Vol. 49, No. 1 | Summer 2021

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VOL. 49, NO. 1 | SUMMER 2021

CARDINAL CADENCE RESEARCH INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS the magazine of lamar university CAPABILITY + PARTNERSHIPS = VOL 49, NO. 1 | SUMMER 2021 Cardinal Cadence is published by Lamar University, a member of The Texas State University System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity educational institution. Research, a necessary component of a vital educational Kate Downing, Executive Editor, Special Assistant to the President and Director of institution and an innovative society, thrives Marketing Communications Farewell Welcome at Lamar University. Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Creative Director his summer issue of Cadence am incredibly excited to join Lamar Amanda Toups ’15, Graphic Design Coordinator Magazine focuses on one of my University as its 16th president. My This issue tells a few of the many stories of faculty CONTRIBUTORS favorite topics, research. I encourage wife, Stacy, and I are looking forward collaboration—and faculty-student collaboration—as Writing Tyou to read some of the articles featuring Ito meeting everyone in the LU community Mandy Arceneaux ‘10, Brooke Barnett, Amy Elizabeth, outstanding scholarly work and innovation as we settle into Southeast Texas and they develop solutions to industry challenges and Daniel Houston, Thomas Kalb, Elizabeth Newman, coming out of Lamar University right into our new roles. Let me also say how Natalie Rhodes ‘14, J.T. Robertson, Kristina Scott, Haley explore new horizons. Strahan ‘05, Shelly Vitanza now. Research such as corrosion-reducing grateful I am to President Evans for his materials helping industries reduce costs help in making the transition as smooth as Photography Mattie Bergeron, Evie Clifton, Hannah Hudgins ‘20, and improve durability, paleontology in possible, and to Chancellor McCall for his Daniel McLemore ‘09 Utah’s badlands and affordable hearing aids support, and warm introduction to the folks Circulation includes more than 90,000 copies distributed that cost less than a dollar. in the Texas State University System. I want to alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Lamar University. Other articles highlight some of our faculty and students who to give a special thank you to the faculty and staff who have already LU PUBLISHED If you have received more than one copy of this have participated in undergraduate research at LU. This is one of gone out of their way to make this campus feel like our home. publication, please let us know. the unique offerings by the university providing mentoring and And what a campus it is! The beautiful trees, buildings, and ARTICLES Changes of address may be sent to: hands-on experience to students. Students like Elisabeth Maxwell, artwork are incredible. This issue of Cadence certainly highlights 226 University Advancement who did research as a biology student at LU, went on to pursue her that beauty and is a marvelous introduction for me to the talent, IN 2020 P.O. Box 10011 Beaumont, Texas 77710 true passion of combining marine biology with marine policy at the passion, and commitment of our students and faculty. or [email protected] University of Maine. I’m excited to read about Elizabeth Long, assistant professor Additional alumni featured in this issue used the knowledge in the Joanne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, who coordinated DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT GRANTS RECEIVED Juan J. Zabala ’07, Vice President they learned while at Lamar University to become entrepreneurs in a program with long-term care residents and nursing students to related fields. Alumna like Vanlam Nguyen who majored in biology, write letters to the older adults who were suffering from loneliness Shannon Copeland Figueroa ’02, ’03, ’07, Director 19 36 of Alumni Affairs and Advancement Services earned her MBA then opened a modern apothecary called Down and social isolation throughout the past year. I also appreciate FY19 FY20 RESEARCH FUNDING to Earth in Nederland and Beaumont, or Lyndsey Brantley with a reading how the community has developed a number of creative P.O. Box 10011 35-40 INCREASED Beaumont, Texas 77710 degree in civil engineering who created her own retail boutique and approaches to doing the work of the disciplines safely. English FY21 (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 spa in downtown Houston called Camellia Alise. faculty read their published poems at a virtual poetry festival, while PROJECTED >100% BETWEEN LAMAR UNIVERSITY ALUMNI OFFICE As we look forward, there is an exciting change on the horizon Rebekah Covington, an American Sign Language graduate, directed When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the for Lamar University - new president Dr. Jaime Taylor. He and and produced an ASL film,Do You Believe? And since everyone FY19 & Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Rudy C. his wife, Stacy, come to Beaumont from Marshall University in couldn’t crowd into the theatre during the past year, LU theatre and FY21 Williams Building, Suite 102, 855 Jim Gilligan Way. West Virginia and I know you will all welcome them the way you dance students brought the stage to you as they performed their EXTERNAL P.O. Box 10005 welcomed me and Nancy into your community eight years ago. I choreography across campus in Dancers Among Us. RESEARCH $1,277,370 Beaumont, Texas 77710 wish you all the best in the years to come. The research and creative activity-related articles in this issue FY19 (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 DOLLARS [email protected] of Cadence showcase what Lamar University is all about—its PROPOSALS SUBMITTED Sincerely, RECEIVED lamar.edu/alumni people and what we can do for those in our community and local $2,145,691 FY20 industries. The stability of LU as a key educational and economic 62 90 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FY19 FY20 Juan J. Zabala ’07, CEO anchor with its forward-thinking strategic plan and exciting $2.5-3M Karen Nichols ’83, COO endeavors is truly one of a kind. I cannot wait to be a part of the FY21 >100 future of this great university. PROJECTED FY21 P.O. Box 11500 Kenneth R. Evans, President Emeritus PROJECTED Beaumont, Texas 77710 I look forward to seeing you during the fall semester. (409) 880-2117 [email protected] Sincerely, lamar.edu/foundation PUBLICATIONS Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published ARE ON THE RISE by Lamar University, 211 Redbird Lane, Beaumont, Texas 77710.

Lamar University is an equal opportunity/affirmative 91 178 226 action educational institution. Jaime R. Taylor, President 2011 2015 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS • 4 Surface scientists create corrosion-reducing coating • 5 Days vs. months; saving millions • 6 LU partners with Iron Horse Terminals • 7 Strengthening offshore safety THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS • Brian McCall, Chancellor | Austin Share your LU experience by tagging 8 LU dancers take campus by storm • 10 Down to Earth remedies • 12 LU team to help NASA get closer to building a habitat on the Moon • 13 Business Snapshot • 14 Published faculty read works Charlie Amato, Chairman | San Antonio • Duke Austin, First Vice Chairman | Houston • Garry Crain , Second Vice Chairman | The Hills #WeAreLU or @LamarUniversity in at virtual poetry festival • 15 Arts & Sciences Snapshot • 16 Making big dreams possible • 18 Engineering Snapshot • 19 Westgate, students explore badlands • 20 To hear, again • 21 Fine Arts & | El Paso | Baird • | Beaumont • | San Antonio your photos, tweets and posts. Communication Snapshot • 22 Lian named Faculty Mentor of the Year • 24 Screen Skills: Deaf alum directs and produces first ASL film 26• Students connect with long-term care residents Don Flores • Nicki Harle David Montagne Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards 27 Education & Human Development Snapshot • 28 LU News • 30 Elisabeth Maxwell ‘13: Diving deep for the greater good • 32 Class Notes • 42 Curiosity fuels discovery William F. Scott | Nederland • Alan L. Tinsley | Madisonville • Camile Settegast, Student Regent | Horseshoe Bay | RESEARCH |

DAYS VS. MONTHS; SAVING MILLIONS

ENERG-ID SOLUTIONS TEAMS UP WITH LU’S CENTER FOR MIDSTREAM MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE SURFACE SCIENTISTS CREATE by Thomas Kalb nerG-ID Solutions Corp. of Denver, Colo., teamed up with The big data developed during the sampling and testing is the Lamar University Center for Midstream Management and automatically loaded by wi-fi into a database maintained by CORROSION-REDUCING COATING EScience to pursue EIDS’s Data Advancement Program. EIDS EIDS for the proprietary use of the operator. By visiting the by Shelly Vitanza uses this disruptive technology of rapid DNA analysis in real company’s data analytics portal anyone with operator’s approval time to identify microbes which harm hydrocarbon production, can use the collated and archived big data to solve individual transportation, storage, refining and consumption. problems or review the health and safety of the operator’s According to the National Association of The team has designed and fabricated a variety of nano/ “When we learned of EIDS’s new, man portable, rapid entire system. microstructured surfaces. For example, the team created DNA technology and its potential to help dramatically reduce “To ensure that the broadest range of microbes are detected, Corrosion Engineers International, the superhydrophobic nanograss-like structures with enhanced microbe driven corrosion in hydrocarbon systems, we wanted to we partnered with a select group of companies and universities cost of corrosion to industries surpasses corrosion resistance for various engineering applications such know more,” said Thomas Kalb, director of the center. for the development of a large library of damaging microbes. as condensers, heat pipes or copper cooling channels. To build a large catalogue of corrosion causing microbes in We are truly pleased to work with LU’s Midstream Center in this $1.3 billion each year. Reducing those The results of the team’s research analyzing the corrosion hydrocarbon systems, EIDS completed the Data Advancement effort,” said John Mork, EIDS chief executive officer. costs is the aim of materials scientist resistance of the simple and inexpensive top coating Program and is now performing in field microbial DNA testing The partnership fits with the center’s mission to promote and mechanical engineering assistant manufactured in their lab successfully shows that its water- in the energy space. The industry-changing equipment, the dialogue and collaboration between industry repellent properties would be an effective means of reducing size of a desktop printer, can analyze and Lamar University. professor Chun-Wei Yao. multiple samples at once and marks “This collaboration advances corrosion, which is critically important to industry, in The midstream center appreciates He has discovered a way to fabricate a superhydrophobic particular the midstream industry. That application inspired a disruptive shift in technology which “ technology development, so we coating to enhance its effectiveness in reducing water LU’s Center for Midstream Management and Science to name collects approximately 30 times more this opportunity to be involved in jumped at the opportunity to introduce corrosion. Yao is director of LU’s Advanced Materials and Yao as its first honoree as a “Profile in Midstream.” data per sample than current testing. the launching and evaluation of a this new technology to ‘Friends of Surface Engineering Laboratory. The significant problem of pipeline infrastructure corrosion The capability of identifying corrosion new and disruptive technological Lamar’ in exchange for an opportunity Under his leadership, researchers, including Ian Lian, is that it generates enormous costs to the oil and gas causing microbes in field samples, advancement in the energy field. to obtain the actual testing data—data associate professor of biology, and mechanical engineering industry. Recently, novel superhydrophobic top coatings have on site or soon thereafter, rather than —Thomas Kalb ” that has never before been generally doctoral student Divine Sebastian, have created a new coating been favored because of their inherently water-repellent waiting for months of testing saves available to industry or academia,” in the superhydrophobic class—then surface layers made of nature; however, durability and corrosion resistance of time and money. What is often time consuming, incomplete said Kalb. “The Midstream Center appreciates this opportunity composite materials that provide roughness and low superhydrophobic top coatings are still questions in implementation. or inaccurate can now be more effective, saving companies to be involved in the launching and evaluation of a new and surface energy. “We are pleased with the outcome of the research and considerable time, millions of dollars in corrosion repairs disruptive technological advancement in the energy field. The research team observed that the coating has high will continue work to enhance the mechanical durability of and chemical treatments, and making their systems safer and Faculty at LU’s College of Engineering look forward to receiving polarization resistance and a low corrosion rate. Through the developed superhydrophobic coating,” said Yao. “We are more productive. The integrated sample retrieval and testing shared DNA testing data from energy systems that has never an analysis of nanoscale interactions between the substrates evaluating the mechanical performance of developed coatings is simplified by a cell phone app for sample information and before been available to study.” and the corrosive environment using the in situ atomic force and localized corrosion rates to discern their implementation a simple swab dipped into a sample and inserted into the A first pass at this data gives LU researchers new microscopy technique, they developed a method of creating in the industry. We anticipate improving the coatings’ instrument. No need to write down sample information or opportunities to collaborate with industry and make potentially protection coatings with more extended performance. mechanical durability in the very near future.” carry samples to the lab. Actionable data is available in 2 hours. industry-shifting discoveries through its analysis.

4 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 5 LU PARTNERS WITH IRON HORSE TERMINALS STRENGTHENING OFFSHORE SAFETY

by Shelly Vitanza by Shelly Vitanza

region’s rapid expansion, this project strategic initiatives to increase and granted $1,440,330 from Energy Systems continuously improve its health, safety Iron Horse Terminals is a rail On April 20, 2010, a blowout on the will develop a web-based system,” said enhance industry-university partnerships Grants to LU and ABS. The partnership and environment performance in a transportation company located ultra-deepwater, semi-submersible Maryam Hamidi, assistant professor of and projects. will develop an integrated, offshore sustainable fashion,” said Craig. “It approximately seven miles west of offshore drilling rig, Deepwater industrial engineering and lead on the “We are thrilled to have signed this energy industry, safety culture evaluation, is critical for the industry to prevent Beaumont with connectivity to two Horizon, resulted in 11 fatalities, 17 project. “We’ll develop user-interface partnership with Iron Horse Terminals,” benchmarking and improvement toolbox. tragedies, and, if we fall short, we have major rail lines along major trucking nonfatal injuries, millions of barrels of software using programming skills, said Brian Craig, dean of the College of The grant program supports projects the responsibility to learn the critical corridors. The company’s 21 miles of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico and database design and optimization Engineering. “This project represents the that produce datasets, strategies and lessons from our shortcomings and track and more than 1,200-car storage costs of more than $60 billion. The capacity has access to one of the techniques to increase efficiency. amazing capabilities of our faculty to incident, the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, tools for measurement promoting a develop corrective actions to prevent largest high-density and low-density “Railyards are hubs of railroad enhance LU’s impact on the Southeast caused the largest marine spill in history culture of safety in the offshore oil occurrence and reoccurrence to protect polyethylene facilities on the Gulf Coast, transportation systems, which means Texas region and our nation’s economy, and recentered the offshore oil and gas and gas industry. our workers, environment and our making it capable of enhancing the they have complex operations,” said while supporting the goals of the College industry’s focus to safety. Brian Craig, dean of engineering and nation’s economy. growing logistical needs of the region. Hamidi. “The proposed software has the of Engineering and the Center for Since the time of the incident, the director of the mariner safety research “Companies in high-hazard industries With proximity to the polyethylene capability of serving multiple types of Midstream Management and Science.” National Academies of Sciences has initiative, and Kevin McSweeney, ABS have learned that organizational factors facilities and the equipment to be users with different levels of access and awarded $7.25 million to eight projects manager of advanced technology and have been important contributors to successful, Iron Horse Terminals began applications. It will store and aggregate aimed at advancing safety offshore. research, in collaboration with the ABS major accidents,” said Craig. “Some of looking for ways to streamline processes all data including inbound and outbound Through its partnership with the Group and the University of Houston, led those organizational characteristics radio-frequency identification readers the project. have to do with not having a proper and sought LU’s help to do so. This project represents the American Bureau of Shipping, Lamar Lamar University partnered with and optimally assign railcars to track University initiated a project to promote “The main purpose of the project is to safety culture, failing to exhibit strong “ amazing capabilities of our the company to develop software to spots. This software will further visualize a culture of safety in the oil and gas provide practical, field-tested tools and leadership to support the culture and optimize operation of the organization’s and generate the outbound car map/list faculty to enhance LU’s impact industry and was one of the eight a benchmarking database customized not creating the consistent operational strategically located railyard. for dispatchers and yard workers.” on the Southeast Texas region projects awarded funding. for assessing and improving safety discipline at various organizational “To support the current and future The collaboration represents one of and our nation’s economy. The National Academies of Sciences culture in the offshore environment levels. Our project seeks to remedy needs of Iron Horse Terminals and the the College of Engineering’s critical —Brian Craig ” Gulf Research Program’s Safer Offshore to help the global offshore industry these issues.”

6 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 7 | RESEARCH | There wasn’t a grand year students and seven set in the Garden Square, first year students each encouraged the audience theatre. No bright tasked with completing a to question their own spotlight, no stage. different assignment. The perception and how to move Instead, performers second years completely forward after negotiating a displayed the immersed themselves into global pandemic, multiple the site-specific process hurricanes and an ice choreography of while working with a small storm over the past year. Dancers Among to large ensemble, while the Faith Boose, a second-year Us throughout the first-year students worked upperclassman, offered a introspectively to create solos reflection on the children’s campus of Lamar to be presented in the round.” book “The Giving Tree,” University, and using ballet-inspired the dancers from dance vocabulary to the Department illustrate an evolution of the relationship between of Theatre and nature and humans. Dance proved Investigating topics once again they of loneliness, seeking freedom from darkness, reign supreme in authenticity and creativity during accountability through a pandemic. self-evaluation as well as Dancers Among Us, finding joy in everyday the first performance of life even if it is elusive, its kind to be presented the first-year solos at LU, was a site-specific covered a wide range choreographic final of thought-provoking project as part of the concepts that led them applied choreography on individual journeys as As a class, we wanted to class. The laboratory-style “ young creators. Whether class allows students to keep our dancers safe, but it be taking a stand for actively engage in the also reflect our creativity. self, as Katie Medicis does creative process and Having the LU campus as our in Consulting Contact, present their works to backdrop was a nice element. describing “the heaviest the public. Working —Amy Elizabeth ” and most uncomfortable during a pandemic, the feeling... [whose] texture need to make the work more Graduating seniors, is disgustingly painful,” accessible and the challenge Alexis Bertrand, Marissa and Aaron McClendon of finding new ways to Krustchinsky and Tyler in Psychogeography as connect to one another Rooney took to the studio he “became extremely safely reigned. So Dancers with topics of reflection. vulnerable with himself and Among Us took the audience As their choreography was others to create the work,” on a walking journey across displayed, the audience was or taking a stand for others campus as they witnessed inspired and entertained as Neiyah Hethington does a variety of dance genres in through a lively hip hop in The Struggle of Our Lives, multiple locations. dance that pushed one to see addressing “the fight that any “As a class, we wanted to that the finish line to goals minority may be feeling as LU DANCERS keep our dancers safe, but is never too far away. After our country is in an uproar also reflect our creativity. the Fall, by Krustchinsky, about inclusion and equality Having the LU campus as showed her investigating her for all,” the young artists our backdrop was a nice strength and will to keep have genuinely pushed to element,” said Amy Elizabeth, going and growing with and produce a deeply investigated dance instructor for the for herself throughout her performance event with by J.T. Robertson and Amy Elizabeth department. “Spring 2021 academic career and into something for everyone. take campus by storm found us with five second her next journey. Rooney’s,

8 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 9 Down to Earth sells herbal teas and natural bath and body and challenge myself through one of my hardest semesters due | RESEARCH | products. The business believes in the use of herbs, essential to the death of a family member. To this day, I can hear her oils and products only made from organically grown ingredients voice and still remember her lectures.” with no pesticides, artificial colorants or preservatives, or Down to Earth’s Beaumont location came in 2015, after sulfates. Their best-selling product is their Palm-Free soaps, Nguyen realized most Beaumont residents didn’t need to as the use of palm oil that is applied in so many products travel out of Beaumont to enjoy events, great restaurants or contributes to deforestation of rainforests. boutiques. Having lived in Beaumont since 1994, the possibility “My personal favorite product would have to be our of capturing a whole new set of customers in a city she lavender and rosemary shampoo and conditioner, which are in already knew so well sealed the idea for Nguyen. Although Downremedies to Earth dispensers for refills,” said Nguyen. “We promote recycling the Beaumont location required more leg work to start up, and sustainability.” from inspections to multiple visits downtown before the shop by Daniel Houston Using herbal teas as an example, Nguyen describes the could be opened, July 2015 saw the arrival of Beaumont’s first process of research when it comes to conceptualizing her modern-day apothecary. products as ‘ongoing.’ For instance, she’s enrolled in herbology “My favorite part of owning a business is the relationships courses and read a plethora of books and even old textbooks I get to make every day,” said Nguyen. “Relationships with in researching the benefits of different herbs to how hot water my customers, my team—we’re like a family—and other local Candles, soaps, teas, bath crystals, oils should be made for different tea leaves. As a result of the business owners. Being able to give back to the community pandemic, more and more research is being made available along with other business owners is so rewarding.” and more. For those looking to soothe regarding different herbal remedies that aid in relieving the According to Nguyen, the most difficult part of owning a local and cater to both their physical and symptoms of COVID-19. business is trying to capture customers that aren’t specifically in “Down to Earth products—about 85% her niche. When Down to Earth first emerged metaphysical selves, Vanlam Nguyen of the products carried in the shop— onto the scene, they didn’t have a marketing ‘01 and her modern apothecary, Down are hand-made right at our Nederland fund, so Facebook and word of mouth were the to Earth, may be right up your alley. location,” said Nguyen. “A lot of love only marketing tools used to advertise at and time is taken to make each and the time. Down to Earth is the result of an every bar of soap, bath bomb and “We cater to those that are into healthy and idea between Nguyen and a former herbal mixture for tea. We also carry natural products and alternative medicine,” said a vast array of one-of-a-kind pieces of Nguyen. “It took time to be able to business partner almost 10 years art, jewelry and metaphysical products bring others to trust and understand ago, during her time as a full-time created by local artists and artisans. the services we offer.” employee at Target. Being a business Funded purely off the strength of Like many other business owners the combined income across Texas, the most notable owner was not always in the plan for of Nguyen and her “ What I took with me from LU, I use obstacle she’s faced thus far was her. After graduating from LU with a business partner, every day at my shop, the knowledge in 2020 during the COVID-19 without loans or from advanced physiology, botany, pandemic. The survival of Down To B.S. in biology, she originally set her outside assistance, organic chemistry, and of course my Earth during this time stemmed from sights on medical school but instead their Nederland business courses. their understanding of alternative location was found —Vanlam Nguyen ’01” methods of generating profit, such went back for her MBA and was hired and rented in July of 2011. Research and trials of products were as online sales, curbside pick-up and similar services that were on as an assistant manager for Target conducted—such as taste-testing herbal teas to make sure the not offered before, or were not readily utilized before shortly afterwards, spending five years taste was acceptable along with its herbal benefits—before the he pandemic. doors officially opened in September later that year, following As it stands today, Nguyen and Down to Earth have come in retail management before founding an entire month of working to stock and furnish the shop. a long way from tea tasting trials and bath bombs that look Down to Earth. “The knowledge I received with my B.S. in biology helped like cow patties. Through the trials and woes that present me understand the physical human body and how different themselves to entrepreneurs at one point or another during “I was raised in a family that believed chemicals affect the body,” said Nguyen. “What I took with their journey, Nguyen persevered as a result of her research, in natural remedies to help with me from LU, I use every day at my shop, the knowledge from experience and conviction. When she’s not busy operating her ailments, growing up with parents that advanced physiology, botany, organic chemistry and of course two locations, she’s spending time with her three daughters, my business courses.” Alice (3), Adelaide (4) and Zoe (13), and her husband, Jordon would prefer alternative medicine over Nguyen also believes her time at LU prepared her for life Stanley ’11. She enjoys reading, doing crafts, knitting and is a O.T.C. (over-the-counter) medications,” outside of college. Her relationships with her professors gave big foodie. her experience working with management at Target. She “My advice for future entrepreneurs is to always keep said Nguyen. “It was then I realized attributes her ability to change, be flexible, have an open mind learning,” said Nguyen. “Take what you learned from school and that our area was in need of a place to recognize hidden opportunities and challenge herself to her then continue to build relationships with local entrepreneurs experiences during her years at LU. and learn from each other. The commitment you have already that would offer herbs and products “Some might say that the working world is different than successfully accomplished by graduating from Lamar University made from organically grown and going to college, but that is not the case for me,” said Nguyen. should be a grand indicator that you will succeed if natural ingredients.” “Professor Ana Christensen gave me the courage to continue you commit.”

