Tag: Nicholls Foundation

Nicholls Foundation Give-N-Day 2024: A Journey of Generosity

The philanthropic efforts of the Nicholls Foundation  have once again garnered remarkable success, as evidenced by the remarkable outcome of its seventh Give-N-Day event in 2024. The event, which serves as a pivotal fundraising platform for the University’s departments and student organizations, has managed to amass a staggering sum of over $1.2 million in contributions, as per this news release from Nicholls State University.

In the latest installment of the Nicholls Foundation led Give-N-Day, the generosity of over 1,300 donors culminated in a total of 1,850 donations, collectively amounting to over $205,000. These funds hold the promise of significant impact, with 128 Nicholls organizations set to benefit, each assured of receiving at least one donation. What’s particularly heartening is the diverse array of contributors; not only did over 25% of donors identify themselves as Nicholls alumni, but over 38% of the gifts hailed from alumni, and more than 18% from Nicholls faculty or staff members. The spirit of generosity transcended geographical boundaries, with donations pouring in from 36 states and 11 countries. Moreover, a noteworthy 18% of donors opted to support multiple organizations, reflecting a commendable commitment to the University’s multifaceted endeavors.

Expressing profound gratitude for this overwhelming display of support, Jeremy Becker, Executive Director of the Nicholls Foundation, conveyed, “The entire Nicholls family is extremely grateful for the support from the Nicholls Community. More and more campus organizations are able to offer more experiences and opportunities for students because of the funds raised from this and all Give-N-Day events.”

The tangible impact of these contributions is underscored by the achievements of various programs that distinguished themselves on the Give-N-Day leaderboard. Topping the charts in terms of funds raised was the Bridge to Independence initiative, which garnered an impressive $19,170. Noteworthy mentions include the Colonel ESports program with $17,055, the Colonel Athletic Association Track & Field/Cross Country with $9,670, and the Accounting Program with $9,196, among others. Equally commendable was the remarkable show of support in terms of individual donations, with Bridge to Independence securing the highest number of contributions at 107.

However, behind these numbers lies a profound narrative of empowerment and inclusivity, epitomized by the Bridge to Independence program. At Nicholls State University, this pioneering initiative provides students with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder the opportunity to immerse themselves in the college experience while honing essential leadership and social skills crucial for future employment and independent living. Positioned within the nurturing environment of Nicholls, recognized for its familial atmosphere and esteemed for being the safest campus in the UL system, the Bridge to Independence program stands as a beacon of inclusivity and support.

Certified by the U.S. Department of Education and heralded as Louisiana’s inaugural program of its kind, Bridge to Independence offers a comprehensive suite of support services, enabling eligible students to engage in regular classes, partake in campus activities, and even join organizations. Central to its success are the peer mentors, meticulously trained within the Nicholls College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, who provide invaluable assistance with coursework and foster social integration. In essence, Give-N-Day not only serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Nicholls community but also embodies the transformative power of collective generosity in advancing educational opportunities and fostering inclusivity.

In conclusion, the resounding success of Give-N-Day 2024 not only showcases the remarkable generosity within the Nicholls community but also underscores the profound impact of collective philanthropy in advancing educational opportunities and fostering inclusivity. As we reflect on the achievements of this event, let us continue to celebrate the spirit of giving that propels us forward, united in our shared commitment to empowering education and enriching lives.

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Sixth Give-N-Day helps Nicholls Foundation Reach the 1 Million Dollar Mark

The Nicholls Foundation’s sixth Give-N-Day has reportedly raised over $1 million for the University’s departments and student organizations, according to this new release from Nicholls State University. After it was all said and done, Nicholls’ 2023 Give-N-Day received the most donors, donations, and funds raised ever in the six years of the event.

Jeremy Becker, Nicholls Foundation Executive, said, “Give-N-Day is an exciting and rewarding event for the foundation and especially the university. It is special to see the University come together with this effort and to have the Nicholls community support so many specific areas on campus. The Give-N-Day team is already planning to make this an even more impactful event in the future.”

The sixth Give-N-Day, in total, raised over $265,000 with 1,587 donors and 2,188 donations. These donations will benefit 130 Nicholls organizations, all of which will receive at least one gift, which is the most ever. Out of the donors, over 25% identified as being Nicholls alumni, and 17% of all donors gave to more than one organization with gifts coming from 39 states and 11 countries, which also broke a record for the monumental event.

Give-N-Day was initially organized in 2018 as a way for the student organizations, academic programs, and athletics of Nicholls State University to raise money in a way that they couldn’t before. Give-N-Day was created as an opportunity for donors to directly benefit a specific organization, department, or athletic team of their choosing. Donations could be listed as little as $10 or as much as the donor wishes to give to one organization or to be spread across as many organizations as possible. Every cent of the donation goes directly to the donor’s organization(s) of choice.

