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Nicholls State University’s last surviving founding faculty member passed away last Friday, leaving behind a legacy at the university that will last into its future.
Dr. Bonnie Bourg joined the university faculty when Nicholls first opened in 1948 at the age of 21 and rode the parish school bus each morning with many of her students.
Bourg, who was 88, passed away last Friday, April 17. Bourg retired after over 40 years serving Nicholls in 1990. Bourg wrote the university alma mater, founded the Nicholls Worth student newspaper, started the yearbook, advised student government and established the first nationally chartered Greek organization on campus.
Bourg brought a great many Greek organizations to Nicholls, but the first was Phi Mu Fraternity, a women’s organization founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. and is the second oldest sorority in the nation.
Bourg served as the university’s first female administrator as dean of women, dean of the freshman division and vice president of student affairs.
“She broke the glass ceiling,” said Dr. Al Delahaye, professor emeritus of journalism at Nicholls State University. “She was involved in just about everything positive.”
Bourg served on the Thibodaux Planning and Zoning Committee during the 1960s, Delahaye said.
Bourg was also a talented actress, winning an Esther Award for her role as Mrs. Crochet in “The Great Big Doorstep,” shown at Le Petit Theater. She also served as the President of Le Petit Theater.
“Dr. Bonnie Bourg’s contributions to the Nicholls campus are immeasurable,” Dr. Bruce Murphy, Nicholls president, said. “During her multifaceted career, she left her mark on every aspect of student life and started traditions that will live on for generations. Her extreme dedication to students remains an inspiration to the Nicholls family today.”
Bourg, a devout Catholic, was an active member of the church and a leader in the laity, Delahaye said.
Bourg retired from Nicholls in 1990 as vice president emerita for student affairs. During her fall 1990 commencement speech, Bourg said, “I’d like to leave two things of mine with you. First, my passionate love for this university and second, my undying and unalterable belief that for Nicholls State University the best is yet to be.”
Upon her retirement, a campus committee established the Bonnie J. Bourg Lecture Series in her honor. The annual event brings to campus nationally distinguished women in various fields.