Marketing student accepts habitat on Chick-fil-A internship In Fall 2020, Ashley Ramneth, a senior marketing major, accepted the Moon an offer as a marketing intern for Chick-fil-A. This opportunity came by Shelly Vitanza about after Ramneth completed an assignment for her marketing promotions class. One requirement of the class amar University is one of seven and the versatility of classic construction COVID-19 pandemic, he ran across was a group project. “Although university teams chosen to partner machinery but without the hydraulics. NASA’s grant. The deadline was May 1, we each had a role in creating the L with NASA in developing innovative “During the standard boring first week which didn’t give him a lot of time to marketing promotion, I took the design ideas that will help NASA of review in one of my classes, it hit me prepare the proposal. He reached out lead during the COVID portion. advance and execute its Artemis that hydraulic systems work, effectively, to Kendrick Aung, interim department I created a strategy that can be program objectives. the same as pulleys,” said Peterson. chair and professor in the Department of used to retain Chick-fil-A’s market position and perception as a The selections are a part of the 2021 “They both utilize a smaller force over Mechanical Engineering, and Jiang Zhou, restaurant leader that cares for Moon to Mars eXploration Systems a longer distance to enact a large force a professor in mechanical engineering its guests, given the restraints of Daniels joins stellar grads in Hall of Fame Janet Daniels ‘82 and Habitation Academic Innovation over a short distance. On the surface, and associate dean of the College COVID-19,” Ramneth said. has been named to the College of Business Hall of Fame. Daniels, who graduated from Challenge, sponsored by NASA’s that seems like a ‘duh’ moment, but I of Engineering. The two professors “When accepting my offer LU in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, is the fifteenth business person honored with the distinction and the second female. Advanced Exploration Systems division think most people think of hydraulics were intrigued by Peterson’s proposal of the internship, I was very The College of Business Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have excelled in their professional lives, and in partnership with the National as a pressure-based system rather than a and enticed by his enthusiasm. They ecstatic and thankful for the demonstrated integrity in business and their personal lives and have taken pride in their alma mater. The Space Grant Foundation. A team at displacement-based system.” helped him complete the grant process, opportunity,” she said. She also Hall of Fame distinction is the highest tribute possible for College of Business graduates. Lamar University was awarded a $49,000 From that eureka moment, Peterson proposing the project be part of the feels immensely grateful for “I feel so honored and humbled because I remember being at LU and going up those stairs in the grant to design an electric excavator worked on the core idea of a piece curriculum as a senior capstone project. the support she has received College of Business and seeing all of the pictures of the Hall of Fame people of the generations before, arm for lunar mining and construction, of equipment, mulling over various Design, building and testing began last while a student here. “One of and now I am one of them,” said Daniels. “I got into Rice and all the other places, but I wanted to go to Lamar. I’ve always been proud to be a Cardinal.” which project initiator and May 2021 methods of implementing the idea into a August and continued through May 2021. the advantages of attending the LU College of Business is the Daniels is owner and president of Daniels Building & Construction, a multi-generational company graduate Kevin Peterson began thinking useful demo. A few of the requirements The design of a mini-excavator boom, supportive faculty…I am grateful founded in 1957. She has worked in all facets of the company. Daniels served as the executive vice about in his junior year. “I am a big for space compatibility make the project arm and bucket using a bidirectional for Professor Boler presenting president and CFO until 2013, when she became sole owner and president. The company has built notable landmarks across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, including Ford Arena, Christus Bone & Joint, space nerd, and I'm very excited about even more challenging. “Each pulley pulley system was fabricated in LU’s such an opportunity to her class, TXDOT Travel Center and numerous educational facilities such as the Lumberton FEMA Dome, Performing the falling launch costs enabling a assembly needs to operate with a single Measurement’s Lab and assembled in or I would have never received Arts Center and Lamar State College-Port Arthur Multi-Purpose Building. more permanent human presence,” said motor, but be bidirectional. There needs the Science and Technology Makerspace, an offer for this internship,” Peterson. “The problem is, humans take a to be a rigid structure to get a pulley providing NASA with a prototype of Ramneth stated. LU Ambassadors named  Natarajan completes  Alumnus given accolades lot of resources to stay alive and a lot of to "push" with flexible cables rather essential and critical equipment for In her role as marketing intern, Natalia Doiron, marketing; leadership role The College of Business propellant to move around.” than pull, and have long extension and helping establish a habitat on the Moon Ramneth has the opportunity to Landon Richard, human Marketing Prof. Vivek congratulates alumnus Natarajan Christopher Lanier Even prior to learning of the NASA retraction capabilities, while controlling and maybe Mars in the future. help identify business problems, resources management, finished a multi- Taliah Belcher, finance year leadership position for ’06 on being named a choose strategies and execute challenge and grant, Peterson had been the significant forces at play and keeping and accounting; and Mindy the Federation of Business 2020 Rising Star by the marketing tactics to help researching ways to help humans move the design compact,” said Peterson. “As a Escobedo, human resources Disciplines in September Texas Society of Certified As a student I don’t achieve the company’s goals. around and mine for minerals and water student I don’t have the means to build a management, were named 2020. As president, he Professional Accountants have“ the means to build Ashley hopes to gain real-world 2020-2021 Lamar served as the leader of the and Daylyn Turner ’07 on the Moon. In his research, he found full-sized test piece, so it was going to be experience of what it takes University Ambassadors. association, chaired the for being selected as one of a full-sized test piece, board and executive council Automotive News’ 40 Under propelling devices with hydraulic seals purely on paper until I found the grant.” to drive business operations not feasible in extreme temperature In early April, Peterson’s dreams so it was going to be meetings. He also hosted 40 honorees. forward and what will help award banquets where swings or in the highly abrasive dust about building a pulley system to be purely on paper until I her reach her ultimate goal the best paper awards and and vacuum pressure of the Moon. He used on the Moon seemed a bit more found the grant. of one day leading a distinguished educator awards are given. daydreamed about a way to build a piece realistic. As he began searching for —Kevin Peterson ’21” marketing department. of equipment that had speed, power internships, with little luck due to the

12 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 13 PUBLISHED FACULTY READ WORKS | COLLEGE SNAPSHOT: ARTS & SCIENCES | at VIRTUAL POETRY FESTIVAL by Shelly Vitanza Instructor stands out Maegan Collins ‘16, ‘18, instructor of political science, was hree Department of English faculty experience Doiron had in 1983 in the selected as a “40 Under 40” award recipient. Southeast Texas members are featured authors in Texas panhandle when two men beat Young Professionals Organization, the Greater Beaumont The Langdon Review. Jerry Bradley, him with a hammer and left him Chamber of Commerce and the Beaumont Enterprise select TJesse Doiron and Katherine Hoerth have for dead. the best and brightest young professionals in Southeast Texas under the age of 40 annually. Criteria for these selections are published poems and essays in a special “’Tejascovido’ and The Langdon Review academic achievements, professional success and issue dedicated to COVID-19. All three gave me hope and an audience and the community involvement. read their works last September during chance to breathe the words with other Collins, graduated with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees a Langdon Review Tejascovido online writers,” said Doiron. “Creative writing from Lamar University and is currently working towards Zoom festival. is a solitary experience. You hope there her doctorate in educational leadership. “I am extremely honored to join such an accomplished group of “40 Under Once invited authors finished their is an audience for your words, that 40” honorees,” Collins said. “The leadership training and readings, the remainder of the festival someday someone may read them. But LU POET wins mentorship that I received while attending Lamar University was devoted to a round-robin, open-mic. while you think of them, you are alone, Computer science major helped me become who I am as a young professional. I will Bradley, a professor of English and quarantined, so to speak, until it’s safe to forever be thankful for this distinction and the support of TOP AWARD sticks to business our university.” modern languages and the Leland Best bring them out and breathe.” Jason Chambliss, by Kristina Scott computer An active student leader as an undergrad, Collins received Distinguished Faculty Fellow, lead with Hoerth, an assistant professor of science and computer game the Bess Gentry Leadership Award and Ann Shaw Leadership development major, plans to his poem, “Intubations of Immortality.” English and modern languages and Voices literary magazine of Award and was named a Senior of Significance. She also “This project is important for a number editor-in-chief of Lamar University continue with a business making completed the Texas Legislative Internship Program with Midwestern State University in deals that he started many years of reasons. One is that it is produced Literary Press, read her poem, “Praise the former Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus. Civically, Wichita Falls, Texas, has awarded ago as student out of his house. by friends, and I’ve seen too little of my Grocery Worker.” Collins is involved in the Junior League of Beaumont, Chambliss and his dad started Leadership Beaumont, Make-A-Wish Foundation, 8th Grade friends since quarantine began,” said “The Langdon Review is one of my graduate student Paola Brinkley the business back in 2012 to a first place President’s Award in Youth Leadership Day and Encounter Church. She serves on the Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board. Bradley, a member of the Texas Institute favorite literary journals because it mostly refurbish old arcade games Collins also is an advisor to the Lamar University Greek Council, Caring Cardinals and several of Letters and author of eight books who represents a community of Texas poets. creative poetry writing. and replace old artwork with new. outstanding student organizations. Brinkley, who is pursuing her M.A. “I started a business that now has published in New England Review, Each year, the journal is published and my whole family works at,” said Modern Poetry Studies, Poetry Magazine released at Langdon Review Weekend, in English, submitted the poem at Teachers get taught, too Chambliss. “It’s a full-on operation, Amy Smith, professor of English, implemented a new teaching and Southern Humanities Review. and we gather for readings, events and the behest of Katherine Hoerth, and I’d like to see it continue to technique, fishbowl discussions, to better engage students at LU. “Another is that we don’t know what friendship in Granbury, Texas,” said an instructor in the Department of grow. We’ve never had a down This method is successful in the classroom and requires students year. We’ve been profitable since we think until we put those thoughts Hoerth, a member of the Texas Institute English and Modern Languages. to read an article and discuss it in-depth in a systematic way. Four the very first year we started, students begin and keep the discussion going for a period of into words. Poetry, of Letters and the winner of the 2015 Brinkley wrote the winning poem, including this year. the articulate Helen C. Smith Prize for the best book time, then the rest of the class joins in after 20 minutes. “To the Stranger at Andy’s Frozen “Our stickers have unique “It was a really intense program where we learned all of these compression of of poetry in Texas for Goddess Wears qualities. They are weather and Custard,” in her poetry class in fall brand-new ideas to enhance teaching, both in the classroom and those words, causes Cowboy Boots. “Of course, we couldn’t do waterproof, don’t fade in the sun 2019 in response to one of the online,” said Smith, who also serves as the director of the Center us to feel and that this year due to COVID-19, but it has because they are laminated with for Teaching and Learning Enhancement. “I was really proud of UV resistant coating. They don’t think. When we’re been so refreshing and inspiring to ‘see’ prompts given in class, but the the faculty who committed to the program because everyone inspiration for the poem came from crack, and when you want to finished through the pandemic. Faculty from other universities happy, we’re not my fellow poets and artists virtually from take them off, you just peel them Brinkley’s high school days in Nome, quit midway because of COVID-19, but every one of LU’s faculty compelled to write. across the state, country and world. I’m off in one piece, and there is no members who committed, completed it.” Katherine Hoerth But give us some honored to have a poem in the journal Texas. It was a tradition for her high sticky residue left behind. They Twenty-five faculty members at LU committed to the modules hurricanes and a and to be able to share a poem at the school band to go to Andy’s Frozen are designed for car bumpers but and received digital badges for their completion. Casey can really go anywhere. We have pandemic—what A. event.” Custard the night before the Area Ford ‘13, ‘15, instructor of English, says she would “recommend all kinds of products, business the course to anyone.” E. Housman called Hoerth, who also is published in Band Contest in Tyler, Texas. stickers and now Lamar ‘the embittered journals such as Valparaiso Review, University stickers.” “The contest is always held in the  Boone honored as  McCall selected as  Museum awarded StickerTalk®, Chambliss’ hour’—and we’re Summerset Review and Southwestern Wooster Professor civic ambassador Traveler’s Choice Award second week of January, the worst business, now has more than ready to jump in.” American Literature, will release her Rebecca Boone, professor Political science major Trip Advisor bestowed its possible time for eating frozen 15,000 unique products, including Katey McCall ‘21 Doiron, an fourth poetry collection, Borderland and chair of history, is Traveler’s Choice Award custard,” said Brinkley. “I remember stickers and magnets. The business received the firstDr. the first student to be on Spindletop Gladys City instructor of Mujeres, this year through SFAU Press. sells on all internet marketing chosen from LU as Texas Boomtown Museum. This Jesse Doiron shivering in my jacket, my fingers Ralph and Edna Wooster English and The book is a bilingual collection of sites, from eBay and Amazon to Endowed Professorship Civic Ambassador to award was only received Annette Strauss becoming numb from the frozen Etsy and Wal-Mart, to name a few. based on her excellence the by three Southeast Texas modern languages, poetry and art created with poet Julieta Institute for Civic Life. Troy Although there are many different in teaching and research museums. Director followed Bradley, Corpus and artist Corinne custard, but this did not stop me Gray’s products, the U.S. flag is still one among the Department of She was selected from extraordinary from enjoying this delicacy. The 150 applicants for one of reading, “Non McCormack Whittemore. of the company’s top sellers. History. Boone will hold the leadership helps make approximately 30 positions. the museum a visitor Memoriam,” a All of The Langdon Review published employees seemed to judge us, ten StickerTalk® is now an official position for two years. McCall has recently been destination for poem written poems also appear in Laurence kids and two band directors at nine licensee of Lamar University and accepted to multiple Southeast Texas. May 30 that Musgrove’s online publication, o’ clock at night, disobeying the laws can sell LU products. Learn more at law schools. stickertalk.com. relates COVID-19 “Tejascovido.” That publication can be of season, frolicking as if the cold Jerry Bradley to a near-death accessed at tejascovido.com. did not bother us. This memory is so sensatory, which is why it has stuck with me.” 14 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 15 | RESEARCH |

MAKING big POSSIBLEdreams by Brooke Barnett

lumna Lyndsey Brantley ’08 describes herself as the beauty industry and used her engineering skills to research downtown Houston. “It’s an amazing location, and I have a staff entrepreneurs. I learned this at LU, where I was given many a “small-town island girl who came to LU with and design her own natural skincare products. Brantley received of five,” she says. “We hit $1 million dollars in revenue this year. opportunities to mentor those young engineers coming in big dreams.” Originally from Galveston, Brantley a medical aesthetics practitioner’s certificate from the Biomani My little dream has definitely grown!” behind me.” graduatedA from high school and wanted to find a school Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics and used the analytical The research skills Brantley learned at LU played a significant Ultimately, her goal is to own five different spas in five near her hometown that would allow her to earn a degree in skills that she learned at LU to research, formulate and develop role in the development of Camellia Alise and help her to run a different states, and to continue to grow her business’s civil engineering. “Lamar University gave me the support and her own skincare product line. successful business today. “When I was developing the skincare profitability. “In addition, I’m hoping that I can find balance,” scholarships that I needed to start my career,” Brantley explains. “I quickly went back to work in engineering and used my product line, I had to research every ingredient. From the cost she explains. “I want the business to be self-sustaining, so I can “I loved the program, loved the teachers and loved my advisors.” income to fund my beauty endeavors,” she explains. “My of each ingredient to the manufacturers that produce them, I find balance between my work and life.” Brantley’s memories of her time at LU include studying engineering career lasted more than a decade, but my skin care had to have a thorough understanding of everything going into For future entrepreneurs, Brantley offers the following advice. with her engineering partners, spending time with friends in line was my passion and eventually became enough to sustain my products. When I was developing “Don’t be afraid to explore things,” she the Setzer Student Center and making lifelong friends in her me full time.” our beauty training curriculum, I had concludes. “Try things to figure out if sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. “I still meet with some of my It was Brantley’s own struggles with sensitive skin and to investigate industry standards, Lamar University gave me the they are the right fit for you. Be sure to sorority friends every week,” she says. “But I think my most ingrown hairs that resulted from polycystic ovary syndrome that complete in-depth business planning “ support and scholarships that do your research. You may not know favorite LU memory was meeting my husband on my very first led to the debut of her skincare line, Camellia Alise, in 2016. and understand average everything every step of the way, but day on campus.” All of Camellia Alise’s products are alcohol, paraben, gluten costs in our area. I’m always I needed to start my career. you’ll need to have an idea. I did my Brantley met her husband-to-be on move-in day for freshmen, and sulfate free and all natural. “I formulated natural skincare researching something.” —Lyndsey Brantley ’08 ” research before I picked LU, and that when fraternity members help incoming freshmen move into products to help meet my needs and the needs of those like me Brantley is currently researching definitely paid off. Go for it, but be residence halls. “He was part of the group that helped me move who also struggle with ingrown hairs, acne, scars, cellulite and new locations in the Houston area. “Our spa is growing, and we sure you do that research.” in,” she recollects. “He was a senior when I was a freshman. stretch marks,” she adds. “I wanted to provide a product that need more space,” she explains. “It may be a second location, or “I am now living my big dreams,” Brantley smiles. “I am now Seventeen years later, we are happily married, have one son and could be used by everyone and help give them skin that they we may move to a bigger location and just expand. But either a mom, a wife and an entrepreneur. I am trying to change the are proud love bird alumni.” can be proud of.” way, my goal is to stay in the same area where we’ve been so world one person at a time.” After graduating from LU in 2008 with a degree in civil In 2017, Brantley opened her own skin care and beauty successful.” For more information about Camellia Alise, visit camelliaalise. engineering, Brantley went to work in corporate engineering. training facility to teach others how to perform specific spa In terms of her career so far, Brantley is most proud of being com or visit the spa location at 3115 Southmore Boulevard in Her career took an unexpected turn when she was laid off in services, including infrared detox, facial care and more. able to empower others. “That has always been my major goal,” Houston. Follow Camellia Alise at facebook.com/CamelliaAlise 2009. Between engineering positions, Brantley went to work in Three years ago, she also opened a retail boutique and spa in she explains. “I am dedicated to empowering other budding or @camelliaalise on Twitter and Instagram.

