Nicholls State University Nicholls State University , founded in 1948 , is a public university located in Thibodaux , Louisiana , USA . Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System of universities . Originally called Francis T . Nicholls Junior College , the university is named for Francis T . Nicholls , a former governor of Louisiana , and member of the Louisiana Supreme Court . The campus , once part of historic Acadia Plantation , fronts on Bayou Lafourche , about southwest of New Orleans and southeast of Baton Rouge . Nicholls is located in Acadiana , also known as " Cajun Country , " an area rich in tradition and culture . It is also located in the heart of the Mississippi River Delta , allowing easy access to the river , its distributaries , Louisiana ' s wetlands , and the Gulf of Mexico . The school is sometimes referred to as " Our Harvard on the Bayou ; " the university bookstore even sells shirts sporting this light - hearted nickname . The Quality Enhancement Plan ( QEP ) at Nicholls — which focuses on critical thinking — has the motto " L ' esprit engagé , " which means " the engaged mind . " Academics . The University of Louisiana System has identified the following areas as Unique Areas of Excellence at Nicholls State University . These are areas of study that , because of either their unique classes or their leadership in Louisiana education , have been selected for this special honor . John Folse Culinary Institute , Biological Sciences – Marine and environmental sciences emphasis , Nursing , Allied Health Sciences , Teacher Education , Accounting and Information Systems , and Child , Family and Social Services . Other notable degree programs include : Bachelor degrees in Art , English , Mass Communication , and Music ; and Master degrees in Biology , Education , and Business Administration ( in addition to an Executive MBA program ) . Education at the undergraduate and graduate level at Nicholls is one of the most affordable in Louisiana itself as well as in the country . Nicholls is one of the first institutions in the United States to offer bachelor degrees in Culinary Arts . Students gain expertise in both Cajun and French cuisine . The John Folse Culinary Institute is the only American member of the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse . Students also have the opportunity to earn a bachelor ' s degree in Culinary Arts and then work towards earning the MBA . Nicholls ' faculty have been recognized nationally and internationally by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society , the National Science Foundation , the National Institutes of Health , the National Endowment for the Humanities , Phi Kappa Lambda , the Renaissance Society of America , and by many other organizations and associations . In the past three years , several faculty members have been awarded grants from the Louisiana Board of Regents . The university has the only certified geneticist in the South . It also has the highest rate of librarians with PhDs in both public and private universities and colleges in the state . Nicholls is also the home of the Louisiana Center for Women and Government as well as the Dyslexia Center of Louisiana . Recent " Princeton Review " statistics from 2010 list the student - to - faculty ratio as 20 : 1 at Nicholls . Admissions has become selective . The average GPA upon entry is 3 . 2 with an ACT score of 21 . As expected , the average GPA of Honors students is 3 . 6 with an ACT score of 26 . Almost 62 percent of the student body are women ; and nearly 3 percent are international students . As with nearly all academic institutions in Louisiana , Hurricane Katrina has had an impact on Nicholls ' completion rate and overall ranking . During the aftermath of Katrina , Nicholls suspended its admissions selectivity in order to accommodate students from hurricane affected institutions . The university also had many matriculating students who were affected by the hurricane and did not return . College ranking systems and review publications fail to recognize these factors . Division of Distance Learning . Nicholls State offers over 100 online courses through their Division of Distance Learning . Students can take these courses from anywhere in the world . Students must first register with the University in a similar fashion as regular on - campus students . Nicholls has been offering online classes since 2000 and have had distance education courses of other types prior to that . Former distance learning courses included Course by Cassette , Satellite courses , and Video Conferencing , which is still available upon request . Nicholls Online In January 2013 , Nicholls State began to offer complete degrees online through a new initiative known as Nicholls Online . Located in the Division of Distance Education , Nicholls Online provides complete degrees online in a variety of disciplines . Nicholls Online is different from regular online courses at Nicholls in that the courses are offered through 8 - week sessions and have a unique fee structure . Athletics . Nicholls sports teams participate in NCAA Division I ( Football Championship Subdivision or FCS for football ) in the Southland Conference . Nicholls ' colors are red and gray ( two - tone ) and the athletics teams are nicknamed the Colonels . The Nicholls State University Department of Athletics