This year, for the sixth 2023 Give-N-Day, Maritime Management received the largest amount of donations by raising $44,615. Other programs that received remarkable financial support were: CROWN with $8,770, Colonel Athletic Association Track & Field/Cross Country with $9,886, Accounting Program with $13,795, Colonel ESports with $14,005, Bridge to Independence with $17,440, and Colonel Athletic Association Soccer with $36,026.

In terms of which programs, organizations, or departments had received the most individual donations, Colonel Athletic Association Soccer reportedly received the most with 305 individual donations total. Other programs that had received a significant number of individual donations were: Colonel Athletic Association Track & Field/Cross Countrywith 56, Accounting Program with 59, Bridge to Independence with 60, Colonel Esports with 64, CROWN with 76, and Sigma Sigma Sigma with 105.

The President of the Nicholls Foundation, Chris H. Riviere says the following in his message to donors, “when making a contribution to Nicholls, the first thing that often comes to mind for many people is scholarships.  For those who attended college, we all remember our own financial struggles and we can understand the importance of ensuring that today’s students can afford to earn degrees, live in residence halls, become active in campus organizations or even travel abroad.  And now, with the yearly uncertainty surrounding TOPS and higher education funding, the need for scholarship dollars has grown even more important. While scholarships are certainly the bread and butter of the Nicholls Foundation, they are far from the only option to make a lasting impact on the lives of current and future Colonels. […]

Additionally, the Nicholls Foundation currently funds 63 faculty professorships along with two endowed chairs.  By providing the financial resources for Nicholls to recruit and retain its best faculty and fund faculty research and professional development opportunities, the Foundation’s supporters are helping to improve the academic experience for hundreds, if not thousands, of students.”

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Nicholls Foundation Receives History Making Donation

Nicholls State University received a generous donation last month that will benefit over a dozen students and faculty pursuing educational enrichment.  As announced in August by the Nicholls Foundation in a university press release, an impressive bequest from the estate of James and Mary Alice Van Sickle (BA ‘66) will produce 10 endowed professorships and 10 or more scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and professors alike at the prestigious university.

The Van Sickle’s generous gifts will go to the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, with the professorships, specifically honoring Mary Alice’s mother, Mabel Bollinger Toups, a lifelong Lockport teacher. The James R. and Mary Alice Van Sickle Endowed Scholarships will range from $2,500 to $5,000 per student.

Mary Alice Van Sickle is a Lockport native who majored in English education while at Nicholls, and the gift offered by the Van Sickles is sure to honor the educational legacy of Mabel Toups. Today, James and Mary Alice live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as she retired in 2014 after a three-decade career in marketing for a landscape architectural firm in Boston.

Mary Alice was quoted as believing “ that there is no better preparation for living a full and rewarding life than through education. I hope these scholarship students will enrich their own lives through learning and will graduate with the tools that will lead to success in their chosen professions. The bequest will also allow teachers to expand their own learning opportunities through research and study, and to continue to inspire the love of learning in students by serving as positive role models.”

While the Van Sickles humbly did not wish to announce the donation amount, their gift is recognized to be the largest legacy agreement within the Nicholls Foundation’s Oaks Society, an organization, which is comprised of alumni, parents, faculty and friends making a planned gift to Nicholls State University or the closely related Nicholls Foundation.

Named after the numerous and ever-present oak trees of the Nicholls campus, membership to the Oaks Society can be granted to any individual donating in an effort to further the mission of Nicholls State University, regardless of amount. Like the nearly 50 oak trees present at the university’s founding, and still providing shade and scenery today, these planned gifts have the potential to have a lasting generational impact.

Mary Alice is extremely fond of her time spent at the university, saying, ““I have always felt that I received an outstanding education at Nicholls, which provided me with the life skills that would equip me to succeed in my chosen career. Nicholls instilled in me a true love for learning, and a curiosity about the world beyond the bayou. The bequest is my way of saying thank you. This beloved institution placed its trust in me so many years ago and provided me with a foundation of knowledge, which has nurtured me throughout my adult life.”

The Nicholls Foundation’s executive director, Jeremy Becker expressed his excitement of the VanSickle’s gift and the “tremendous impact” that it will have for “so many faculty and students at Nicholls.” The Foundation, itself, is an independent university group that supports the mission of Nicholls State University by seeking gifts and grants and managing those funds and other assets to support the school through endowed chairs, professorships, scholarships, and other enhancement offers.

If any reader is interested in learning more about The Nicholls Foundation or making a bequest to become a member of The Oaks Society, it’s suggested that they visit visit www.nichollsfoundation.org or contact Becker at 448-4006.

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