16 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 17 | COLLEGE SNAPSHOT: ENGINEERING | Westgate, students explore badlands Engineering undergrads James Henry awarded funding, present research at donations for industry research by Shelly Vitanza prestigious convention The Center for Operator Performance has awarded Two Lamar University James Henry, assistant professor of chemical undergraduate engineering engineering, a total of $141,027 for research related n LU paleontology team has recovered fossil evidence suggesting Utah’s semi-arid badlands were once a tropical rain forest students participated in to the workload of machine operators. To facilitate when the climate was much warmer than it is today. The team received a National Science Foundation three-year grant the prestigious Gulf Coast the research, Emerson Automation Solutions has for approximately $764,000. The grant funds a multi-university collaborative project, titled “Collaborative Research: After Undergraduate Research donated a simulated debutanizer and A the Bridgerian Crash: An Integrated Analysis of Mammalian Paleocommunities and Paleoecologies During the Middle Eocene,” to related software. Symposium hosted by Rice excavate and study 40 million-year-old mammal and associated reptile fossils in the Uinta Basin near Vernal, Utah. University Oct. 31. Dylan Palmer COP, a consortium of U.S. industry and academia James Westgate, Regents’ Professor Emeritus of Earth and Space Sciences, has been working with the team to secure the grant for and Daniel Quispe, both representatives that focus on human factors in mechanical engineering majors, engineering, awarded Henry $57,404 for his proposal the past eight years. He and several students have explored the 40-million-year-old Uinta Formation’s exposed badlands southeast of were selected to participate in the titled “Effect of Action Demand Load on Operator Vernal, Utah, as well as the tropical rain forest at Tortuguero, annual event. Response Time and Accuracy.” The research will Costa Rica, to compare the two regions. “We are very proud of their identify the optimal amount of work load for machine operators, so that they neither become bored nor less “Our preliminary evidence indicates that 40 million years participation and the high ago, global climates were much warmer than today’s and Utah’s marks they received from Rice responsive or overwhelmed. “There is a lot of focus on the negative effects at the high-end of the work load,” Henry said. “There is Uinta Basin was home to a tropical rain forest inhabited by a University’s faculty,” said Cristian less evidence about the effects of having too little work to keep our minds occupied and on task.” Bahrim, acting director of the LU diverse mammalian community including tarsier primates and Henry received an additional $83,623 of funding for a separate proposal, “The Effect of Advanced Office of Undergraduate Research mouse opossums, similar to modern species endemic to today’s Process Control on the Degradation of Process Knowledge.” The research will seek to determine how and physics professor. much operator knowledge and skills are lost when companies implement the advanced process control, tropical rain forests,” said Westgate. “Mammal fossils we have The Gulf Coast Undergraduate an automated process machine. Henry hopes to discern how much skill atrophy occurs when automated recovered suggest that a tropical rain forest existed in northeast Research Symposium is a systems are used and to establish best practices to help operators keep their skillset intact. Utah during deposition of the Uinta formation.” competitive event inviting a For both studies, Henry intends to recruit student volunteers who will use the Emerson Automation select few students from across The research team is comprised of paleontologists from Solutions simulation equipment to approximate the work environment of process operators. “The main the country. Lamar University, Midwestern University, UCLA, San Diego challenge of this project was in designing the simulator and having it function realistically enough to really “The talk I presented was about mimic the work of an operator,” explained Henry. “With this donation, we can start with an entire testing Museum of Natural History, Grand Valley State University and the ‘Mesoscopic Characterization platform already in place.” Rochester Museum & Science Center. The grant budget includes of Triaxial Braid Composites Once the tools are in place, Henry will begin training students on many of the tasks frequently used by funding for two LU students to serve as field assistants during Fabrics with Yarn Angle operators. “Using the simulations, we can teach the students many of the relevant skills and then see how Variations,’ said Quispe. “My three summers. quick and accurate their response time is in different scenarios,” he said. “We also should be able to see presentation was well-received “The funding from NSF will allow us to conduct the first how well students recall those skills when they don’t use them for a period of time.” by the chair of the session along “This is a great example of how industry can drive research by letting us know where they need comprehensive study of the fauna and flora of the Uinta with the audience members. answers and knowledge,” he said. “And the location of LU makes us very attractive to industry for this Formation including mammals, reptiles, fish and pollen Overall, I enjoyed learning about type of collaboration.” which lived during a time of global warming,” said Westgate. research being conducted across the country. With the high-quality “The fossil mammals from the Uinta Formation are the type work presented by the student community for the Uintan North American Land Mammal presenters, they inspired me by Age and are used throughout North America to date mammal their determination to continue communities that lived here between 46-40 million years ago. their work during Paleontology field assistants after completing a geology field survey of the We also have funding to send samples to a lab to get the first this pandemic.” Uinta Basin by rafting through Split Mountain Anticline on the Green River. Uinta Formation radiometric dates using uranium- In addition to gaining From left to right. Elizabeth Stark ‘22, Trang Pham ‘19 and Mindy Clark ‘20. experience presenting, sharing bearing zircon sand grains.” research for valuable input Select student teams have been assisting and hearing responses to their Westgate in paleontological research on Uintan research, LU students appreciated age fossils since 2007 at an important micro- hearing other students from  College remembers  Virtual career fair draws  Qiang Xu named 2020 around the country presenting Kendrick Aung recruiters and students University Professor mammal (rabbit-size and smaller mammals) site Kendrick Aung, Qiang Xu, and discussing their research. who In response to COVID-19 LU honored called “The pond site.” These teams have helped “Participating in GCURS was passed away Jan. 13, was concerns, the college professor of chemical to quarry 38 tons of claystone and screen-washed a professor in the College hosted its first virtual Dan the biggest event in my career engineering in the of Engineering who taught career fair in Sept. More F. Smith Department it, recovering all objects larger than 1 mm in thus far, and it was an incredible mechanical engineering than 100 recruiters of Chemical and diameter. To date, about 1,000 complete mammal experience,” said Palmer. “I and had served as attended from as distant Biomedical Engineering, molars and thousands of fish and reptile learned so much about what interim department as California, giving more with the distinction of specimens have been discovered. other researchers were doing, chair since June 2020. than 200 engineering University Professor and, Geology major Trang and it gave me invaluable lessons He was a gifted teacher, students the opportunity concurrently, Ann Die Pham ‘19 excavates “This project is especially important to LU’s for improving my own work.” an acclaimed academic to interview for co-op Hasselmo Scholar. The micro-mammal site undergraduate majors because it gives them who devoted himself and full-time positions Because of the COVID-19 professorship, awarded for WU-26 which has real-world research experience in the field pandemic, the conference was to his discipline and an safely. The College life, is the most prestigious yielded nearly 1000 exceptional mentor who of Engineering holds held virtually for the first time in faculty award conferred complete mammal and a chance to present discoveries at scientific was always enthusiastic dedicated career fairs its 12-year history. by Lamar University’s teeth of 42 million- conferences,” said Westgate. about his work with each fall and spring. academic community. year-old 4-toed students and his research. horses, tarsiers,mouse opossums, mice and shrews.

New uniforms for the Showcase of Southeast Texas The Showcase of Southeast Texas is getting new TO HEAR uniforms in 2021! The marching band is delighted to again be working with the Fred J. Miller company. After 11 successful seasons in the original Showcase uniforms, the LU Marching Band is updating its look and functionality. Many thanks to the dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Derina Holtzhausen, and Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music Chair Brian Shook for their support. by Shellyagain Vitanza Beukes and Manchaiah Notable differences are the interlocking LU logo, co-author tinnitus book new color fade on the jacket fronts to help the “L” The Department of Speech and pop more, silver trim on the jacket’s “L” and white Hearing Sciences is pleased to gauntlets, the removal of the shoulder wings, new announce the 2021 publication silver brims on the shakos and a second set of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of black gauntlets and plumes to give a “dark option.” inaya Manchaiah, Jo Mayo prototype devices in our lab for various for Tinnitus by Plural Publishing Inc. The book was written in part The drum majors will have two jacket options: 1) Endowed Professor of Speech and acoustic characteristics—gain, frequency by Eldre Beukes, lead author gray with color fade and the red, black and white Hearing Sciences, joins a national response, distortion, internal noise— and post-doctoral researcher interlocking LU, and 2) all black with the red, black Vteam that has designed hearing aids and benchmarked them against the in the department, and Vinaya and white interlocking LU. costing less than a dollar. Manchaiah standards. This helped provide feedback Manchaiah, Jo Mayo Endowed The group will also be acquiring a set of pink Professor of Speech and Hearing plumes to further show our support for the Susan G. was invited to join the research initiative to engineers who were building a device Sciences. Cognitive Behavioral Komen initiative for the fight against breast cancer because of his work to develop and test with optimized acoustic properties.” Therapy for Tinnitus is the first (and all cancer). accessible and affordable solutions to Manchaiah said the published results book to provide comprehensive people with hearing loss and tinnitus. in the journal PLOS ONE are based on cognitive behavioral therapy Ramirez named Aimed at helping millions of older lab studies. The researchers now have counseling materials specifically inspirational woman people worldwide who suffer from approval to perform clinical trials which developed for the management The Office of Global Diversity and of tinnitus. moderate age-related hearing loss, the will be conducted at Lamar University, in Inclusive Excellence hosted the Tinnitus is a perception of sound Inspirational Woman Award Reception research team has developed an ultra- India and in Malawi. (ringing, buzzing, etc.) in the ear March 23 to honor outstanding women low-cost, proof-of-concept device known The hearing aids researchers soldered or head. It is estimated that 15% throughout the LU community. Tracy as LoCHAid. Made from a dollar’s worth together in the lab that only cost $0.98 of the general population, 50 Ramirez, a communication major, with of open-source parts and a 3D printed to manufacture (not including assembly million American adults, experience a broadcasting emphasis, received tinnitus. While there is no known case, LoCHAid look like wearable music and distribution costs), are larger than the award in the student category. cure for tinnitus, CBT therapy can The theme for this year’s event was players and are expected to meet World most manufactured hearing aids, have an offer an effective strategy for Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Excellence Health Organization requirements for expected lifetime of a year and a managing the symptoms and side and Beyond. Belashia Wallace, hearing aids. half and don’t have the ability to effects associated with this principal attorney and mediator at the “My work focuses on developing adjust frequency. chronic condition. Wallace Law Firm, delivered “For some, having tinnitus can be the keynote. and testing accessible and affordable The researchers are now working on very distressing. Not everyone is solutions to people with hearing loss and a smaller version that will increase aware that evidence-based tinnitus Dyrhaug’s sculpture on display at Redbud Gallery tinnitus,” said Manchaiah. the cost to $7 and require treatments can be very helpful in Kurt Dyrhaug, professor in the Department of Art and Design, was accepted to the 2021 Texas Sculpture As co-founder of the Global Audiology sophisticated manufacturing. the aid of better managing tinnitus Group Juried Exhibition. His sculpture, “Großer Flügel #262,” was included as part of On the Bayou Texas Tanja Peterson Initiative, Manchaiah has worked to “This initiative is based on ‘frugal and the associated problems. Sculpture Exhibition juried by from Berlin, Germany, and on display Jan. 16 to Feb. 23 at the Cognitive behavioral therapy is Redbud Gallery in Houston. develop hearing solutions for people science’ principles,” said Manchaiah. the intervention with the most worldwide. M. Saad Bhamla of the “The project demonstrates that we can evidence of effectiveness but is  Deaf Studies and  LeTraunik records stage  KVLU hosts new podcast School of Chemical and Biomolecular develop low-cost solutions with good seldom accessible or available,” Deaf Ed goes viral combat history KVLU Public Radio is Brian LeTraunik, Engineering at Georgia Institute of acoustic quality benefiting those who said Beukes. “The idea behind DSDE recently received assistant hosting a new podcast the book is to provide an easy-to- national media coverage professor of theatre, wrote called “Tones & Drones.” The project demonstrates Technology contacted him to work are underserved.” Bill Vicars “ follow program for professionals when alumnus A History of Contemporary The podcast features that we can develop low-cost ‘01, ‘03, Stage Combat, published conversational style collaboratively to develop affordable He believes the LoCHAid initiative to use and to provide the needed a tenured professor of American by Routledge in October interviews with musicians solutions with good acoustic hearing aids because of his renowned sets precedence for developing future resources for those with tinnitus. It Sign Language and deaf 2020, which chronicles who work in the genres quality benefiting those who contributions in the field of audiology. solutions to worldwide problems. is thus a very practical and hands- studies at Sacramento State the development of stage of ambient, drone, space are underserved. “I provided input in refining “We enjoy interdisciplinary on book. Our hope is that this University, began putting combat from the origins of music and new age. the hearing aid based on acoustic collaborations which is the way for the will help both professionals and his lessons online for free the Society of British Fight Episodes are available —Vinaya Manchaiah” individuals with tinnitus.” and they went viral. Directors in 1969 to the now on Spotify, Anchor characteristics to meet the needs future to bring solutions that are needed modern day. and Pocketcast. specific to age-related hearing loss,” to address health-related issues,” he said. said Manchaiah. “We tested multiple

20 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 21 | RESEARCH | In 2020, research, which allows me separate peer-review papers. While working with Lian to conduct research and pass “Both students were co- on his research projects, associate on this experience to the authors on these papers,” said Nelson expressed his interest students through mentoring Lian. “Considering that many in pursuing a graduate professor of activities,” Lian said. graduate student’s theses degree in biophysics and During his years at LU, are not publishable at such bioengineering. Lian then biology Ian Lian Lian and his undergraduate a professional level, even at helped Nelson attain his next became the sixth apprentices are regular the master’s level, I believe opportunity at Rice University. Lian participants at the highly it’s a significant achievement “Since we have an faculty member selective Gulf Coast for Lamar University’s existing collaboration with Undergraduate Research undergraduate Ching-Hwa Kiang’s lab at named to be awarded Symposium organized at research effort.” Rice University, I arranged Rice University. He has Nelson was accepted into to have Tyler working the Office of trained Beck Fellows and the Doctor of Philosophy at her lab as a visiting Undergraduate McNair Scholars. One of program in the Rice student to characterize the Faculty his research groups was University Applied Physics biomechanical forces on Research’s most selected to participate at the graduate program as a full- various cancer cells using prestigious 2015 Posters on time student beginning in atomic force microscopy,” prestigious the Hill event hosted by the the fall semester of 2020 said Lian. Mentor award, Faculty Council of Undergraduate as a direct result of his Research at Capitol Hill in undergraduate research Mentor of Washington, D.C. Lamar with Lian. University students have been While pursuing a double of the the Year. selected to participate in this major in biology and in Lian, one of five faculty event only three times in the mechanical engineering, members nominated for history of this event. Nelson began working Without any the honor, was selected “Dr. Lian has inspired many in Lian’s research lab. Year for his continuous support students to achieve great Lian encouraged Nelson “hesitation, I of undergraduate students academic performances,” said to apply for an Office of in their research efforts, Cristian Bahrim, professor Undergraduate Research can say Dr. Lian by Shelly Vitanza including publishing research, of physics and director grant to support research attending conferences and of the Office of to create cell scaffolding for is one of the meetings, and contributing Undergraduate Research. human cell culturing. to students’ overall “Without any hesitation, I “I ended up working in Dr. finest faculty professional development. can say Dr. Lian is one of the Lian’s lab for the rest of my “I was honored to be finest faculty mentors Lamar biology degree and for most mentors Lamar nominated by my colleague University has ever had. I am of my mechanical engineering One of the for the award and was very happy that he received degree,” said Nelson. “There, I University has pleasantly surprised to this high recognition discovered how much I enjoy “main reasons I receive it,” Lian said. “It’s from the advisory board research and learned about ever had. members of the Office of experiment design and how a definitely a highlight of my —Cristian Bahrim joined LU is its professional career.” Undergraduate Research.” research lab operates.” ” His support of And Lian’s research In 2019-20, Nelson unique balance undergraduate research is and mentoring efforts ran a successful project personal. It was pivotal for continue. One of his current sponsored by the Office of in teaching him as an undergraduate research focuses is on the Undergraduate Research student at the University of characterization of metastatic titled “Development of 3D and research. California at San Diego. In potentials of cancer cells Printed Substrate for β-islet fact, he sought employment by establishing novel Cell Culturing.” The project —Ian Lian” at a university that promoted biomechanical markers. addressed the need to grow undergraduate research Two of his undergraduate efficiently theβ -islet cells so he could create similar students, now graduates— for Type 1 diabetics. Nelson environments for his Nicolas Nikotloutsos ’18 and and Lian proposed to use of own students. Tyler Nelson ’17, ’20—have 3D-printed plastics substrates “One of the main reasons been involved in this project, for allowing the β-islet cells I joined LU is its unique which has resulted in two to grow more densely balance in teaching and and vigorously.

22 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 23 authenticity to the screen. In which attracts approximately 2,000 science auditorium on campus as | RESEARCH | addition, they are very capable of members and vendors from the Deaf well. During my last semester at SCREEN SKILLS: DEAF ALUM contributing to society. Therefore, Community across Texas. CJ Jones, a Lamar University, I left for student I urge more filming companies famous Deaf actor and comedian teaching. I’m grateful for all those DIRECTS AND PRODUCES to hire Deaf actors—not only Deaf will be our guest star at the 2022 workshops that the Deaf Studies by J.T .Robertson actors but movie producers, event. While I will help Sign Light and Deaf Education department FIRST ASL FILM directors, filmmakers, script writers Films with countless films, I am offered. I was able to be a part of Rebekah Covington ’15, an American Sign Language graduate, was and so on. We bring a whole new currently assigned to two main film local community workshops such perspective to the screen. projects as a film director as Texas Society Interpreter for the born deaf and never imagined the impact she could have not only on and producer. Deaf in Beaumont. All those the Deaf world but also on educating the hearing world to advocate Q: What have been some of the various things provided me the tools for better access and equality of education. An ASL teacher and artist, challenges of being a Deaf Q: How did your time at LU that I needed to engage in Covington decided she wanted to do more to inspire people during movie producer and director? prepare you for your teaching and as a movie producer the COVID-19 pandemic. This question-and-answer session explores professional journey? and director. A: First, there are only a few known how Covington became involved with Sign-Light Films and their I could have not done it without my Deaf movie producers and directors A: Q: Anything else you want feature project, Do You Believe?, an ASL film that features Deaf actors. ASL professors and interpreters who in the nation. It is difficult for a Deaf to share? person to navigate the filming shared wisdom and advice with me. I could have not done this film industry. There are not many people I am eternally grateful to them. A: without my amazing cast and crew. was an infant. I have a lot of art producer of the film, Do You who believe that a Deaf person can I worked as a part-time ASL tutor Q: How has your life been in the Deaf Studies and Deaf In addition to Paul and Micah, I Q&A pieces that represent Deaf pride, our Believe? I worked alongside Paul be educated and stand out as a want to thank our Deaf make-up shaped as a Deaf person? history and our struggles with Andrushchak, our other movie leader. Luckily, I worked with a Education Department. This job artist, Brittany Hawthorne, and our My family is hearing, but they audism, a form of discrimination producer and filmmaker and Micah cast and crew that consisted of a provided me work ethics and skills. A: Deaf hairstylist, Oscar Roman Alonso learned sign language and have where hearing people think they are Willis, our other director. They both large amount of Deaf people. In I engaged in so many Lamar Deaf for doing an amazing job on the advocated my Deaf identity superior to us and hearing is helped me to make the film. Through addition, the hearing members were and ASL events and developed make-up for Jesus. I want to thank since I was very young. They required to function in society. this journey, I discovered that I fluent in ASL, so they didn’t create a strong sense of social skills and Jose Contreas, our light director, were very supportive of ASL, access Other than Deaf art, I love nature BURN for films and bringing access issues for me. However, we would community networking for life. and our main actor, Azael BuPerry and equality for education. and doing portraits of people. I own to ASL onto the screen for my love to have more sponsorship from In addition, I am grateful for my for capturing the role of Jesus well. Because of them, I graduated in an art studio called Peacock people. I couldn’t go back. Sign other hearing organizations. time where I served as an officer for In addition, I want to thank our the top 8% of my 400-person class Hand Studio. I love creating art Light Films took notice of my Signing Cardinal ASL club for other main actors, Ryan Sims, a Deaf with honors. In addition, I was pieces to inspire people. You can talents and invited me to become Q: What do you teach? four consecutive years. I also served as a Student Government Association person who played the role of voted into the top 20 outstanding view my artwork at facebook.com chief administrative officer in their I taught ASL at the high school A: representative and as president Peter, and James Martinez, a child of seniors of my class. My family /PeacockHandStudio. filming organization. I will be level for six years. However, I during fall 2013 and was re-elected a deaf adult who played the role of allowed me to engage in so many making more films as a movie recently graduated with my master’s the next spring semester. During my John. I want to give a BIG thank you meaningful Deaf events since I Q: How did you become producer and director. In addition, degree in teaching ASL from the second president term, my officers to all my cast and crew. Without you, was young. We traveled to Gallaudet involved in Sign Light Films? I may engage as an actor in Sign University of Northern Colorado and and I organized a large event to we couldn’t have done this. Most of University, a private university in Daymond Sands, a Deaf person Light Films movies and hopefully have been recently hired to teach at A: premiere an ASL film, In the Can, all, a BIG thank you to our sponsors! Washington, D.C., for the education who owns an online TV show called other film projects. For example, I a college campus, so I am moving on and it packed the science auditorium We couldn’t have done this without of the deaf and hard of hearing, Click Click and Crop, invited me on decided to enroll into Click Click and to teaching college students! on campus. At the end of my you guys! together for a parent and children the show during his second season. Crop as a model for their third presidency term, I met CJ Jones, a program. I was too young to I was supporting the Black Lives season. I was selected and am Q: Do you have any upcoming famous deaf actor and comedian For more information on remember the event, but I remember Matter movement by offering free invited on the show to model as Deaf projects? and introduced him to our new standing in front of the Thomas art pieces to Black Deaf people for a cosplay actor. The TV show will be Yes! My participation in Deaf projects Sign Light Films or to view A: Signing Cardinal president at that Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell’s statue a short period of time. He is a Black released Sept. 25 and will be will never stop! I am the secretary time. We put together another event Do You Believe?, please visit as my dad explained the history Deaf person and saw the broadcast live. for the Deaf Celebration Committee, featuring Jones that packed the signlightfilms.org. of Deaf Education in America to opportunity to include one of my art

me. I engaged in many Deaf camps, pieces as a prize for a contestant Q: What is the importance I volunteered for many Deaf events, winner on his show and to interview of seeing Deaf actors in a and I’ve led and coordinated many me. While I was at the premiere, Deaf movie? events for the Deaf. I adore Deaf I ran into his filmmaker, Paul A: I cannot stress enough how culture. I cannot live without it. If Andrushchak. Somehow, Paul and important it is to see authentic I did not have ASL nor Deaf culture, I became friends. One day, we were representation in the filming I don’t think I would be able to all sitting in a small group chatting industry. Often, hearing actors are define who I am. about how we wanted to inspire not native users of ASL nor do they people during the pandemic. We truly understand the Deaf How has this influenced Q: wanted to create inspirational experience. Therefore, their your art? movies. I helped with various film performance on the screen is A: It has influenced my art greatly. I’ve projects here and there. Then, misleading and botches the beauty been drawing and painting since I I ended up being the director and of ASL. Deaf people bring

