Nicholls State University Honored Dr. Jimmy and Marilyn Gaubert Ponder with Naming of Auditorium

THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls State University will continue to honor former accounting professor Dr. Jimmy Nolan Ponder with the naming of the Jimmy and Marilyn Gaubert Ponder Auditorium, set to be located within the future Al Danos College of Business Administration facility. The new building is currently planned to be located near the Lanny Ledet Culinary Building on Bowie Road.

Dr. Ponder's son, Jimmy Ponder, Jr., M.D.; wife, Brandie Ponder; and children, Jack, Annie and Mary-Frances contributed to the University to honor Jimmy Ponder, PhD and his wife Marilyn with the naming of the auditorium. Dr. Ponder Jr. said, "My family and myself are happy to aid the new Al Danos College of Business Administration with this donation for this new auditorium from the Ponder family."

Jimmy Nolan Ponder, PhD, was the founding member and president of the South Central Chapter of the Society of Louisiana CPAs and served as chairman of the Louisiana Society of CPAs Committee of Education, Industry and Government for three years, remaining active in the organization throughout his career. Dr. Ponder was a licensed CPA and president of his own accounting firm.

Dr. Ponder became a professor at Nicholls in 1968, progressing through the ranks to become the head of the accounting department in 1973 until his retirement in 1996. He became a professor emeritus in 1997 and spent almost 30 years serving Nicholls. Dr. Ponder was known for designing and implementing the first microcomputer lab in the Al Danos College of Business Administration in honor of his late wife Marilyn Gaubert Ponder.

Dr. Jimmy Ponder, Jr. added, "Marilyn was a Registered Nurse and was a true angel of mercy; she passed at the early age of 35; her 4 children, Jeanne, Mimi, Mark, and I were raised by my father. He and my mother's legacy will now remain on Nicholls campus through the support of my family's contributions."

Faculty, students and clients respected Dr. Ponder's honesty and compassion. He was known for having a larger-than-life personality, being a people-person and remaining a favorite with anyone he met.

The Nicholls Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 corporation, exists to support the mission of Nicholls State University by seeking gifts and grants and by managing those funds and other assets to support Nicholls through endowed chairs, professorships, scholarships and other enhancement efforts. To learn more about donating to Nicholls, visit nichollsfoundation.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 18, 2024

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