THECOLONEL the magazine of NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY the magazine of NICHOLLS STATE SUMMER 2020 SBDC Works to Help Small Businesses Survive Page 8 Relive a Memorable Year on Campus Page 20 Nicholls Nursing Alums Put Their Patients Before Themselves Page 34 The Big Picture Wish you were here. Nicholls Alumni Federation compiled commemorative commencement yard signs to celebrate the accomplishments of our Spring 2020 graduates. 2 | Summer 2020 • The COLONEL • Nicholls State University Nicholls State University • The COLONEL • Summer 2020 | 1 THECOLONEL FEATURES DEPARTMENTS the magazine of A Campus to 20 Remember From the first day of class to another home playoff victory, relive some of our favorite 34 moments over the past year, as captured through the lens of NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY NICHOLLS STATE campus photographer Misty Leigh 1 THE BIG PICTURE McElroy. 5 A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 10 A Promise Kept 6 COLONEL PRIDE 6 Ask the Experts They miss their students. They 26 8 Staying Afloat REDZONE miss their classrooms. They 9 Being There, From Afar 16 16 Opportunity Lost miss their labs. They miss 10 Rolling with the Punches 18 A Different Kind of Gametime their routines. The Nicholls 11 Keeping Campus Clean faculty have had to adjust their 12 Finding the Answers curriculum on the fly as their 14 Nicholls COVID-19 Timeline concerns shift from exams and 34 ALUMNI HOUSE papers to health and wellbeing. 34 The Frontlines 37 Changing Roles 38 CAMPUS CORNERSTONE 38 A Call to Action SUMMER 2020 A Different 39 Not Slowing Down 30 Point of View Author, photographer and Nicholls Alum Bill Guion 40 A COLONEL OF TRUTH captured the empty Nicholls State University campus through an infrared lense. 2 | Summer 2020 • The COLONEL • Nicholls State University 11 Nicholls State University • The COLONEL • Summer 2020 | 3 SUMMER 2020 THE COLONEL the magazine of NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY University President Dr. Jay Clune (BS ‘86) We Are Executive Vice President, Vice President for Enrollment and External Affairs Dr. Alex Arceneaux Executive Director of External Affairs Monique Crochet (BS ‘98, MEd, ‘00) Director of Alumni Affairs Katherine Mabile (BS ‘14) #NichollsStrong Director of Communications Jerad David (BA ‘00) NICHOLLS FOUNDATION was pulling out of our driveway when the news broke of the first case of Executive Director Jeremy Becker (BS ‘95, MBA ‘97) NICHOLLS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS COVID-19 in Louisiana. At that time, my biggest concern was whether the Chairman Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger headlining act for Crawfish Day would play the radio version of songs (rather President Christopher H. Riviere (BS ‘78) than the explicit version). Allison and I were on our way to Katy, Texas, to Vice President Daniel Duplantis (BS ‘69) I cheer on our men and women’s basketball teams in the Southland Conference Secretary/Treasurer Arlen “Benny” Cenac, Jr. (BS ‘79) Board Members Hunt Downer (BS ‘68) Championships. We stopped at Steamboat Bill’s Seafood Restaurant in Lake Alexis A. Duval (BS ‘92) Charles and talked about what might happen. Hugh E. Hamilton We made it as far as the Ikea in Houston before we had to stop. I spent five R.E. “Bob” Miller (BA ‘75) hours in the Ikea parking lot on calls about the immediate future of our campus. Pat Pitre (BS ‘72) Before I went to bed, the NBA suspended its season. By the time we woke NICHOLLS ALUMNI FEDERATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS up, the Southland Conference had canceled the tournament. Eventually, all spring President Brooke Huddleston (BA ’95, MEd ‘98) sports would be canceled. President-Elect Sheri Haydel Eschete (BS ‘84) I tell you this story to showcase how fast this situation is evolving and Vice President David Heltz (BS ‘84) Secretary Jennifer Smith (BA ‘09) changing. Treasurer Kevin George (BGS ‘96, BS ‘99, MA ‘03) The stories in this issue aren't going to focus on the latest news from this Board Members Thad Angelloz (BA ‘03) campus. Instead, they are going to showcase the lengths to which our people have LaToya Bailey (BA ’98) Gilberto Burbante (BA ’11) gone to support our students, employees and each other. Garett Charpentier (AGS ’12, BS ’18) In this issue, you will read about how our students have risen to the challenge Dr. J. Robert Field (BS ‘88, MBA ‘91) as leaders and communicators. You’ll hear from our coaches and student athletes Bart Folse (BS ’07, MBA ’16) who are frustrated at their lost seasons but focused on being ready for next year. Jennifer Hodnett Ledet (BS ‘84) Courtney Richard (BIS ’13) Our faculty will talk about how they’re adjusting their classes and working with John Warren (BA ’17) their students through