Washington assumes state educational leadership position long-termconnect with care The Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association selected Kathryn Washington, assistant professor of educational leadership, to serve as Region 6 president. “Professional engagement is the by residentsShelly Vitanza hallmark of an instructional leader,” said Harley Eckhart, executive lizabeth Long, an assistant professor in the Joanne Gay director of the association. “We look forward to Kathryn’s contributions to Dishman School of Nursing who coordinates community- the association during the upcoming Ebased service learning, and student and project year.” TEPSA, whose trademark is coordinator Makayla Brown ’21 organized a 10-week project educational leaders learning with last May called Cardinals CARE (Cardinals Adopt Residents for and from each other, has served Engagement) with a two-fold mission. The program connected Texas school leaders since 1917. Member owned and member governed, the association has more than 5,900 members who direct the residents in long-term care facilities with nursing students activities of three million PreK-8 school children. “I felt very honored and proud to be able to represent and provided those students with required community-based an organization that has given me so much in the form of support, learning, mentoring and networking,” service learning hours prevented because of stay home/stay safe said Washington. “My big goal is to reach out to not only principals of PK-8th grades but also assistant parameters. The project was so well received by the residents, principals, aspiring principals and supervisors about the advantages of joining TEPSA.” Washington long-term care facilities and students, it was extended into the is one of 20 regional presidents designed to lead TEPSA’s strategic direction and maintain a positive impact on legislators, policy makers and other stakeholders in order to ensure a quality PK-8 education fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. National council recognizes Henderson for all Texas students. “TEPSA’s board of directors advance the association’s mission and build leadership For more than a year, no visitors or non-medical personnel capacity to ensure Texas PK-8 students and teachers are successful,” said Eckhart. The National Council on Family were allowed in long-term care facilities, and residents were Each resident also received a self-addressed envelope so Relations has recognized Tammy those who choose to can share their name and with restrictions isolated in their rooms away from other residents. As a certified Henderson, a professor in Troxclair represents association of gifted geriatric nurse practitioner, Long strives to be an advocate or lifting, have an opportunity for face-to-face meetings. Some the Department of Nutrition, Debbie Troxclair, a member of the board of directors for the a voice for older adults. “As a gerontological nurse educator, I students received responses back and continue to interact with Hospitality and Human Services, Council of Exceptional Children-The Association of the Gifted, have the opportunity to guide future nurses and nurse peers their resident post-graduation. as the 2020 recipient of the Felix represented the organization at its 2020 convention and expo Berardo Scholarship Award by advocating for older adults through education and practice. “I wanted to make an impact on our community and be able in Portland, Ore., last February. Troxclair, associate professor of for Mentoring. The award educational leadership, also presented two sessions, “If I’m So to show others what it means to simply care for those who need Helping to bridge gaps in attitude, knowledge and application recognizes an council member Smart, why do I ____?” and “An Analysis of the 2e Literature: of evidence-based practice in the care of older adults promotes it most,” said Brown. “As future nurses, we are born with the for excellence in mentoring junior What We Know About 2e Students.” Additionally, as a member improved outcomes and experiences for older adults,” she said. desire to care for others. I believe this project is impacting me colleagues, graduate students of the diversity committee for the council, she and other board Last October, the National Hartford Center of Gerontological just as much as it’s impacting the residents.” or undergraduates. Henderson members published an updated resource, “A Critical Call to Action: Nursing Excellence awarded Long the Distinguished Educator in After graduation, Brown began her career as an ICU nurse accepted the award at a special Supporting Equity, Diversity and Access for Gifted Students” from ceremony during the 2020 a panel presentation at giftEd 2019, the annual conference of and believes everyone needs someone to be there for them. Gerontological Nursing Award, recognizing her leadership as a NCFR Annual Conference the Texas Association for the Gifted. The call-to-action document nurse educator working with students, “Many of these residents did not have Nov. 13, 2020. is a resource for educational administrators to help ensure that faculty, providers and older people in I wanted to make an impact anyone to talk to,” she said. “A simple the gifted programs in their districts respond to the needs of diverse settings. “ positive message can really change Professors develop underrepresented gifted student populations. Troxclair also “Loneliness and social isolation was on our community and be someone’s day. Your words carry a major was invited to develop and facilitate an online professional suicide prevention model development seminar with Eleonoor van Gervan of The impact, so why not use them to make Shannon McFarlin and Kimberly an issue for many older adults prior to able to show others what it Netherlands titled “Bibliotherapy for Gifted Learners,” for McGough developed a school- the pandemic, both in long-term care means to simply care for those other people smile! You never know graduate students in her July 2020 teacher training program. and in the community. The pandemic what someone is going through, and based suicide prevention model that will be published in the who need it most.   has compounded the issue,” Long you could potentially turn someone’s American School Counselor College hosts voter Collegiate 100 —Makayla Brown ’21 ” chapter launched at LU said. As more people are vaccinated day around. Making one person smile Association’s flagship journal, registration drive The College of Education Lamar University has Professional School Counseling, and the numbers of COVID-19 cases are declining, long-term can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but and Human Development launched a Collegiate care facilities are starting to open up to increased visitations their world.” in 2021. The Research-Informed hosted a voter registration 100 chapter on campus, although there are still some limitations. For Summer 2021, the project will continue in one to four Adaptable Model for the drive in the Setzer Student sponsored by The 100 Prevention of Suicide in Schools Center. The drive garnered Black Men of Greater More than 200 students sent mail to residents in 13 different facilities and involve a research component on the effect of is a multi-tiered system of student over 30 new registrants Beaumont. The Collegiate long-term care facilities and more than 900 nursing home letter writing on connectedness and loneliness in the residents support comprised of three and application recipients, 100 at Lamar University residents across the Golden Triangle during the last year. and students. A survey showed seven of the long-term care levels of ordered hierarchically with several student strives to inspire the next generation through by intensity. The model is athletes, faculty and staff Some students were assigned up to 10 patients to send letters, facilities wish to continue with the project post pandemic in mentoring, education, comprehensive and tailorable in attendance as well. inspirational messages, artwork and more to brighten the fall 2021. “We hope to be able to have a face-to-face sessions economic development for any school system. patient’s day and keep them company. To maintain privacy, with the letter writers and residents at the end of the fall 2021 and wellness. facilities assign each resident a number, which is then provided project,” Long said. to the letter writers.

Partnership expands deaf Grant to help develop new analytical technique CENTER FOR MIDSTREAM education and deaf studies The American Chemical Society awarded Sylvestre Lamar University has expanded its Department Twagirayezu, assistant professor of chemistry, a PIONEERING AI SOFTWARE: MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education to address a $70,000 grant to develop an advanced analytical BLACK AND DECKER FUNDS LU ATTRACTS TALENT shortage in the number of teaching professionals technique that could have a tremendous impact entering the field of deaf education. on the Southeast Texas petrochemical industry. Through a partnership with Texas School for The ACS Committee on Petroleum Research Fund the Deaf in Austin, LU is now offering its Master of awarded the highly sought after and competitive Black & Decker has awarded Hassan Zargarzadeh, Science in Deaf Education degree at TSD in Austin. grant to addresses the strategic need for a fast and assistant professor of electrical engineering, a grant to The first students enrolled in fall 2020. cost-effective analytical technique to determine the enable LU’s Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems With agreement from the Southern Association nature and distribution of low-concentration polar Lab to pioneer research in artificial intelligence. The compounds contained in petroleum feedstocks. These polar molecules often poison of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, TSD became a Lamar University host $97,949 award from Black & Decker’s CRC-Evans funds site to provide classroom space and wi-fi for LU’s deaf education degree candidates. All of the expensive rare-metal catalysts using in refining processes and degrade the refined his grant proposal to improve performance of the the students in the Austin cohort live in Austin. “The number one need is access to higher products. His work provides a fast, sensitive and accurate method based on Molecular CRCE’s artificial intelligent engine to detect and classify education programs,” said Heidi MacGlaughlin, an LU instructor of deaf studies and deaf Rotational Resonance, an emerging spectroscopic method, to detect of such impurities. weld defects and characteristics in radiographic images. education teaching at TSD. “There aren’t many programs in the U.S. that specialize in the Physics professor receives NSF support education of Deaf and hard of hearing children.” Zargarzadeh’s research addresses one of the most Professor Phil Cole, chair of the Physics Department, has been awarded $225,000 from time-consuming and labor-intensive processes in the Offering the program on the TSD campus permits potential students who are unable to the National Science Foundation. The three-year grant titled “Probing the Structure of attend the program on the LU campus, because of family constraints, jobs or other barriers oil and gas piping industry—inspection of pipe welds. Oostendorp adds expertise to board Nucleons in Omega Meson Electroproduction” also provides funding for undergraduate Currently, after X-raying the welds, multiple human to travel or relocation, to earn their master’s degree and obtain teacher certification. students to work at two nuclear physics laboratories, Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Va., “We are extremely pleased and honored to have Mr. inspectors must assess each weld to find its defects or Diane Clark, chair of the LU’s Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, worked and at the BGO-OD Experiment at the University of Bonn in Germany. Dirk van Oostendorp, an industry leader in corrosion approve its health. The software developed at LU will for several years to meet requirements for the satellite program in Austin as well as the “Our understanding on the fundamental building blocks of atoms has come a long way, science and technology, supporting us in our efforts accreditation needed to teach both American Sign Language and English. “Helping create but we still have a long way to go,” said Cole. “We know now that the nucleus is made up significantly reduce the time required for processing the to deliver value to the midstream sector,” said more teachers in Deaf education who are highly qualified and understand an ASL/English of protons and neutrons bound together by some strong nuclear force. X-ray images, spotting the defects and identifying their Thomas Kalb, director of LU’s Center for Midstream bilingual philosophy is vital to improving outcomes for deaf children,” said Clark. “There “The strong force inside the proton is mediated by the exchange of particles known type for the inspectors. “This software is the first of this Management and Science. “His involvement on our are only 12 programs in the U.S. that teach this bilingual philosophy. as gluons,” said Cole. “Our knowledge of how protons and neutrons are constructed kind,” said Zargarzadeh. Industry Advisory Board greatly enhances our ability to Lamar University is the only institution of higher learning that offers both master’s and from their quark and gluon constituents, however, is not well understood. Some of the Since 2017, student researchers in the LU Robotics promote dialogue and collaboration with industry and doctoral programs in deaf education and deaf studies in the state of Texas and one of the interactions of these particles and their energy transitions take place for the briefest of and Intelligent Control Systems Lab have been funded focus our research efforts on matters important to the few in the country. Expanding the program to a satellite location in Austin broadens the moments—on the order of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second. During these interactions, to conduct research in the field of artificial intelligence midstream companies.” reach and makes the program more accessible. another type of particles called mesons are produced. Mesons are the force particles that with applications to robotics and automation systems. “It gives me great pleasure to be a part of this YES Success with LU’s CICE and Makerspace bind protons and neutrons together in the nucleus and they themselves are made up “As a result of the work that we have done in artificial initiative, as the midstream industry has evolved over Your Environmental Specialist, an environmental compliance and testing company of quarks and gluons. Understanding the types of mesons produced and how they are intelligence, our RICS graduates were able to land jobs the past decade, and new technologies are required to focused on helping gas station owners and operators comply with environmental distributed in space will provide key insights to the structure of the proton and neutron in in high-tech companies,” said Zargarzadeh. “In fact, support further advancement,” said Oostendorp, who regulations, landed some innovative projects as a tenant of LU’s Center for Innovation, an atom’s nucleus.” because of our research since 2017, Black & Decker’s is the director of Engineering and Technical Services for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship. Cole will use the NSF support to engage undergraduate students in a unique learning engineers came across one of my articles that, for the Corrpro, a division of Aegion, located in Houston. He In its first initiative, YES has strategically partnered with UST Training, a nationally experience to help answer the very basic question on how matter is made. Cole leads first time, was using deep learning for inspecting the has more than 40 years of global experience in pipeline recognized digital training provider, to help bring intuitive training solutions to operators a study abroad program at the University of Bonn where students can take a four-week road condition using drones in real time. They were not and asset integrity, encompassing corrosion control, in Texas. YES also created the industry’s first Class C UST operator course in Hindi to meet course titled “Experimental Nuclear Physics on the Rhine.” “There is no other course like able to locate any other research more advanced than this in the world,” said Cole. “The students learn all the theoretical and experimental basics material selection, inspection technologies and risk the needs of the convenience store workforce. what was done at LU.” assessment. YES CEO and founder, Javed Surani, realized an opportunity to automate the Texas of nuclear physics; they even collect their own data with a world-class particle accelerator Commission of Environmental Quality checklist to ensure accuracy and consistency. “A in Germany.” Lou accepts new position typical gas station operator wears many hats and often falls behind on routine inspections; Helen Lou, professor of chemical engineering, will we believe our cloud-based solution automates this process, saves employee hours and     guide and advise on new research projects and manage prevents fines.” M.B.A. in healthcare Chemistry and Henry awarded $141K for Sanderson publishes administration ranks high biochemistry awarded industry research fifth thriller ongoing, funded research as the new associate director To explore possible solutions, Surani enlisted the help of current engineering students. The educational media major grant The Center for Operator Jim Sanderson, professor of research for the Center for Midstream Management Then-director of the Makerspace, Kelley Bradley, assembled a team of industrial and website, Online Master’s The Welch Foundation has Performance has awarded and chair of English and and Science. electrical engineering students to develop an automated checklist proof of concept. He then worked with instructor Cagatay Tokgoz and students throughout the semester on Colleges, which focuses on awarded the Department James Henry, assistant modern languages, weaves “I am extremely pleased and honored to have Dr. requirements, platforms, flow diagrams and finally prototype coding to demonstrate an online master’s programs of Chemistry and professor of chemical murder and suspense in Lou, a senior faculty member in LU’s Dan F. Smith automated process. across the U.S., has ranked Biochemistry a $200,000 engineering, a total of a fifth thriller,Gambled Department of Chemical Engineering, supporting us LU in its top 25 Best grant, allocated in $50,000 $141,027 for research Dreams, in which gamblers, in our efforts to deliver value to the midstream sector,” Famous tomb preserved, thanks to LU professor Online MBA in Healthcare increments until 2025. related to the workload of cons and prostitutes said Thomas Kalb, director of the Midstream Center.” The remains of Charles Clairmont, the stepbrother of “Frankenstein” Management Programs The Welch Foundation is machine operators. inhabit the night-time bar Additionally, Lou will spearhead efforts to enhance author Mary Shelley, are now preserved in an “honorary grave” as a in the country based on one of the nation’s largest COP, a consortium of world of the early 1980s engineering course offerings by working with faculty result of the efforts of Sharon Joffe, assistant professor of English. affordability and quality. private funding sources for U.S. industry and academia Odessa, Texas, oil boom. to insert midstream centric modules in existing courses In 2018, when Joffe visited the Matzleinsdorf Cemetery in LU’s online M.B.A. in chemical research in Texas. representatives that Inspiration for the novel and, in the longer term, developing a midstream Vienna, Austria, she discovered that the Clairmont family tomb, healthcare administration The grant funds provide focuses on human factors came from “looking around certificate that can be earned by both graduating LU likely containing the remains of Charles and definitely containing allows students to study important resources engineering awarded two and listening to stories students and industry professionals.” the remains of other Clairmont family members, was going to be and attend lectures around to integrate research grants. One will identify when I lived in Odessa “As the nation’s only academic research center demolished, the family bones reinterred in a communal grave and busy schedules with an components in labs, the optimal amount of during the 1980s oil boom focusing on the midstream” Lou said, “the center fosters the tomb sold. accelerated, eight-week enhancing experiential work load for machine and bust,” said Sanderson. Only a researcher, like Joffe, familiar with the letters and journals learning for students in technology innovations, commercialization, education format that enables operators, so that they “The HBO series of Mary Shelley and of her stepsister Claire Clairmont, and the extended members of the different branches of and collaboration. The challenging problems facing students to graduate neither become bored ‘Deadwood’ reminded Shelley circle, would connect the Clairmont family tomb in Vienna to the famous writer faster than in a traditional chemistry. This extra layer and less responsive or me of that time. Then the the industry can be solved at an accelerated pace of the 19th century. In 1801, Mary Shelley’s father, William Godwin, married his second campus-based program. of research exposure is overwhelmed. The second characters in my short through the center’s efforts, and I’m excited to be on the wife, Mary Jane Vial, some four years after the death of Mary Shelley’s mother, Mary M.B.A. students with an critical in cultivating the will determine how much stories in ‘Trashy Behavior’ frontlines to help solve those problems.” Wollstonecraft. Charles and Claire Clairmont were the children of the second Mrs. Godwin. undergraduate business next generation skill atrophy occurs when started nagging me to Lou is a fellow of American Institute of Chemical “I decided to see if I could spare the grave from destruction,” said Joffe. “After she degree can earn their of chemists. automation is used to complete their stories.” Engineers. In addition to her rich experience in research, contacted the Cultural Heritage Unit of Municipal Department-7 for Culture in Vienna, M.B.A. in as few as establish best practices to development and education, Lou was a board member the mayor’s office designated the grave an ‘Ehrengräber’ (honorary grave),” said Joffe. 16 months. help operators keep their of the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and She published an article, “Saving the Clairmont Family Tomb,” in the Keats-Shelley skillset intact. Commercialization (2009–2015). Review Volume 34:2, 2020, describing her efforts to memorialize the grave as well as the significance of the tomb to Mary Shelley-circle studies.

28 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 29 t was during her time as an undergraduate researcher in Through that course, she earned a number of certifications, | RESEARCH | Mozambique that Elisabeth Maxwell ’13 found her true including advanced open water, rescue diver and scientific passion for combining marine biology with marine policy. “I diver through the American Academy of Underwater Sciences. Ihad a reality check moment,” she recollects. “I realized how the She went on to earn her divemaster certification through an research we were doing and conservation efforts would impact internship with the UMaine Diving Program. “I really found the entire community. I saw the importance of integrating a passion for teaching others how to dive with a scientific marine management, marine policy and purpose or goal in mind, and to learn how to do it safely,” community involvement.” she explains. “I knew I eventually wanted to get my diving Maxwell grew up with strong ties to LU, living in Beaumont instructor certification, but it was just a matter of finding the and watching her siblings earn degrees from the university. right opportunity.” Her mother arranged for a tour of campus for her 4-H aquatic Maxwell, now living in Maine after earning dual master’s science club, and this opened the door for Maxwell to start degrees in marine biology and marine policy from the her own legacy at LU. “That tour was when I met Dr. Ana University of Maine in 2017, successfully completed her Open Christensen in the Biology Department and discovered that Water Scuba Instructor Certification from the Professional LU offered courses that included many of the marine biology Association of Diving Instructors in 2020. “It was perfect timing topics that I wanted to study,” she explains. “It felt right, and and a great way to wrap up last year,” she reflects. “I’m already everything just fell into place. Once I started attending classes teaching my first class.” at LU, I knew it was the right decision and I never had Currently, Maxwell is a research associate at the University any regrets.” of Maine’s Darling Marine Center and an assistant instructor Maxwell credits Christensen with helping to prepare her in the Scientific Diving Program. “Research is what I do every for graduate school and her future research interests. “Many day,” she explains. “I work in the Damian Braddy Oceanography times during my years at LU she would give me advice and Lab, exploring a wide range of research interests including help me understand how the research process works,” Maxwell fisheries and aquaculture. Essentially, my job is to support the adds. “Her mentorship made a big difference in helping me to array of research that is going on at the lab. I do field work and understand academia and how to be part of it.” am responsible for managing our field instruments. I oversee Reflecting on her undergraduate experience, she felt very everything from basic temperature loggers to near-shore supported by the faculty of the Biology Department and oceanographic buoys that hold a whole suite of instruments and enjoyed a true sense of community. “I are deployed for months at a time.” remember walking down the hall and Maxwell credits her undergraduate having faculty stop and talk to me, sharing experience at LU with helping to prepare their research and asking questions her for her career today. “During my time because they knew I was interested in at LU, I had lots of opportunities that pursuing science as a career,” she says. helped me learn how to think creatively “I was able to take classes as part of and approach research from new my course of study that gave me the directions,” she adds. “My undergraduate foundational knowledge needed to be experience helped prepare me for the successful in my graduate studies.” realities of graduate school research. During her time at LU, Maxwell I learned how to troubleshoot was awarded the prestigious David My undergraduate experience through problems that will J. Beck Fellowship two years in a helped“ prepare me for the realities of inevitably come up when you are row. One of the most distinguished doing research in an uncontrolled honors a student can achieve, the graduate school research. environment. Going into graduate —Elisabeth Maxwell ’13 Beck Fellowship honors outstanding ” school knowing that sometimes academic achievement and allows unique experiences for things are going to go wrong or not as anticipated, and how to undergraduate research. “Through that opportunity, I was able figure out next steps, was invaluable to me.” to study abroad for field research. The first fellowship allowed Looking forward, Maxwell hopes to pursue a career that ELISABETH me to intern at the South African Shark Conservancy. In my blends science and diving, and she hopes her research efforts second year, I was able to do a collaboration with the Marine will serve the larger community. “I believe that research should Megafauna Foundation in Mozambique, where I collected provide resources and information that serves the public good. MAXWELL ‘13: data for my undergraduate thesis project. From collecting the It’s a matter of looking at what problem a community, area or samples to doing molecular biology work, I was involved in species is facing and figuring out how we can help Diving deep for the entire research process and ultimately published a research through research.” paper. That field research also introduced me to how diving can “I would like to continue to push the envelope in how we be utilized as a research tool. All in all, it wasn’t a bad place to use scientific diving in our research,” she concludes. “There the greater good learn about research diving!” is so much more to the ocean than what we know—so much In the decade since her research in Mozambique, Maxwell exploration to be done, so many species to discover and so by Brooke Barnett continued developing her diving experience and took a many questions to ask. Marine science is not slowing down, and scientific diving course through the University of Maine. it’s a very exciting time to be part of this field.”

