CadenceCARDINAL VOL. 34 NO. 3 | OCTOBER 2006 Design by Mike Rhodes Cover illustration by Bill Anderson From the President DEPARTMENTS CARDINAL Cadence 4 On campus 36 Athletics During the graduation ceremonies recently, I was taken by the quality Chemical engineering tops . Movers and shakers . Golfers rank in nation’s Top 10 of young men and women graduating from Lamar. I wish it were pos- The Staff Making class count sible for each of you to stand at my shoulder as I greet these graduates. Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of 42 Arts & Culture 25 Class notes La Dolce Vita . Lamarissimo!Baseball tourna There is a vibrancy that radiates from each of them. They go from this University Advancement, Lamar University, a member of Homecoming . Regional clubs . Reunions place armed with a fine education. I am most thankful for them, for The Texas State University System and an affirmative 47 Dreambuilders the parade of possibility that crosses the Montagne Center platform action, equal opportunity educational institution. each December, May and August. Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations Not many days later, another parade of eager young faces Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist appeared on our campus. This time, tassels were replaced with overstuffed boxes of belongings, and Larry Acker, Assistant Director, Writer sometimes parents were in tow as they found their new home-away-from-home in Cardinal Village. FEATURES Chris Castillo, Marketing Specialist, Writer These eager young men and women are embarking on a new era in their personal journey — college Louise Wood, Media Specialist, Writer life. A new academic year has begun. 8 Conception to completion What a year it promises to be. Cardinal Village is full to the brim (with more students in Brooks Contributors: Stepping up to compete for external dollars Hall) and nearby housing is full as well. That is why we have put forward plans to build more student Daucy Crizer, Drew Lacey, Susan McNicholl, housing, and, if approval is received, we will be breaking ground for a fourth phase of Cardinal Village Amanda Rowell, writing 10 Spirit of the law Michelle Cate, Allen Pearson, Rohn Wenner, photography in the coming year. Cavaliere practices what he teaches This fall, we’re setting another record on campus — our first year with five doctoral programs, Circulation includes 54,000 copies distributed to alumni, 8 including the university’s first Ph.D. (chemical engineering). Each of our doctoral-level programs is faculty, staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have 12 Going zero G supported by a breadth and depth of experience in our colleges — they are both tribute to and a result received more than one copy of this publication, please Student experiments take flight of our excellence. let us know. In other academic news, Lamar has set another milestone with the beginning of the bachelor’s ASL degree makes a splash Changes of address may be sent to: 14 degree in American Sign Language — the first such degree offered in Texas. University Advancement, Bachelor’s in American Sign Language Congratulations are in order to our chemical engineering department — ranked No. 1 last year in P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by now available the number of master’s degrees granted. With 55 graduates, Lamar outpaced MIT, Yale, Michigan and email: [email protected] Georgia Tech. 16 Lovin’ every minute of it Division of University Advancement Construction continues on campus. The Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center — truly a From rodeo clown to undercover agent, Camille Mouton, Vice President Lucas courted danger state-of-the-art complex — will open in the spring, and construction on a new academic building — the Janice Trammell ’85, ’93, Director of Development old dining hall — will prepare it to house communication programs and several student support services. Mona Halvorsen ’95, Director of Advancement Services 14 Another exciting development is the establishment of the Office of Sponsored Programs Loraine Thibodeaux, Director, University Reception Centers 20 Honorable professions Stethoscopes and Stetsons Administration. With the mission of “concept to completion” support for scholarship and research at P.O. Box 10011 12 the university, this new office has the potential to increase grant-supported research many-fold Beaumont, Texas 77710 — enriching all areas of the university. (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 22 World Vision email: [email protected] I am humbled each year when I see the support you give to the annual fund. Your generosity LAGNIAPPE Crossing borders does so much to help students achieve an outstanding education at Lamar University. I trust you will Lamar University Alumni Office 19 Cardinal Views respond again to the opportunity to make a difference when you receive your copy of the annual fund When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the 34 Distinguished alumni appeal in the mail in the coming weeks. We are a team — students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Building