the pandemic. And you can get a glimpse of what it’s like Business Admin. Chapter President Adam Lefort (BS ‘16) being on the frontlines as our nursing alumni describe what they are seeing in local Education Chapter President Aldrian Smith (BS ’17, MEd ‘19) hospitals. Culinary Chapter President Donald Kasten (BA ’04) This is a very different campus than we are used to seeing. It is devoid of THE COLONEL EDITORIAL STAFF students. But our mission remains the same. And even though the circumstances Editor Jacob Batte have changed, we are fully committed to educating and graduating our students. Art Director Jerad David (BA '00) We haven’t settled with just getting by. We are using this time to get better, Photojournalist Misty Leigh McElroy (BA '03) Contributors Jeremy Becker (BS ’95, MBA ’97) • Kylie Blanchard and we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. Emma Bourgeois • Jamie Bustos • Farren Clark Geaux Colonels, Monique Robinson Clark • Melissa Clay • Allison Clune • Dr. Jay Clune (BS ‘86) • Dr. Solomon David • Dr. John Doucet (BS '84) • Sharon Doucet (BA '78) • Sheri Eschete (BS '84) • Dr. Richmond Eustis • Dr. Anna Falcon • Jason Graham (BA '03) • Dr. Aimee Hollander • Dr. Jay Clune Tyler Legnon • Cain Madden • Jimmy Nguyen • Courtney Richard (BIS '13) • Bruno Ruggiero (BA '90) Dr. Alyson Theriot • Stephanie Slekis • Adam Tarver 4 | Summer 2020 • The COLONEL • Nicholls State University Nicholls State University • The COLONEL • Summer 2020 | 5 ASK THE EXPERTS Q: What can we do to protect our families? We know the pandemic is complicated and there AF: You can also take steps to protect others by cleaning and disinfecting surfaces daily; is a lot of developing wearing facemasks if you are sick; cover all coughs and sneezes; and self-isolating if you information in the are sick after seeking medical care. media to digest. We Q: What is herd immunity? turned to science AH: When most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect education professor Dr. protection to those who are not immune to the disease. This is called herd immunity or Aimee Hollander (AH, left) herd protection. For example, if 80 percent of a population is immune to a virus, four out and campus physician of every five people who encounter someone with the disease won’t get sick (and won’t Dr. Anna Falcon (AF, right) spread the disease). This is how the spread of infectious diseases is kept under control. to explain what we know Vaccinations create herd immunity hence how we eradicated diseases like polio. so far. Q: Why is “let’s all get exposed and get over it” not a good idea? Q: Why is this scarier than the flu? Is it scarier than the flu? AH: If we abruptly end social distancing, we could overwhelm our healthcare system, which is already extremely busy with COVID-19 infected patient. People are still having : Both can spread from person to person when an infected person is coughing, sneezing or AF babies, still need to have surgery and are still getting sick with other diseases that need talking. This is because both viruses travel through the air. One difference is the transmission hospitals capable of taking care of these patients. Additionally, we see that people who through the airborne route since COVID-19 is found to stay in the air for several hours. seem healthy with no other diseases are getting severely ill and even dying. These social There are several other differences between the two, which reinforce why COVID-19 must distancing guidelines are to keep as many people safe and well as possible. In the next be taken so seriously. First, the incubation period for influenza is 1-4 days compared to year, we should have a vaccine for this disease. If enough people get vaccinated it should 2-14 days for COVID-19. This results in many people infected and asymptomatic potentially create herd immunity against the disease. exposing others for a longer time. Another difference lies in the hospitalization and mortality rates. With influenza, those numbers are 1-2 percent and 0.1-0.2 percent, respectively. With Q: Is it safe to exercise outside as long as we maintain our distance? COVID-19, they are 10-20 percent and 1.5 percent in the United States. Also, there is no : Avoiding close contact and "social distancing" does not mean to stay indoors at all times if you definitive treatment, nor is there a vaccine for COVID-19 at present. However, there are some AF are healthy. It is okay to go for a walk, hike or bike ride with someone else as long as you keep 6 medications that show promise treating coronavirus symptoms, and a lot of work is being feet apart. This is also a time to take advantage of the modern advances of technology by utilizing done to make a vaccine. services such as online meetings which can help you "virtually" gather with your best friends.