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ALL CHEERLEADERS: HISTORICAL RECORDS MAY NOT INCLUDE YOU . . . VISIT OUR WEBSITE NOW!

REUNION 2011 FORMER CHEERLEADERS AND FORMER HOMECOMING QUEENS The Office of Alumni Affairs is planning reunion events for all former cheerleaders and homecoming queens on October 22, culminating with the homecoming football game, which will see the Cardinals square off against Central Arkansas.

If you cheered for Lamar or are a former homecoming queen, please visit Advancement.Lamar.edu/Reunion to be certain that you receive reunion information.

This year will also mark the first-ever all Alumni tailgate before the homecoming game. Visit Advancement.Lamar.edu/Reunion for the most current information. GO CARDS! SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 22, 2011 CadenceCARDINAL VOL. 39 NO. 1 | APRIL 2011

Magazine Design: Mike Rhodes From the President Cover illustration: Bill Anderson CARDINAL These are exciting and challenging days for Lamar University. Cadence DEPARTMENTS Lamar passed a major milestone this spring when it was The Staff 24 On campus 32 Arts & Culture 44 Athletics 50 Class notes named a doctoral research university by the Carnegie Foundation Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of University for the Advancement of Teaching. Being a doctoral research Advancement, Lamar University, a member of The Texas university—one of two in The Texas State University System, State University System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity educational institution. FEATURES one of seven public Texas universities, and one of 27 public universities in the U.S. to have this classification—raises Lamar’s Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations 15 Hall of Fame salutes Crump visibility and its prestige and qualifies the university for Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist Business applauds James Crump ’62 as a opportunities we would otherwise be unable to pursue. Larry Acker, Assistant Director, Writer global leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers We are delighted to welcome Gregg Lassen to Lamar’s executive team as vice president for Beth Gallaspy ’09, Marketing Specialist, Writer Louise Wood, Media Specialist, Writer 16 Sound and spirit soar finance and operations. He joins Lamar with a track record of success. Gregg has served in Frances Simpson ’95, Senior Administrative Associate Singing the praises of a music building higher education since 2000, most recently at UT-Tyler, and has nearly two decades of corporate renovation that is more rebuild than revamp experience to draw on as well. Contributors These are challenging days for the State as legislators struggle to develop a budget for then Mary Baswell, writing 18 LU economic impact tops $310 million Mary Baswell, Matt Billiot, Michelle Cate, Gary Christopher, Through a dynamic business complex and gradu- next biennium. While the final figure is unknown, it is clear that Lamar will see a significant THE FACE OF THE CAMPAIGN Tom DuBrock, Joe Gaylor, Joel Gothe, Brandon Gouthier, ate advancement, LU helps ensure future vitality reduction in state support. Careful planning for the anticipated shortfall over the past 18 Keith Huckabay, Stephen Pinchback, photography INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 15 months has put LU in the best possible position and will enable the university to continue to Daniel Chen earns University Circulation includes 64,000 copies distributed to alumni, Global gift 19 4 Scholar acclaim move forward. Whatever the final reduction, we will deliver the highest quality instruction faculty, staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have Mark and Janie Steinhagen elevate MBA possible as we embrace research, scholarship and professional service and continue invest in received more than one copy of this publication, please program through Global Fellows Endowment Chen’s body of work wins him recognition let us know. areas that create opportunity for future growth. Rock solid 20 Seeing the invisible And, despite the challenging economy, the alumni and friends of Lamar has continued to Changes of address may be sent to: 6 Byron ’57 and Connie Dyer create Dyer Rafael Tadmor’s enjoyment of putting the puzzle University Advancement, support the university through the Investing in the Future comprehensive campaign. Donors together leads to groundbreaking discovery P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by Innovation Fund to expand horizons of earth and have already given more than $78 million to enhance LU for current and future generations. In E-mail: [email protected] space sciences faculty and students this issue of Cardinal Cadence, you can read about several new gifts including: Ray and Mary 47 Distinguished alumni named Division of University Advancement Moore milestone Moore’s gift creating the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music; Byron and Connie 8 Community champion, special education Camille Mouton, Vice President Ray ’50 and Mary Moore’s gift to music students pioneer and network broadcaster honored Dyer’s gift creating the Byron and Connie Dyer Innovation Fund for the Department of Earth Floyd F. McSpadden Jr., Director of Planned Giving inspires naming of Mary Morgan Moore and Space Sciences; Mark and Janie Steinhagen’s gift creating the Janie Nelson Steinhagen and Janice Trammell ’85, ’93, Director of Development Department of Music 62 Co-op to corporate Mark Steinhagen Global Fellows Endowment in the College of Business; Henry and Fran Tracie Craig, Director of University Reception Centers Lubrizol executive Larry Norwood ’73 leads Cardinal pride and tradition Strait’s gift creating the H.D. “Tex” and Emma Strait Baseball Training Facility; Richard and P.O. Box 10011 10 international endeavors Beaumont, Texas 77710 Bart ’78, ’79, and Martye Simmons ’78 honor Cathy Price’s gift naming the head coach’s office in the Athletic Complex; and Bart and Martye (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 Coach John Payton and help student-athletes Through the fire Simmons’ gift honoring longtime Coach John Payton by naming the John Payton Academic 64 Before his election to the Texas senate, Lt. Col. Success Center in the Athletic Complex. 11 A long way home Lamar University Alumni Office Brian Birdwell ’84 saw his life change forever in Richard and Cathy Price encourage young people When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the to achieve their full potential the Pentagon fire of Sept. 11, 2001 Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Building B, Suite 102, 855 Jim Gilligan Way. With Cardinal Pride, 12 Straits hit home run for Cards 66 Around the world Strait family honors Rex and Emma Strait’s Butch Smith ’75 spotlights Grace Flight with a Juan Zabala ’07, Executive Director of Alumni Affairs and 16 Advancement Services love of the game spin around the world LU Alumni Office James M. Simmons P.O. Box 10005 14 DreamMakers President Beaumont, Texas 77710 Alumni and friends are choosing to create vibrant Lamar University (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 legacies through a variety of endowments E-mail: [email protected] www.lamar.edu/alumni THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM LAGNIAPPE BOARD OF REGENTS Janice Trammell, Executive Director 22 Cardinal Views Lamar University Foundation Brian McCall, Chancellor | Plano P.O. Box 11500 36 Football is back Beaumont, Texas 77710 Fans enjoy historic season . . . Charlie Amato, Chairman | San Antonio David Montagne | Beaumont (409) 880-2117 see it in pictures Donna N. Williams, Vice Chairman | Arlington Trisha S. Pollard | Bellaire 40 Reunion 2010 pics Jaime Garza | San Antonio Rossanna Salazar | Austin 42 Tailgating pics Kevin J. Lilly | Houston Michael Truncale | Beaumont Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published biannually 68 Reunion 2010 Ron Mitchell | Horseshoe Bay Chris Covo, Student Regent | San Marcos by Lamar University, Division of University Advancement, 855 Jim Gilligan Way, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Attention former cheerleaders and 64 20 homecoming queens 2 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 3 CAMPAIGN IMPACT

abroad, accompanied by a legacy of leadership in economic develop- in 2011. But support has been limited, and College of Business faculty ment for the region, serving as president of faculty members have been unable to partic- Steinhagen Global Fellow. the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce and ipate because of budget constraints. They will participate in the Rotary Club of Beaumont and being “We’re excited about the Steinhagen classes and seminars with active in numerous civic and community Global Fellows endowment,” said Bradley other students, visit busi- organizations. Mayer, associate dean of the College of nesses and experience the His commitment to Lamar is exempli- Business and director of the MBA program. culture of the country—all fied by his service as a regent of the Lamar “Through study abroad, MBA students will at an advanced level. University System from 1979 to 1985 and benefit in both their personal and profes- “We have a global his gift in 2001 to help create the Institute sional developments. It will give students a economy, and this is an for Entrepreneurial Studies. A Presidential greater perspective of diversity and will opportunity for some of Scholarship is named in honor of Mark, his increase their connectivity well beyond the our outstanding graduate brother and their father. Roy Steinhagen region. The best way to gain an understand- students to make some established the Janie and Mark Steinhagen ing of diversity is to visit other countries trips and contacts and see Scholarship in Business in honor of his par- and begin to understand their cultures. and do some things that ents. Students who have experienced international they normally wouldn’t get Also a key supporter of Lamar, Roy study are eager to share their new perspec- to do. We’re pleased to be Steinhagen served four terms as president of tives with others when they return. The able to be a part of it,” said the Lamar University Foundation. “Roy has Steinhagen Global Fellows experience Mark Steinhagen, a long- worked hard out there and done a good job. will allow the MBA program to extend its time community and busi- That was part of our reason for taking a global reach by increasing the number of ness leader and former hard look at this program,” said his father. students who will be able to study abroad as Lamar regent. “We have “My background is in business, and when well as increasing the various study-abroad always supported local Henry and the team presented this idea, it offerings.” activities, and there’s noth- appealed to us. We’re pleased we were able The Steinhagen endowment represents ing more important in to do it.” another mark of excellence for the College Attending a luncheon in their honor to celebrate creation of the Steinhagen Global Fellows Endowment in Lamar’s College of Business are, Southeast Texas than Most of Lamar’s MBA students are of Business, which has seen its MBA student from left, Bill and Mary Jane (Steinhagen) Benning, Janie and Mark Steinhagen and Kim and Roy Steinhagen. Lamar University.” full-time professionals, Venta said, and, population increase from 70 five years ago BRIAN SATTLER Throughout their because of the quality of the program, it to more than 200. For the fifth year in a lives, Mark and Janie Steinhagen have con- also has attracted international students and row, the college is listed among Princeton tributed time, talent and treasure to improve students from other states. “Our internation- Review’s 300 best business schools, of the quality of life in Beaumont and al students make every class a global experi- 1,600 in the country. It has twice been listed Southeast Texas. Their example inspires cur- ence—a dynamic learning environment in the Aspen Institute’s “Beyond Gray rent and future generations to make a differ- would be hard to reproduce elsewhere.” Pinstripes” survey, a ranking of universities ence in the lives of others by becoming The Steinhagen fellowships provide a focusing on ethics, corporate-social responsi- Global gift active volunteers and donors. perfect fit—enabling the part-time students bility and sustainability. The college has The Janie Nelson amar business students and faculty will have new opportunities to gain first-hand Mark Steinhagen is known for his from the industrial and professional commu- been accredited for many years by the Steinhagen and Mark knowledge of the global marketplace, thanks to the Janie Nelson Steinhagen and Mark achievements in the business community, nity the opportunity to study abroad over a American Association of Collegiate Schools LSteinhagen Global Fellows Endowment in the College of Business. and his leadership has contributed substan- period of two weeks, instead of a semester. of Business International – placing it among Steinhagen Global Fellows By studying and observing global businesses in foreign countries, they will witness the tially to the success of Steinhagen Oil Co., Most attend classes at night while maintain- the top 25 percent in the nation and top 2 economic, cultural and political forces impacting the way business is conducted worldwide. founded in 1940. ing full-time jobs and supporting families, percent in the world. Endowment will elevate Their experiences will benefit teachers and students alike to enhance teaching as well as learning. “The thing that really sparked our so they can’t take a semester to study Venta expressed appreciation to the “The importance of this gift is the fact that this is a globally competitive world, and our interest to make a commitment, particularly abroad. Steinhagen family. “The most important Lamar’s MBA program to students need exposure to the whole world—beyond the world in which they live,” said to the College of Business, is the fine leader- Study will be intense with two-week thing is the trust they have placed in Lamar Enrique “Henry” Venta, dean of the College of Business. “This is one of the largest gifts in ship that’s been provided by (President) courses of 40 hours per week, Venta said. University and the College of Business,” he ‘next tier’ of excellence the history of the College of Business and represents a tremendous infusion of both monetary Jimmy and Susan (Simmons) and their Steinhagen Fellows also will have additional said. “This is an important gift because, support and prestige. It will be a tremendous growing experience for us because globalization entire team. They’ve done a wonderful job. responsibilities when they return. “We even though they are not graduates of is very important to our program.” Even though I went to the University of expect that they will participate in presenta- Lamar, they believe this university is an The fellowship will enhance the college’s position in attracting top-notch graduate Texas, Lamar is important to this area and tions to the entire college. We hope they important resource.” by Louise Wood students to the master of business administration (MBA) program at Lamar, said Venta. to us. Because of all the good things that are will take their experiences and infuse them “It moves us to the next tier of business schools and will help us differentiate ourselves. going on out there, we decided this was one into the student body.” This gift will increase the size and scale of our graduate study-abroad program.” thing we wanted to do.” MBA students have studied abroad for Beginning in summer 2012, five or six student Steinhagen Global Fellows will travel Steinhagen has established a strong the past two summers and will do so again

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Teaching today’s students how to make annual gift to the fund. At the time of their decisions that pinpoint valuable resources passing, the remainder of the IRA will go to demands not only the best from professors the university to complete the Dyer in the classroom and laboratories, but also Innovation Fund free of any estate tax or in the field. Getting faculty researchers and income tax consequences to their family. their students into the field to gain first- “Byron’s incredible career in oil and gas hand experience takes resources of another exploration has fueled his love for the Lamar’s Earth and space sciences kind—money. At times, budgets can be incredible riches our planet holds—whether department has a long history of student stretched painfully thin—and result in that wealth is black gold or crystal forma- and faculty interaction in research, and this missed opportunities. tions more beautiful than any cathedral,” profound gift will enhance this tradition, Such knowledge comes at a price— President James Simmons said. Jordan said. In recent years, Lamar faculty American Mineralogist thankfully, it is made possible through the The journal and students have traveled to sites in Dyer’s generosity. Helping keep those credits Dyer with the discovery in 1957 of Panama, Australia, England and, of course, Rock solid opportunities alive through a million-dollar the mineral Chambersite, named after the Dyers support geology program to American sites like Big Bend, the Four gift from Houstonians Byron and Connie Texas county in which it was first observed. Corners and many others. These trips, BROCK U Dyer, Lamar has created a fund for faculty Dyers’ admiration for the incredible Connie & Byron Dyer which often include Lamar geology TOM D TOM travel to geologic areas of interest. The fund range of geologic wonders of the Earth led students, are vital to building thorough will help faculty and students participate in him to help bring “the best mineral exhibit scientific understanding, Jordan said. laboratory and field studies that will give in Texas outside of the Houston Museum of he search for oil calls up images of wildcatters drilling on a hunch, but, in reality, it comes Likewise, scholarships help the by Brian Sattler them the experience they need. Natural Science” to Lamar University, down to experience backed by hard-core analysis. Throughout his career, geologist Byron Dyer department attract the best and brightest “The Byron and Connie Dyer Simmons said. Dyer was serving as the vice ’57 was right more often than not, finding oil with great success students, and retain geology majors who Innovation Fund is a tremendous gift to the chairman of the board of advisors for the on land and offshore—so successful in fact that he was inducted need a financial boost. In the past year, the people of Southeast Texas and a wonderful Earth and space sciences department at the into the All-American Wildcatters in 1996. department has tripled the number of majors asset for the Department of Earth and Space time and helped facilitate the relationship Throughout his career, Dyer built on analytical skills sparked at in response to its energized atmosphere of T Sciences,” said Jim Jordan, chair of the with the museum’s world-class Cullen Lamar to find pockets of the precious resource, eventually building a student learning and faculty interaction. Department of Earth and Space Sciences. Exhibit that resulted in a stunning collection company that would become a major Gulf Coast producer. The Dyers have been benefactors to Their gift is funded by taking the annu- of “88 of the most fantastic minerals from Acknowledgement of Dyer’s outstanding career has garnered him recog- many organizations, including Texas al required distributions from their famous mines around the world now on nition by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Childrens Hospital, The Methodist Individual Retirement Account and in turn permanent loan to Lamar,” Jordan said. The Association of Professional Landmen, American Petroleum Institute and Hospital Foundation, Houston Museum making a gift of like minerals are exhibited in the hallways of the Corpus Christi and Houston Geological Societies. of Natural Science, Literacy Advance of amount to the Dyer Lamar’s Geology Building. Byron and Connie Dyer have been married for more than 50 Houston, the Houston and Santa Fe Innovation Fund. “The Dyer Innovation Fund years. A geology graduate of the University of Texas, Connie Opera Companies and the Houston While the annual will help our faculty travel to serves on the advisory councils for the College of Natural Sciences Geological Society. Now, Lamar distributions are geologic areas of interest and and the Jackson School of Geosciences there. The Dyer family University can count itself among the taxable to the participate in laboratory and includes sons Jeff and John and his wife Christina, and their causes that have benefited from Byron and Dyers, they realize field studies that will give daughter Kelly and her husband Mark Gabrisch. They are blessed Connie Dyers’ rock-solid support. a charitable tax them experience to share with with six grandchildren. deduction for their our students,” Jordan said.