B, Drayer, Joseph, Reaud, Swerdlow and friends. Together we are making a difference. Thank you! 855 Florida, Suite 102. Wing honored 20 Juan Zabala, Director of Alumni Affairs With Cardinal Pride, 48 Legend and miracles LU Alumni Office Distinguished lecturer Spanish at heart P.O. Box 10005 Beaumont, Texas 77710 (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 50 Lark Bernini James M. Simmons Email: [email protected] Mission: impossible www.lamar.edu/alumni President 52 Believe in Belize Lamar University Lamar University Foundation 22 48 Janice Trammell, Executive Director Students bring playtime to children Lamar University Foundation THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM P.O. Box 11500 BOARD OF REGENTS Beaumont, Texas 77710 (409) 880-2117 Email: [email protected] Charles Matthews, Chancellor • Austin Kent M. Adams, Chairman • Beaumont Bernard C. Francis, Vice Chairman • Addison Dionicio “Don” Flores • El Paso Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published quarterly by Lamar University, Division of University Advancement, Dora G. Alcalá • Del Rio Ken Luce • Irving 855 E. Florida, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Periodicals postage Alan W. Dreeben • San Antonio Pollyanna A. Stephens • San Angelo paid at Beaumont, TX, and additional mailing offices. John E. Dudley • Comanche Greg Wilkinson • Plano CARDINAL CADENCE | 3 2 | CARDINAL CADENCE 16 50 on campus on campus Movers and shakers Congratulations to six retirees, who represent more Faculty honors Rita hits enrollment, Chemical engineering than 150 total years of teaching excellence: Stephen The Lamar Honors Council Hodges, associate professor of art; Barbara Mathis, honored Dale Ortego, Regents’ campus springs back John Pearson stands first in nation professor of music; , associate Professor of Chemistry, as DALE ORTEGO The fall semester began with a few empty seats on professor of management information systems; Honors Professor of the Year. campus resulting from fallout of Hurricane Rita, offi- Richard Price In the most recent “In addition, the , associate professor of mathematics; Ortego has been a faculty member since 1968 . cials said. First-day enrollment headcount was 9,566 Chester Runnels issue of Chemical & momentum which the , associate professor of biology; and Ten faculty have received 2006-2007 Research students, down from 10,230 students on the same day Owana Sexton Engineering News, administration has , clinical instructor in nursing . Enhancement Grants: Paul Bernazzani, chemistry in fall 2005, a 6.5 percent decrease. Lamar University was instilled in the universi- District 4 of the Council for the Advancement and and physics; Daniel Chen, chemical engineering; “The drop was anticipated,” said Kevin Smith, ranked first in the nation ty, the reputation of our Support of Education recognized work submitted Joseph Kruger, earth and space sciences; Sidney Lin, senior associate provost at the university. “These stu- for the number of mas- program, and graduate by the public relations department and alumni chemical engineering; Jiangjiang “Jane” Liu, comput- dents who have not returned are primarily from the affairs offices in the Division of University er science; Ray Robertson, ter’s-level chemical engi- school scholarships have local region, students whose lives were disrupted by PRESIDENT JAMES SIMMONS neers in 2004-2005. each contributed to Advancement with two awards in the five-state sociology, social work and the hurricane.” Lamar’s numbers attract new graduate communication competition: a writing collection criminal justice; Pamela Saur, Housing shortages and more stringent admission policies are also factors in the Louise Wood topped those of Illinois students,” Li said. The by media specialist and the Red, English and modern lan- dip in enrollment, Smith said. Institute of Technology success of graduates in White & You/Jimmy Simmons & Friends cam- guages; Selahattin Sayil, electri- By the 20th class day, headcount had climbed to 9,906, down 6 percent from MASTER’S DEGREE paign . Marta Valenzuela has stepped into the and Massachusetts IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING finding employment in cal engineering; Jim Westgate, the previous fall’s 10,523. Semester credit hours were down 5.3 percent from the Institute of Technology. 2004 - 2005 the chemical industry is role of assistant director of student activities after earth and space sciences; and previous year. Lamar awarded 52 master’s degrees in the strongest factor, he said. five years as a graphic technician in Steven Zani, English and mod- Even so, the number of full-time students, those taking 12 hours or more, has Larry TERRI DAVIS chemical engineering, while IIT granted Lamar’s success in producing mas- the Setzer Student Center . ern languages . Terri Davis, increased by 2,000 over the past six years—from 4,800 to 6,800. That trend is Acker 45 and MIT granted 29. ter’s-level graduates in chemical engi- is assistant director of public assistant professor of political science, received the reflected in the smaller drop seen in the number of semester credit hours.