NICHOLLS PROGRAM EARNS AWARD

The geomatics program at Nicholls State University received $15,000 as part of an award it has received for the second year in a row.

NSU was one of seven schools receiving the Surveying Education Award from the National Counceil of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying this year. Nicholls is one of five schools to have been honored by the NCEES in both years since it began the award began in 2016.

The winning schools are recognized for their programs’ student outcomes and involvement, outreach and recruitment as well as advancing licensure for surveyors to preserve public health, safety and welfare.

Nicholls’ program has been involved in local coastal restoration research efforts. Last year, Nicholls graduate student Frank Yrle used unmanned aerial vehicles, known as drones, to analyze barrier islands between the southern ends of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes and the Gulf of Mexico. The drone’s high-resolution imaging capabilities enabled researchers like Yrle to track vegetation on the islands and quickly bring back data on the islands’ overall health.

Nicholls Geomatics Department Head Dr. Balaji Ramachandran said the honor from the NCEES is a further testament to the efforts the entire program has put forth in building geomatics up in Thibodaux.