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or more than 60 years, alumnus Ray Moore ’50 has been When asked about having the music department named for her, an ardent supporter of Lamar University. Mary, his bride she said “I almost want to hide because I’m not sure I deserve it, but of 56 years, joins him in that passion, and together they it’s very nice to have such a wonderful honor.” have given their time, talents and financial resources to the A 1950 graduate and 2005 distinguished alumnus of Lamar, Ray university and to Southeast Texas. is a prominent attorney, entrepreneur and businessman. A member of FLamar University achieved exceptional prominence with the several university boards and committees, including Lamar’s Investing announcement of the naming of the Mary Morgan Moore Department in the Future campaign cabinet, Ray is co-founder of Moore Landrey of Music, joining those at Rice, SMU, University of Houston and the L.L.P., CommunityBank of Texas, and co-owner and president of University of Texas as one of only five named music departments or Idylwild Golf Club. He has been instrumental in the economic devel- schools in the state. opment of Southeast Texas through his involvement in and financial The naming is a lasting memorial in appreciation for a $2 million contribution to many area organizations and businesses. donation to the College of Fine Arts and Communication from Ray “Education is one of the most important decisions in life. It and Mary Moore of Beaumont. The gift brings the university’s enables you to do the things you want to do,” Ray Moore said. “When Investing in the Future comprehensive campaign total to more than I transferred, all 60 hours I accumulated at Lamar were accepted at $78 million. SMU.” At that time, Lamar only offered two-year degrees. “That’s a “We are most grateful to the Moores for their transformative gift, testament to the quality education Lamar has always provided to which will facilitate the continued growth of the music program and Southeast Texas students.” contribute to the outstanding musicianship of our The music program at Lamar has been marking students for many years to come,” said Russ Schultz, milestones for more than six decades as its students dean of the college. and faculty entertain, enlighten and enchant audiences The naming honors the couple’s love of the across the region and around the world. With begin- fine arts, in particular Mary’s love of music. Education is one of nings around 1950, the department awarded its first “This extraordinary gift is the culmination of a the most important bachelor’s degrees in 1955 and has offered master’s lifetime of support from Mary and Ray Moore,” decisions in life. It enables degrees since 1975. As educators, teachers and band said Lamar President James Simmons. “Not only you to do the things directors, music alumni have taught and inspired does it ensure the generosity of this couple will you want to do. generations. Professional musicians worldwide trace always be remembered, but it also guarantees the —RAY” MOORE ’50 their musical roots—and their inspiration—to musicians who graduate from this department will Lamar. keep the music playing.” “With the resurrection of football and the Schultz said the gift will “lift the department rebirth of the marching band, the music department to new heights,” allowing it to provide even greater has grown so rapidly the last two years it’s been academic programs and further enhance the support it gives to the difficult to keep pace with all the new faces,” Simmons said. other performing arts within the community. With the endowment support from the Moore family, the tempo GARY CHRISTOPHER “Future generations of music majors will benefit from the and rich tradition of music education at Lamar University will grow generosity of the Moore family and will identify Mary and her family as even stronger. In harmony with that support is the recently completed leaders in supporting excellence in musicianship and music education,” building renovation that includes a stunningly beautiful recital and lec- Simmons said. “You have given much of your life to making beautiful“ture hall, updated offices for faculty and staff, 18 sound-proof practice music possible for the people of Southeast Texas, Simmons said to the rooms, a piano lab, a computer lab, rehearsal hall and a state-of-the-art Moores at the ceremony. “That legacy will grow ever larger through the recording studio. work of the department that now bears your name.” “This landmark occasion marks the dedication of the fourth An accomplished pianist whose passion for music helped infuse the named department on the LU campus,” Simmons said. Other named Moore Lamar arts landscape into the regional arts scene, Mary studied music at departments are the JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing, the the University of Texas and took summer courses at Lamar. The founder Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering and the Dan F. of the Beaumont Civic Opera Buffs and past president of the Beaumont Smith Department of Chemical Engineering. Civic Opera, she played in the Piano Ensemble of the Women’s Club. “Having a named department and a complete renovation of the She was a longtime member of the Beaumont Music Commission, music building enhances the prestige of the faculty and students, milestone Young Audiences of Beaumont, Symphony of Southeast Texas and particularly within the professional community of performing and Gift establishes Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music the Junior League of Beaumont. Mary credits her mother, an original educator musicians,” said Schultz. “Generations of music majors member of the Melody Maids, for instilling in her the love of music. will benefit from the generosity of the Moore family in supporting by Larry Acker excellence in musicianship and music education.”

8 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 9 CAMPAIGN IMPACT CAMPAIGN IMPACT A long way home Richard & Cathy Price LARRY ACKER exploration expertise also led him to the formal scholarship, the Prices have or Silsbee natives Cathy and other exotic locales, such as Spain, Egypt, supported the educational pursuits of Richard Price, their odyssey United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi. It several students for more than 10 years. John Payton BRIAN SATTLER through foreign lands and the was during this time that he helped develop They support deserving college students, subsequent road home to and drill the first horizontal oil well from a some of whom are relatives, as well as the art ’78, ’79, and Martye (Sculley) Athletic Director Larry Tidwell. He spent 13 should take advantage of the many opportu- SoutheastF Texas has been a long and excit- floating drilling platform, a common prac- children of their church family. Their phi- Simmons ’78 have made several seasons as an assistant football coach and nities they have here, and, as Winston ing journey. Norway, Tunisia, Russia, Great tice in the industry today. lanthropy also extends to funding special gifts to Lamar University to remains an adjunct professor in the Churchill said, ‘Never surrender.’ The Britain and Sweden are only a few of the “Our first daughter was 2 years old summer vocal training for their Lamar inspire its students to succeed. Department of Heath and Kinesiology after Academic Success Center is a masterpiece, points of interest in their tale of oil and gas when we moved to Norway, and our sec- scholarship students at a renowned vocal TheB gifts they’ve chosen to make to the retiring as assistant professor. He assists and I can’t get over the fact that Bart and exploration and oil field equipment produc- ond daughter was actually born there,” said school in Graz, Austria. Investing in the Future campaign reflect Tidwell as a consultant, a counselor to ath- Martye Simmons thought enough of me to tion. A self-made man, without a college Cathy. “It was a wonderful place to live and “We try to instill in the kids the desire their pride in LU tradition and a desire for letes and coaches and as a representative for give this to Lamar.” degree, Price has taken advantage of good raise small children, but we realized we to achieve so they can help someone else students to be aware of LU’s rich heritage. the athletics department within the Beaumont The John Payton Academic Success fortune, the ability to recognize an opportu- needed to get back to Texas to allow them some day,” Cathy said. “We take an active The couple established the George and and Southeast Texas communities. Center provides student-athletes with an aca- nity, and just plain hard work to succeed. the opportunity to form those bonds we interest in the education of the kids we sup- Patricia Sculley Scholarship in Business, Some 55 years after earning All- demic counselor to discuss major selection, His success and the couple’s desire to help enjoyed so much while growing up.” port because we want them to know that it created an endowment for the College of America recognition as a running back at course scheduling and degree completion deserving students achieve has translated Upon their return to the states, Price isn’t only their moms and dads that will be Business and named the Coach Vernon Prairie View A&M University, the Cardinal requirements in addition to regular mentor- into the academic success of several college and a partner founded Lone Star Mud disappointed if they fail. Fortunately we Glass Field of Champions in tribute to the Hall of Honor member continues to inspire ing services. Students receive letters to help students for more than a decade. Inc., an oil and gas industry company, in haven’t had to deal with that yet.” beloved coach and to the record of achieve- students and athletes. coordinate their absences with their professors Their journey together began in school 1990 in Midland. Price sold his interest in The Lamar football program is also a ment of many other coaches and players. “Coach Payton has been a very loyal and to ensure they can make up missed work and in their hometown church, where they the thriving company in 1999. Wise beneficiary of their benevolence. Impressed Their latest gift honors longtime Coach professor, coach, counselor and leader at and reschedule test dates due to team travel. both sang in the choir. While he was study- investments in oil and gas wells proved to with head football coach Ray Woodard and John Payton with the naming of the athletics Lamar University for 40-plus years, and he Both Bart and Martye Simmons credit ing at Texas A&M University, his initial be a profitable speculation, and that, cou- encouraged by the excitement the return of academic center. The John Payton Academic represents the Cardinal Nation in a first-class Lamar for equipping them for success in their ambition to become a Marine pilot was cut pled with a brief bout with cancer, football has created on campus, the Prices Success Center serves as a resource to help manner each and every day,” said Tidwell. professional and personal lives. “The mentors short when the Vietnam War ended. The prompted Price’s retirement in 2000. agreed to a naming opportunity for the student athletes excel in the classroom and Payton’s 3,703 career rushing yards and experiences we had at Lamar helped us plan for becoming a civil engineer also These days, their time is mostly spent head coach’s office in the new athletics achieve their personal goals of earning remain a Prairie View record. Before joining grow as individuals and gave us a professional evaporated when he discovered he liked traveling and enjoying retirement. Trips to complex. According to Price, it’s very degrees. The gift champions the importance Coach Vernon Glass’ Lamar staff in 1970, foundation to achieve success for which we being married more than attending college. Europe for concert tours with their important to them to support Lamar of succeeding in the classroom as well as on Payton won state championships as a basket- are very grateful,” Martye said. “We know Price left school during his junior year and church choir are fairly regular occurrences, University because it’s such a vital part of the playing field and was made possible by ball coach at Woodville Scott High School in students today are enjoying and making the went to work for an oil and gas service as are excursions to Costa Rica, their Beaumont and the region. Bart’s success as president of Tristar Producer 1957 and 1958 and another state title at most of similar experiences. Whether or not company. favorite sand-and-sun destination. When asked if the fact that he never Services Inc. Bart credits Payton as a seminal Beaumont Charlton-Pollard in 1964. they realize it at this particular time in their One of those golden opportunities They also enjoy spending time with completed his college education was a influence in his life. He still carries on his His guidance has helped innumerable lives, they are part of a big Lamar family.” arose when the company selected him for a their grandchildren and keeping tabs on motivating factor in helping so many stu- PDA a scanned copy of the invitation to student-athletes apply a winning attitude in Today’s student-athletes stand on the management training program and prompt- their “adopted” children, the students they dents go to college, Price said, “I think so. play for the Cardinals that Coach Payton both their athletic and academic careers. “‘Get shoulders of dedicated and loyal Lamar ly sent him on special projects to Moscow, financially support in their college endeav- It’s getting harder and harder to achieve in sent to him. “It reminds me of what I an education,’” Payton tells his students. “‘Go Cardinals such as Coach Payton, allowing Russia, and eventually to Norway where the ors. The Beaumont couple has established this world without an education. God has should live up to,” Bart said. “I respect as high as you can go.’ Every student has tal- them to reach for an even brighter future— couple resided for 11 years. Although he the Richard and Cathy Price Scholarship in blessed Cathy and me so much that we feel Coach Payton greatly.” ent, and you must be educated. We have a one Bart and Martye Simmons are happy eventually accepted a position with another Choral Music at Lamar, an obvious result of it’s our obligation to help young people Payton now serves as special assistant to great institution here at Lamar. Our students to share.—CH petroleum company, his drilling and their church choir experiences. Along with achieve to their fullest potential.”—LA

10 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 11 CAMPAIGN IMPACT

“This training facility is Church for 35 one of the best in the years and active Southland Conference,” said members of the Jim Gilligan, head coach for Catholic Adults Lamar baseball. “It is a great Club. They were recruiting tool, and it’s obvi- also involved with ously advantageous when you their community. can practice rain or shine.” Tex was a 30-year Like many young men, member of the “Tex” Strait joined the Army Downtown Rotary after Pearl Harbor. He married Club, past presi- Emma in 1943 while on leave dent of the Sierra LARRY ACKER from Fort Knox. He was Club and a found- assigned to the 8th Armored ing member of the Beaumont Literary hand how to live and how to treat others. Division and fought in the Guild. He coached Little League baseball, They were role models for their children Battle of the Bulge, a pivotal winning the league championship in 1969. and for everyone who knew them well. battle in the history of World A respected businessman and a leader in the “The donation we were honored to War II. Tex and Emma were water treatment industry, Tex was a found- make would never have been possible had it both huge baseball fans. As a ing member of the Texas Water Quality not been for all the work and sacrifice of teenager, Tex traveled around Association and served on the national Mom and Dad,” said Henry. “We are hon- Texas with his father, who Culligan Dealer Advisory Council. ored to stand on their shoulders.” played second base for semi- While Emma was a high school gradu- Tex and Emma had been married 59 pro teams. ate and attended trade school, Tex accom- years when Emma died in 2002. Tex passed Emma’s father was also a plished all this armed with only a ninth- away 10 months later at the age of 83. baseball player, so it’s no won- grade education and Emma’s constant love Together, they raised eight children who JOE GAYLOR der the Strait family developed and support. They instilled in their children gave them 21 grandchildren. such a love for America’s the importance of an education, and they favorite pastime. Emma had a passion for led by example, showing their children first the music of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman and Straits hit home run loved to dance. She recalled listening and dancing to Big Band music at the for the Cards by Larry Acker old Harvest Club where current LU President Jimmy Simmons was a fre- he Cardinals baseball team can boast about having one of the best quent entertainer. indoor training facilities in the Southland Conference with the With her unwaver- completion of the H.D. “Tex” and Emma Strait Baseball Training ing support, Tex Facility. The new complex located next to Vincent-Beck Stadium is a began his career in multi-purpose facility with Astroturf, batting nets, bullpens for 1954 with Culligan pitchers and batting cages. The 9,600-square-foot, climate-con- Inc., eventually making his way to trolled facility bears the name of the longtime businessman and community leader and Beaumont where he hisT wife in appreciation for a generous gift from Beaumont residents Henry ’74 and bought the Culligan Fran (Farinella) Strait ’73 to the Investing in the Future comprehensive campaign. dealership in 1968. The Straits were members of H.D. “Tex” and Emma Strait St. Anne Catholic BRIAN SATTLER The Strait Family