teacher. They live in Farmersville superintendent. They live in Chamber of Commerce’s Arthur arts, is a retired chief deputy for manager who spent 37 years in the oil School in Nederland school district. and have four children and West Columbia. E. Stillwell Award. His wife, Linda Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. sector in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. His wife, Shawn (Rooney)-Gray ’95, 50s nine grandchildren. (Davidson) ’76, B.S. home economics, They live in Beaumont. He lives in Friendswood with his B.S. nursing, is director of the Student Douglas Sikes ’70, B.S. government, ’91, M.Ed. supervision, is a teacher wife, Debbie. Health Center at Lamar University. The Don Owen ’57, B.S. geology, holds Al Pina ’64, B.S. chemical engineering, holds a J.D. in law and is an attorney and dyslexia specialist at Port Acres Kyle Fontenot ’78, B.S. music, who couple lives in Nederland and have a Ph.D. and is a geology consultant is a subcontracts administrator at at Provost Umphrey Law Firm LLP. He Elementary in the Port Arthur school also holds an M.Ed. administration, Terry Welch ’82, B.S. electrical two adult children between them. He retired in December 2014 and is Searles Valley Minerals. He lives in lives in Beaumont. district. They live in Groves. retired after working in education for engineering, is chief officer at professor emeritus of earth and space Trona, Calif., with his wife, Sarah. more than 38 years. He served as an Contractor Service and Fabrication Britt Hall ’88, B.B.A general business- sciences at LU. He lives in Beaumont. Larry Cowles ’72, B.S. commercial Jessie Bowie Jr. ’76, B.B.A. educator, principal and director of fine and CEO at Sinclair Belgrave Energy. law, who also holds a J.D., is a senior Gay (Thomas) McAlister ’67, B.S. art, retired after a career in risk marketing, ’86, B.B.A. accounting, arts. He lives in Waco with his He lives in Decatur, Ala., with his associate attorney at The Owen Law Earl Tipton ’57, B.S. chemical elementary education, ’74, M.Ed. management for the Texas Association retired after a career as a claims wife, Cathy. wife, Janelle. Firm in Conore, where he lives with engineering, who also holds an supervision, holds a Ph.D. in family of Counties. He lives in Boerne with adjuster for the Texas Property his wife, Carrie. M.B.A., is a retired chemical and studies and retired in July 2019 after his wife, Lana. & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Norman Bellard ’79, B.B.A. Terrie Breeden ’83, B.S. elementary process engineer who worked for serving as director of the counseling Association. He lives in Leander with accounting, is assistant to the education, ’85, M.Ed. special William Lamson ’88, B.S. industrial Chevron and Jacobs Engineering. program at Southern Methodist Jesse Fremont ’72, B.S. secondary his wife, Christi. president for community relations education, is a program specialist technology, is an architect at His wife, Margery (Jones) ’59, B.A. University. She is now professor education, retired after a career as a at Lamar University. He lives in and state 619 coordinator for the Lamson Design and co-owner of the English, who also holds an M.S., is a emerita of the counseling program. science teacher and as a school board Ernest Jacobs Jr. ’76, B.S. computer Beaumont with his wife, Deborah Texas Education Agency. She lives in Neches River Wheelhouse LLC. His retired crisis counselor. They live in Her daughter Ashley Resendez is member in the Orangefield school science, is retired after working as an (Davis) -89. Wimberley with her husband, John. wife, Pansey (Falcon) ’88, B.B.A. Richmond. pursuing her master’s degree in port district. He lives in Orange with information systems project manager accounting, is an accountant at Total We hope you enjoy reading management at LU. McAlister lives in his wife, Deborah (Sims) ’73, B.S. at Dow Chemical Co. in Freeport. His Greg Hext ’79, B.B.A. accounting, Louis Broussard Jr. ’83, B.B.A. Petrochemicals USA Inc. They live Nelda (LeFloor) LeBoeuf ’58, B.S. in Gilchrist. elementary education. wife, Lois (LaDay) ’78, retired after is CEO, founder of and partner at general business, is president in Groves. about former classmates. music, taught music for more than serving as a staff nurse at Dow. They Chapman, Hext & Co., PC and partner of Beaumont Rice Mills Inc. and 25 years in Texas and South Carolina Michael Phelan ’67, B.B.A. Chuck Mason ’72, B.S. biology, is live in the Turks and Caicos Islands. at five different organizations. He lives president of the Port of Beaumont’s Rhonda Schell ’89, B.S. elementary If you have news to share—a public schools. Her husband of 60 accounting, is president of Phelan president of Mason Construction in Dallas with his wife, Kimberly. board of commissioners. He lives education, is a teacher at Caldwood position announcement, years, Rodney ’60, B.A. English, holds Investments and owner of MP Ltd. and manager of Mason LLC Mark Miller ’76, B.B.A. marketing, in Beaumont. Elementary in the Beaumont school an Ed.D. and retired after a career Partners L.T.D. His wife, Janey and CBM Enterprises LLC. His wife, is owner of Fred Miller’s Outdoor Dr. John Scott ’79, B.S. biology, district. She lives in Silsbee. milestone, achievement, as superintendent in the Charleston (Nosek) ’67, B.S. home economics, is Becky (Dickson) ’71, B.S. elementary Equipment LLC in Nederland. He lives earned a medical degree in Ed Donohoe ’84, B.S. energy County school district in Charleston, the owner of Deco Designs. They live education, retired in 2012 after a in Port Neches with his wife, Beryl. osteopathic medicine and is an resources management, holds a wedding, baby—or know the S.C. They live in Texarkana. in Beaumont. career in education and the family anesthesiologist, chief marketing master’s in administration and whereabouts of a lost alumnus, construction business. She is currently Tom Noyola ’76, B.S. criminal justice, officer and chairman of the board of national security and strategic studies 90s Florence (Bell) Redmond ’67, serving as district governor for the ’05, M.S. criminal justice, ’12, Ed.D. All Care Physicians Group. He lives and is a V-22 production IPT Lead in we want to hear from you. B.A. history, holds a master’s in Rotary Club for 2020-2021 and is an educational leadership, retired after in Keller. the Department of the Navy. He lives Tracy Glende Sr. ’90, B.S. electrical 60s education and is an English teacher at active member of the Rotary Club a career as an instructor at the Lamar in Westminster, Colo., with his engineering, holds an M.B.A. in Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School. of Beaumont. In 2017, the Rotary Institute of Technology. He lives in wife, Tammie. international business and marketing Keith Hansen ’63, B.S. chemistry, She lives in Vidor with her Foundation honored the couple and Beaumont with his wife, Mayra. and is CEO of Valence Surface holds a Ph.D. and retired after husband, Lawrence. their service to the foundation by 80s Ronald Risinger -84, owns his own Technologies and owner of Beach SEND US YOUR NEWS: a career as a professor in Lamar inducting them into the esteemed Bobbie Patterson ’76, B.B.A. office practice and served on the school Rock Investments LLC. He lives in Cardinal Cadence University’s Chemistry and Jerry Taucer ’68, is a retired banker Arch Klumph Society. They live in administration, retired after a career Jackie (Graffagnino) Conley ’81, B.S. board of the Orangefield school Santa Monica, Calif., with his Biochemistry Department. He lives in for Capital One. He lives in Beaumont. Beaumont. as a teacher in the Beaumont school elementary education, is a seventh- district. He lives in Beaumont. wife, Janet. P.O. Box 10011 Beaumont with his wife, Lisa (Reid) district, city council member in the and eighth-grade history teacher and ’06, B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, Sarah (Knight) Wright ’69, B.S. Elaine (Litchfield) Wilmore City of Beaumont and marketing social studies department head at St. Randy Dugas ’85, B.S. kinesiology, Sandra (Taylor) Glenn ’90, B.S. Beaumont, TX 77710 ’10, M.Ed. educational technology elementary education, who also holds ’72, B.S. elementary education, educational coordinator in the Anne Catholic School in Beaumont. is a retired athletic trainer. He lives in elementary education, who also holds leadership. an M.Ed., is a retired teacher. She ’74, M.Ed. supervision, who also Beaumont school district. She lives She and her husband, Kenneth ’92, Houston with his wife, Kathy. a master’s degree in education, is the e-mail [email protected] taught elementary and middle school holds a doctorate in educational in Beaumont. A.A.S. instrumentation technology, live principal at Hutchison Elementary or call (409) 880-8921 Dave Oliphant ’63, B.A. English, science in school districts in both administration, is a professor at the in Beaumont. Velma (Richardson) Burnett ’86, School in Lamar school district. holds a Ph.D. and is a published Texas and Louisiana. Her husband, University of Texas of the Permian Moussa Yeroushalmi ’76, B.S. B.M. music, holds a master’s degree She has 30 years of experience in author and poet. He retired after a Bob ’69, B.S. civil engineering, is Basin. She has also been a teacher, chemical engineering, retired after Ed Kestler ’81, B.B.A. management, in music education and retired after education, 12 of which she spent 30-year career as a senior lecturer, vice president of Pate Engineers and counselor and a principal. In 2019, a career as a process engineer at retired as a senior advertising a career as an instructor at Trinity serving as an assistant principal. English instructor and editor of The directs business activities of the Dallas Corwin Press published her 15th book TechnipFMC in Claremont, Calif.. He representative from the Port Arthur Valley Community College. She lives Sandra’s husband, Jeremy ’89, Literary Chronicle for the University of office. They live in Richardson. and she is on the Corwin Best Seller and his wife live in Los Angeles, Calif. News in June 2020 after working for in Pinehurst, N.C., with her B.B.A. accounting, works at Enaxis Texas. He lives in Cedar Park. List and the Corwin Million Dollar the newspaper since 1982. During husband, Jim. Consulting. The couple lives Seller List. She and her husband, Greg, K.D. Austin ’77, B.S. secondary his tenure, Kestler worked for 13 in Richmond. YOU & LU Patrick Phelan ’63, B.B.A. general live in Cleburne. education, is the owner of Spurlock publishers, changed positions three David Crews ’86, B.S. computer A lifelong relationship. business-advertising, is trustee and 70s Road Boat and Mini Storage. He lives times and watched a changing science-engineering, retired in 2017 Debra Goetschius ’90, B.S. partner at Phelan Investments. He Kathy (Dean) Hayes ’74, B.B.A. office in Nederland. newspaper industry adapt to a world after working for ExxonMobil for communication, is executive assistant lives in Beaumont with his Carol (Allen) Dial ’70, B.S. elementary administration, is a paraprofessional of media. He lives in Nederland. 29 years as a systems engineer to the owner and president at wife, Kathryn. education, celebrated her retirement in the Port Neches-Groves school Violet (Collum) Jasper ’77, B.S. in accounting and business GeoSouthern Energy Corp. She lives from education in June 2020 after district. Her husband, John ’77, elementary education, holds an Desiree (Leon) McKellar ’81, B.B.A. systems and process controls. His in Spring. The Office of Herman Wilson ’63, B.B.A. more than 50 years in the field. She B.B.A. marketing, is a teacher at Port M.L.I.S. and is a retired teacher and general business, is a licensed health wife, Cyndi (Adcock) ’82, B.S. accounting, is president of Services is a Groveton native and finished her Neches-Groves High School. They live librarian. She is now a substitute insurance agent and realtor. She and mathematics-engineering, owns Jonathan Greenaway ’91, B.S. Alumni Affairs Incorporated, general partner for H & career in Nederland after teaching in Nederland. teacher in the Plano school district her husband, Miles, live in Houston. Abilita, a communications technology industrial technology, works at Lion is your connection. B Wilson Interests Inc., and president in Nederland schools for 41 years, in and lives in Plano with her consulting business. They live Elastomers in Port Neches after of Pioneer Farm Equipment Co. He addition to directing Sylvan Learning Michael Dent ’75, B.A. sociology, husband, John. Andrea (La Grappe) Phillips ’81, B.S. in Lumberton. working for Firestone Polymers for and his wife, Bobbie, are recipients of Centers in Beaumont and Boerne served 45 years as a United Methodist medical technology, is a laboratory more than 19 years. During his time at Update your information so the 2020 Passion for Excellence Award as well as in St. Petersburg, Fla. She pastor in Texas and Colorado and Herbert Marshall Jr. ’77, A.A.S. director at Memorial Hermann James Boneau ’88, B.B.A. general LU, he was a student assistant for the given by the Texas FFA Foundation. lives in Nederland with her husband, served on mission projects and tours welding, is a railroad machinist for Healthcare System. She lives in Sealy business, is an author, facilitator men’s basketball team and continues we can keep you up-to-date They live in Houston. Wayne ’79, M.Ed. administration, a around the world. He retired after the Burlington Northern Santa Fe with her husband, Barney. and leadership coach at the Rumble to give back by coaching kids in former school teacher. being diagnosed with mild cognitive Railway. He lives in Silsbee with his Group. He lives in Mukilteo, Wash., basketball camps. Jonathan and his on what’s happening at the J. Robert Collins ’64, B.S. impairment, but continues to write wife, Carolyn. Robert Rigdon ’81, B.S. mechanical with his life partner, Eric. wife, Ashley, live in Beaumont. university, invite you to special mathematics, holds a Ph.D. in The Facts newspaper recently and publish, with his latest work, Love engineering, is chief executive officer electrical engineering and is a honored JoAnn (Horvath) Fuchs ’70, Whispers: Reflections of a Seasoned Rene Rangel ’77, B.A. Spanish, holds of SunGas Renewables and owner of Lance Bradley ’88, B.B.A. accounting, Antionette Kelly ’91, B.S. psychology, events and make sure you get founding board member of the B.S. speech therapy, as one of eight Pastor, available on Amazon. He has a master’s in bilingual education and Leap Development LCC. He lives holds a law degree and is an attorney is a case manager at Boys’ Haven of Collin County Community College. ‘unsung heroes’ for her volunteer in Houston. America Inc. She lives in Beaumont. access to all of the perks of been married for more than 46 years retired after 25 years as a teacher and at The Bradley Law Firm. He also co- He is department head of industrial work with the Lions Club, County to his wife, Sharon (Toups) ’75, B.S. 18 years as an administrator. He lives owns The Pompano Club and Neches being a Cardinal. engineering and technology at Texas Library, Community Food Pantry and elementary education. They live in Santa Rosa with his wife, Maria Lily. Carol Matthews ’82, B.B.A. office River Wheelhouse LLC. He lives in Stuart Kieschnick ’91, B.S. A&M–Commerce after a career as her church. Fuchs spent many years in Tyler. administration, retired after serving Port Neches with his wife, Tina. kinesiology, ’99, M.Ed. administration, a corporate officer in the defense as a public school speech therapist. Sandra (Thomas) Duhon ’78, B.S. as a coordinator for the City of ’12, Ed.D. educational leadership, industry. His wife, Claude Ann Her husband of 50 years, Don ’69, Tom Neal ’75, B.S. music, ’85, M.Ed. communication, holds a Ph.D. in Beaumont, where she lives. Daryl “Steve” Gray ’88, B.S. is superintendent of the Nederland (Riggs) ’64, B.S. mathematics, is a B.S. mechanical engineering, spent 20 administration, is director of the theology and is a church administrator communication, is an audio/video school district. He lives in Nederland lamar.edu/alumni corporate chaplain with Marketplace years in the chemical plant industry Museum of the Gulf Coast and 2021 at Maxson Memorial Church. Her Chris Stelly ’82, B.S. chemical production teacher at Nederland High with his wife, Jodi. Ministries after a career as a math and retired as a plant maintenance recipient of the Greater Port Arthur husband, Kenneth ’71, B.G.S. liberal engineering, is a retired planning

