees. So, if you miss April, you'll have to wait until late October or early November to apply them. Horticultural oils or summer oils are safer to use during the time of year when warm weather prevails.

April is the time to prepare hanging baskets. Many plants grow well and look good in baskets, but ferns are probably the most highly prized. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are especially attractive in these hanging planters.

La Tour is the name of the newest locally owned, master planned, Golf Course / Development Community planned for Lafourche Parish. The plans have recently been approved by the United State Corps of Engineers and construction is underway. La Tour is located along Louisiana Highway 308 and two miles south of U.S. Highway 90 – Future Interstate 49. General Partner, John Brady, says “Most of my life has been about golf and I have been dreaming and planning this golf course for many years. I am looking forward to finally building the course that we have been discussing and dreaming about over the last several years with David Toms and Ken Morgan.”

Coming off a great year on the PGA Tour, Louisiana Professional David Toms, in association with Ken Morgan of Morgan Golf Design, has designed an 19-hole Public Course, which will be over 7,100 yards long. “This golf course has been planned as a signature design from the beginning. I am very excited to come back to Louisiana to play La Tour and be a part of the recovery process in Louisiana, “ says David Toms. Designed with the everyday golfer in mind, the golf course will be enjoyable for all skill levels, using a mix of shot values to create a challenging, enjoyable and memorable golfing experience. “Being a part of this golf course has been an honor and privilege because John Brady always does things first class” says Ken Morgan of Morgan Gold Design.

Organizers with the event are currently promoting sponsorship levels, which ensure table seating and program recognition. They are as follows:

Thibodaux - Student athletes at Nicholls State University are distinguishing themselves in the classroom, according to information released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association on the academic progress rates of nearly 6,272 Division I teams. 

Not only were Nicholls’ athletics teams among the majority of Division I organizations that received no sanctions associated with progress rates – Nicholls was the only Southland Conference institution to receive no penalties.

“We are delighted that our teams continue to improve academically,” said Rob Bernardi, athletics director. “Our escalating APR scores are a clear indication of our progress.”