12 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 13 Hall of Fame honors Crump

of several executives intimately involved in the 1998 merger with another accounting powerhouse Coopers & Lybrand to form world-renowned PricewaterhouseCoopers, now the world’s largest professional busi- ness services firm. Crump was in charge of the PwC Global Energy and Mining Group, working extensively with energy companies around the globe, including the PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Three endowed scholarships, the ALAN R. HEFTY SCHOLARSHIP IN former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and ACCOUNTING, the CHERRIE MCVEY HEFTY SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION and China. The GLORIA SWARTS LOCKE AND CHARLES BLAKEY LOCKE PRESIDENTIAL the MELVIN R. HEFTY SCHOLARSHIP IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING have been Always eager to share his knowledge SCHOLARSHIP IN THEATRE was established by the Helen Caldwell Locke and established by Alan ‘69 and Cherrie (McVey) Hefty ‘70. Alan is president of with young accounting majors just starting Curtis Blakey Locke Charitable Trust directed by Gloria and Charles Locke. the accounting firm Alan Hefty & Co. CPAs, and Cherrie is a retired out in the field, Crump advises new Charles ’44 and Gloria, now retired, were owners of the Forest Lawn Funeral Beaumont-area educator. Home and Cemetery and the Memory Gardens Cemetery. accountants to “be committed to the The DR. BELLE MEAD HOLM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP was established by col- The MIKE AND BETTE TURNER PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP was established by profession. Don’t be looking for that next leagues and former students of Belle Mead Holm, former LU women’s athletic From left, Amanda Crump, Jane-Page and James Crump ’62, Jarret Crump and Stephanie Jordan BRIAN SATTLER promotion because, if you work hard, that Dallas residents Mike ’71 and Bette (Woodward) Turner ‘70 in recognition of director and health, physical education and recreation department head. the quality education and social experiences they encountered while attending ames Crump ’62 has been inducted next promotion will come.” He added, Lamar. Mike is a member of the Lamar University College of Engineering The FLOYD H. MIZE SCHOLARSHIP IN BUSINESS was established by Floyd Mize into the Lamar University College of “Your accounting degree is a license to ’40, ’58. Mize spent much of his career at South Dakota State University where Advisory Council. Business Hall of Fame in recognition learn even more about the profession.” he worked in student personnel and raised funds for student scholarships. Mize J resides in Lufkin. of nearly 40 years as a global leader and Be committed to the Retired now after nearly 40 years with NAMED SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS managing partner at the Houston office of profession. Don’t be PwC, Crump stays busy serving on the The RENAISSANCE HOSPITAL SCHOLARSHIP was established by the Renaissance TheCHARLES V. AND FRANCES W. ALBERTO SCHOLARSHIP is the third endowed PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the board of directors for two companies, Hospital Scholarship Foundation for undergraduate baccalaureate students in looking for that next scholarship established by Charles and Frances (Wimberly) Alberto ’56, ’74. world’s most prominent accounting firms. Copano Energy, a Houston-based mid- nursing. This gift was made possible at the direction of alumni Dr. Rocco ’73 promotion because if Charles is a retired director of employee and labor relations for the U.S. Postal and Marilyn (Rogers) Morrell ’74. The honor was bestowed to also acknowl- you work hard that next stream natural gas company, and Exterran Service. Frances is a retired teacher, and they live in Beaumont. edge his dedication in sharing his expertise L.P., a provider of natural gas compression The SOUTH TEXAS SECTION SOCIETY OF PLASTICS ENGINEERS SCHOLARSHIP ” The MYRA KEEN CALDWELL AND HERBERT KIMBELL CALDWELL SCHOLARSHIP with the LU accounting department in an promotion will come. services. An avid golfer who admittedly was established by the South Texas Section of the Society of Plastic Engineers was established through the generosity of the Helen Caldwell Locke and Curtis advisory capacity for a number of years. never seems to have enough time to be on for undergraduate and graduate students who are science and engineering —JAMES CRUMP ’62 Blakey Locke Charitable Trust directed by Charles and Gloria Locke. This majors interested in polymer research. “James Crump is, indeed, an individ- the course, Crump keeps his hands in the scholarship was given in memory of the parents of Helen Caldwell Locke . ual worthy of this recognition,” said Henry sport through his membership in the The ENRIQUE V. VENTA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING was The SANDRA FRENCH CLARK SCHOLARSHIP IN CHORAL MUSIC was established established by his family to honor his lifelong dedication to the accounting Venta, dean of the College of Business. “In Houston Golf Association, which coordi- by Sandra (French) Clark ‘76. Clark is a trial lawyer with MehaffyWeber in profession. Born in Cuba, Venta moved his family to the United States in addition to having accomplished much in majors from that era who eventually nates the PGA-santioned Shell Houston Beaumont. She serves on the Lamar University College of Fine Arts and 1963. Venta’s son, Enrique “Henry” R. Venta, has served as dean of the the business world, he is involved in com- entered public accounting would probably Open. Communication Advisory Council. College of Business at Lamar since 2002. munity and professional organizations that cite Barlow as a major influence on their James, and his wife, Jane-Page, reside The ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP was established by for- help today’s youth become successful con- careers. Elvis Davis was a completely differ- in Houston. Jane-Page is president of Jane mer students of the electrical engineering department. Leading the efforts to ACADEMIC AND PROGRAM SUPPORT tributors to their respective communities.” ent type of instructor, and no less influential Page Design Group, an award-winning, raise the funds for this endowment was A. Scott McCauley ’81. to the recent inductee. Crump says Davis The BYRON AND CONNIE DYER GEOSCIENCES INNOVATION FUND was Initially entering LU as a chemical full-service interior design firm. For more The CAROLE AND BOB GARNER SCHOLARSHIP IN BUSINESS was established by engineering major, Crump admits that, as is was a strict academic“ who made students than 30 years, the creativity and uncompro- established by Byron ’57 and Connie Dyer to provide field study opportunities Tommy J. and H. Edward Garner in honor of their children Carole and Bob for the Department of Earth and Space Sciences. Byron was named a distin- the case with many young people embark- find out the answers for themselves, which mising standards of JPDG have made the Garner. This is the second endowed scholarship established by the Garners, guished alumnus in 2009 and currently serves on the Earth and Space Sciences ing on their first educational pursuits, he was great preparation for aspiring young firm one of the most respected design firms who recently relocated from Woodville to Keizer, Ore. Advisory Board. The Dyers live in Houston. was undecided about his future. Luckily, accountants. in the industry. Published in numerous DR. HOWELL H. GWIN JR. SCHOLARSHIP IN HISTORY The was established by his The THOMAS C. MAYS III PRESIDENT’S INNOVATION FUND has been established Crump encountered two instructors who Born in Nacogdoches, Crump grew magazines and design books such as Great mother, Elizabeth Smith Gwin, to honor his commitment to scholarship, by Thomas Mays ’78 who was a member of the marching band under the were instrumental in helping him chart a up in Port Arthur. He graduated from Designers of the World, JPDG has received teaching and academic service. Dr. Gwin began teaching at Lamar in 1962 and direction of James Simmons, now president of Lamar University. Mays lives path for his career. H.A. Barlow was an Thomas Jefferson High School and served an abundance of interior design awards retired in 2007 as Professor Emeritus. in Denver. accounting instructor who had a passion in the Air Force before entering Lamar. for home interiors, kitchens, bathrooms, for learning and who worked hard to instill After graduation from Lamar, he accepted a theaters and lighting design.—LA To begin your own endowment or to add a gift to an existing endowment, please contact the Lamar University Foundation at (409) 880-2117. that passion in his students, according to position with Price Waterhouse and quickly Crump. He noted that most accounting rose to the level of partner. Crump was one

14 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 15 Music Building renovation That’s my reward—to hear the Sound and excitement in someone’s voice exceeds utility

and embraces Large, soft white, triangular who saw the ‘before’ and now artistry ceiling panels arc upward on sees the ‘after.’ It is a fine arts one side of the hallways and, coupled with glowing recessed ” spirit soar building, so we wanted to do lighting, give the illusion of height while offering a unique something different there to lowing mesquite flooring, brushed stainless architectural accents and geometric “cloud” ceilings visual statement. enhance that sense. reminiscent of the shapes of the Sydney Opera House coalesce into a renovation that rebuilt the —LYNN WHORTON, director, facilities planning, Music Building from the floor up. Fitting new concepts, needs and desires of music faculty into G design and construction an existing footprint demanded creativity from the architects. After 24 months of planning and design and 18 months of construction, the final fanfare is a beautiful blend of form and function.

Normal walls are 4 3/4 inches thick. Most walls in the building are now 15 inches thick, with layers“ of gypsum board, sound insulation and air space. The majority of doors used in the building are high-tech, specialized doors for soundproofing.

Engineering the changes required to open up the entry into the second floor to create an atrium with added glass presented a distinct The performance hall incorporates an in-the-round design with two main areas: design challenge. a choral area, fixed seating and balcony so it can accommodate different applications. Each area has its own viewing screen for classroom use, and a flying wall can descend from the ceiling to provide a backdrop for a speaker. The floor of the second level had to be reworked for soundproofing, adding a More suspended geometric ceiling panels—clouds—in the Rothwell Recital solid surface and layers of gypsum Hall, the drapes for staging and the bowl for fixed seating helped the acoustics board—required so that each of the exceed even the consultant’s expectations for the overall design. practice rooms could be isolated.

VLK Architects Inc. won the contract over several architectural firms because of its previous work on the campus’s Chemistry Building For the Rothwell Recital Hall flooring, and other Texas State University System sites, its specialized designers chose mesquite wood for background in education buildings, its experience in designing its beauty and unique end grain cut performance centers and music facilities, and its access to sound as well as its enduring quality in engineers and consultants. combating wear and tear.

16 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 PHOTOS BY BRIAN SATTLER APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 17 LU economic impact tops LU honors Daniel Chen as University Scholar aniel Chen enjoys the collabora- tion that serves as a springboard to Dinnovation and discovery. The university honored Chen, a professor in $310 million the Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical he benefits of a Lamar’s ongoing operations lead and capital investment, Engineering, as the 2010-2011 University university extend to fiscal gains of $18.8 million in and helps promote Scholar, the university’s highest honor rec- beyond the education annual state revenue and $8.7 economic development. ognizing research and creative activity. “It is T a career/lifetime achievement award, recog- it provides to include signifi- million in taxes to local govern- —BKS cant economic activities that ments. “The university’s eco- nizing the recipient’s body of work,” said enrich the communities it nomic impact is great, and it will Stuart Wright, director of research in the serves. A recent study com- grow larger,” said James Office of Research and Sponsored Programs pleted determined that Lamar Simmons, president of the Administration. University generates econom- university. “We continue Chen’s research interests range from Ray Perryman air/water pollution control to process ic activity of more than $310 BRIAN SATTLER to set enrollment million a year. records, and we monitoring, simulation and control. He also collaborated with Carl Yaws, professor Jack Hopper, Daniel Chen and Stephen Doblin Collecting and analyzing statistics that just started the football program LARRY ACKER are valuable for decision-makers is the life after a 21-year absence bringing a lot of chemical engineering, in writing three outstanding researcher/scholar and an indis- Hopper and other Lamar faculty, the work of Ray Perryman, founder and presi- of visitors to Southeast Texas.” The impact books on thermodynamic and environmental pensable key team player,” said Jack Hopper, engineering department has received 10 dent of The Perryman Group, creators of of the restoration of Lamar’s football program property data. dean of the College of Engineering. consecutive grants to provide faculty train- the US Multi-Regional Impact Assessment was not included in the data used in the study, Because of university support and As primary or co-primary investigator, ing and software licensing in state-of-the-art System. The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Simmons said. strides in research, Chen said, “We are in a Chen has secured more than $3 million in modeling, simulation and control software Commerce asked Perryman to determine the “We were pleased to partner with the better position than ever before to make 32 funded research projects from agencies “that benefit our students tremendously,” economic activity Lamar University creates Lower Neches Valley River Authority, the Lamar a national name. I have developed a ranging from the Department of Defense Chen said. “The effort also led to more in Southeast Texas. Perryman collected data Sabine Neches Navigation District and track record in the area of photo-catalysis, and Department of Energy to the education grants from the National Science and, using models that summed the effects ExxonMobil to complete the first independ- with interesting environmental and energy Environmental Protection Agency and Foundation and garnered a solid reputation of operations and out-of-area student and ent economic impact study of Lamar applications such as air-pollution abatement. Department of Agriculture. for our graduates.” visitor spending, derived estimates of the University,” said Jim Rich, president of the The Perryman Group Our research group has also produced nano-structured materials that can offer “Dr. Chen has devoted his entire career Students under Chen’s supervision have total annual impact of Lamar University on Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. The Perryman Group (TPG) has performed high surface areas for light harvesting and to Lamar University and contributes signifi- earned nine doctorates and 30 master’s the local, regional and state economies. “We now have specific numbers to describe numerous impact assessments for The catalyst support.” cantly to the recent success of the chemical degrees. He has developed 10 courses and Lamar employs more than 1,400 the great importance Lamar University plays University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M Chen chose to use the $5,000 stipend engineering department,” said Thomas Ho, taught 15. “Teaching is, indeed, a rewarding faculty and staff and generates substantial in the region and its potential for economic University, The University of Texas Medical that accompanies the award to support his regents’ professor and department chair. activity for me,” he said. “I have been work- economic impact through employment, growth and prosperity. The attraction and Branch, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the current research on titania-based nano-struc- Focusing on the application of Chen’s ing closely with the graduate students to organizational operations, and student and retention of human talent, ideas, and new University of Kansas Medical School, Navarro research, Ho noted that his colleague has help them grow professionally.” visitor spending. businesses fostered by a great university is College, UT Health Science Center, UT-Tyler, tural arrays and to facilitate collaboration conducted air-quality studies that detected A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Chen grew For the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro the key to the future.” UT-San Antonio, Baylor College of Medicine, with researchers from other institutions. volatile organic compound leaks by using an up there and relocated several times while area, the total annual ongoing impact of The benefits of a dynamic university go Baylor University, and many others. During a ceremony Sept. 24, Chen infrared camera mounted on a helicopter completing his education before earning his Lamar University includes $263.1 million in beyond the business activity and tax revenues In addition, TPG recently completed a thanked his mentors, colleagues, friends that flew over the Houston Ship Channel, doctorate at Oklahoma State University in output and 3,878 jobs. Extending the study generated, the report said. By providing for study for the Bill and Melinda Gates and students. “It is always a privilege and Texas City and Beaumont-Port Arthur areas. 1981. Active on campus and in the commu- to the greater Southeast Texas region, the high-quality educational opportunities to sup- Foundation that examined the overall eco- pleasure to work with and learn from their He said Chen also carried out a series of nity, he serves as secretary of the Chinese economic benefits rise to $272.9 million in port a dynamic business complex and career nomic effects of achieving the goals of the expertise throughout all the brainstorming,” water sampling and treatment projects in Association of Southeast Texas and is a output and 3,976 jobs. For the state as a and personal advancements for graduates, “Closing the Gaps” initiative of the Texas he said. “To my graduate students, I express collaboration with Sul Ross State University Registered Professional Engineer in Texas. whole, Lamar University generates $310.8 Lamar University is helping ensure the future Higher Education Coordinating Board, as well my sincere thanks for their hard work and along the Rio Grande Basin to identify the Chen and his wife, Julie, an instructor in the million in output and creates 4,260 jobs. vitality of Beaumont, the surrounding region as a major pro bono study illustrating the dedication to make this possible.” effects of creating additional Tier One univer- extent and distribution of herbicide and Department of English and Modern This economic activity also creates tax and the state of Texas. Lamar contributes a “I have known Dr. Chen since I hired sities in the state. pathogen pollution. Languages, have lived in Beaumont since receipts to the state and local governments. skilled workforce, cultivates entrepreneurship him as an assistant professor in 1982, and I am absolutely convinced that he is an By working with ExxonMobil engineers, 1982 and have two sons.—LW

18 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 19 Fron left, President James Simmons, Valentin Andreev and Tadmor

Once again, Tadmor’s perspective would In 2003, Tadmor Exxon Mobil, in recogni- be shaped by unique circumstances. “My last accepted the position tion of his outstanding year of undergraduate study took place during of associate profes- research and discov- the Gulf War when Scud missiles were being sor in the Dan F. ery. Tadmor was shot at Israel,” said Tadmor. “Not knowing if Smith the first faculty these were traditional or chemical warfare Department of member from weapons, the government issued gas masks. Chemical the College of Seeing the “Once, while studying for an exam, two Engineering at Engineering to classmates and I heard the alarm go off that Lamar receive the meant missiles were targeting our area, so we University. In honor. took our masks and hid in the bathroom. So 2004, his inter- Tadmor’s by Mary Baswell here we are, breathing through these masks est in the pin- lecture drew invisible and studying for an exam at the same time. It ning phenomena comparisons from exhibited by water both the ancient and afael Tadmor insists that his perspective is molecules led him to modern worlds, like no different than anyone else’s. “I don’t write theoretical equations Galileo, Newton and think I see the world any differently than about the volume of contact Einstein, to describe the evolving anyone else, and I don’t know what other When grown-ups told me angles of drops on surfaces. These equations scientific definitions of force and motion; scientists do for fun,” he said, “but I that the tiny dot in the night are currently the only way to calculate these however, he also used pop culture references knowR what I like to do for fun.” volumes. to distinguish between supernatural and scien- The avid runner and father of two enjoys reading the sky is actually Venus, a huge In 2009, Tadmor and a group of his stu- tific forces, including characters from X-Men, newspaper and watching basketball (his favorite team: planet in the universe, or that dents performed groundbreaking experiments Star Trek and Star Wars. Tel Aviv). But at a young age, Tadmor was shown the ” that changed the way science defines force and Is this scientist also a fan of science fic- universe that exists under the microscope, and what he germs existed, I thought, motion. The paper detailing the discovery tion? “Oh, yes,” said Tadmor, “I’ve seen all saw changed the way he viewed his world. ‘How could this be?’ But, was published in Physical Review Letters, one the Star Wars movies. My favorite characters “As a child growing up in Israel,” Tadmor said, “I of the country’s most prestigious scientific are Hans Solo, because he was funny, and had a few ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up— looking at the Petri dish journals, bringing both Tadmor and Lamar Darth Vader—he is a very intriguing charac- a pilot, a scientist, or I wanted to have my own shop to in my uncle’s lab, I was unprecedented scientific recognition. ter. In fact, I was once Darth Vader for sell watermelons. The last one was my dream. I thought The ripple effects from Tadmor’s research Halloween. that I could make a good living for my family this way.” convinced they were there. are difficult to predict. “When the apple fell “Actually, my son wanted to be Darth A trip to Jerusalem as a very young boy was on Newton’s head, he wrote some rules of Vader, so we bought this realistic helmet-like —RAFAEL TADMOR Tadmor’s first exposure to science. “I saw archaeologists physics. He had no idea these rules would mask that was very heavy and uncomfortable.