His wife, ’94, B.S. Social Work and Criminal Justice. She president of Bridge City State Bank, professional counselor at Hollier Robin (Slott) McCutcheon ’91, B.S. Johnna (Boyles) CharLee Hanna-Rule ’99, B.S. Anissa Washington ’00, B.S. fashion Jessica (Bres) Prince ’04, B.G.S. elementary education, is executive interdisciplinary studies, ’99, M.Ed. lives in Beaumont with her husband, political science, is the owner of iRule retailing and merchandising, holds and chairman of the Greater Orange general studies, holds a master’s Counseling. She lives in Beaumont director of United Way Samaritan counseling and development, is Joel, and their daughters, Charlotte Dance center. She lives in Beaumont a master’s degree in organizational Area Chamber of Commerce. He lives in public administration and is the with her husband, Joel. Counseling Center of Southeast Texas. a school counselor at Bridge City and Kathryn. with her husband, Mark. performance and is a manager at in Orange with his wife, Christine. founder of Principality Consulting She lives in Groves with her Middle School. They live in Orange. Verizon Wireless. She lives and co-owner of Gulf Coast Injection Lorelei Jackson ’06, B.S. ’97, B.A.A.S. ’03, B.G.S. general interdisciplinary studies, ’09, M.Ed. husband, Darren. Tammy (Lutz) Griffin Byron Miller III ’99, B.A. English, ’99, in Beaumont. Damany Hendrix Inc. with her husband, Jay ’19, Timothy Tremont ’93, B.S. criminal applied arts and sciences, ’13, M.Ed. B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, studies, is a men’s basketball assistant B.A. chemistry, B.S. mechanical administration, is a teacher in the justice, ’14, M.Ed. administration, is administration, retired after the 2019- coach at Vanderbilt University. He Vidor school district. Her husband, Karen (Buenik) Puckett ’91, B.B.A. ’04, M.Ed. administration, ’12, Ed.D. Hollie (Weaver) Fregia ’01, B.B.A. engineering. They live in Beaumont. marketing, is a director for the Center assistant principal at Orangefield 2020 school year after a 30-year career educational leadership, is principal at accounting, who also holds a received a promotion prior to the Austin ’07, B.B.A. accounting and High School in the Orangefield school of teaching elementary and middle 2020-21 season after spending finance, is a controller at Broussard’s for Environmental Excellence at the Center High School in Center school master’s degree in management Mark Sokolow ’04, M.P.A. public University of Texas at Arlington. Her district, where he and his wife, school in Silsbee school district. district. Prior to beginning his role in studies, is chief financial officer for the 2019-20 season as the team’s administration, also holds a law Mortuary. They live in Vidor. Cindy, live. Her husband, ’90, A.S. law director of player development and husband, Matt ’96, B.S. kinesiology, Paul 2020, he served as assistant principal Little Cypress-Mauriceville school degree and is an attorney at his firm, is a nursing supervisor at Austin enforcement, is chief operating officer at Atascocita High School. He has district. Her husband, Jeff ’01, B.B.A. quality control. During his time at the Law Office of Mark Sokolow in Christopher Lanier ’06, B.B.A. Regional Clinic. They live in Sachin Nijhawan ’94, M.E.S. of Leak Sealers Environmental. They also taught English, creative writing, management information systems, is LU, Hendrix was an All-Southland Channelview. He studied petroleum business administration, is a CPA for Round Rock. engineering science, is managing live in Silsbee. journalism and yearbook. He lives an information technology director second-team standout player in 2002 engineering and witnessed how Brammer, Begnaud, & Lattimore CPAs director and partner at People-Assetz. in Center. at Wathen, DeShong & Juncker in and began his coaching career after the Macondo oil well blow out and Consultants. He lives in He lives in Houston. ’97, B.S. graduating from LU. He lives Port Arthur. Robin (Owens) Thacker ’91, B.S. Sherri (Calvin) Henry Beaumont. They live in Orange. escalated out of control and family and consumer sciences-food health education, holds a master’s in Nashville. developed a method and apparatus -94, handles in counseling and a doctorate in ’06, B.S. industrial and nutrition, is director of student Greg Picazo Keefer (Nugent-Rodriguez) Miner for an automatic down hole blow Robert Muse nutrition for Nacogdoches school communications for the Port Neches- education and is an assistant principal 00s ’01, B.S. interdisciplinary studies, is a Jacque (Bennight) Wenske ’03, B.S. out preventer. He filed a provisional technology, works at Flowserve district. She and her husband, William, Groves school district, prepares ads at Beasley Elementary School in the teacher at East Chambers Elementary interdisciplinary studies, is a teacher patent in May 2016 followed by a and is a co-owner of Neches River live in Nacogdoches. and runs the scoreboard during Lamar school district. She lives in Jennifer (Comeaux) Barnett ’00, B.S. School in East Chambers school at Shadycrest Elementary in the utility patent in January 2017. In Wheelhouse LLC. He lives in Port games. He also teaches broadcast Richmond with her husband, Herbert interdisciplinary studies, is a fifth- district. She and her husband, Chad, Pearland school district. She lives in October 2019, the U.S. Patent Office Neches with his wife, Misty. classes in the PNG Primetime ’98, B.S. communication. Pearland with her husband, Travis. Nichole (Ard) Arnold ’92, grade science teacher at Port Neches live in Winnie. granted his patent. He lives in Webster B.S. political science, is a trust program. He lives in Lumberton. Elementary in Port Neches-Groves and teaches in Channelview T.J. Reed ’06, B.S. kinesiology, ’10, ’97, B.B.A. ’04, B.S. M.Ed. administration, is principal of administrator at JPMorgan Chase Charlotte Jungen school district. She and her husband, Kenyon Spears ’01, B.S. Ashley Barker school district. Bank. She lives in Joliet, Ill., with her Sheree (Ransonette) Will ’94, B.S. accounting, is chief operating officer Jonathan, own The Feed Store in communication, is assistant men’s interdisciplinary studies, who Orangefield Junior High School in interdisciplinary studies, ’07, M.Ed. at Goodman Financial. She lives in also holds an M.S. in education Orangefield school district. T.J. has husband, Jeffrey. Port Neches as well as I Heart Mac basketball coach at the University of Tanecia Washington ’04, B.S. administration, is an elementary math Houston. administration, was named principal been a coach for football, basketball & Cheese, a franchise opened in Port the Incarnate Word. His wife, Anne communication, holds a master’s in supervisor in the Beaumont school of Pleasant Grove Middle School and tennis teams, as well as the junior Mary Magdalene Roberts ’92, B.S. Arthur. They live in Port Neches. (Attaway) ’00, B.S. sociology, is chief education and teaches fourth grade in criminal justice, is a dispatcher for district. She lives in Beaumont with Samela (Hoosier) Macon ’97, development officer at Daughters of in Pleasant Grove school district in the Ricardo school district. She lives in high boy’s athletic coordinator and Tow And Go. She lives in Houston. her fiancé, David. B.S. sociology, is vice president of John Boone ’00, B.S. electrical Charity Services. They live in April 2020. Previously, she served as Kingsville with her husband, Arthur. inclusion teacher. He lives in Orange. domestic programs and support engineering, is a senior engineer San Antonio. assistant principal at Pleasant Grove ’95, B.S. chemical services at Buckner Children and High School and taught elementary ’06, B.B.A. management, Christy (Thompson) Black ’93, B.S. Chad Ayers for space and airborne systems at Arkisha (Collier) Cooper ’05, B.A. Will Stark engineering, is site manager at Family Services. She lives in Silsbee school in the district. Ashley and her is a director of data center design at political science, is coordinator of Raytheon Co. He lives in Frisco with William Vicars ’01, M.S. deaf studies English, holds an M.Ed. in educational admissions for teacher education Pasadena MFG Chemical Plant. He with her husband, Joe. his wife, Dana. and deaf education, ’03, Ed.D. deaf husband, Chris, have a son, Easton, leadership and teaches in Alief school Tech Plan/Vertiv. He lives in Dallas. in the Lamar University College of lives in Angleton. studies and deaf communication, is and they live in Texarkana. district. She lives in Pearland with her Education and Human Development. Jay McCraw ’97, B.S. kinesiology, ’00, Aimee (English) Daigle ’00, B.S. the president and owner of Lifeprint husband, Tarik. Sara (Castro) Tahaney ’06, A.A.S. M.S. kinesiology, is senior regional ’04, B.B.A. nursing, is a teacher at Bridge City Her husband, Jason ’95, B.S. Jennifer (Legnon) McCauley communication, is a financial advisor Institute and is an assistant professor Quentin Bellard ’95, B.A. English, who also holds a vice president for Invesco. He lives in management information systems, High School in the Bridge City school hospitality administration, is a general at Satre & Associates in Beaumont, of ASL and deaf studies at California Ashley McGlothin ’05, B.S. manager at Pappadeaux. They live master’s degree in library science, is Spring with his wife, Alison. where she lives with her State University–Sacramento. He lives ’11, M.Ed. educational technology communication disorders, is a speech district. She lives in Groves with her in Lumberton. a librarian at John B. Connally High husband, Dwight. in Sacramento. leadership, holds an Ed.D. in therapy and special education teacher husband, Casey. School in Pflugerville school district. Ward Willis ’97, B.S. health education, instructional systems design in Bridge City school district. She lives She lives in Austin. holds an M.S. in information resource and technology and is assistant ’06, M.Ed. Tatiana (Morales) Owens ’93, Georgine Guillory ’00, B.A.A.S. Brandon Allison ’02, B.G.S. in Nederland. Diana (Irwin) Valdez B.A. political science, ’07, M.Ed. management and is a cyber operations applied arts and sciences, is general studies, holds a master’s in coordinator of online course administration, ’12, Ed.D. educational ’95, M.S. psychology, officer for the U.S. Air Force. He lives development in the Lamar University leadership, is director of leadership administration, ’14, Ed.D. educational Jeffrey Ross vice president of the board of educational leadership and is an Kevin Sensat ’05, B.G.S. general leadership, is a multilingual education ’11, M.B.A. business administration, in Burleson with his wife, Dawn. commissioners of the Port of assistant principal at West Orange Division of Distance Learning and studies, ’19, M.Ed. administration, development and student discipline director in the Port Arthur school is interim director at Buckner Beaumont and owner of Revues. She Stark Middle School. His wife, interim director for the Center for is assistant principal of Orangefield at Beaumont school district. She has Children and Family Services. His ’98, B.S. Teaching and Learning Enhancement. worked in education for more than district. She lives in Port Arthur with Emily (Everett) Allen lives in Beaumont. Shawntelle (Hillman) ’16, B.B.A. Junior High School. His wife, wife, ’93, B.S. political science, ’04, M.Ed. His wife, ’15, B.S. 25 years, working as a teacher in her husband, Marc ’18, B.A.A.S. Christina (Fratus) human resource management, is a Sandra (Pascua) Kimberly (Nguyen) ’01, B.S. applied arts and sciences. psychology, ’96, M.S. psychology, educational leadership–supervision, Jocelyn (Anderson) Liedy ’00, B.S. teacher at Phillis Wheatley School of interior design, teaches at Memorial interdisciplinary studies teaches in the many disciplines, assistant principal, works at the Center for Behavioral is special education supervisor interdisciplinary studies, ’06, M.Ed. Early Childhood in Port Arthur school High School in the Port Arthur school Bridge City school district. They live principal and adjunct professor. Diana Studies. They live in Beaumont. of evaluation and compliance for district. They live in Beaumont. has two adult sons who are LU alumni Tom Price Jr. ’93, M.Ed. counseling and development, is a district. They live in Beaumont. in Bridge City. administration, ’07, Ed.D. educational Beaumont school district. She and her counselor at the Taylor Career Center and also has five grandchildren. She ’96, B.S. husband, Chris, live in Sour Lake. -04, psychology, is a lab and her husband, Johnny, live leadership, is the superintendent Fredericka (Phillips) Allen in the Beaumont school district. She Michael Broussard ’02, B.B.A. Joan Do Michelle Cate ’06, B.F.A. studio art, of Boerne school district, a role he criminal justice, holds a J.D. in law and her husband, Marlon ’12, B.S. accounting, is a CPA for Pollans & supervisor at Valero Energy Corp. She is assistant curator at The Art Studio in Beaumont. accepted in 2017. The school district’s and serves as the 61st district court Laura (McCurley) Distefano ’98, industrial technology, live Cohen PC, and owner and head lives in Bonita, Calif. Inc. She lives in Beaumont with her trustees unanimously voted to extend judge for the State of Texas. She lives B.B.A. economics, B.B.A. accounting, in Beaumont. brewer at Pour Brothers Brewery. He husband, Lawrence Hsu. Angie (Arrieta) Bloxom ’07, B.S. his contract prior to the 2020-2021 in Houston with her husband, Marcus. is an audit partner in the Houston lives in Beaumont. Venkatesh “VeeJay” Janardanan nursing, is a registered nurse case Assurance Practice with BDO USA ’04, M.E. chemical engineering, who manager at the VA Outpatient Clinic. school year. He and his wife, Donna Molly (Powell) Myers ’00, B.A. Lainey (Hargroder) Hanna ’06, ’96, B.S. industrial LLP. Her husband, ’99, B.S. also holds an M.B.A. in technology She lives in Beaumont. (Duhon) ’81, M.Ed. elementary Wes Johnson Brian psychology, teaches at Elkin High LaKeisha (Battiest) Carter ’02, B.B.A. B.B.A. marketing, ’18, M.Ed. education, live in Boerne. technology, ’97, B.S. industrial earth science, is marketing director School in Fort Bend school district. management information systems, management, is vice president, PVSI administration, is an assistant engineering, is senior vice president/ and brand marketing manager for Live She relocated there from Nederland ’13, M.Ed. administration, is a teacher digital PMO, of Wells Fargo at the principal at Helena Park Elementary Byron Bridges ’07, Ed.D. deaf global general manager of Corrpro- Nation Inc. They live in Friendswood. Chandler, Ariz., campus. He lives in studies/deaf education, is an Larry Rideaux Jr. ’93, B.S. school district. Molly lives in Pearland. at Bingman Head Start in Beaumont in the Nederland school district. She psychology, who also holds an Aegion. He lives in Cypress with his school district. She was named 2020 Chandler with his wife, Smitha. lives in Beaumont with her interpreter for 3 Bridges Sign M.A. in counseling and a doctorate wife, Mary Ann. Ryan White ’98, B.G.S. general Rebecca (Matthews) Peveto ’00, Bingman Campus Teacher of the Year husband, Chris. Language Services LLC. He lives in education administration, was studies, is an attorney at Bernsen Law B.S. interdisciplinary studies, ’05, in April 2020. She and her husband, Kenneth Milich ’04, B.B.A. in Austin. ’96, B.S. Firm, the Law Office of Ryan Douglas management, is an assistant general appointed as president of the Stephen Patterson M.Ed. counseling and leadership, James, live in Beaumont. Amber (Baxter) Hawk -06, holds Metropolitan Community College- kinesiology, ’02, M.Ed. administration, White PLLC, and Car Wreck Masters is a volleyball coach at Bridge City manager at the Olive Packing Co. a master’s degree in education and Kristi (Simpson) Dupuis ’07, B.S. holds a doctorate in educational PLLC. His wife, He lives in Nederland with his wife, interdisciplinary studies, is a teacher Maple Woods campus in Kansas Stacey (Robichau) High School in the Bridge City school Natalie (Neumann) Gomez ’02, B.A. is campus director and principal at City’s Northland in June 2020 after leadership and is the financial advisor ’00, B.B.A. marketing, is a relationship district. Her Husband, Eric ’94, B.S. English, ’09, M.Ed. administration, is Yolyanne (Gonzalez) ’11, B.G.S. Bob Hope Middle School, as well as at Jack Fields Elementary School he was vice president of student for Ameriprise Financial Services. manager at Capital One. They live in political science, is an attorney at a principal at Nederland High School general studies. co-owner and director of marketing in the Humble school district. Her services at Texas Southmost College His wife, Candi (Kemp) ’97, B.G.S. Beaumont. Peveto Law Firm. They live in the Nederland school district. Her and events at Sub Zero Ice Cream and husband, Dustin ’04, B.B.A. general general studies, ’05, M.Ed. counseling ’04, M.B.A. business business, is a field director for Boy in Brownsville. He and his wife, in Beaumont. husband, Torrey ’01, B.S. kinesiology, Ryan Mitchell Yogurt with her husband, Scott ’08, and development, is a counselor at ’99, B.S. administration, is a quality systems Scouts of America. They live in Porter. Ronnette (Relerford) ’97, B.G.S. Melissa (Moore) Davis is an assistant principal at Hillcrest B.S. kinesiology. He is also executive liberal arts, live in Kansas City, Mo. Frankford Middle in the Plano school interdisciplinary studies, is an eighth- Jenny Richardson ’00, B.S. Elementary School in the Nederland manager at ExxonMobil. His wife, pastor/outreach at Praise Church in district. They live in McKinney. grade history and applied reading communication, holds an M.Ed. in school district. They live in Devyn (Lusk) ’01, M.E. engineering Beaumont. They live in Beaumont. Amanda Jenkins ’07, M.Ed. and language arts teacher in the Little management, ’04, M.B.A. business administration, became principal of Brad Smith ’93, B.S. criminal justice, supervision and is a teen leadership Port Arthur. ’96, B.S.W. Cypress-Mauriceville school district. administration, is a quality systems Edwards-Johnson Memorial Silsbee ’06, M.Ed. administration, is assistant Lori (Swan) Wright instructor and head volleyball coach Raegan (Keller) Hollier ’06, B.G.S. social work, is an instructor in Lamar She lives in West Orange with her advisor at ExxonMobil. They live Middle School in Silsbee school principal at Bridge City Middle School in the Georgetown school district. She Christopher Kovatch ’02, B.S. general studies, ’07, M.Ed. counseling in the Bridge City school district. University’s Department of Sociology, husband, Chuck ’92, lives in Austin. criminal justice, is senior vice in Beaumont. and development, is a licensed B.B.A. accounting.

district in May 2020. She brought registered nurse at Baptist Hospitals district. Russell began his career as 2020 after 15 years in teaching and interdisciplinary studies, were married Tracy Arsenault ’11, M.Ed. more than 20 years of education of Southeast Texas. She and her a resource teacher and has served campus leadership, all at Hays school administration, was named the Dec. 18, 2020. Tayler teaches fifth- experience with her to the role, husband, Michael, live in Beaumont. as an inclusion specialist, transition district. He lives in Kyle. principal of Keller school district’s grade math at Port Neches Elementary starting in Port Arthur school specialist, vocation adjustment new Pathways in Technology Early School in Port Neches-Groves school district as a third-grade teacher and The Humble school district coordinator and associate principal Tony Hernandez ’10, M.Ed. College High School in May 2020 and district. They live in Groves. most recently she was principal of named Paul Edwards ’09, M.Ed. for administrative services. He lives administration, is the principal at began the role on July 1. Prior to her Orangefield Elementary School. She administration, the founding principal in Allen. Avalon High School in Avalon school new position, Arsenault served as Mike Sorenson ’11, M.Ed. and her husband, David, live of Elementary School #30, a new district. He has worked in the district principal of Vista Ridge Middle School administration, is principal at Mineola in Lumberton. school that will open in August 2021 Whitney (Sonnier) Wolf ’09, B.S. for more than 16 years and has served for two years. She lives in Newark. High School in Mineola school district. in the Fall Creek neighborhood. criminal justice, ’13, M.S. criminal as a junior high and high school He was dean of staff and students ’07, B.S. kinesiology, is a He has more than 16 years of justice, is a criminal justice teacher at mathematics teacher, baseball and at the school prior to becoming Chris Lee Joey Chavez ’11, B.G.S. nutrition, is physical education coach at Bridge experience in education and serves as Nederland High School. She and her volleyball coach, district assistant executive chef at Brennan’s. He lives principal. Sorenson has worked in the City Middle School in the Bridge City administrative pastor at First Baptist husband, Jarrod, live in Vidor. principal, facilities director and middle in Richmond. education field for nearly 40 years; school district. He lives in Orange. Church of Humble. Paul grew up in school principal. He lives has taught earth science, biology and 1 the Houston area, relocated to the in Waxahachie. physical education; and has served as Amber (Alexander) Clark ’11, B.G.S. Antoinette Mays ’07, B.G.S. general Dallas area, and upon graduating general studies, holds an M.Ed. in athletic director in several districts. studies, ’12, B.A.A.S. applied arts and from college, moved to Washington 10s Cassie Jones ’10, B.B.A. finance, is educational leadership and is the His wife, Rene,’ teaches first grade, sciences, ’16, M.Ed. clinical mental state to serve as an elementary school an accounting manager at The Itex office manager for the Lamar Institute and they have three sons and three

health counseling, retired after a principal. He and his wife, Amanda, Mandy (Dowden) Arceneaux Group in Houston, where she lives. of Technology. Her husband, grandchildren. They live in Mineola. ’10, B.S. communication, holds an Gregory career as a special events assistant have five sons, Elijah, Isaiah, Josiah, -10, holds a master’s in criminal justice M.Ed. in educational leadership and in the Lamar University Division of Samuel and Zachary, all of whom are Lyndi (Wells) Keller ’10, B.S. and is an adjunct professor at Lamar Trey Taylor ’11, B.S. political science, is associate director of marketing University Advancement, and is now Humble students in middle or high kinesiology, earned a master’s degree State College–Port Arthur and owner is a teacher at Clear Lake High School relations for Lamar University’s owner of Healing Tranquility Peace school. They live in Humble. in theological studies in 2020. She and of Legendary Inspection Group LLC. in Clear Lake school district. He and Office of Marketing Communications. Counseling Services. She lives her husband, Matt, live in Floresville. They live in Beaumont. his wife, Kristen, live in League City n Beaumont. Stacy Hall ’09, B.S. interdisciplinary Her husband, Aron ’09, B.S. with their daughter, Blair. communication, is development studies, is a fourth-grade math, Jose Mejia ’10, M.Ed. administration, ’11, B.G.S. general coordinator in Lamar University’s Tad Miguez David Pool ’07, B.B.A. management science and social studies teacher at began his appointment as principal of studies is a salesperson at Nitro-Life Lauren (Stewart) Thieme ’11, B.B.A. Division of University Advancement. information systems, is owner of Mid Walt Disney Elementary in the Alvin Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Technologies. He lives in Winnie with marketing, is a realtor at RE/MAX in They live in Nederland with their two County Farm and Feed and co-owner school district. He lives in Angleton. Academy in in Austin school district his wife, Lynli. Beaumont, where she lives with her of The Avenue Coffee and Café, which children, Jonah and Jenna. in April 2020. He brings 13 years of husband, David. won Best of 2020 in its category, Caitlin (Kruger) Hardegree ’09, B.S. education experience to the position, ’11, B.B.A. ’10, M.Ed. Catie (Byerly) Miller voted on by the readers of the Port communication, B.S. political science, Zoila Cardenas including previous roles as principal, management, is a development Christopher Whitmeyer ’11, B.B.A. administration, is principal of Harris Arthur News. He lives in Port Neches is marketing and communications assistant principal and fifth-grade administrator at Monsignor Kelly High general business, is co-founder and Elementary School in Austin school with his wife, Carrie. manager at Metrocrest Services. She teacher. He is pursuing a doctorate in School. Her husband, John ’08, B.B.A. marketing director for Whitmeyer’s district. Prior to her appointment, lives in Keller with her leadership from Concordia University. management information systems, Distilling Co. He lives in Spring with she was assistant principal at Wooten Daylyn Turner ’07, B.B.A. finance, is husband, Jacob. Jose lives in Austin. is general manager at 5 Under Golf his partner, Monica. Elementary School, and she has more vice president and general manager Center. They live in Beaumont. of JK Chevrolet Subaru in Nederland, Diana (Davis) Miles ’09, B.S. nursing, than 16 years of education experience. Kara Phillips ’10, B.M. music, ’12, Apryl Winfrey ’11, B.S.W. social work, Texas, and was recently recognized is a manager in risk management at Cardenas lives in Georgetown. M.M. music, is director of fine arts is a social worker in the regulatory Steve Morrow ’11, M.Ed. 2 in Automotive News’ 40 under 40. He Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. She for Vidor school district and in her administration, is principal of Thunder division at Texas Health and Human ’10, M.Ed. lives in Beaumont. lives in Beaumont with her Yvette Celorio-Reyes seventh year of teaching in the school Mountain High School in Juneau Services Commission. She lives in administration, was named principal husband, Rodney. district. She lives in Beaumont. school district in Juneau, Alaska. He Cleveland. of McBee Elementary School in Rene (Allison) Ford ’08, B.S. was principal of Whiteright High Veterans Day Celebration—November 11, 2020 Austin school district in April 2020. interdisciplinary studies, holds an Michael O’Gea ’09, B.A.A.S. Abby (Day) Riley ’10, B.G.S. general School in Whiteright, Texas, for Joshua Wright ’11, B.S. kinesiology, Lamar University students, faculty, staff and alumni came together for Prior to her appointment, she served M.Ed. in special education and is an applied arts and sciences, is an AVID studies, is the co-owner of Pivotal four years. Morrow has worked in teaches seventh-grade history at a special luncheon to honor Lamar University veterans. The Honorable as interim principal and assistant educational diagnostician in the Port coordinator and elective teacher Nutrition, a healthy lifestyle meal prep education since 2003, starting out as a Bastrop Middle School in the Bastrop Brian D. Birdwell ’84, Texas Senate District 22, recorded a special video principal of the school. Yvette has Neches-Groves school district. at Kranz Junior High School in service, operating out of Parkesburg, high school social studies teacher and school district. He lives in Smithville tribute to LU Veterans that was shown at the event and Nick Carter ’75 more than 22 years of education Dickinson school district. His wife, Pa. She and her husband, Daniel, live a basketball coach before moving into with his wife, Melissa. served as keynote speaker. The event was put on by the Division of Global experience. She lives in Pflugerville. Mark McKee ’08, B.B.A. marketing, Julie ’09, M.Ed. administration, is in Kountze. administration. He lives in Juneau. Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. is a major accounts manager for assistant principal at Bay Colony Diane (Rodgers) Battenfield’12, ’10, B.A. Function4 in Beaumont. He and Elementary School in Dickinson Naomi (Showers) Doyle Helen (Lopez) Saldana ’10, B.S. ’11, Ed.D. deaf studies A.A.S. nursing, is an outside salesman political science, ’12, M.P.A. public Marcus Myers LU PD Officer Matthew Dempsey, who served in the U.S. Marine Corp., Lamar his wife, Kelli (Trotman) ’07, B.S. school district. The couple has four communication disorders, holds and deaf education, retired after a at Delta Foremost Chemical Corp., 1. administration, is an elections advertising communications, grown children and live in Dickinson. a masters in communication career as an assistant professor of based out of Memphis, Tenn. She lives University Police Chief Dr. Hector Flores ’16, ’20 who served in the U.S. Marine Corp., manager and the first African celebrated their tenth wedding disorders and is a speech language interpreter preparation at Del Mar in Nederland with her and David Martin, Associate VP of Facilities Management who served in the U.S. American female to be elected Justice anniversary this year. They live in Todd Pearson ’09, B.B.A. general pathologist. Her husband, A.J. ’11, College. He lives in Corpus Christi. husband, Derek. Air Force. Beaumont with their three children. business, ’13, M.B.A. business of the Peace for Jefferson County. She B.S. psychology, ’13, M.B.A. business administration, is finance manager of lives in Beaumont. administration, is executive director at ’12, B.A. John Ownes ’11, M.Ed. Rachel (Cook) Boyce 2. Juan Zabala ’07, VP for University Advancement; Nick Carter ’75, keynote speaker; Kimberly (Goldsmith) Mullins ’08, health system business operations at Windsor Nursing and Rehab Center of administration, is an assistant American sign language, is an ASL ’10, M.Ed. Dr. Derina Holtzhausen, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication; and B.B.A. marketing, B.B.A. management UT Southwestern Medical Center. He Alex Fingers Seguin. They live in New Braunfels. principal at Willis High School in the teacher in the Clear Creek school administration, is principal of information systems, holds an M.B.A. and his wife, Meredith, live in Dallas. Conroe school district. He lives district. She lives in League City with Dr. Kenneth Evans, Lamar University President. Grapevine High School in Grapevine- in business administration and is Cheryl Scott ’10, M.Ed. in Magnolia. her husband, Alex. a senior manager of information Brian Roberson II ’09, B.S. Colleyville school district. Prior to administration, ’20, Ed.D. educational technology in the Houston school communication, ’10, M.Ed. educational being named principal in April 2020, leadership, is math department chair ’12, B.S. nursing, Kayla Peltier ’11, B.G.S. general Anasha Bush-Butler district. She lives in Cypress. technology leadership, is principal of he was principal at Cross Timbers at Rockwall High School in Rockwall holds an M.S. in nursing and owns studies, holds a doctorate degree in ’12, M.Ed. ’12, KIPP Northeast College Preparatory. Middle School in the same district school district. She lives in Rockwall. her own practice in Port Arthur. She Charde Dockery Cheryl (Swaney) George pharmacy and is a pharmacy manager administration, is principal at DeLay B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, is a ’08, He lives in Rosharon with his starting in 2016. He began his career lives in Port Arthur with her husband, Veronica (Ramsey) Redmon at Walmart. She lives in Port Arthur. Middle School in Lewisville school senior production planner at AbbVie. B.G.S. general studies, ‘14, M.Ed. wife, Jackie. teaching English/language arts and ’10, M.Ed. educational Roderick. John Thomas district. She was principal of Dan F. Her husband, ’09, M.Ed. administration, ’16, M.Ed. special social studies. Alex is currently technology leadership, is a pastor Clifton T.J. Reed ’11, M.Ed. administration, Long Middle School in Carrollton- administration, is a teacher at Lorena education, is a parent and family ’09, B.B.A. finance, pursuing a doctoral degree in at the United Methodist Church in ’12, B.A.A.S. Kenny Rodriguez is principal at Agnew Middle School Amy (Bernard) Crew Farmers Branch school district school district. They live in Lorena. engagement coordinator in the is the director of budget and financial educational leadership. He lives Troup/Walnut Grove. He lives in applied arts and sciences, who also in Mesquite school district. He has for four years. Dockery began her Beaumont school district. She lives in planning at Lamar University. His in Dallas. Troup with his wife, Rhiannon. holds master’s degrees in criminology, worked in education for 15 years education career as a seventh-grade 12, M.Ed. Beaumont with her husband, Donald. wife, ’09, B.B.A. educational administration, and Christopher Granger ’ Brooke (Fairchild) and was assistant principal at West science teacher and has also coached administration, 14, Ed.D. educational accounting, is a project manager at Elizabeth Hancock ’10, M.Ed. ’10, B.B.A. curriculum and instruction, is Heather (O’Pry) Yentzen Mesquite High School prior to his girls basketball, volleyball and track. leadership, is the superintendent of ’09, B.B.A. finance FABco. They live in Sour Lake with educational technology leadership, is marketing, ’20, M.S. management admission, review and dismissal Aaron Bonvillion current position. T.J. lives in Dallas. She lives in Lewisville. Blaine school district in Blaine, Wash. and economics, ’10, M.B.A. business their two children. assistant principal of the Disciplinary information systems, is a logistics coordinator for special education at Prior to serving in administrative roles administration, is a real estate agent Alternative Education Program in analyst at Indorama in Port Neches. Vidor Junior High School. She is also Brice Sherrod ’11, B.S. biology, ’12, B.S. in the district, Granger worked as an with The Loken Group. He lives in ’09, M.Ed. Houston school district, and she lives She and her husband, ’12, B.S. an instructional materials quality Sharita Gardner Matt Russell Jacob earned his law degree and opened communication, is communications assistant superintendent of Bisbee Houston with his wife, Melissa. administration, is principal of Allen in Houston. criminal justice, live in Sour Lake with evaluation reviewer for the Texas The Sherrod Law Firm in 2021. He is manager for the Port of Port Arthur. Unified School District in Bisbee, Ariz. High School in Allen school district. their daughter. an estate planning lawyer, operating Education Agency. Amy and her ’10, M.Ed. administration, She lives in Beaumont. He lives in Blaine, Wash. Heather (Migues) Brown ’09, The school year marked his 25th year Aaron Loyd both virtually and in person. He husband, Ellison, live in Orange. was named principal of Barton Middle B.S. biology, ’15, B.S. nursing, is a as an educator and his 23rd with the and ’15, B.S. School of Hays school district in April Tayler (Saumell)

