Mining company donation goes to dorm renovation at Nicholls
THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — Mining company BHP has donated $200,000 to a Louisiana university for upgrades to housing facilities.
The Houma Courier reports that the donation was made for renovations on two residence halls — North and South Babington — at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. It will also go toward establishing what the university calls a “living learning community” for a campus mentoring program known as the Colonels Retention Winners Network, or CROWN.
That program began in 2018 to mentor freshman, Black, male, non-athlete students. Living Learning Communities house students with shared academic, cultural or organizational interests. Students are able to live with peers and attend events to enhance their knowledge of their subject matter.
“Throughout this year, we have all come to recognize the importance of community and connection, and we are proud to support spaces that enable a sense of community for the students at Nicholls State University," said Myron Protz, general manager for the BHP Petroleum Gulf of Mexico Production Unit.