MARY BASWELL excavating parts of the city. They were digging out these send satellites into outer space. He did it I knew he wouldn’t want to wear it all night, very old and very interesting pieces of broken clay pottery. because he was curious, not because he knew so we also bought a much simpler version. Seeing that, I remember thinking, ‘This is what I want to do.’ I wanted to excavate things, and, like was a very weird situation, but we thought it where his findings would lead. The research When we went trick-or-treating, by the sec- a puzzle, put them back together and see how they worked,” said Tadmor. was great that we could stay focused despite performed here at Lamar may open doors to ond house, he asked to trade masks with me,” “That trip was the most significant experience that steered me toward a career in the sciences, the situation,” said Tadmor. “Only later did other fields of technology we are not even Tadmor said. though I didn’t quite see it like that at the time,” he said. we find out that the missile had flown just aware of yet,” Tadmor said. “So I wore the giant helmet, and it was “At that young of an age, there was no clear distinction between archaeology and any other over our heads. We heard it, we knew it was But it is his students’ own scientific awful, but I was a true Darth Vader. I even type of science to me. Science was one big concept related to knowledge and the attempt to under- close, but we had no idea how close.” curiosity that is most inspiring to Tadmor as a had a sword fight with some sort of monster. stand the world—to know how things once were and how they are now.” “ Tadmor went on to earn both bachelor’s professor. “Science is theoretical, so I encour- It was very exciting.” Then, when Tadmor was eight years old, his uncle, a microbiologist, showed him a colony of and master’s degrees from Technion and his age them to question everything,” he said. Tadmor is currently participating in two germs under a microscope. “When I saw these black dots, I was fascinated. I was seeing something doctor of philosophy in surface physics at the As a father to Daniel, 14, and Galia, 8, collaborative research projects, one with the ‘invisible.’ When grown-ups told me that the tiny dot in the night sky is actually Venus, a huge Weizmann Institute of Science, also in Israel, does he see the same spark of curiosity in his University of Georgia at Athens in the field of planet in the universe, or that germs existed, I thought, ‘How could this be?’” Tadmor said. in 1998. own children? “They grasp more than I ever nanostructure surfaces, and one with Rice “But, looking at the Petri dish in my uncle’s lab, I was convinced they were there. The germs Eventually, Tadmor’s love of engineering did. They are much more curious, more University in the study of the surface proper- moved, they acted, they responded to my movement. It convinced me that what I was seeing was brought him from Israel to the United States, wise,” he said. Tadmor’s wife, Maria, serves as ties of graphene, a material that was the sub- real. It was verification that the scientific understanding I had been taught was actually truth.” where he completed postdoctoral work in bio- associate professor of mathematics at Lamar. ject of the 2010 Nobel Prize in physics. More than a decade later, Tadmor’s curiosity inspired him to study chemical engineering at chemicals at the University of California at In October, Tadmor was named the 2010 Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Santa Barbara. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, sponsored by

20 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 21 2 3 4 5

Many Lamar alumni and friends visited during a dinner to introduce newly appointed Chancellor Brian McCall Regent David Montagne ’74, Student 1. Frank and Nancy Newton with Melody (O’Reilly) Parsons ’71, center 2. Libbie (Campbell) Nylin Government Association President ’64, left, with her husband Bill Nylin ’65 and Charlene (Mathews) Leonard -55 3. Richard -75 and Thaddeaus Green, TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall and President James Cathy Price with Janice Trammell ’85, ’93, right 4. Juan Zabala ’07, left, with Mitch and Michele Simmons get together before the com- (Yennie) Smith ’88, center and Laurie (House) Ritchel ’85 5. Dean Henry Venta with Bill ’70 and Gay mencement ceremony Dec. 18, 2010. 1 (Duckworth) Scott ’80

Anne (Nelson) Sweat ’85 and Pattee Newman attend the opening reception for the tribute to Jerry Newman at the Dishman Art Museum.

Jim Gilligan ’69 and his wife, LaVerne, await a ride At the podium, Juan Zabala ’07, executive director of Alumni down Jim Gilligan Way, the newly renamed former Affairs, thanks Beaumont City Council for a proclamation issued Oct. 5 to encourage citizens throughout the community East Florida Avenue, after the ribbon-cutting by Donna Wilsker, second from right, receives congratula- Jim Ishee, chairman of the Jim Gilligan Way to join the Red, White & You Homecoming celebration. Joining him were, from left, LU Ambassadors Brittnee tions from nursing department colleagues Rachel Kilgore, Support Committee; Mayor Becky Ames; Big Red Eileen Deges Curl and Dianna Rivers after Wilsker and President James Simmons. Rodriguez, Megan Barrett, Catie Byerly, Jesi Courville; Sandra December Lamar graduates included the first (Pete) Abbage ’68, ’81, ’90; Tom Abbage ’72, ’74, ’81; Henry received Lamar University’s Julie and Ben Rogers group of Army civil engineers enrolled at Community Service Award Nov. 10. December cum laude graduate Strait, ’74; and Ray Woodard, head football coach. Lamar University in the Army Logistics Allen Rienstra of Beaumont Leadership Program based at the Texarkana receives a congratulatory hug Army Depot. The 11 participants from across from proud mother Ellen the United States earned master of engineer- (Walker) Rienstra ’62, ’80. ing degrees in industrial engineering. Pictured, from left, are, front row, Christopher Steven Zani and Lyman, Forest Hill, Md.; Andrew Ruddick, President James Rockford, Mich.; Marc Loertscher, Midway, Simmons present Utah; and Brian Schmitt, Texarkana, and, ExxonMobil’s Kathleen back row, Meghan Murphy, Planteville, Wis.; Jackson with a poster Eboni Crayton, Montgomery, Ala.; Dominic promoting the 2010 Pham, Davenport, Iowa; Nicholas Distinguished Faculty Steinhauser, Louden, Tenn.; Clinton Hanson, Lecture, which Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Rafael Tadmor, center, joins his chemical engi- Texarkana; Joshua Arrington, Heber City, ExxonMobil sponsors neering department colleagues Thomas Ho, Dewanna Campbell, Daniel Chen Utah; and Monica Tubbs, Birmingham, Ala. annually. and John Gossage, from left, at a reception in his honor Oct. 11.

22 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 23 on campus on campus

“This day is specially designed for high- Rush said. Academic Open ability students who are interested in talking High school juniors and seniors ranking LU achieves Carnegie doctoral/research classification with Lamar University deans and professors in the top 15 percent of their class and/or House welcomes about their academic pursuits and competing with SAT scores of 1100 and higher are The Carnegie Foundation for the academic affairs at Lamar. “It qualifies us for The Carnegie Foundation classifications high-ability students for top scholarships,” said Jim Rush, director encouraged to attend the event each fall to Advancement of Teaching has included a variety of opportunities we would other- identify meaningful similarities and differences of academic services. learn more about LU’s academic offerings. Lamar University in its prestigious list of wise be unable to pursue,” he said. among institutions. From its inception, the More than 170 high-achieving high school “These students owe it to themselves to Spring Open House introduces an even doctoral/research universities, placing Lamar “This elevation in Lamar University’s Carnegie classification’s purpose has been to juniors and seniors explored what Lamar seriously consider the competitive programs broader range of students to the benefits of in the upper echelon of degree-granting designation by the Carnegie Foundation assist those conducting research on higher University has to offer by attending and generous scholarships we offer that attending Lamar University. institutions nationally. from a ‘large master’s institution’ to a education. Researchers need a way to reference Academic Open House last Nov. 13. might not be available to them elsewhere,” Being a doctoral research university— ‘doctoral research university’ is, in my view, the great diversity of colleges and universities one of two in The Texas State University a milestone in the history of our institution,” in the United States, and classifications enable System, one of seven public Texas universi- said Doblin. “The major factors considered them to identify groups of roughly compara- ties, and one of 27 public universities in the in granting this classification are doctoral ble institutions. The primary audience is the cuts will have to be offset by tuition and fee U.S. to have this classification—raises degrees granted and research funding research community, including academic Simmons addresses state budget increases. We understand that tuition increas- es are difficult, but we remain a great value Lamar’s visibility and its prestige, said Steve attracted, so this is a real tribute to the hard researchers and institutional research staff as mandates, campaign success in higher education with a tuition price Doblin, provost and vice president for work and productivity of our faculty.” well as other education analysts. lower than our peer institutions.” One recent challenge for Lamar University is array of cost-saving measures to increase Even during this challenging time, its role in responding to the $18-billion to efficiencies in order to meet the reductions Simmons said, donors to the Investing in the $22-billion deficit facing the state. Already, a while maintaining high-quality services and Future comprehensive campaign have number of belt-tightening measures have instruction. Among these measures are enabled LU to reach the three-quarters mark Record enrollment been taken in order to meet the mandated 5 restructuring some offices, a freeze on some with more than $78 million raised toward percent reduction in the 2012-2013 biennial positions, tightening department budgets, the $100 million goal. “These gifts translate shows growth in budget, President James Simmons said. This raising thermostats across campus and other into scholarships, faculty and facilities,” reduction follows a 5 percent cut announced cost-saving efforts. on-campus students Simmons said. “Lamar would be a much in early 2010. “While we have done everything we can Lamar University has set another all-time enroll- different place without the support of our The university has implemented an to reduce costs,” Simmons said, “some of the ment record. Official figures for the fall 2010 donors.” semester record 14,388 students— Another recent milestone underpin- the largest enrollment in the ning Lamar’s success is the re-affirmation university’s 87-year history. of the university’s accreditation by the Growth of more than Council on Colleges of the Southern 1,100 on-campus Association of Colleges and Schools students contributed to (SACS), the “stamp of approval” that the number, Smith said. Ming-Yuan Wang, chair of the Tourism Management Department at KUAS, and Chihkang “Kenny” university programs meet or exceed This improves upon Wu, a hospitality faculty member at KUAS, recently visited campus as an initial step in an effort national standards. recent years, when to create several joint programs with Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, said Molly “I believe we educated SACS on Lamar’s enrollment growth Dahm, associate professor and program director of hospitality management at LU. quality online programs,” Simmons said. has been attributable largely to Lamar is a national leader in the online its distance learning programs. delivery of public education and graduates Even in light of tightened admission standards LU partners with Kaohsiung more master of education students than imposed last year, first-time-in-college freshmen any other university in the country. numbers grew as well, up 6.7 percent compared to University of Taiwan “Online distance education is a fast- last year. Smith sees the return of Cardinal football moving, exciting domain, and Lamar is at Lamar University has joined but many of them cannot. If we can’t and the marching band, the opening of Cardinal the head of the pack,” Simmons said. Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung University send our students out to the world, Village V, improved recruitment and retention Through the university’s academic of Applied Sciences (KUAS) to estab- we’ll bring the world to them,” said efforts, new academic and campus programs, and partnership program and traditional lish a variety of collaborative programs Steve Doblin, provost and vice president the slack local economy as playing key roles in Blackboard courses, more than 4,000 between the two universities. for academic affairs. “In every discipline, the increase. students are exclusively online. Planned programs include two an understanding of the world is The university is also seeing increases in other Growth in research was another online master’s degree programs in fam- important to success. That’s why important measures of its incoming freshmen. The milestone, Simmons noted, with $12 ily and consumer sciences (one with an we’re so committed to this.” percentage of entering freshmen who graduated in million in research underway at the emphasis in hospitality administration Doblin noted that the agreement the top quarter of their high school class grew to university. “We are a long way from and one with an emphasis in event with KUAS is the most recent among 37.2 percent compared to 34.1 percent two years where we began several years ago with management), study abroad programs several collaborations Lamar University ago. The percentage of entering freshmen with a $3 million,” he said. 1010 or higher SAT score increased to 28.8 percent and a joint bachelor’s degree program. has undertaken with universities around compared to 26.7 percent two years ago. “We want our students to study the world. abroad and encourage them to do so,

