Executive classroom honors area car dealer

Nicholls State University’s Executive Master of Business Administration program has moved into its new digs in the Theodore “Teddy” Duhe’ Building in Houma.

Named for school foundation board member and alumnus Dickie Barker, the Barker Family Executive Classroom can accommodate 20 students in a boardroom environment, according to campus officials.

The room is designed for case discussions, seminars and lectures between students and instructors via state-of-the-art, user-friendly technology.

It is equipped with a viewing monitor that allows interactive writing and recording on the screen, ceiling-mounted surround speakers and a high-resolution projector.

“Nicholls is so very fortunate to have the Dickie Barker family among its most loyal and generous supporters,” said Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert, president of Nicholls. “Those who are familiar with the history of locating the Duhé Building in Houma know that Dickie played a key role in making that happen. For Dickie and his family to make possible the conversion of an ordinary classroom into an extraordinary high-tech boardroom for students in our EMBA program is both special and significant.”

The university’s EMBA program is a hybrid system that combines online and face-to-face teaching methods. It is designed to meet the hectic scheduling needs of professionals who have chosen to advance their education.

Students complete about half the coursework online, at their own schedule.

The balance of the coursework is completed in a classroom environment approximately every other Saturday.

“It was a pleasure to work with Dickie Barker and his family to secure the funds for this project,” said Dr. David Boudreaux, vice president of institutional advancement. “Dickie’s understanding of the importance of Nicholls to this region and his leadership as an officer of the foundation have helped to make good things happen over the years. He and his family are focused on serving the people of the Bayou Region.”

The foundation contributed the balance of the funds to the classroom’s construction, Boudreaux said. The total cost was approximately $60,000.

“My family and I are pleased that Nicholls selected Houma and the Duhé Building for the Barker Family Executive Classroom,” Barker said. “Throughout my adult life I have recognized what Nicholls means to this community and to this region. The growth and development of Houma and Thibodaux have paralleled the growth and maturity of Nicholls. An executive MBA program that is accessible right here at our doorsteps will help to make us more competitive in a global economy. My family and I appreciate what Nicholls, Dr. Hulbert, his administrative team and the College of Business Administration have accomplished to make this a reality.”

According to Dr. Shawn Mauldin, dean of the College of Business Administration, the Barker family is to be commended for “allowing the College of Business Administration to achieve its vision of being recognized as a leader in business education.”