more than 16 years of educational The Early school district Board of Year five times and was also named Melinda Howard ’12, B.A. English, Jenni Ly ’14, B.F.A. studio art, works Kaila Spoonemore ’15, B.M. music, Tammy Davis Nettles ’16, M.Ed. Brooke Tait ’16, B.G.S. general ’17, M.Ed. educational technology experience, most of which spent in Trustees named Dewayne Wilkins for Tellinga, a Houston-based start-up the Tyler Sportswriters East Texas ’17, M.M. music, is director of administration, is a professor of studies, is a rental coordinator at leadership, is a teacher at the W.T. leadership roles as a principal or ’13, M.Ed. administration, who also that creates personalized hand- Coach of the Year in 2019-2020. They percussion and assistant band director education instruction at Austin Bobcat of Houston. She lives Hall Center of Education in the Aldine assistant principal. Copelnad began holds a doctorate in educational drawn greeting cards that tell your live in Godley. at Cleveland High School in the Community College and an AP French in Friendswood. school district. She lives in Spring. her education career teaching seventh- leadership and administration, story through snail mail. Instead of Cleveland school district. She lives in consultant with College Board. She and eighth-grade reading and English superintendent of the district in May ’15, B.B.A. a one-time greeting card for a single Monica Boggan New Caney. designs on-demand instructional Landon Winton ’16, M.Ed. and coached volleyball, basketball, 2020. Prior to this position, Wilkins accounting, ’17, M.B.A. business Jeremy Kirt ’12, B.S. kinesiology, ’14, occurrence, Tellinga artists work on videos for AP Daily, an online administration, is principal of track and cheerleading. She and her was superintendent of Gordon school administration, is vice president of M.Ed. administration, is the campus your story based on your preferred Katherine (LaFleur) Tatum ’15, B.S. resource for teachers. She lives in Lubbock-Cooper High School in coordinator and head football coach husband, Stacy, have three grown district and previously held roles as story length of one day, one week, senior risk remediation at the JP speech and hearing sciences, ’17, Cedar Park. Lubbock-Cooper school district. He at Waltrip High School in the Houston children, and they live in Lubbock. principal, teacher and coach. He lives two weeks or one month, and their Morgan Chase Foundation. She lives M.S. speech-language pathology, is joined the school district in 2004 and in Early. in Katy. school district. He lives in Houston. team personalizes the story from a speech pathologist at Magnolia Naresh Jasti ’16, M.S. chemistry, is a served three years as an assistant M.J. Daffue ’13, B.G.S. general a photo you upload. Recipients Manor and director of Lightbulb quality assurance supervisor at BPI principal of the high school. He lives Woodsboro school district appointed studies, is a professional golfer on the Chadwick Allen ’14, B.G.S. general receive unique greeting card-sized Erman Cihan ’15, B.S. mechanical Moments Enrichment and Tutoring. Labs LLC. He lives in Saint Petersburg, in Lubbock. PGA Tour. He lives in Kingwood with studies, ’16, M.S. criminal justice, is engineering, who also holds a master’s John Lesak ’12, M.Ed. administration, illustrations every other day in their Her husband, Grant ’16, B.S. Fla., with his wife, Ramya. his wife, ’13, B.S. a football, basketball and physical degree in mechanical engineering, to be the new athletic director and Kamila (Badeaux) mailbox until the story ends. Jenni interdisciplinary studies, teaches sixth- Erika (Leggett) Clabough ’17, B.F.A. speech and hearing sciences. education coach at Cypress Falls is an aerospace engineer at NASA head football coach at Woodsboro enjoys drawing and conjuring up grade science in the Port Neches- Lexia Knowles ’16, B.F.A. studio graphic design, is owner of Erika High School in May 2020. Prior to High School in the Cypress-Fairbanks personal cards for customers. She Johnson Space Center in Houston. He Groves school district. They live in art, is a freelance studio artist, video Leggett Graphic Design and Director beginning the role, Lesak was special Garret Duhon ’13, B.S. civil school district. His wife, Carissa lives in Houston. lives in League City. Port Neches. producer and special effects makeup of Communications and Graphic teams coordinator for the football engineering, holds a master’s in ’15, B.S. communication, ’18, M.Ed. artist. She lives in Port Arthur. Design at First United Methodist engineering management and is administration, is a teacher at ’15, team, strength and conditioning Khanh Pham ’14, M.Ed. Gabriella (Avilla) Credeur Macy (Riggs) Tatum ’15, B.B.A. Church of Beaumont. Her husband, a project manager for Manhard Meadows Elementary School in the B.S. nursing, is an emergency room coach for both boys and girls athletic administration, is the principal of St. management information systems, Jayson McKinley ’16, B.S. mechanical Cole ’17, B.S. chemical engineering, programs and head softball coach at Consulting. His wife, Candice Fort Bend school district. They live Ambrose Catholic School in Houston, registered nurse at Christus St. B.B.A. advertising communication, engineering, is a professional baseball is a project manager and process Edna school district. He and his wife, (Montgomery) ’13, B.S. industrial in Richmond. where he lives. Elizabeth Hospital. She lives in Dayton is operations manager at Craftwork player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. engineer at Environmental Intellect. Manda, have three sons. engineering, is commercial manager at with her husband, Kevin ’13, B.M. Coffee Co. She lives in Benbrook He lives in Friendswood. They live in Beaumont. Freeport LNG. They live in Houston. ’14, M.Ed. music, ’17, M.M. music. Marlon Byrdsong Becky Phifer ’14, M.Ed. with her husband, Blair ’16, B.B.A. administration, was named principal Marco Morales ’12, M.Ed. administration, is a Texas lesson study management information systems. Shelby Murphy ’16, B.A. English, Caitlin Cloyd ’17, M.Ed. education administration, was part of the 2019 Heather (Daniel) Edgar ’13, B.A. of Liberty-Eylau Middle School facilitator and coach at Region 11 Samayita Ganguly ’15, M.S. biology, is a financial literacy and outreach technology leadership, is an assistant Spanish, is a language and literature in April 2020. He has worked in is a research specialist at Midwestern class of the Cahn Fellows Program Education Service Center. She lives in Joey Welborn ’15, M.Ed. counselor for the University of Texas. principal at Klein High School in the with Columbia University Teachers department head at Sidney Lanier education for more than 16 years as Fort Worth. University in Glendale, Ariz. She and administration, is the principal at Akin She lives in Austin. Klein school district. She lives College. Morales has worked in Middle School in the Houston school an elementary reading specialist, high her husband, Angikar Sarkar ’12, Elementary School in Wylie school in Spring. district. She lives in Houston with her school teacher, assistant principal M.E.S. electical engineering science, education for more than 12 years Danai Strother ’14, B.S. district. Prior to beginning his role in Julie (Lane) Nezat ’16, B.A.A.S. husband, ’13, B.S. mathematics, and a football coach. Marlon’s wife, live in Peoria, Ariz. and began with Houston school Joel communication, is owner of Division 2020, he spent the first 13 years of his nursing, B.S. nursing, is health Oxy (Benites) Defrancis ’17, B.S. district in 2006 at Tinsley Elementary who is a dentist. Tanisha, is a teacher at Liberty- One Nutrition. She lives in Houston. educational career at Webb Middle services coordinator in the Beaumont nursing, is a nurse at The Woman’s School. From there, he transferred to Eylau Elementary School. They have Alvin Goldman Jr. ’15, B.A. political School in Garland school district, school district. She lives in Beaumont Hospital of Texas in Houston. Her ’13, M.Ed. administration, two children, Marlon “Duece” and science, ’20, M.Ed. administration, is Brookline Elementary School and has Tim Ender Vul Thang ’14, M.E.S. civil serving as a reading intervention with her husband, Wesley. husband, Alexander ’18, B.B.A. also worked for Teach for America is in his first year as the boys head Michelle, and they live in engineering, is a product specialist a resource math teacher and head specialist, AVID site team member accounting, ’19, M.S. accounting, is basketball coach for the Beckville Wake Village. football coach at Welch Middle School in their summer institutes at Rice at Bentley Systems in Metairie, La., and campus improvement team leader Caitlyn (Champagne) Odom ’16, and an audit assistant at Deloitte Services. University. He served as principal of Bearcats in Beckville school district. where he lives. in Houston school district. He lives before joining Wylie school district her husband, Austin, had a baby boy, The couple lives in Spring. Brookline Elementary in Houston Prior to this role, he spent the Leslie Coble ’14, M.Ed. in Pearland. as an assistant principal. He lives in Truett Austin, June 6, 2020. Caitlyn previous six years of his 25-year administration, is assistant principal at before relocating San Antonio, where Tyna Williams ’14, B.A.A.S. applied Garland. is a fourth-grade math and science Andrea Gonzalez ’17, M.Ed. he now leads J.T. Brackenridge coaching career at Spring Hill. Ender Cooper Junior School in Wylie school arts and sciences, is a teacher at Amanda Jurek ’15, B.A.A.S. applied teacher at Tom Wilson Elementary administration, is assistant principal at lives in Longview. district. She began her career in arts and sciences, ’20, M.S. nutrition, Elementary as principal. Marco Goodman Elementary School in the Michael Williams ’15, B.B.A. general School in Katy school district. They Midlothian High School in Midlothian and his wife, along with their three education as a math teacher in 2008 Fort Bend school district. She lives is an admissions document specialist business, is owner of Longhorn live in Katy. school district, a role she began prior ’13, A.A.S. nursing, and was a sponsor and coach in the at Wharton County Junior College and daughters, live in San Antonio. Joshua Olmstead in Fresno. Liquor. He and his wife, Katherine to the 2020-2021 school year. She lives ’15, B.S. nursing, and past. She lives in Garland. owner of Alyssa’s Kisses. She lives Shayna (Green) (Gavrelos) -10, interdisciplinary Amanda Prince ’16, M.Ed. in Grandview. ’15 were married May 16, 2020, and in Wharton. Monique Whittaker ’12, B.S. Andrew Arnold ’15, B.S. criminal studies, live in Beaumont. administration, is a social media have a baby girl, Elise Catherine. They ’14, interdisciplinary studies, who also Antionette (Walker) Cook justice, ’20, M.S. criminal justice, is marketer for Americom Marketing. Jessica Hale ’17, Ed.D. educational live in Lumberton. B.S. interdisciplinary studies, is a ’15, Ed.D. deaf studies holds a master’s degree in curriculum assistant chief of police for Nederland Fang-Huai Ku Jeremy Allen ’16, B.B.A. management She lives in Humble. leadership, is principal of Golbow and instruction, is head women’s second-grade teacher at Jenard M. Police Department. He and his wife, and deaf education, is founder of information systems, ’17, M.B.A. Elementary School in Katy school ’13, B.S. Gross Elementary School in Houston KODA Learning LLC. He lives in basketball coach and teaches speech Lauren Van Gerven Danna (Lee) ’06, live in Nederland. business administration, is case Traci Pridgen ’16, M.Ed. district. She has worked in education at Madisonville High School in communication, ’15, M.B.A. business school district. She and her husband, Redmond, Wash., with his wife, Yi-Li manager for Congressman Don Beyer administration, began serving as since 2008, serving as a teacher, administration, is a business Lawrence, live in Houston. ’15, Ed.D. deaf studies and Madisonville school district. She lives Katelynn (Thompson) Ashabranner Lin in the U.S. House of Representatives. principal of Northside Primary School assistant principal and student in Huntsville. development manager at Pioneer Golf ’15, B.B.A. general business, is deaf education. He and his wife, Myriam, live in in Palestine school district in June support administrator. She lives in Austin, where she lives. Kwanzaa Edwards ’14, B.F.A. executive pastor at Encounter Church. Vienna, Va. 2020 after working in the district for in Katy. studio art, is a freelance painter and ’15, M.Ed. Kelly (Rivera) Williams ’12, B.S. She lives in Groves with her Chad Landry 15 years. She lives in Palestine. 13, B.S. nursing, who illustrator. She lives in San Antonio. administration, is a teacher and head communication, is the public relations Jackie McNeal ’ husband, Robert. Jennifer Anyanwu ’16, B.S. nutrition, Aaron Lavergne ’17, B.S. mechanical also holds an M.S.N., is an emergency baseball coach at Bridge City High and marketing administrator for the dietetics and hospitality, ’20, B.S. Erica (Edgerly) ’16, B.S. family and engineering, is a project engineer at medicine family nurse AV practitioner ’14, B.S. School in the Bridge City school Spindletop Center. Her husband, Rachel (Graham) Fuller Robin (Hathorne) Barela ’15, nursing, is a nurse at West Houston consumer science-fashion retailing JON Mechanical Systems. He lives at Sound Physicians. She and her interdisciplinary studies, is a first- district. He lives in Bridge City with Scott ’14, B.A. history, is an inventory B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, Medical Center. She lives in Houston. and merchandising, and Jacob Rone in Houston. supervisor at Best Buy. They live in partner, Ashley (Smith) ’14, A.A.S. grade teacher at Silsbee Elementary ’18, M.Ed. school counseling, is a his wife, Amanda (Patterson) ’02, ’17, B.B.A. management information nursing, live in Beaumont. School in the Silsbee school district. B.B.A. human resource management. Beaumont. school counselor in the Forney school Tiffany (McCauley) Absher ’16, systems, were married June 5, 2020. June LeFors ’17, M.S. deaf studies She lives in Silsbee with her husband, district. She lives in Forney with her M.Ed. administration, is an assistant Erica is the owner of Merle Norman and deaf education, is on the board ’13, B.S. Chase, and their twins, Claire ’15, Ed.D. educational Elliott Abbey ’13, B.B.A. general Kayleigh Romero husband, Brian. Lilia Nanez principal at Hopkins Elementary Cosmetics and Milli Kids Boutique in of trustees for the Florida School for business, is tribal realty director of the interdisciplinary studies, ’17, M.Ed. and Wade. leadership, is associate superintendent School in the Victoria school district. Orange, and Jacob is an engineer at the Deaf and Blind. She lives in Saint educational technology leadership, for curriculum and instruction in the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. He Jake Bell ’15, M.Ed. administration, She lives in Yoakum with her Scallon Controls in Beaumont. The Augustine, Fla. and his wife, Emma, live in Livingston. teaches at Beaumont Early College Michelle (Sheppard) Green ’14, B.S. who also holds a doctorate in Ector County school district. She lives husband, Brandon. couple lives in Bridge City. High School in Beaumont school biology, is a pre-advanced placement in Odessa. education, is the boys head basketball Demetrius McCall ’17, Ed.D. district in the Path College Career biology teacher in the Lumberton Patrick Carlton ’13, B.S. criminal coach at Glen Rose High School Collin Brice ’16, B.S. speech and Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Michael educational leadership, is deputy program. She lives in Beaumont. school district. She lives in Lumberton ’15, B.S. justice, is a process operator at in Glen Rose school district. He Haley Rodriguez hearing sciences, ’18, M.S. speech- Slaughter ’16, M.Ed. educational superintendent for administrative Cheniere Energy Inc. His wife, with her husband, Joseph. is the only head basketball coach interdisciplinary studies, ’18, M.Ed. language pathology, wrote a book technology leadership, who also holds services in the Goose Creek school ’13, M.Ed. education teacher leadership, is a teacher at Morgan Prewitt-Carlton ’13, Mary Shelley among Texas public high schools about his experiences as a gay a doctorate, to the Texas School Safety district. He lives in Humble with his B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, is technology leadership, is a recreation Brandon Laird ’14, B.M. music, ’18, who finished the 2019-2020 season Lakeview Elementary in the Port Christian man, which was published Center Board in June 2020. His term wife, Candice. a laboratory technician at Cheniere. center specialist for the City of La M.Ed. administration, is band director undefeated, as he guided the No. 1 Arthur school district. She lives by Wipf and Stock and released in expired Feb. 1, 2021, and was then Porte, Texas. She lives in Houston. at C.O Wilson Middle School in the in Nederland. They live in Port Neches. ranked Martin’s Mill to the Class 2A May 2020. He is a speech language extended in March 2021 to expire Jenna (Dunlap) Shoefstall ’17, Nederland school district. His wife, boys state tournament with a 39-0 pathologist at Beaumont Nursing and Feb. 1, 2023. Slaughter is assistant B.B.A. marketing, is a buyers agent ’13, B.S. criminal ’14, B.S. speech ’15, B.A. history, Brandy Copeland ’13, M.Ed. Tyler Thomas Morgan (Simmons) record. Due to the state tournament John Rutherford Rehab, and he lives in Beaumont. principal at Wylie High School in at Coldwell Banker Southern Homes administration, is principal of justice, is an account manager at & hearing sciences, ’17, M.S. speech- cancellation in March 2020 as a result ’17, M.A. history, is an administrative Wylie school district, a position he Real Estate. She lives in Nederland Manning’s Office Solutions. He lives in language pathology, is a speech associate for the Lamar University Westwind Elementary School in of COVID-19, his team was declared Shannon Cooper ’16, B.A. English, began in June 2020. He is active with her husband, Trent ’19, B.S. Frenship school district. She has Silsbee with his wife, Autumn. pathologist at Spindletop Center Early state co-champions for 2019-2020. College of Arts & Sciences. He lives in teaches tenth-grade English in the in the Wylie community, where he mechanical engineering. Childhood Intervention. They live Jake has been district Coach of the Groves with his wife, Caitlin. Cypress-Fairbanks school district. She lives, volunteering with Habitat for in Nederland. lives in Katy with her husband, Jerald. Humanity and the Wylie Youth Soccer Association.