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Lamar University Faculty notes Grant boosts nursing LU leads the nation The Massachusetts LU named a Best The report by the American Chemical Institute of Technology Sandra Harris, professor and director of the doctoral program in educational student success Society Committee on Professional Training Southern Cal, Cornell Business School by leadership, has been selected to receive the 2011 Living Legend award by the Nursing program students are benefitting from additional published in last August’s issue of Chemical Texas A&M Princeton Review National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA). resources targeted at improving their classroom success. & Engineering News revealed that Lamar North Carolina State Lamar University Harris is in her seventh year on the Lamar faculty. She served as a teacher, prin- The JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing University once again led the nation in Georgia Tech has once again cipal and superintendent during the early years of her career . . . The Texas State was awarded a two-year grant that focuses on keeping master’s graduates in chemical engineering. Stanford University System honored professors more students in the nursing program and increasing the been recognized Keith Carter and Pamela Saur as new number of graduates, especially those who are minorities as an outstanding business school regents’ professors, the system’s highest and international students. The grant project, called Students Understanding Master’s in nursing ranks among by The Princeton faculty award. A professor of art, an inter- Course Content Essential for Success in School (SUC- Review. The nationally acclaimed photographer and a CESS), received $258,204 from the Texas Higher most affordable in nation education services faculty member since 1989, Carter holds Education Coordinating Board and an additional $25,820 company features Lamar University is “getting it right” by funded higher education institution ‘getting it the Walles Chair in Visual and Performing from Baptist Beaumont Hospital. LU in the 2011 offering one of the nation’s most affordable right’ by providing affordable online degrees Arts. A faculty member since 1988, Saur “We are trying to improve the nursing workforce edition of its online graduate programs in nursing, accord- to working adults.” is a professor of German in the within the community by putting more nurses into our book “The Best ing to an online education consumer group GetEducated’s online education review Left, Ron Blatchley, and Keith Carter Department of English and Modern hospitals,” said Eileen Deges Curl, Dishman Department 300 Business Schools.” The university that ranks nursing and healthcare schools for team found that the average cost for a region- Languages. The honor of regents’ professor is conferred on professors who of Nursing chair and SUCCESS principal project director. has been included on the list since it began cost and credibility. ally accredited online nursing master’s degree, demonstrate excellence and exemplary “One of our goals is to have a nursing workforce that in 2005. “Lamar is a top example of a public uni- including tuition and distance-education fees, reflects the community in which the nurses live and work.” “This shows that even though we’re a achievement in teaching, research and versity that is using distance learning to make was $20,216. The online education research Gerald Bryant, chief nursing officer for Baptist regional school, we’re a national school in publication, and services . . . Regents of healthcare education physically and financially firm’s “Best Buy” degree rankings for online Beaumont Hospital said, “Providing funding to our local terms of the quality of the education we The Texas State University System adopt- accessible to Texans in these hard economic master’s are based on a review of 24 regional- university will provide health benefits to the entire commu- provide,” said College of Business Dean ed a resolution designating Professor times,” said Vicky ly accredited graduate schools that offer 44 nity. It is imperative that we are proactive in preparing for Enrique “Henry” Venta. Joseph “Joe” Pizzo Jr., who retired in May Phillips, a spokeswoman different distance nursing master’s. the forecasted shortfall of nurses in Texas. Statistics reveal According to Robert Franek, Princeton 2010 after more than 46 years of service, for the Vermont-based “Providing an affordable graduate-level that by the year 2012, nurses in their 50s are expected to Review senior vice president of publishing, consumer group. degree in nursing administration and nursing as distinguished professor emeritus of become the largest segment of the nursing workforce; “We are pleased to recommend Lamar The web site education is important as the need for mas- physics, a title he will hold in perpetuity. accounting for almost one quarter of the RN population. NURSING University to readers of our book and users of GetEducated.com ranked ter’s-prepared nurses has reached a high The resolution describes Pizzo as “an As many of these nurses are preparing to exit the healthcare our site, www.PrincetonReview.com, as one Lamar as the No. 2 most point,” said Eileen Deges Curl, chair of the engaging instructor who punctuated his arena, Lamar and Baptist Beaumont Hospital have part- of the best institutions they could attend to Brian McCall and Pamela Saur affordable distance JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of lectures and laboratories with captivating nered to make sure that quality nursing is available in earn an MBA. We chose the 300 business degree for Texas graduate Nursing. “MSN-prepared demonstrations and exhibits that translated the esoteric to the common for his Southeast Texas.” schools in this book based on our high opin- students seeking nursing education online. Its nurses provide leadership to SUCCESS will consist of tools and resources for stu- ion of their academic programs and offerings, students,” earning him the reputation as a master teacher. Pizzo’s reputation for online students who live in Texas pay a low direct healthcare agencies dent retention used previously by other universities while as well as our review of institutional data we instructional excellence reached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, cost of about $11,005 for a distance mas- to meet current and future building on traditional Lamar practices. Online resource collect from the schools. We also strongly where he twice served as a visiting professor of physics . . . Theresa Hefner-Babb, ter’s degree from LU, according to needs. Nurse educators modules, Skills for Academic Success seminars, academic consider the candid opinions of students assistant professor of library services, is one of 34 librarians nationwide to be reviewers for the consumer group. prepared at the MSN workshops and a resource center will be available for stu- attending the schools who rate and report on selected for participation in the Association of College & Research Libraries (Out-of-state online students pay a level are essential in dents needing assistance with complex content. Laptops their campus experiences at their schools on Immersion Program. This is an intensive, 4-day interactive training course higher cost of about $22,475.) order to have adequate loaded with nursing software will also be available for nurs- our survey for the book.” “The distance healthcare master’s numbers of faculty to designed to enhance the ability of academic library and information profession- ing students to check out to help them improve classroom One of the strengths of Lamar’s MBA, degree offered by Lamar University teach students to become als to meet the needs of the higher education community. In addition to performance. Venta said, is the way it pulls into the same and reviewed by GetEducated cost nurses in order to meet the Lamar University, institutions whose librarians were accepted for participation The Lamar University nursing department received classrooms working professionals, bright recent less than half the average of predicted shortage of nurses include Harvard, Michigan, Clemson, Massachusetts, Iowa, Emory, and one of six grants awarded by the Texas Higher Education college graduates and international students. competing degrees in in the United States.” William & Mary . . . Ruhai Wang, associate professor in the Phillip M. Drayer Coordinating Board under the Nursing Innovation Grant “We feel that’s the way to learn—a the same accredita- “Hot career Department of Electrical Engineering, has recently been appointed as an Program. Lamar qualified for the Best Practices category in dynamic environment full of a diversity of tion class,” said areas” include Clinical Education Competitions in which award selections cultures and perspectives where everyone Overseas Agreement Professor by the Harbin Institute of Technology. HIT is Phillips, health law, were based on project quality and reviewed by several high- learns together,” Venta said. Traditionally, one of China’s finest national engineering universities and is especially well GetEducated’s healthcare er-education faculty members from across Texas as well as a MBA courses at Lamar have been offered in known for its aerospace and national defense engineering programs. Wang was chief online edu- management, Texas Board of Nursing member. the evening to better fit the schedules of invited to assist the Harbin Institute in developing their interplanetary/deep- cation analyst. emergency “Our methodology set Lamar apart from other uni- working professionals. This spring, two early- space communication program . . . James Curry, assistant professor of industrial “Lamar’s services, versities for this grant,” said Gina Hale, Dishman morning classes from 7 to 8:15 a.m. have been engineering, received funding from the U.S. Army for his proposal to offer a distance-learn- pharmacy Department of Nursing retention coordinator and SUC- added to accommodate the program’s growing ing-degree studies, master’s degree in industrial engineering to outstanding civilian employees of CESS program manager. “We really had some innovative number of course offerings and to provide programs are dietetics and the U.S. Army Logistics Leadership Center in Texarkana. This program is and creative ideas that were based on sound educational students with more scheduling options. laudable examples nutrition, and being offered via distance education technologies, and the first cohort graduat- practices.” of a publicly clinical practice. ed in December.

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At the podium Nursing earns statewide innovation award TSUS chancellor Bridges to Life founder addresses LU hosts Commissioner Faculty members of the JoAnne Gay Dishman Department keynotes winter violent crime trauma of Higher Education of Nursing have won the statewide 2011 Teaching Innovation Award from the Texas Organization of commencement John Sage, founder of the Bridges to Life Lamar University welcomed Raymund Paredes, Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Education. The group prison rehabilitation program, spoke Oct. Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, Dec. Lamar University conferred recognized the department for a disaster planning simulation 28 during a program presented by the 8 to meet with higher education and K-12 leaders 1,014 degrees during two focusing on communication, teamwork, collaboration, Lamar University Honors Program. in Southeast Texas. The discussions included pro- ceremonies at winter com- quality and safety, said Eileen Deges Curl, chair of the Sage, who also serves as executive posed funding changes for Texas colleges and uni- mencement Dec. 18 in the department. The award carries a $2,000 cash prize, which director of Bridges to Life, has spoken at versities as well as the progress Texas has made on Montagne Center. Brian the department will match. Lamar several times to report on the increasing the number of Texans going to college McCall, chancellor of the The LU’s nursing faculty team, led by LeAnn Chisholm, continued growth of the program, which and new initiatives to increase the percentage of Texas State University instructor of nursing, collaborated with faculty members began in Beaumont. Although he has college students successfully completing a degree.

System, delivered keynote LARRY ACKER JOHN SAGE Also, the Southeast Texas P-16 Council dis- from Lamar Institute of Technology to provide the third addresses. spent most of his professional life in real

BRIAN SATTLER annual interdisciplinary simulation experience for LU BRIAN MCCALL estate and finance, Sage has earned honors for his efforts on behalf of cussed new developmental education initiatives at

Graduates hailed from RAYMUND PAREDES BRIAN SATTLER Lamar University. The university’s distance learn- nursing students and LIT allied health students. “Since 11 countries, 20 states outside Texas and 216 cities and towns in Bridges to Life. In 1993, Sage’s younger sister, Marilyn, was mur- ing division is seeking K-12 input on new online courses and how to imple- 2006, Lamar University faculty in the JoAnne Gay Dishman Texas. The degrees include doctor of engineering and one doctor of dered. The two killers were apprehended and sentenced to death. ment them to best help K-12 schools meet education and reporting goals. Department of Nursing have been in the forefront in Texas philosophy in chemical engineering. “After several years of trauma, rage and grief, this life-changing Paredes’ goals for closing the gaps begin early with an increased empha- in the use of high-tech mannequins to simulate different When TSUS regents appointed McCall in April 2010 to serve as experience inspired John to found and direct Bridges to Life in an sis on the importance of early childhood education and cognitive develop- clinical situations to effectively teach students,” Curl said. chancellor, they turned to a legislative leader with a solid track record effort to empower victims and rehabilitate prisoners,” said Bridges to ment. The goals include creating a college-going culture in every pre-K-12 of accomplishments. In the Texas House of Representatives, he Life spokesman Jesse Doiron, an instructor of English and modern school in Texas, increasing the rigor of the high school senior year, and align- chaired the House Calendars Committee and was a member of the languages at Lamar. ing high-school exit standards and college-entrance standards. At the higher- Higher Education Committee. Texas Monthly magazine named him Bridges to Life, a faith-based, non-profit charity, takes victims of New VP joins education level, Paredes’ goals include increasing state and federal financial one of the 10 Best Legislators of the 2009 session. Previously, McCall crime, members of their families and other volunteers into prisons in aid, overhauling developmental education and increasing transfer rates from admin team served as president of Westminster Capital Corp., an investment firm an effort to reduce recidivism and, thereby, effect a consequent reduc- two-year to four-year institutions. Concurrently, he seeks to improve the focused on acquisitions primarily in software and technology. tion in crime, Doiron said. Since 2000, Bridges to Life has experienced Gregg Lassen has joined LU’s significant growth, with more than 11,000 inmate graduates, 800 vol- quality of undergraduate education and increase graduation rates while administrative team as vice unteers and programs in 30 prisons throughout Texas, he said. improving educator quality for pre- and in-service teachers. president of finance and opera- tions. He comes from the NASA lecturer focuses LU, ExxonMobil present Rob South African ambassador speaks about University of Texas at Tyler, on radiation where he had served as executive Gardner in public lecture multiculturalism vice president since 2006 with Lamar faculty and students learned about GREGG LASSEN Eric Bost, ambassador to the Republic of South a portfolio that includes all space operations and the risks associated The College of Engineering hosted the Academic Lecture Series Oct. Rob Africa from 2006 to 2009, spoke Oct. 20 as part business affairs and student affairs functions. with particulate radiation for both human 25 with support from ExxonMobil. Gardner of Lamar’s Cultural Enrichment Series. “Gregg brings a track record of success and a lot of and robotic exploration of space from , manager of the Economics & Bost has worked with the United States experience to the position,” said President James Simmons. Richard Wilkins, director of the NASA Energy Division Corporate Strategic and the United Nations on projects including “He has served in higher education since 2000 and has near- Center for Radiation Engineering and Planning Department for Exxon Mobil domestic and foreign relations, AIDS relief and ly two decades of corporate experience to draw on as well. Science for Space Exploration. Wilkins is Corp. discussed “The Truth About Energy.” RICHARD WILKINS BRIAN SATTLER nutrition and consumer services. In January “He is not only adept at managing the financial and also an associate professor in the electrical A career that began with Mobil Oil in 2009, he was named vice president for global business operations of a major university, he is also a life- and computer engineering department at Prairie View A&M. Louisiana evolved into work for Mobil Natural Gas in the new, expanding natural initiatives at Texas A&M University. His roles long learner who has continually enlarged his own world gas marketing organization during the include providing leadership for the university’s through education,” Simmons said. “I am very pleased to Engineers learn about designing ROB GARNER growing deregulation of U.S gas markets. international and globalization programs. welcome such a champion of higher education to the compounds Beginning in 1990, Gardner began a Bost discussed the importance of multicul- administrative team.” decade of international assignments in the liquefied natural gas turalism in gaining international perspective. Previously, Lassen worked at the University of Lamar engineering students and facul- (LNG) marketing area. He held positions in Indonesia, Qatar, Japan “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a ERIC BOST BRIAN SATTLER Southern Mississippi and University of Phoenix, where he ty participated in an invited lecture by and Singapore. He then returned to the U.S. and began a series of dynamic individual speak on our campus. By the began his career as a faculty member in the Sperling School Luke Achenie, professor of chemical management assignments in ExxonMobil’s Gas and Power time they leave his lecture, I believe our students will understand the impor- of Business. He became a department chair and was associ- engineering at Virginia Polytechnic, Marketing’s Houston organization in both the domestic U.S. and tance of getting involved in international relations. Working for America in ate dean before moving to Southern Miss. Higher education on computer-aided molecular and international areas. The group he manages today is responsible for an overseas capacity is beneficial, not only for our students, but also for the is a second career for Lassen; he spent 18 years in the energy product design, an emerging research preparing ExxonMobil’s Energy Outlook. country’s image, economy and global stability,” said Dominic Beggan, industry, with assignments including financial and commer- area that addresses the systematic assistant professor of political science and member of the university’s Cultural cial management, regulatory affairs, business development, design of compounds with desired Enrichment Series committee. negotiations, marketing and auditing in a large corporate physical and chemical properties. environment. He holds a doctorate in international affairs

LUKE ACHENIE BRIAN SATTLER from the University of Southern Mississippi and a law degree from the University of Houston.

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LU raises Biology major named LU’s Beyond the classroom admissions third David J. Beck Fellow Kathlyn Doss, a senior computer science major would be presented in a student-only section Elisabeth Maxwell, a from Beaumont, earned the of the meeting. Prigmore is pursuing a doctor- standards for sophomore biology major first-place award for a ate at the School of Electrical, Computer and from Beaumont, is the research paper pre- Energy Engineering at Arizona State Fall 2011 2011 recipient of Lamar sented at the presti- University . . . The Department of Chemistry As part of a continuing effort to University’s most presti- gious Association and Biochemistry honored three undergradu- enhance the academic environment gious undergraduate award, for Computer ate students and four graduate students as win- at Lamar University, undergraduate the David J. Beck Educators in ners in the department’s first student research admission requirements will rise for Fellowship. Texas (ACET) poster competition. Twenty- students entering the univer- David Beck presented conference in two students presented their sity in or after Fall 2011. Maxwell with an engraved October. Her faculty posters Sept. 8. Winners “We want to do our MATT MORRISON, DANNY ILES medallion and certificate in mentor, Stefan Andrei, shared $1,500 in prize best to attract and retain a ceremony Nov. 29. She associate professor of com- money, said Paul Bernazzani, good students and have Anglers win regionals and also will receive a full puter science, describes the research topic as a department chair. found that having appropri- scholarship for one year— promising and novel method. The paper, “An Undergraduate winners are ate admissions standards is $50,000 in prizes for club including tuition, fees,

