Dr. Mary Neiheisel

2017 Lafayette Civic Cup Honoree

Nearly 85 years after the Lafayette Civic Cup was first awarded, the honor found its way to someone who reflected its spirit from day one: Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel, a pioneering nursing professor whose service to Acadiana spans over five decades.

Dr. Neiheisel began her remarkable journey in Lafayette in 1966, shortly after earning her master’s degree in nursing education from the University of Colorado and beginning her teaching role at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette)

With humility and dedication, she helped build the university’s nurse practitioner program—serving as its first coordinator and director—and piloted core NP courses, shaping the foundation of graduate nursing education in the region.

Her academic credentials are equally distinguished: she earned a doctorate in education from LSU, became the first faculty member in her college to receive UL Lafayette’s Distinguished Professor Award (1976), and was the first Louisianan to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (2006).

Yet Dr. Neiheisel’s impact extends well beyond academia. A certified family nurse practitioner, she serves faithfully as a nurse advocate at Faith House, Lafayette’s domestic violence shelter, where she was named 2015 Employee of the Year . Her clinical practice and caring presence have made a tangible difference for survivors of abuse.

Her influence also touches the arts, literacy, and civic life: she’s been a member and supporter of almost every key community organization—from United Way of Acadiana, Lafayette Rotary, Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Acadiana Center for the Arts, Chorale Acadienne, Zonta International, to the Lafayette Public Library Foundation, among many others. Her volunteer spirit and leadership have enriched the region’s cultural and humanitarian fabric for decades.

When she learned she’d been named the 2017 Civic Cup recipient—the 85th honoree overall—Dr. Neiheisel was visibly moved. “This honor takes my breath away… Never in a million years did I see myself receiving this award,” she said, reflecting on her admiration for past recipients. “It is truly humbling to be on a list with these extraordinary people.”

Dr. Mary Neiheisel exemplifies the highest ideals of the Civic Cup—combining professional excellence with heartfelt service. Through her teaching, clinical care, and community stewardship, she has transformed lives across Acadiana and modeled a life of compassion, resilience, and generosity.