38 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 39 | CLASS NOTES | INA ’17, B.B.A. is a process engineer at S&B district in Haslet. She has served ’19, B.G.S. general D Katie (Loftin) Shroff Nicholas Garth L Engineers and Constructors Ltd. They in leadership roles in the school R advertising communication, is studies, is a professional basketball a business career and technical live in Hallsville. district since 2014, first as an assistant player for the Omonia BC in Nicosia, A education teacher at Dayton High principal at Chisholm Trail before Cyprus, where he lives part time. School in Dayton school district. She Jamie Halliburton ’18, Ed.D., is being named the school’s principal. C principal of Cross Timbers Middle She lives in Fort Worth. and her husband, Michael, live in David Hicks ’19, M.Ed. administration, Spring with their daughter, Ellowyn. School in Grapevine-Colleyville is the head boys track and field school district. She began her career Robert Root ’18, B.S. political science, coach, as well as the varsity football as a teacher in Lubbock in 2000 and earned his law degree from the Sarah (Vanveckhoven) Stasinos ’17, defensive line coach and co-recruiting B.S. nursing, and her husband, Nick, served as an assistant principal prior University of Houston Law Center. He coordinator for Morton Ranch High 21 welcomed a baby girl, Sofia Marie, to serving as an elementary school lives in Houston. School in the Katy school district. He May 15, 2020. Stasinos is a life skills principal for five years. Halliburton lives in Katy. nurse at Sam Houston Elementary in lives in Grapevine. Shelby (Whitehead) Smylie ’18, B.S. chemical engineering, is an FFC Port Arthur school district. The family Jordan (Brown) Hollier ’19, B.S. 20 lives in Port Neches. Breanna (Overman) Holland contact engineer at ExxonMobil Corp. interdisciplinary studies, married her ’18, B.S. family studies, is a family She and her husband, Calvin ’20, B.S. husband, Tyler, March 7, 2020, and S consumer science teacher at Bridge industrial engineering, welcomed their Diana (Varela) Wagh ’17, B.S. they live in Port Neches. health education, ’18, M.P.H. public City High School in the Bridge City first child, Michael James, Sept. 10, school district. Her husband, 2020. They live in Lumberton. A E health, is a staff epidemiologist in Ryan Cassie Jenkins ’19, B.S. the health department of the City of ’14, M.B.A. business administration, communication-journalism, is a news is an independent financial service ’18, Ed.D. D R Houston. She lives in Houston with Lakiesha Taylor reporter for Port Arthur News. She assistant. They live in Orange. educational leadership, is a national her husband, Hrishikesh ’18, M.E.S. lives in Cleveland. V U industrial engineering science. education administrator for T-Mobile E N T ’18, B.S. nutrition, for Education. She lives in Porter. Alexis Johnson Marina (Cernik) Kettler ’19, B.S. dietetics and hospitality, ’20, M.S. Matt Beadle ’18, B.S. electrical chemical engineering, is a refining When you are ready to get engineering, is a systems engineer nutrition, is WIC site supervisor and Roxana Tovar ’18, M.Ed. engineer for Marathon Petroleum Mount Rushmore Israel and data analyst at Lockheed Martin nutritionist of Galveston County administration, is a bilingual teacher Corp. She lives in Akron, Ohio, with on the road again, we have August 2021 November 2021 Aeronautics. He lives in Fort Worth. Health District. She lives in at L.E. Monahan Elementary School in her husband, Christopher. Port Arthur. Sheldon school district. She lives itineraries ready to go. in Houston. Egypt Alaskan Cruise Brian Bonner ’18, B.S. civil Abby McCarty ’19, M.Ed. Cardinal Adventures has engineering, is a design engineer Lacey (Debretagne) Johnson ’18, administration, is a transition October 2021 Summer 2022 assistant III for the Texas Department B.S. corporate communication, is a Haili (Stratton) Villa ’18, B.B.A. specialist and vocational adjustment of Transportation. He lives in Spring. relationship manager at Apex Systems. marketing, is a sales producer at coordinator at Lufkin High School in many great trips planned for Her husband, Jordan ’17, B.S. TWFG Arena Insurance. She lives in Lufkin school district. In 2020, she Holiday Markets Emerald Isle electrical engineering, is an associate Nederland with her husband, Arturo. both 2021 and 2022 with Kirby (Clayton) Campbell ’18, was named Teacher of the Year for of Europe of Ireland B.S. mechanical engineering, ’20, engineer at LCRA. They live in Burnet. her school. She lives in Lufkin. health and safety protocols M.B.A. business administration, is Joseph Waldron ’18, Ed.D. November 2021 May 2022 ’18, B.S. speech educational leadership, is chief a mechanical engineer at Hargrove Taryn (LaCour) Kelm Rachel (Melonson)-Reed ’19, securely in place. Engineers & Constructors. Her and hearing sciences, ’20, M.S. speech- financial officer for the Abilene school B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, language pathology, is a speech district. He lives in Abilene with his husband, Quaid ’18, B.S. mechanical works as a financial coach at engineering, is a mechanical engineer language pathologist at Regent Care in wife, Marijon. Melonson Enterprises in Beaumont. for Richard Design Services Inc. They League City. Her husband, Matthew She and her husband, Harry, live in live in Beaumont. ’17, B.S. mechanical engineering, is Leticia Batista ’19, Ed.D. educational Beaumont. Visit lamar.edu/cardinaladventures for more information. an operations plan flight controller leadership, is a kindergarten teacher at NASA Johnson Space Center in at McKinna Elementary School in Amie Cisneros ’18, B.S. Edgar Miranda ’19, M.Ed. communication-broadcasting, is Houston. They live in Friendswood. Oxnard school district in Oxnard, administration, is assistant principal at ’20, M.Ed. ’20, B.G.S. ’20, B.A.A.S. marketing and fundraising manager Calif. She lives in Camarillo, Calif. Lake Belton Middle School in Belton Catherine (Rothenay) Anderson Danitza (Rivera) Espinosa Miranda (McKay) Miller April (Bernard) Rose ’20, M.Ed. school counseling, teaches administration, teaches bilingual general studies, teaches fourth-grade applied arts and sciences, is a teacher at the Richard L. Shorkey Center in Katie Leavins ’18, B.S.W. social work, school district. He and his wife, Sara, elementary school in the Northside special education in Garland school math in the West Orange Cove school at Marshall Middle School in the Beaumont, where she lives. who also holds a master’s degree in Shelby Bickham ’19, B.S. criminal live in Temple. social work, is a social worker and justice, is a traveling leadership school district. She lives in Natalia district. She lives in Allen. district. She lives in Orange with her Beaumont school district. She lives in with her husband, Brian. husband, Alan. Orange with her husband, Dale. ’18, B.S. criminal mental health coordinator at Wheatley consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha ’19, B.B.A. marketing, Denton Cochran Josh Nzeakor ’20, B.A. English, is justice, works for Brinks, and he lives School of Early Childhood Programs Sorority’s international office, a is a professional basketball player Kaily Garcia ’20, B.G.S. general a content editor at Mometrix Test ’20, B.S. chemical ’20, B.S. communication- in Port Neches. in Port Arthur school district. She lives sorority of which she is a member. for the Atenas Cordoba Griego in T.J. Atwood Elohor Okene Cade Smith studies, is a professional basketball Preparation. She lives in Beaumont. engineering, is a production engineer journalism, is a general assignments in Nederland. She lives in Lubbock with her fiancé, Argentina. He lives in Mesquite. player for the Svendborg Rabbits in at Dow Chemical Co. Sabine River and sports reporter for the Killeen Woodland Hill Montessori School in Jordan Curl ’20, B.S. biology, who is Denmark, where he lives. ’20, B.S. kinesiology, Operations. She lives in Richmond. Daily Herald. He lives in Rensselaer, N.Y., named Luke McFarlane ’18, M.Ed. a student in the School of Medicine at ’19, M.Ed. administration, Savana Guidry Michelle Ryan Stepp is an assistant softball coach at Harker Heights. ’18, M.Ed. administration, administration, is assistant principal Texas Tech University Health is an assistant principal at Wheat Edwards ’20, B.S. chemical Nederland High School and coach for ’20, B.S. industrial head of school in May 2020. She was of Orangefield Elementary School in Sciences Center. Middle School in the Cleburne school Maria Azpilicueta Jim Parson engineering, is an engineer for Gladiator’s Softball. She lives engineering, works at Motiva ’20, B.G.S. general assistant head of school at WHMS Orangefield school district. He has district. He lives in Cleburne. Lydia Sterling ExxonMobil’s Beaumont Refinery. She in Nederland. Enterprises as a major maintenance studies, is a cybersecurity analyst and for four years, and as head toddler more than 13 years of experience Lillian (Hill) Conde ’19, B.A. English, lives in Beaumont. programs lead. He and his wife, lives in Houston. teacher, she played a critical role in in education. Prior to his role as is an administrative coordinator for ’19, B.S. mechanical Thaddeus Tiller ’20, B.S. Tracey, live in Port Neches. establishing the toddler program in principal, he taught biology at Southeast Texas Emergency Relief engineering, holds an M.S. in business Lauren (Dean) Guillory ’20, B.S. sociology, is business office manager ’20, B.S. nursing, is a 2012. Michelle lives in Niskayuna with Orangefield High School for nine Fund. She lives in Nederland with her and is the business development Shelby Brashers Ashley Towers interdisciplinary studies, teaches at Pucci Chateau. She lives in registered nurse in the cardiovascular her husband, Ashley; daughter, Emma; years, and he has coached football husband, Bryce ’20, B.S. coordinator at TowWorks LLC. He fifth-grade English, language arts and Nederland with her husband, Colton. ’20, B.S. electrical intensive care unit at Christus St. and son, Will. and baseball. He and his wife, Staci, chemical engineering. lives in Lake Jackson with his wife, Kristi Pham reading at Groves Elementary School engineering, is an instrumentation and Elizabeth Hospital. She lives have two children, and live in Orange. ’18, B.S. industrial Cameron (Shipp) in Port Neches-Groves school district. ’20, B.G.S. general electical reliability engineer at INEOS in Beaumont. ’18, B.G.S. Carly Duplant ’19, B.M. music engineering, ’19, M.B.A. business Davon Jernigan Krysten (Harvey) Graves She lives in Port Neches. studies, is a professional football Olefins and Polymers. She lives general studies, married her husband, Adebayo Onafuwa ’18, B.S. education, is head band director at administration. player for the Tuscon Sugar Skulls in in Pearland. ’20, B.S. mathematics, Ethan, May 30, 2020. She is in her mechanical engineering, is a Anahuac Middle School. She and Sarah Truncale ’20, B.G.S. general the Indoor Football League. He lives is a teacher at Bridge City High School first year of teaching second grade mechanical design engineer for Eric Rose ’13, B.M. music, became ’19, B.B.A. J.C. Correa Ruthli Wedekind studies, signed with the Houston in Statesboro, Ga. ’20, B.S. mechanical in the Bridge City school district. She at Hillcrest Elementary School in Honeywell. He lives in Houston. engaged in March 2020. Eric is the management information systems, Marcus Rodgers Astros in June 2020 as an undrafted engineering, and lives in Orange. Nederland school district. They live in head band director at Central Middle teaches engineering and computer Jessica (Myers) free agent. He joined his older ’20, B.S. biology, ’20, ’17, B.S. nursing, were married May Port Neches. Alyce Quesenberry ’18, M.Ed. School in Nederland school district. science at Bridge City High School Katie Meaux brother, Carlos Correa, current B.S. psychology, is a medical student 29, 2020. Marcus works for NASA administration, is an assistant Carly lives in Groves and Eric lives in the Bridge City school district. She shortstop for the Astros who helped at University of Texas Medical Branch, Flight Operations at Ellington Field in ’18, B.S. electrical principle at W.O. Gray Elementary in Nederland. lives in Bridge City. Wesley Grisham the team win the World Series. J.C. and she lives in Galveston. Houston. The couple lives engineering, is a teacher at Bruce School in the Mesquite school district. lives in Spring. in Dickinson. Junior High School in the Gilmer She lives in Dallas. Huilong Gai ’19, Ph.D. chemical 19, B.S. Heather Williams ’ ’20, B.M. music school district. His wife, engineering, is a research scientist interdisciplinary studies, teaches Hannah Meyer Rebekah ’20, B.F.A. graphic education, teaches music at William ’18, B.S. chemical engineering, Matrice Raven ’18, Ed.D. educational in Lamar University’s Department of fourth grade at Regina-Howell Patricia Correa (Hunt) design, is a junior designer at B. Travis Elementary School in Port leadership, is the principal at Adams Chemical Engineering. He lives Elementary in the Beaumont school Razorfish. She lives in Harker Heights. Arthur school district, and she lives in Middle School in Northwest school in Beaumont. district. She lives in Beaumont. Port Arthur.

40 CARDINAL CADENCE | Welcome President Jaime Taylor | SUMMER 2021 CARDINAL CADENCE | LU Everywhere: Perseverance Through Community | WINTER 2020 41 CURIOSITY fuels DISCOVERY Best Presentations for O.U.R. Sponsored Research The Office of Undergraduate Research Humanities, Arts, Social “My research journey has been one Viviana Denova encourages students’ innate curiosity Danielle Soileau FIRST PLACE and Behavioral Sciences, in which I’ve grown academically, Business Management Biology and provides the resources necessary Education and Business professionally and personally. At Mentors: Dr. Gevorg Mentor: Dr. Ashwini Kucknoor Talon Weaver for the exploration to satisfy it…or keep Conference this year’s HASBSEB Conference, not Sargsyan and Dr. Kabir Sen Civil Engineering only was I able to share my study Mentors: Dr. Evgeny Romashets and Dr. it stoked, as answering some questions Presentation: “The Economic Impact of College of Engineering findings, but I was also able to learn Cristian Bahrim, Department of Physics can inevitably lead to others. These WINNER: SURF CATEGORY Tourism on the Texas Gulf Coast and Alexander Bahrim of my fellow presenters’ amazing Costa Blanca” Electrical Engineering Research: “Identifying Solar Sources of students have begun their journeys as and impactful research studies. I Mentors: Dr. Gleb Tscheslavski the Most Geo-Effective Interplanetary a result of the opportunities the Office William Perry look forward to seeing how we will “I really enjoyed being a part of the and Dr. Cristian Bahrim Disturbances” of Undergraduate Research provides: Nursing all continue to pursue our interests HASBSEB Conference 2020. I really Kalen Baker learning how to conduct research, Mentor: Dr. Cynthia Pipkins and to contribute knowledge across appreciate the fact that presenters had “The Office of Undergraduate Research disciplinary fields.” a platform to showcase their research. Mechanical Engineering here at Lamar University provided me with funding a project, collaboration, Project: Work-related I feel so fortunate to be a part of Lamar Mentor: Dr. Ping He an opportunity to experience research and Musculoskeletal Disorders and Christina Segura professional development through University who cares about making be involved in something much larger than Psychological Factors in Licensed Nurses: Corporate Cymone Houston faculty mentorship, making presentations sure we have an opportunity to show myself. This experience has expanded my A Secondary Analysis Communication Civil and at conferences. These invaluable off all our hard work.” Environmental Engineering education and opened the door to career “My peers in research are very talented Mentor: Dr. Andre Favors paths I did not believe were possible experiences enrich their college careers Mentor: Dr. Thinesh Sevaratnam and very inspiring. I was very humbled Presentation: “Uncertainty and Risk in Christina Segura for me.” and set them up for success as they and honored to be recognized at this Corporate Communication Melissa Tan the Anthropocene: Lived Experiences of pursue graduate school and begin their year’s HASBSEB Conference. All of the Mentor: Dr. Andre Favors Civil and SECOND PLACE Repeated Disasters in Southeast Texas” Environmental Engineering professional careers. presenters there were of exceptional Presentation: “Uncertainty and Risk in Rebekah Schilberg talent and had an unequaled zeal in “My experience at the 2020 HASBSEB Mentor: Dr. Thinesh Sevaratnam Chemistry “Our students’ keen interest for The Anthropocene: Lived Experiences of each of their subjects.” conference was both richly rewarding Gabriel West TALH student discovery and understanding the world Repeated Disasters in Southeast Texas” and highly motivational. It was Mechanical Engineering Mentors: Dr. Suying Wei and Dr. Sylvestre is revealed in every talk and poster RUNNER-UP: SURF CATEGORY especially meaningful for me as a Mentors: Dr. Sushil Doranga Twgirayezu, Department of Chemistry and presentation,” said Cristian Bahrim, graduating senior to hear speakers Summer Undergraduate and Dr. Jenny Zhou Biochemistry like Dr. Holtzhausen and Ms. Maria Research Fellowship professor of physics and acting director Ashtyn Jones Research: “Rotational Signature of Stamatis describe the impact research Speech and Each SURF winner receives university College of Fine Arts Perfluorooctanoic Acid as Revealed by of the undergraduate research. “Many has had on their academic and Hearing Sciences funds, including a $2,000 stipend, and Communication Molecular Rotational Resonance Spectroscopy” projects have been researched for more professional careers.” Mentor: Dr. Lekeitha Morris $1,000 in research support, free housing Chloe Smith than one year with faculty guidance, for ten weeks during the summer and “The undergraduate research program Project: Influence of aSelf-Paced Online Elizabeth Nimmons Speech and Hearing Sciences starting with extensive literature review, $500 in travel support to disseminate has allowed me to work on an important Training Program on Caregivers Reading Music Education Mentor: Dr. Monica Harn their research results to conferences scientific problem that could have an impact continuing with the development of Habits Mentor: Dr. Debra Greschner Madison Fondren and during the next university year. on the public environment and beyond. complicated theoretical or numerical Presentation: “The Pedagogy of Kinlee Buesing As I progress through my academic and “SURF provided me with invaluable Speech and Hearing Sciences algorithms and meaningful hands-on opportunities. It helped me build a Body Alignment” 2021 AWARDEES AND professional careers, I will use the lessons experience in our academic labs. The Mentor: Dr. Jamie Azios I learned from research to strengthen the great mentoring relationship with “My experience in the HASBSEB THEIR MENTORS researchers and presenters have shown Dr. Morris, who I regard so highly. I Cesar Julian Delgado decisions I make for my future.” Conference brought me excitement Communication and Media the great potential Lamar University truly believe literacy development is and inspiration. So many researchers THIRD PLACE College of Arts and Sciences Mentors: Dr. Andre Favors a critical area of research, and I hope mostly around my age discussed has in offering research facilities and Dr. Natalie Tindall Katherine Correa more students at LU, through O.U.R., topics that were worthy of taking Oluwatomisin Egbewale and adequate support for running can continue research in literacy Computer Science Drawing and Biology note. The mentors shared warm, Reaud Honors College competitive research projects, including development. I believe this experience constructive feedback and gave Mentors: Dr. Sujing Wang College of Education Mentor: Dr. Robert Kelley Bradley, Department at undergraduate level.” will make me a more valuable graduate us advice on how to improve our and Dr. Xingya Liu and Human Development student and more experienced clinician of Industrial and Systems Engineering To celebrate scholarship research. The jewel that each person Callan Noak Damaris Thrash in the workplace.” Research: “The Babe Zaharias Medals: accomplishment, each year OUR brought to the table was a sincere Computer Science Health and Kinesiology passion for people. It was an honor to Mentor: Dr. Shannon Jordan Exploring Methods of Replication for a hosts STEM and non-STEM research Mentors: Dr. Sujing Wang WINNERS: NON-SURF SESSION take my turn and present my research Promising Non-Contact Based Approach.” conferences and also awards fellowships: alongside my peers. This conference Nyah Sciarrilla College of Business “I am truly honored to have been part the Humanities, Arts, Social and Aurora Maldonado highlighted the importance of Biology Viviana Denova of the O.U.R experience. The Office of Social Work transforming society for the better by Mentor: Dr. Matt Hoch Behavioral Sciences, Education and Finance Undergraduate Research has opened the informing oneself.” Business Conference (HASBSEB) each Mentor: Dr. Ginger Gummelt Carrissa Slaughter Mentor: Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan doors of exploration for our interdisciplinary November, the spring Undergraduate Presentation: “Perceived Center for History and Culture of Biology project, allowing us the opportunity to work with other universities and explore the use Research & Creative Activity Expo Barriers to Persistence in Higher Southeast Texas and the Upper Mentor: Dr. Ashwini Kucknoor Education: The Intersectionality of Gulf Coast of technology for the replication of the and Summer Undergraduate Research Acculturation and College Self-efficacy of Award for Best Presentation Related to historic Babe Zaharias’ medals. “ Fellowships (SURF). Latinx/Hispanic Students.” the History and Culture of the Region

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LAMAR UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES master’s degree in geospatial sciences

by Shelly Vitanza

combination of technical career options with a master’s degree in training, critical-thinking geospatial sciences include GIS analyst, skills and the ethical cartographer, remote sensing analyst, framework necessary to drone photogrammetrist, environmental be effective geospatial scientist, urban/regional planner, health analysts in any sector geographer, GIS administrator, GIS of the field. Students developer and GIS project manager. will be given substantial According to the U.S. Department of practical experience in Labor 2018 statistics, Texas is one of the the application of state-of- states with the most GIS job demand. the-art geospatial-based Moreover, southeast Texas offers one systems to a wide range of of the highest annual mean wages of he Department of Earth and Space real-world applications,” Amer said. cartographers and photogrammetrists at Sciences and Lamar University Demand for well-trained geospatial $75,230 to $103,710. Geospatial Center offered a professionals is growing much faster “The master’s program in geospatial TMaster of Science degree in geospatial than supply. Trained individuals are sciences addresses the immediate and sciences for the first time this spring. needed at multiple levels, from certified growing need to train a workforce for The program includes a 30-credit-hour, entry-level technicians to mid-level the rapidly expanding local geospatial thesis-based option or a 36-credit-hour, master’s graduate and research scientists. industry in Texas,” said Amer, who has non-thesis option and is designed to The field of geospatial sciences supports worked in GIS since 2000 and formerly train individuals to work in any sector of decision making in a variety of fields developed a GIS certificate program at geospatial sciences. such as physical and environmental LU. “Graduates of this program will be “The M.S. degree will provide sciences, geology, natural resources, able to convey to potential employers education in all the key areas of agriculture, urban planning and the comprehensiveness of their training geospatial technologies most relevant management, political science, civil at Lamar University and readiness to to the contemporary workplace, engineering, economics, business, real implement their knowledge obtained including computer-based geographic estate, education administration, health during the program through research information systems, remote sensing care, urban flooding and emergency projects and in the classroom, which techniques, drone technology, digital response, and coastal restoration and is often not self-evident in the job image processing, spatial analysis and management. application and interview process,” said modeling, global positioning systems According to the U.S. Department of Amer. The master’s program in geospatial and data science in the big data era,” Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs sciences is open to all students in all said Reda Amer, director of the LU in the field of the geospatial disciplines disciplines and will be delivered through Geospatial Center and director of are expected to grow nationally by a combination of face-to-face and Geographic Informational Systems approximately 19% between 2016 and distance education instruction. programs. “Students will gain a 2026 and 28.3% in Texas. Potential