Automatic Induction Proof for Program Jack Cochran of Newton, one way to do that,” said ELIZABETH MAXWELL BETH GALLASPY The team of Matt Morrison, a senior from Silsbee, and Danny Iles, books and on-campus Termination Analysis,” was the result of 10 first place; Joseph Trapasso, Kevin Smith, senior associ- a sophomore from Hemphill, led all three days of competition at room and board—and funding to pursue a summer project weeks of research during the summer through Beaumont, second place; and Andrea Kelley of ate provost. “These steps are part the National Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Division Regional proposed as part of her application packet. support of a National Science Foundation Beaumont, third place. Graduate winners are of a long-range plan to enhance Championship on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The pair weighed a six- Maxwell, 20, plans to participate in a two-month internship grant, with Kami Makki, associate professor of Cindy Dozier of Vidor, first place, and admissions standards to stay bass catch of 12 pounds 6 ounces for a three-day total of 51 with the South African Shark Conservancy to further her goal of computer science as principal investigator . . . Raghavendra Pasupula, Jayanthi Sampathi and competitive with our Texas public pounds 4 ounces to win a top prize of $50,000, which includes a becoming a marine biologist. She had researched the internship Xiongtao Yang, Ph.D. student Sravan Kovvuru, all of India, who won sec- university peers.” Ranger boat and outboard wrapped in Lamar’s red and white for previously but set it aside because she could not afford it. With the in chemical engineering, won ond and third places and honorable mention, To qualify for unconditional the winning club and $25,000 for the university. The team also David J. Beck Fellowship, she will be able to pursue what she the 2010 Process Develop respectively. The competition was sponsored admission to Lamar University, qualified for the National Championship. “Our goal coming into describes as the perfect opportunity for the career she plans. Division Student Paper Award by the College of Arts and Sciences, the students must have graduated from this was to win it, and we accomplished that,” Iles said. The top “One of the cool things about this internship is that you get for his study, “Dynamic Sabine-Neches local section of the American an accredited high school with at five teams from each regional championship, 25 teams total, will to participate in all the activities they have to do as a non-profit. Simulation and Optimization Chemical Society and the Lamar University least 14 credits in specific college- advance to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing It’s not just doing research, but it’s how you get this kind of for the Startup Operation of Student Section of the Society of Plastics preparatory courses and must National Championship that will be hosted by Murray State organization going and keep it going,” Maxwell said. “They an Ethylene Oxide Plant.” His Engineers . . . Fourteen undergraduate achieve a certain class rank and SAT University on Kentucky Lake, April 7-9, 2011. The National do a lot of work with other agencies and the fishing industry manuscript has been published students presented the findings of their year- or ACT score. Championship is a three-day televised event. and governmental institutions to work together on issues like in Industrial & Engineering long research projects at the 11th annual Applicants ranked in the Top overfishing and pollution.” Chemistry Research, with co-authors and fac- McNair Scholars Research Symposium. The 10 percent of their high school class A unique undergraduate fellowship program, the David J. ulty mentors Ku-yen Li and Qiang Xu . . . Howell event is designed to help scholars prepare for have no minimum SAT or ACT Beck Fellowship was made possible by a generous gift to the Lamar Wright, a recent graduate of the doctoral pro- presentations at national conferences and to score requirement. University Foundation from David J. Beck, a 1961 LU graduate gram in educational leadership, was selected as allow them to share their work with family Under new admissions Mentoring program a finalist for and founding partner of Beck, Redden & Secrest, LLP, a boutique the 2010 Edward W. Chance Dissertation and friends, said Daniella Medley, LU’s McNair standards, those in the Top 11 Texas Higher Education Award litigation firm in Houston. A distinguished alumnus, Beck created Award winner by the National Rural Scholars Program director. The 2009-2010 percent to Top 25 percent must Lamar University’s African-American Male Professional Connections the fellowship to reward academic excellence and to allow top Education Association for his dissertation, McNair Scholars at LU are Joshua Davis, have a minimum score of 18 on the Mentoring Program was one of 10 finalists for the 2010 Texas Higher students to further challenge themselves. “The Role of the Superintendent in Closing criminal justice/sociology, and Jade Paredez, ACT or 850 on the SAT (combined Education Star Award. The award recognizes programs that work “The fact that we have this fellowship says that Lamar the Achievement Gap in Diverse Small School psychology, both of Beaumont; Julio Espassa, math and critical reading). diligently to provide valuable services to Texas and its people by University puts the students first. It gives students an opportunity Districts” . . . Jay Prigmore, a May baccalaure- computer science/mathematics/electrical Applicants in the second quarter of helping to close the gaps in education. that they would otherwise never have,” Maxwell said. ate graduate of the Phillip M. Drayer engineering, Cameroon, Africa; Leslie Billot, their high school class must have a “Research shows that if a student identifies with a university, then The event also included a presentation from the university’s Department of Electrical Engineering, present- social work, Fannett; Jasmine Banks, political minimum of 20 on the ACT or 930 he is more likely to stay at the institution, follow through to graduation second Beck Fellow, Michael Zarzosa, a biology major from ed a paper, of which he was first author, titled science, Fort Worth; Brittnee Rodriguez, on the SAT. Those in the third quar- and become a productive alumnus,” said Oney Fitzpatrick, interim asso- Lumberton, about his summer spent performing research in “An IGCT-Based Electronic Circuit Breaker psychology/pre-med, Groves; Humberto ter must have a minimum of 24 on ciate provost for student retention and program overseer and mentor. Ambergris Caye, Belize. Zarzosa collected and analyzed samples Design,” at the 2010 Institute of Electrical and Hernandez, biology, and Felicia Wenah, exercise the ACT or 1090 on the SAT. “The idea is to get these students to develop a sense of community on from dogs to determine the prevalence of common parasites that Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Power science, both of Houston; Adam Smith, Under new admission standards, campus and to recognize that there are people here who care about them could be transferred to humans. He expects the research experience Engineering Society July meeting. The Power sociology, Mauriceville; Beverly Paris, applied applicants in the fourth quarter of and want them to be successful.” and the related academic paper he plans to produce to help him Engineering Society is the third-largest arts and sciences, Nederland; Karla Obregon, their high school class, those who The program services about 50 students per semester by offering achieve his goal of obtaining his doctorate in veterinary medicine professional society in the IEEE and provides psychology/pre-medicine, and Carolina were home schooled and those informative guidance on campus resources like scholarships and services, and a Ph.D. in public health. a meeting and discussion ground for energy Ramirez, political science, both of Port Arthur; graduating from schools that do financial and graduate school planning, study skills and the opportunity Beck Fellows work with a faculty mentor to complete their professionals worldwide. Prigmore’s paper was Leanna Martin, history, Riverside, Calif.; and not provide rankings will have their to work with mentors in the community, including medical doctors, summer projects. Maxwell and Zarzosa both selected Ana accepted under review as a regular paper rather Mary Baswell, English, Vidor. applications evaluated on a case-by- church pastors, business owners, university faculty and upperclassmen. Christiansen, associate professor of biology, as their faculty mentor. than a student submission, the latter of which case basis.

30 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 31 ArtsCulture & Dave Steinmeyer, retired Air Force trombonist and former leader of the Airmen of Note, was featured guest for the Lamarissimo! jazz concert Oct. 5 to open the series’ 21st season. Steinmeyer took the spotlight with the Lamar Jazz Ensemble for such standards as Just Friends and Getting Sentimental Over You. An Air Force musician 28 years, he performed at the White House for seven presidents and recorded with such stars as Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams. ArtsNotes

LU welcomes Dishman director MICHELLE CATE When she was a century architectural history as a Fulbright Colleagues in creativity Lamar’s Friends of the child growing up in Fellow at Université Laval. She earned her Arts orchestrated a The work of three artists, friends and colleagues came Michigan, her father doctorate in the history of art from the Rhapsody in LU together in The Specious Instant Jan. 10-Feb. 18 at the March was an avid antiques University of California at Berkeley. Dishman Art Museum with works by Steve Hodges 19 when they presented collector, and her A true Francophile, Dandona is fluent ’63, Justin Varner ’05 and Jakob Christmas ’02. Le Grand Bal, a gala mother owned a shop in French and has been traveling to France Hodges, a longtime art faculty member who died evening of art, fine that sold local artists’ on a regular basis since she was 14. As an Aug. 18, 2010, was Christmas’ and Varner’s teacher dining, dancing and works. “I grew up sur- undergraduate, she spent a year at the and quickly became a mentor to both. They critiqued entertainment. The rounded by art and Sorbonne and the School of the Louvre. one another and collaborated extensively. The exhibition featured Varner’s antiques,” she said. “Dr. Dandona is a significant addition black-tie event honors charcoal drawings and Christmas’ and Hodges’ oil paintings. “The show is As an undergrad- to our program,” said Russ Schultz, dean of Judy and James Black a clear example of cross-pollination, of the mutations that wind their way uate at Brown the College of Fine Arts and Communication. of Beaumont for their circuitously through separate and distinct University, she initially “She brings to us a tremendous background contributions to bodies of work, each informed by the wanted to study inter- in art history, as well as an understanding of Lamar, the community

MARY BASWELL Jessica Dandona other,” Christmas said. “It is a chronicle of national relations, but the relationship of the Dishman Art Museum and the arts. Le Grand artist/friends/peers Lamar’s Dishman Art Museum is more than she had an epiphany while studying Gothic to the academic setting.” Bal, now in its 37th year, is the major annual fund-raiser that in dialog and the a building filled with paintings, prints, pho- cathedrals in an art-history class. Dandona Dandona looks forward to directing the sometimes con- benefits the College of Fine Arts and Communication. tographs and sculptures. For Jessica was so moved by their beauty that she decid- museum and plans to host exhibits with Michele (Yennie) Mitch Smith scious, but mostly ’88 and are event chairs. Dandona, the museum’s new director, it is a ed to change her major course of study. broad appeal, such as a showing of contem- unconscious, effects Activities included a reception and silent art auction from 7 gathering place for the community. “The role The young scholar graduated magna porary comic-book art and a quilt exhibition. on the resulting to 9 p.m. in the Dishman Art Museum, with a gourmet buf- of the museum in our society is to provide a cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in the “Art is essential,” she said. “It allows us to see creative output.” fet, dancing and entertainment from 8 p.m. to midnight in forum to talk about ideas,” said Dandona, history of art and French studies before mov- our world anew.” the Montagne Center . . . The Dishman Art Museum hosted also an assistant professor of art. ing to Quebec for graduate research in 18th- The Gulf Print Storm, billed “a printmaking extravaganza,” Nov. 15-20. Organized to promote fine-art printmaking, the Sanderson’s Faded Love missed opportunities in the pursuit of impos- British history, conference featured exhibitions, demonstrations, lectures and sible dreams, with some of the characters Thompson Jim Sanderson’s second collection of short live printmaking events. It was the only event of its scale on showing up from Sanderson’s novels and his details in his stories, like many of printmaking to occur on the Gulf Coast, said Xenia first story collection, Semi-Private Rooms. fifth book his other literary Fedorchenko, associate professor and guest curator. Andrew Geyer, author of Siren Songs Theodore works, takes place Attracting artists and students from Alabama, Louisiana, from the Heart of Austin, writes: “The charac- Roosevelt’s 15- deep in the heart of Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas, it was the first of what ters Sanderson weaves in and out of these month African Texas. “As sometimes side-splitting, sometimes gut- hunting expe- organizers hope will be a triennial national event, Hemingway said, wrenching stories are the people whose dition in what Fedorchenko said . . . Presenting annual awards Feb. 13, the ‘Write what you poignantly rendered lives resonate long after he calls “a Southeast Texas Arts Council honored recently retired art know,’” said the last page has been turned.” vignette” of this time in the president’s life. professor Meredith “Butch” Jack as Outstanding Arts Sanderson, profes- Theodore Roosevelt Abroad: Nature, Empire Educator; the late Ruth and Rex Goode for Outstanding sor of English. and the Journey of an American President was Support of the Arts; and retired history professor Naaman He took the Thompson talks Teddy published by Palgrave McMillan in 2010. Woodland Jr. for Outstanding Support of Humanities . . . collection’s title – Faded Love – from the Bob J. Lee Thompson, professor of history, “There’s a saying that Roosevelt wanted JOEL GROTHE Michael Saar, reference librarian and assistant professor of Wills song of the same name, with the understands the interesting looks he receives to be the groom at every wedding and the clichéd sentimentality written into the story- library science, directed the Beaumont Community Players’ when he tells people he is a British historian. corpse at every funeral. He liked being the As part of its fall season, Lamar Theatre presented A Lesson Before Dying, based line, said Sanderson, who sums up the stories production of Art, presented in February and starring David “It’s the same way I look at Britons who tell center of attention, and people either loved on the novel by Ernest J. Gaines and adapted for the stage by Romulus Linney. In in one word: twice-bitten. Ink Brush Press Hooker ’68, ’74, Glenn Teeter and Keith Huckabay. me they are American historians,” said the him or hated him,” Thompson said. “His this scene, Thaddeaus Green of Orange, guest artist Christopher Murray ’10 of published the book in October 2010. Austin native, “It’s a look that says, ‘Why are larger-than-life presence made the research Beaumont, Amber Belton of Houston and Kristen Davis of Houston pray together in The story cycle follows an interconnect- you doing that?’” fun.” jail before the impending execution of Jefferson (portrayed by Davis) for a crime he ed set of characters through hard living and After authoring four books rooted in did not commit. Ron Zank, visiting instructor of theatre, directed the play.

32| CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 33 ArtsCulture & I cared for him like a father. He is the reason for every success in my life since the day I “My drawing teacher was gifted in that met him.”—Calvin Carter ’00, he could teach you how to draw if you Jasper, Texas REMEMBERING . . . wanted to learn. He was a soulful person too . . . and imparted some of that, as well. He “Never confrontational, always questioning, and I were very close, and that proximity always asking for more exploration, he deter- exists for me today in my art and in my life.” minedly forced me, sometimes kicking and —Paul Manes ’72, ’82, New York, New York screaming the whole way, to experiment with color, shape and movement . . . I am grateful for his insistence in stretching my imagina- tion and for his firm hand in enlightening “Jerry taught me that making art never has “To this day, Jerry inspires me to get up early he legacy of Professor Jerry Newman—a mentor, friend me.”—Kim (Chen) Allen ’76, ’95, to end . . . He showed me that the creative and stay up late doing what I am so privi- “When I reflect on my life and how I have arrived at and father to his students for more than four decades— Lumberton, Texas process is reflected beyond the realms of art . leged to be able to do—paint . . . He chal- this point in time, I see a great number of steps—some came to life full circle as more than 50 of his proteges . . He taught me how to approach living.”— lenged me at every level . . . no matter what short and some very tall. . . . In those reflections . . . I paid him tribute with an awe-inspiring exhibition in the Mike Kennaugh ’86, Houston, Texas I accomplished . . . remember Jerry helping me onto many of those tall Dishman Art Museum. “Jerry had a very, very devoted all I could ever steps, pulling me up, whether I was ready or not.”— following,” said guest curator Lynne Lokensgard, get from him was, Kyle Young ’90, Bellaire, Texas University Professor of Art and Newman’s colleague and friend of more “His influence has gone from the ‘Hey, boy, you’re Tthan 30 years. Lokensgard coordinated the exhibit with Newman’s wife, lessons of a teacher to being a core coming along.’ I Pattee, who, the curator said, selected the artists and created the impetus element in my creative ability. To this realized many for the show. “When he passed away (in 2008), so many students came to day, after creating hundreds of pieces years later, this pay tribute to him that we had the idea of organizing this exhibition as a of sculpture and casting many tons of was Jerry’s way of more formal way for them to pay their respects and to display the tremen- bronze, art feels like oil painting.” saying, ‘I love dous influence he had on their lives,” Lokensgard said. “He will be missed —David Iles ’73, Denton, Texas you.’ . . . Jerry for his kind nature and ability to instill a love of art in his students.” Titled was able to A Homecoming, the exhibition showcased more than 100 drawings, paint- inspire each of us ings and sculptures in a variety of styles. Newman taught at Lamar more in our own personal way.”—Bruce Tinch than 40 years. “It was just wonderful, and Jerry would have been so hon- “Perhaps (Newman’s) greatest gift to me was “When I draw, I feel the crisp, white ’72, Arlington, Texas ored,” Pattee Newman said. Here are some of the reflections on Jerry his advice to me when he said, ‘If you’re paper beneath my fingers. The texture is Newman’s legacy. going to paint cowboys, you need to step in “Jerry’s impact on my life reaches far beyond subject comforting, and with this familiarity, the “Jerry Newman took a bunch of obstinate, cow dung.’ I like to think he taught me that matter, painting technique or artistic endeavors . . . His smooth charcoal lines flow across the small-town incognizants and patiently “Exactly 46 years ago, I walked into Jerry Newman’s class as a freshman art life ain’t a dress rehearsal; you need to live it words of wisdom and encouragement are a permanent plane. As these lines appear, the words of showed us how to create and appreciate art. student . . . Little could anyone have known the profound impact this like it’s a command performance.”—Red part of my being.” my teacher admonish me to ‘keep it He taught us to focus on the essentials of encounter would have on my life and career. Jerry, who was in the early Allen ’90, Beaumont, Texas —Amy (Koski) Richard ’84, Gainesville, Florida light’ . . . ‘think about every little stroke.’ the image and gave us the discipline and stages of his teaching career, had the patience and wisdom to work with a . . . Not only did Mr. Newman teach us freedom to explore.”—David Miller ’82, talented but raw 19-year-old. My father died that same year, and, in many “This was a kind man who took great satis- to paint; he taught us important life les- The Bronx, New York ways, Jerry became a surrogate father, as well as mentor . . . Jerry was my faction when his students succeeded . . . sons . . . His legacy continues each time great teacher . . . His enormous spirit fills my studio today.” Many times, we never saw him coming but I hear him tell me to ‘keep it light.’” “Mr. Newman was, and still is, the driving —John Alexander ’68, felt his presence . . .” —Angela (Robin) Osborne ’81, ’95, force behind my art. I still hear his words of Amagansett, New York —Mary Grace (Bookman) Levacy ’01, Port Neches, Texas wisdom every time I pick up a brush or pen- Beaumont, Texas cil. Mr. Newman cared for me like a son, and “I met Jerry when I was a young student, insecure and uncertain “Newman pointed out the path and then about what to study and what to walked it with me. He still does.” do with the rest of my life . . . He —Laura Lee (Burchfield) Scott ’95, ’04, took me under his wing . . . and “Newman sculpted everything Beaumont, Texas “Jerry’s genuine interest in every student in his class, to taught me most of what I needed I do as an artist . . . (He) helped define help them grow and develop their own visions and to know about art, but also about the person I am today. He is everything goals was an inspiration . . . I never ceased to stand in what is important in life and love, I do.” awe of Jerry’s vast knowledge about art and his wisdom about commitment and persever- —Scot Meents ’92, Port Neches, Texas about the whole of life.” ance . . . Just like him, I became a —Betty (Allen) Iles ’59, ’65, ’94, Lumberton, Texas professor of art at a university, returning the gift he gave me to other young students.”—Richard Davis ’66, Denton, Texas

34 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 35 A sea of red. A field of green. A rainbow arching over a sold-out stadium. Bagpipes. A parade of players. Marching band, dancers, twirlers, flag corps. Flyover and fireworks. Fans walking blocks to get there. Tailgaters emitting captivating aromas and camaraderie. Reunions: football, Techsans, Cards, Marching Band, Class of 1960. Red, White and You—and Get Your Red On. Football is back. Cardinal spirit soars. Next season: A new altitude.

