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Nicholls State University and the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation recently announced a gift benefitting student resources and the university theater.
The $220,625 donation will be split four ways, with $200,000 benefitting the programs connected to the Mary and Al Danos Theater. That money is a part of a $1 million pledge by the nonprofit in 2016 to honor the last wishes of the theater’s namesake. In life, Mary and Al Danos were longtime supporters of the Nicholls Players, the choir and the concerts – especially the Monster Piano concert. Their four children – Rene, Andre, Alyce and Marcel – operate the foundation.
“The Danos family are some of the kindest and most generous people I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune. “I like to say that Nicholls is all about people, places and programs, and this donation benefits all three.”
Among the remaining money, Mom’s Pantry and the Nicholls Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center will reach receive $10,000. The remaining $625 will go to the Nicholls Department of Art to help with the cost of hosting the Exhibit Catalog of Dorothy Fratt.
Mom’s Pantry at Nicholls State University opened to the campus community in May 2019. Located behind the former office of continuing education, the service offers non-perishable foods 24/7, 365 in an effort to combat food insecurity at Nicholls.
“We serve on a lot of committees in the community and we know the hunger crisis in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes are real,” said Rene Danos David. “When we saw that Mom’s Pantry was coming to Nicholls, that just resonated with us. We knew we had to give back and help with any hunger issues here on campus.”
The Nichols Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center provides help to students through peer tutoring, writing coaching, modeling learning strategies and other forms of academic assistance for all students.
“It costs money for tutoring and as parents of kids in college, we’re already helping to pay for tuition and books. But when you have to give a little bit more, some kids and their families might not be able to do that,” David said. “If this helps a student pass a class so they can stay in school, then we’re excited to do that.”
For more information, visit nicholls.edu/academic-services-center/tutorial-and-academic-enhancement-center/
