Lizbeth Ann Turner’s Estate Gift to Create Endowed Scholarship Benefitting Nicholls Music Students

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls music alumna Lizbeth Ann “Beth” Turner made a significant gift from her estate that will create an endowed scholarship in her name benefiting music major students, preferably with a piano concentration. Recipients must be full-time Nicholls students with at least a 3.0 GPA, with any level of classification, freshmen to senior, eligible to receive the scholarship. If received as freshmen, students are eligible to keep the scholarship for four years. Beth’s sisters Jeannie Turner Sawyer and Laurie Turner Conkerton honored Beth’s memory at a check passing event on Nov. 27.

Laurie Turner Conkerton said, “Nicholls was such an important part of Beth’s life. The supportive faculty and strong curriculum shaped not only her musical talents but also instilled a lifelong commitment to excellence. She was proud of her Nicholls degree and was excited to return to campus as a Monster Piano Concert participant. Her estate gift was intended to support the area of greatest need within the music program. Having been a scholarship recipient, Beth was passionate about creating opportunities for deserving students to achieve their dreams. Our family is grateful that she will continue to positively impact the lives of students for years to come.”

Beth, a Houma native, graduated from Vandebilt Catholic High, received her B.A. in music with a concentration in applied piano from Nicholls State University and studied music therapy at Loyola University, becoming a registered music therapist. Not long after, thanks to a full scholarship, Beth went to Tulane Law School where she graduated second in her class, serving on the Law Review and receiving the Order of the Coif and many other awards.

While in New Orleans, Beth met her beloved late husband Clarence Dowling “Pete” Wolbrette when she began playing piano with the New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra in which he played trumpet. For nearly 45 years, she played in Leviathan’s performances including Jazz Fest shows, acclaimed recordings and appearances nationally and internationally. Pete was her best friend and music partner, playing hundreds of weddings and celebrations with her. Beth also volunteered her musical talents to St. Stephen’s Basilica, playing services from 1988 until just a few months before her passing in 2023.

Before retiring in 2019, Beth worked as the executive director of legal affairs and senior philanthropic advisor in Tulane’s development office. She enjoyed working with donors who established scholarships and volunteered her legal talents serving on sub-committees of the Louisiana Law Institute working to adopt legislation on endowed funds and charitable trusts.

The number of scholarships will be limited to four per year for a total of $600 per academic year, with $300 dispersed in the fall and spring. Students are allowed to keep the scholarship for four years or until graduation. This award may be increased as the endowment grows. To learn more about donating to Nicholls, visit nichollsfoundation.org. To apply for scholarships at Nicholls State, visit nicholls.edu/financial-aid/scholarships.

The Nicholls Department of Music provides students an educational environment to foster the development of critical thinkers and comprehensive musicians. The faculty focuses on music performance, scholarship and teaching to prepare students for a range of careers in music. Along with musical knowledge, students develop skills in communication, collaboration and creativity, as well as an increased sense of cultural diversity and appreciation of the performing arts. To learn more, visit nicholls.edu/music/.