36 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 37 38 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 39 40 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 41 42 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 43 For the most up-to-date news and schedule information, visit lamarcardinals.com.

Cards score Tidwell to coach national team of the Bahamas High School graduate, started the fall semester at WVU, but never played in a Hopes to qualify for Olympics OFFICIAL ONLINE game and will have four years of eligibility Women’s basketball Coach and Athletics STORE OPEN remaining at Lamar. Johnson was ranked as Director Larry Tidwell has accepted an invita- the No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in the tion to become head coach of the Bahamas Check out the largest nation by rivals.com and was ranked No. 5 senior national selection of officially among Texas quarterbacks by Sports licensed Cardinals women’s basket- merchandise anywhere Illustrated. “He was very highly rated com- ball team. online. Lamar men win fifth straight SLC cross coun- ing out of high school, and with four years “This is try title CardinalsLockerRoom.com The men’s cross country team cap- of eligibility remaining, he should be a fac- certainly a very tured its fifth consecutive Southland tor in our team and our program for a long prestigious honor • major brands like Under Conference title with a dominating per- LARRY TIDWELL Armour and Nike time,” Head Coach Ray Woodard said. to represent the formance this past fall at Bayou Din Golf “This is one of the big things we wanted to country of the Bahamas as their head coach • wide range of unique Club. The Cardinals finished with 38 products from auto acces- do when we started football back up at at the highest level,” Tidwell said. “I am very sories and collectibles to points, well ahead of runner-up McNeese Lamar, was to give local guys a place to committed to get their senior team back to a office and school supplies State’s 70 points. The Cardinals had three come home and play.” . . . Jayme Bazile level that competes for championships with runners earn all-conference honors by plac- named First-Team All-SLC Middle blocker the ultimate goal of being in the Olympics.” ing in the top 10. Bob Ahimbisibwe, last Jayme Bazile had a breakout sophomore Tidwell noted the team will compete in season’s SLC Freshman of the Year, led season for the Caribbean Championships, the Lamar with a second-place finish. LU’s the Lamar Centrobasket Championships, the FIBA Matt Johnsen was third in 24:50.1, while University Americas Championships, the Pan-American Tallam Kipruto was seventh in 25:13.3 . . . volleyball team Games and other FIBA-certified tournaments

Clarence “Pick Kea ’86, Billy Tubbs ’58, Norman Bellard ’79 and Paul Zeek BILLIOT MATT Men’s cross country has Freshman and in 2010, and during Lamar’s offseason. Newcomer of the Year Two members of the the Southland he 1978-79 basketball Not only did Tubbs’ confident Cardinals commissioner of the Southland Conference) cross country team received major acco- Conference Former LU star Sarbaugh season saw the first team qualify for the Big Dance, they performed a to go with me to Chicago where the NCAA lades from the Southland honored those named Manager of the Year in school history advance stunning Texas presidents were Conference. Matt Johnsen efforts by to the NCAA Division I Two Step over meeting, and we was named Freshman of naming her Mike Sarbaugh ’93, who starred at shortstop Tournament. Coached by 18th-ranked and lobbied for an the Year, while junior First-Team All- for Lamar University over the 1986-1989 Billy Tubbs ’58 and assis- highly favored automatic bid for transfer Tallam Kipruto Southland seasons, was honored recently as the 2010 tant Dennis Walsh, the team included B.B. Detroit in the first our conference. was tabbed as Newcomer Conference. Minor League Manager of the Year. DavisT -81, Clarence “Pick” Kea ’86 and round. The “Once the MATT JOHNSEN Sarbaugh, who has spent 21 years as a of the Year. Johnsen was Bazile, from Beaumont Ozen, was one of Norman Bellard ’79—three former players Cardinals’ 95-87 NCAA granted a the top freshman finisher 12 players named to the All-SLC First player, hitting coach and manager in the who remain actively involved with Lamar shocker delivered bid to our confer- at the Southland Team as selected by the league’s head Cleveland Indians’ organization, was voted to today. Those Cardinals went 23-9 overall and that night in ence, our players Conference coaches and media relations directors . . . receive the prestigious award after guiding the 9-1 in the Southland Conference and set a Murfreesboro, were determined Championships, placing Women’s cross country earns national honor Class AAA Columbus Clippers to both the standard for what became the most successful Tenn., may never to be the first team third to help Lamar win The women’s cross country team was International run in Lamar basketball history. have occurred, to win it.” its fifth consecutive men’s named as a 2010 Division I All-Academic League title TALLAM KIPRUTO Tubbs, now special assistant to the presi- Tubbs disclosed, Not only did championship. Kipruto, a Cross Country program by the U.S. Track and the Triple- dent at Lamar and consultant for athletics, had it not been for the brash Cardinals transfer from South Plains College, won his & Field and Cross Country Coaches A national remembers the 1978-1979 Cardinals as both a little offseason win it, they won it first three races in a Lamar uniform. He Association (USTFCCCA). championship. B.B. Davis –81, Billy Tubbs ’58 and Norman Bellard ’79 a misjudged and underestimated team. politicking he in a runaway—by a . . Former “Mike MATT BILLIOT MATT placed seventh at the SLC meet . The Lady Cardinals had a cumulative (in background) MIKE SARBAUGH “A lot of people thought we were a instigated. three-game margin Silsbee star Jeremy Johnson transfers to GPA of 3.45 and a GPA of 3.23 for the fall has been cocky and arrogant team,” said Tubbs, who “The previous season, we finished in a over Louisiana Tech and Southwestern Lamar Jeremy Johnson, one semester. Lamar had three runners, Sam successful at every path he has taken as a compiled a 121-89 record over two stints as tie with McNeese State for the conference Louisiana. of the most highly sought Walkow, Nora-Beth Saunders and Elzbieta manager,” said Chris Antonetti, Cleveland’s Lamar’s head coach. “What they failed to championship, and we both had good clubs “It was a wonderful thrill to me to have after quarterbacks in the Gawron, with perfect 4.0 grade-point aver- general manager. “His ability to relate excep- grasp was that it was simply a very confident but neither one of us went anywhere (in the the opportunity to coach those young men,” nation, is transferring from ages. Other members of the team were tionally well to every player, to teach and team—one that played with a lot of pride playoffs),” said Tubbs. “After that happened, I Tubbs said. “They were a fun bunch to be West Virginia to play foot- Taylor Cloy, Katrine Vaesel, Angela develop and consistently win are attributes and a lot of emotion. It was a team that convinced Hig (J.B. Higgins, then Lamar’s around, and I still cherish the memories they ball for Lamar University. LaBorde, Emily Carpenter Daisy Cantu, that make him an excellent candidate as he expected to win and to do big things.” director of athletics) and Dick Oliver (then left me with.”—RW Johnson, a Silsbee Tessa Denis and Sharon Sason. continues moving through our system.” JEREMY JOHNSON

44 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 45 For the most up-to-date news and schedule information, visit lamarcardinals.com.

SLC honors Lamar DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: student-athletes 66 athletes attain GPAs of 3.00 or Vernon Durden higher Lamar student-athletes found success on the playing field and in the classroom dur- ing the fall 2010 semester as 66 Cardinals development, guest speakers, and athletic and community service were named to the Southland Conference activities. Lamar’s AAMP program is another opportunity Durden Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll. embraces because it enables him and other mentors to align them- The fall honor roll includes student- selves with students pursuing advanced education. He’s also active as athletes who took part in men’s and president of the Beaumont chapter of the 100 Black Men of America women’s cross country, football, volleyball group, one of fastest growing of the 116 chapters nationwide that and women’s soccer. The honor roll recog- work to educate and empower African-American young men and nizes student-athletes who maintained a teens. In addition, Vernon is president of the board of the Southeast minimum 3.00 grade point average. Texas Food Bank, on the board of the United Way of Beaumont, and Lamar’s total of 66 was tied for the fourth most among the 12 member institu- regional chair for the Southeast Texas region of Employer Support tions, while the 13 LU student-athletes for the Guard and Reserve.

who posted a perfect 4.0 grade point aver- BILLIOT MATT Johnnie is a member of the The Links Inc., an international age ranked second among all SLC schools. non-profit corporation of professional women of color in 270 erhaps no name is more synonymous “Billy Tubbs is a legendary figure in the bas- Vernon and Johnnie Durden LARRY ACKER “We know the importance of aca- chapters nationwide. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest with the storied Lamar University basket- ketball community and has left a lasting legacy at demics, and we’re especially proud that ernon ’04 and Johnnie Durden ’00 haven’t been volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining ball tradition than Billy Tubbs. That Lamar University—first as a player, then coach the overall GPA for our student-athletes P sidelined by retirement. While and ensuring the culture and economic survival of name, along with his wife of 52 years, Pat, and finally athletics director,” said President was a 3.0, and that includes all 17 most people look forward to African-Americans. As a member of Top Ladies of sports,” said Athletics Director Larry became a permanent part of the basketball legacy James Simmons. “His success as the men’s bas- slowing the pace, this China Distinction, she helps teenagers plan their career Tidwell. Feb. 19 when the Montagne Center floor was ketball coach could not have been possible with- “I can think of no couple has embraced a life of goals and futures. She also serves as a member of He credited Helene Thill, Rose named “Billy & Pat Tubbs Court” in their honor. out the loving support of his wife, Pat, so it is giving back and setting a posi- better time in the the Art Museum of Southeast Texas advisory board, Hubbard, Rob McDermand, Tommy Collins Tubbs, who played at Lamar from 1955-57 only fitting that the playing court in the tive example for many young people in the Golden Communities in Schools and is a substitute teacher and tutors for “an outstanding effort in under Jack Martin, is now in his 27th year of Montagne Center bears their names.” history of VTriangle. During their brief periods of relaxation, for the Beaumont school district. achieving this high plateau of academic service to his alma mater. Just the 28th coach in The ceremony took place during the annual Beaumont to be they prefer to saddle up either on their Harleys for Included on their walls are their Lamar excellence.” NCAA history to record 600 career wins, Tubbs basketball players reunion weekend and honored associated with a cross-country jaunt or on their champion University diplomas—among their most valued currently serves as special assistant/consultant to Tubbs’ 1978-79 team, the first in school history to Tennessee Walkers for a lazy afternoon ride through the growth and recognitions. Vernon earned a certificate in industri- Student athlete the president. advance to the NCAA Division I Tournament. the pasture. progress of Lamar al electricity and electronics before joining graduation rate sixth “Once you retire and people find out you have University...” ExxonMobil in 1970. He continued his education in state all this time to give, somehow your name gets to periodically throughout the years, but became more —VERNON DURDEN '04 serious about finishing his bachelor’s degree when The NCAA Division I student-athletes Naming honors Coach Gilligan the top of everybody’s list,” Vernon said. “But, Johnnie enrolled at Lamar and began pursuing her continue to show record graduation rates, what we found out is when you’re helping people, the organization announced recently. im Gilligan’s way has proven to be a reliable Parkway and past Vincent-Beck Stadium to the time spent is good quality time, and we just degree in earnest. Vernon has also served on the In the statistics released on gradua- formula for Lamar University Drive. enjoy that so much.” Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board. tion rates for Texas student-athletes who JUniversity baseball Gilligan is a Lamar From their small horse ranch west of Beaumont, the Durdens On being selected a distinguished alumnus, Vernon said, “I can enrolled as freshmen from 2000-01 through 33 seasons and almost graduate, having earned a offer their time and talents to the community by serving on numer- think of no better time in the history of Beaumont to be associated through 2003-04, Lamar University ranked 1,200 victories. bachelor’s degree in 1969 ous advisory boards and mentoring organizations. The walls and with the growth and progress of Lamar University, one of our sixth in the state at 73 percent. So, it was appropriate that and a master’s in 1970. tables of their home are dotted with plaques and awards as memen- greatest assets. This recognition is both a surprise and distinct honor Private institutions dominated the Beaumont City Council voted In coaching the toes of their outreach. The majority of their time is spent mentoring that I will treasure the rest of my life. As an alumnus, there is no four top spots, with Rice, Southern unanimously this past summer Cardinals for 33 seasons, he young adults in organizations such as Ben’s Kids Brighter Futures greater honor.” Methodist, Texas Christian and Baylor to rename a section of East guided LU to 10 Southland Mentoring Program, 100 Black Men of America and Lamar Johnnie completed her bachelor’s degree a year before retiring taking the lead. The highest ranked state Florida Avenue to Jim Gilligan Conference championships, University’s AAMP program, an academic success and leadership in 2001 as an auditor at DuPont. Although they completed their school, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Way in honor of the head two SLC zone titles, four formal education late in their careers, Johnnie said, they did so to be achieved a 78 percent four-year gradua- development program for African-American male students. coach, who ranks sixth among conference-tournament an example to nieces and nephews and the young people they are tion rate for its student-athletes. Lamar’s Vernon is a mentor for the Ben’s Kids organization, which graduation rate also exceeded those of the NCAA’s active coaches in championships—the most matches at-risk students with advisers who help them make positive mentoring. “Our thought was,” Johnnie said, “if we are going to Texas A&M and the University of Texas. career victories. recent in 2010—and personal choices. Each mentor in the organization invests his or her speak to these kids about the value of an education in their lives, we Jim Gilligan Way extends 12 NCAA Regional time to help a young person improve his or her life through character had better walk the walk ourselves.”—LA from Martin Luther King Jr. appearances.

46 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 47 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA: DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS: Grace England Bill Macatee

One of the first students to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Lamar, England went on to earn her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of North Texas and her Ph.D. in child development and special education at Texas Woman’s University. England has worked as a consultant for U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools worldwide and for a variety of school districts in Texas. She has participated in educational training sessions around the world and presented at conferences across the country and internationally. She cur- rently serves as an edu- cational consultant for Bill Macatee with 2010 U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal the Spring Branch ill Macatee ’78 has become a familiar face and voice I’ve been lucky enough to do play-by-play in everything from golf to school district and as an of authority at some of the biggest sporting events in sumo wrestling to the NFL,” Macatee said. “So much of the prepara- the world. tion for the life and the career I’ve had comes from my time at Lamar.” assistant professor of Grace and Bill England After graduation, Macatee moved on to television stations in education at University BFrom the Masters and PGA Championship in golf to the U.S. Kansas City and Dallas before joining NBC at age 26, becoming the of St. Thomas in Houston. Open, French Open and Wimbledon in tennis to youngest network sportscaster in the industry. With race (Davis) England ’55 England credits Lamar with providing a sup- play-by-play for weekly NFL broadcasts, Macatee is NBC, he covered events including the World Series, has touched countless lives “It gave me portive environment, encouragement and opportu- a veteran television sports broadcaster with unparal- “So much of the the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and college bowl as a teacher, special education an opportunity to nities that opened the door to valuable experiences leled versatility. With CBS Sports since 1995, games and served as sports correspondent for “The Macatee provides insightful coverage of some of preparation for the Today Show.” With the USA Network, he anchored administrator, college as a teacher, administrator, special educator and pro- think back to the the most prestigious golf and tennis tournaments life and the career coverage of numerous sports specials and major professor and educational fessor. She still recalls the words of her professor in beginning of a really internationally each year. In addition to his NFL I’ve had comes events, including the 2006 Olympic Winter Games consultant. exciting career her first education class at Lamar: “‘We of one gen- responsibilities, he has handled play-by-play for col- in Torino, Italy. He served as co-host of CBS cover- A trailblazer in the field of special education, from my time at and to recall all the eration must teach those of another generation how lege basketball, including the NCAA Tournament, age of the 1998 Olympic Winter Games from EnglandG has been recognized as Professional of the Lamar.” to live in yet another generation.’ That magnificent and hosted CBS Sports Spectacular events for Nagano, Japan. In addition to his work with CBS, Year by the International Council for Learning people at Lamar skiing, figure skating, and track and field. —BILL MACATEE '78 Macatee currently is an executive producer and who boosted me challenge became a guidepost for my career.” Disabilities and has been commended by the Texas Working with both children and with future His many successes in sports broadcasting anchor with cable’s Tennis Channel. build on the dedication and hard work he showed Macatee said he is proud to be a Lamar Senate for her work. She became director of special along the way in teachers has been rewarding. “In special education even before he began his studies at Lamar. Macatee got his start in University graduate and is honored to be recognized as a 2011 education for Klein school district, a fast-growing, ways that I now there’s another component, and that’s working with broadcasting as a teenager doing radio newscasts in El Paso. While in distinguished alumnus. “This is significant for me. It’s the first thing Houston-area district, just days before passage of a can genuinely the families,” she said. “I have such a respect for college in San Marcos, Macatee became weekend sports anchor at the I’ve asked my family to attend,” Macatee said. “I’m proud of the federal law mandating appropriate public education appreciate and families and how they accommodate and maneuver NBC affiliate in Austin. That led to a job at Beaumont’s KBMT as growth of the university. It’s grown not just in scope but in its for children with disabilities. At Klein, she led an respect. their lives so they can give the children they have the sports director and led Macatee to transfer to Lamar to complete his prominence nationally.” effort to establish one of the first Early Childhood support they need.” degree in speech. At 21, with a full-time job and full course load, Macatee said he thought back to his Lamar days often while —GRACE ENGLAND ’55 Macatee said he was “stuck between being a kid and being a teaching sports media for two years as an adjunct professor at Intervention programs in the state to provide serv- Grace England said she was “overjoyed” by the grownup.” Chapman University, where his daughter, Caitlin, is now a student. ices such as speech therapy and physical therapy to honor. “It gave me an opportunity to think back to Macatee said he was impressed then and is pleased now by all He also serves on the advisory council of Lamar’s College of Fine infants and toddlers with disabilities to better prepare them the beginning of a really exciting career and to recall all the people Lamar has to offer, including the quality of its teaching and the Arts and Communication. Macatee makes his home in Newport for school. To her long list of honors, England adds the title of 2011 at Lamar who boosted me along the way in ways that I now can diversity of its student body. “It really prepared me for traveling Beach, Calif., and Dallas.—BG distinguished alumns. genuinely appreciate and respect.”—BG internationally and having a broad world view. During my career,