currently sponsors men ' s intercollegiate baseball , basketball , football , golf and tennis along with women ' s intercollegiate basketball , softball , soccer , tennis , track and field , volleyball and cheerleading . Nicholls official athletics mascot is Colonel Tillou . President Stephen Hulbert stated that " The Colonel is and will remain the mascot designation for Nicholls State University and its intercollegiate athletics program " on March 31 , 2004 while calling the current Colonel depiction antiquated and reminiscent of the Civil War in the South . The decision to retire the mascot was made to avoid portraying racist sentiments associated with the Civil War confederacy . Although met with criticism from the school and surrounding community who were in favor of preserving the colonel mascot , the retirement of the mascot was considered vital to the public relations outlook of the university and its policy of solidarity with The University of Louisiana System ' s policy on discrimination . Hulbert banned the old Colonel from the university and tasked student leaders to work on a suitable replacement . That process lasted six years . The new Col . Tillou was introduced to the campus community in August 2009 , sporting a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary - style military officer ' s cap . Nicholls ' primary athletic rivals are Southeastern Louisiana University , Northwestern State University , and Central Arkansas . Nicholls ' now defunct rivalry with Texas State , dubbed " The Battle For the Paddle " ended with Texas State ' s decision to join the FBS . College of Education . College of Education The College of Education is the “ educational provider ” for two academic departments : Teacher Education and Psychology and Counselor Education . Several undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in each department . Most of our programs are nationally recognized through the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education ( NCATE ) , National Association of School Psychologists ( NASP ) , and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences ( AAFCS ) . Undergraduate Degree programs : Birth to Five / Early Interventionist Education Elementary Education Art Education ( K - 12 ) Business Education ( 6 - 12 ) Child Development and Preschool Management ( two - year associate degree program ) English Education ( 6 - 12 ) General Science Education ( 6 - 12 ) Family and Consumer Sciences Education Health and Physical Education ( K - 12 ) Mathematics Education ( 6 - 12 ) Music Education ( K - 12 ) Psychology Social Studies Education ( 6 - 12 ) Teacher Certification Only : College of Education Graduate Studies Master of Arts in Teaching ( M . A . T . ) The Master of Arts in Teaching is a graduate program in teacher preparation for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts or sciences and a desire to enter the teaching profession . Master of Education ( M . Ed . ) Specialist in School Psychology ( Specialist ) : The Nicholls State University Specialist in School Psychology program prepares future school psychologists to serve as consultants to the entire school community . The graduate program , which is recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists , trains students to provide a variety of psychological services within educational settings . Students get hands - on experience during supervised field experiences in public schools and at the Psychology Training Clinic on campus . Psychological Counseling ( M . A . ) The Nicholls State University Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling program prepares students to become licensed professional counselors in Louisiana and other jurisdictions . The curriculum also focuses on administering and interpreting psychological tests as well as using research techniques to solve practical counseling problems . School of Art . Art Program Accreditation The art program is built upon a broad liberal arts foundation and preparation in studio disciplines required for careers in the visual arts and design . The Division of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design . Mission The Division of Art supports the university mission in offering individuals an opportunity to study the visual arts . It aims to provide quality studies in all visual media ( photography , graphic design , printmaking , painting , drawing , ceramics , sculpture , and art history ) , to provide an environment in which students from the region can understand their personal place in the history of art , to provide the skills needed for both employment or continued studies in their area , and to provide a degree in visual arts , with a concentration in studio art , applied arts , or art education . The university awards the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in art to students who , in addition to satisfying the minimum requirements for graduation from the College of Arts and Sciences , complete the art curriculum outline . Nicholls State University Alma Mater . All hail to thee , our Alma Mater , < BR > We raise thy glorious name on high . < BR > The echo of thy spirit rises , < BR > And fills devotion ’ s cloudless sky . < BR > To thee we pledge our loyalty < BR > Through all the years that are to be . < BR > Hail to Nicholls , Alma Mater , < BR > Our hearts are thine and thine shall be .