48 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 49 class notes

sumer sciences, live in Silsbee. Department of Transportation. They live in tion from Stephen F. Austin State University. e hope you enjoy reading about former classmates. If you have news Beaumont. She retired and lives in Anahuac. Sam Dell ‘Olio ’63, B.B.A. marketing, works Lamar offers trip to Normandy, Paris Wto share – a position announcement, milestone, achievement, for Texas State Bank in Galveston, where he Bill Worsham ’65, B.S. physical education, Robert Sutton Jr. ’69, B.B.A. marketing, is wedding, baby – or know the whereabouts of a lost alumnus, we want lives with his wife, Miriam. ’72, M.Ed. secondary education, retired as owner of Sutton Enterprises in Beaumont, athletic director from Lamar State College- where he lives with his wife, Brenda. Journey inaugurates new travel program Ken King ’63, B.A. history, earned a master’s to hear from you. Port Arthur after 42 years in education. He degree in public administration from the and his wife, Carolyn, live in Port Arthur. University of Oklahoma. He lives in Flower Lamar University has initiated its Send us your news: 70s Mound with his wife, Dorothy (Curtis) ’66, Ken Buss ’66, B.B.A. accounting, owns a Alumni and Friends travel program Write to Cadence, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, TX 77710, B.S. elementary education. computer business and lives in Carrollton Ron Beaumont ’70, B.S. electrical engineer- with his wife, Carolyn (Minter) ’65, B.S. ele- ing, earned a master’s degree from Stanford beginning with a May 2011 nine- Robert Tolar ’63, B.S. mathematics, earned a e-mail [email protected] or call (409) 880-8421. mentary education, ’76, M.Ed. elementary University and is chief executive officer for master’s degree from the University of Texas day trip to Normandy and Paris, education. Hypercube in Lancaster. He lives in at Austin and a doctorate from Texas A&M. Grandview with his wife, Linda. which filled up quickly. A&M. He is a retired school teacher and He is a professor at College of the Canyons Dr. Sam Showalter ’66, B.S. biology, recently Through the new LU program, 40s lives in Spring with his wife, Pat. They have in Valencia, Calif., where he lives with his celebrated 40 years in dentistry. He and his Larry Mills ’70, B.B.A. accounting, is princi- two sons. wife, Debra. wife, Gail (Cawley) ’70, B.S. speech, live in pal officer for Funchess, Mills, White and travelers will encounter the life, Tommy Walker ’48, A.A. general studies, Nederland. Co. in Beaumont, where he lives with his Larry Badgett ’63, B.S. mathematics, ’64, B.S. Margaret (Pugh) Bostic ’64, B.S. speech, ’75, earned a medical degree from Baylor College wife, Maryann. people, history, art, architecture, electrical engineering, earned a master’s M.S. health and physical education, and her Jim Tarbett Jr. ’66, B.S. electrical engineering, of Medicine. He lives in Eugene, Ore. food, wine and culture of the degree in electrical engineering from the husband, Leroy, celebrated their 50th wed- ’70, M.E.S. electrical engineering science, Barbara Richards ’70, B.S. home economics, The Port Arthur Evening Sertoma Club University of Southern California and a mas- ding anniversary with a traditional wedding works for JAT Engineering Inc. and lives in is in her 37th year as an educator and teach- destination region and city. Trip awarded the Service to Mankind award to ter’s degree in business from Pepperdine ceremony Dec. 4, 2010, at the Botanical Beaumont. es high school career and technology at Herbert Stafford Jr. ’49, A.A. general studies. University. He retired as an executive from Gardens in Beaumont, where they live. Homer Hanna High School in Brownsville. Carole (Cobble) Wills ’66, B.B.A. secretarial Aerospace Electronics in Huntington Beach, She lives at Rancho Viejo. “Making great trips available for Richard Dalton Sr. ’64, B.S. geology, earned a science, is head of school at the Briarwood Calif., where he lives. 50s master’s degree from University of School in Houston, where she lives with her Bill Scott ’70, B.S. government, was honored our alumni and friends is one Billy Caraway ’63, B.B.A. general business, is Oklahoma. He works for Acadia Exploration husband, Jim ’66, B.S. mathematics, ’68, with the Boy Scouts of America 2010 tangible way we can say ‘thank Howard Graff ’51, A.A. general studies, ’53, county judge for Hardin County. He and his Corp. as a consulting geologist. He lives in M.S. mathematics. Society Award. He lives in Nederland with B.S. biology, is retired and lives in Hamshire wife, Kay (Busby) ’96, B.S. family and con- Houston with his wife, Sharon. his wife, Gay (Duckworth) ’80, B.B.A. you’ for the terrific support they Sandra (Thomas) Baker ’67, B.S. elementary with his wife, Carvelynne. sumer sciences, ’99, M.S. family and con- accounting. John Gilbert ’64, B.S. industrial engineering, education, retired as a teacher in the Garland have given to Lamar University,” James Bolton ’54, B.S. physical education, is earned a master’s degree from school district after 37 years. She lives in Lannie Tucker ’70, B.S. health and physical a retired sales executive and lives in Port Purdue University. He has been Sachse with her husband, Bob. education, earned a master’s degree from — JUAN ZABALA, Arthur with his wife, Jimmie. principal of the John Gilbert Co., Stephen F. Austin State University and a Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Helen (Pate) Reynolds ’67, B.A. English, a national healthcare executive doctorate from Texas Woman’s University. Charles Alexander ’58, B.A. history, and his earned a master’s degree in English from the search firm, for 17 years and lives She retired from teaching and is a flight wife, JoAnn, celebrated their 50th wedding University of Arkansas, retired from teaching organizer Alumni Holidays in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with attendant for American Airlines and lives anniversary and live in Hamilton, Ohio. He and lives in Nederland. his wife, Marian, who is a concert in Euless. International has conducted trips earned his master’s degree and doctorate pianist. Donna (Lemmon) Sherrick ’67, B.S. music, from the University of Texas. He is distin- Bill Caughman ’71, B.S. biology, is a sales for universities across the globe for retired from teaching and lives in guished professor of history emeritus at Betty (Wade) Merwin ’64, B.S. representative for Wyeth Pharmaceutical. He Lumberton. nearly 50 years. A campus director Ohio University. elementary education, ’81, M.Ed. lives in Sugar Land with his wife, Patsy. elementary education, retired Bill Stoehs ’67, B.B.A. management, earned a travels with each group, and expert Tom Willard ’59, B.S. chemistry, earned a Sue (Russell) Dismukes ’72, B.B.A. secretarial from a 34-year teaching career master’s degree in business from Fairleigh doctorate from Tulane University and is pro- science, retired from the city of Beaumont English-speaking guides conduct daily tours. Plans include spring and summer trips in 2012, which and lives in Everton, Ark. Dickinson University. He is retired and lives fessor emeritus at Florida Southern College human resources department after 35 years Cadence. with his wife, Catherine, in Hudson, Fla. will be announced in the next issue of in Lakeland, Fla., where he lives with his Ike Porter of service. She lives in Beaumont with her -64, physical education, “The expertly planned itinerary balances the benefits of group travel with leisure time, and best wife, Barbara. is a minister, author and record- Michael Wilson ’67, B.S. sociology, ’71, husband, Tom. ing artist. He lives in Port Arthur. M.B.A. business administration, lives in of all, participants will travel amid the camaraderie of Lamar University alumni and friends,” said UPCOMING Diana (Cline) Schneider ’71, B.S. speech, ’81, Savannah, Ga., with his life partner, Leo Herman Weber ’64, B.S. govern- M.Ed. counseling and development, was one Camille Mouton, vice president for university advancement. Participation in the program is not 60s ALUMNI EVENTS Monroe Jr. ’94, B.S. interior design. ment, earned a master’s degree in of 12 teachers in Texas presented with the limited to Lamar University alumni, Mouton said. Larry Drayer ’60, B.S. electrical engineering, All events require reservations. public administration from Merri (Beatty) Biser ’68, B.A. English, and 2010 Outstanding Teaching of the and his wife, Anna (Hopkins) ’60, B.S. speech, (409) 880-8921 • (800) 298-4839 Cornell University and retired as her husband, Roy, celebrated their 40th Humanities awards. She teaches in the Lamar alumni, faculty and friends from Beaumont, Houston, Dallas, Louisiana, Missouri and celebrated their 50th anniversary. They live [email protected] personnel director for the city of anniversary in June. They live in Houston. Hardin-Jefferson school district and lives in California will travel to Normandy, where travelers will visit the historic and scenic Honfleur on the in Austin. Both of his brothers, Jerry ’60, Pasadena, where he lives with his Beaumont. Karen (Rowland) Richardson ’68, B.S. music, B.S. electrical engineering, and Phil ’67, B.S. wife, Loretta. Seine. From there, they will travel to the Caen Memorial, one of the best World War II museums in ’77, M.M. music education, retired as a Doug Simpson ’71, B.S. biology, ’73, M.S. electrical engineering, are Lamar graduates. • Harold Baker ’65, B.S. chemistry, teacher of gifted and talented elementary stu- biology, is president and chief executive offi- the world, and visit the Omaha Beach Memorial. They will tour the Place de Vieux Marché in Rouen John Hunt ’60, B.S. secondary education, Thursday, April 14, 2011 | 5:30pm earned a doctorate degree from dents and lives in Beaumont with her hus- cer of Corgenix Medical Corp. in where Joan of Arc was put to death, Bayeux where a beautiful tapestry depicts the events leading to earned his master’s in zoology and botany Ronnie Broomfield, Colo. He lives in Boulder with Tulane University. He works for band, ’70, B.S. graphic design, ’82 the Norman invasion of England, and a pilgrimage site in Lisieux as well as a cheese facility there. from Stephen F. Austin State University and Austin Area Alumni Reception Luminex Corp. as a senior scien- M.Ed. counseling and development. He his wife, Cathleen. his educational doctorate from Baylor tist in Austin, where he lives. retired as a coordinator of guidance and Normandy is the Cradle of Impressionism so another highlight of the trip will be a visit to Giverny, Top of The Oasis Ellen (Hamblett) Wahlberg-Carlisle ’71, B.S. University. He is professor of curriculum and counseling and high school art teacher. Sally (Pearson) Montague ’65, B.S. home economics, is assistant director for the site of Claude Monet’s pastoral home, colorful gardens and studio. The tour ends in Paris where instruction and science education at elementary education, was an Robbie Bates ’69, B.B.A. accounting, works special nutrition programs for the southwest Mississippi College in Clinton. He lives in travelers will see the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and • educator for 35 years, retired and for Bailes Bates and Associates as a certified region of the U.S. Drug Food and Nutrition Pearl, Miss. numerous other historical sites, as well as the Louvre, Musée d´Orsay and other wonderful museums. Friday, May 6, 2011 | 5:30pm is living at Lake Livingston with professional accountant in Sugar Land, Service. She lives in Dallas with her hus- Joe Wilson ’60, B.S. geology, is retired from her husband, Bruce. where he lives with his wife, Mary. band, Charlie. Tours include accommodations at first-class hotels, extensive meal programs and abundant time Hood Packaging Corp. and lives in Tyler Baseball Tailgate Clinton Smith ’65, B.B.A. general Pat (Sherburne) Groben ’69, B.S. chemistry, Steve Bayless ’72, M.B.A. business adminis- with his wife, Judy. He has served as a volun- Vincent Beck Stadium to sample authentic regional specialties at featured local restaurants. business, and his wife, LaVerne, works for MEMC Pasadena. She lives in tration, is principal officer for Bayless teer at various national parks. celebrated their 50th wedding La Porte, with her husband, Scott. Consulting. He lives in Katy with his wife, For questions about the new Alumni and Friends Travel Program, call the University Advancement Don Henderson ’62, B.S. secondary educa- anniversary in August 2010. He Lou. Barbara (Fullerton) Smith ’69, B.S. elementary tion, earned a master’s degree from Texas is retired from the Texas office at (409) 880-8419. education, earned a master’s degree in educa-

50 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 51 class notes YOU CAN GET YOUR RED ON

Lark (Wiltshire) Bernini ’72, B.S. secondary Charles McFarland ’73, B.B.A. accounting, is economics, teaches in the Supervisors Association the Bridge City school district, where he Charley Lowe Jr. -82, health and physical Madison, Ala., with his wife, Janelle. Paul Loftus ’84, M.S. psychology, is an indus- education, is production coordinator for the a manager for Halliburton in Houston. He Bridge City school district. named Dianne (Smith) lives with his wife, Sandra. education, works for Eastham Forge in trial/organizational psychologist for Paul Robert Griggs ’83, A.A.S. drafting technolo- TV series Brothers and Sisters and was in lives in Katy with his wife, Cindy. She lives in Orange with Timberlake ’78, B.S. ele- Beaumont, where he lives. Loftus & Associates in Montreal, Canada, Bruce Olson ’80, drafting technology, is man- gy, is senior technician for International Beijing for six months working on the movie her husband, Thomas. mentary education, ’07, where he lives with his wife, Avy. Faye (Montagne) Parish ’73, B.A. mathemat- ager of M-M Design in College Station, Steve Lucas ’82, B.B.A. finance, is senior vice Specialty Products in Port Neches, where he Karate Kid. She lives in Sherman Oaks, Calif. M.Ed. educational lead- ics, ’94, M.Ed. secondary education, is the Kathy (Girolamo) Attaway where he lives. president of Wells Fargo in Beaumont, where lives. Marcia (Miller) Stevens ’84, M.Ed. education- ership, District 5 John Corrent ’72, B.S. oceanographic tech- secondary mathematics coordinator for ’76, B.S. elementary edu- he lives with his wife, Robin. al leadership, was honored as the first recipi- Assistant Principal of the Kathy (Fitzgerald) Turner ’80, B.A. sociology, Aaron Patterson ’83, B.M. music education, nology, is owner and manager of Structural Bridge City school district. She lives in cation, ’83, M.Ed. educa- ent of the Capital One Community Year. She works at China is a provider resiliency trainer for the Army. Mark Martin ’82, B.S. health and physical works for the Pasadena school district as an Illusions. He lives in Sandy, Utah. Orange. tional leadership, is assis- Spotlight award, which recognizes a local Elementary School in the She lives in San Antonio with her husband, education, ’94, M.Ed. school administration, elementary music specialist at Garfield tant professor of educa- business leader who has had a significant Annette (Parigi) Fehrenbacher ’72, B.A. math- Deborah (Gill) Queen ’73, B.S. elementary Hardin-Jefferson school David. is principal at Hamshire-Fannett Middle Elementary School. He lives in Houston. tional leadership at Lamar positive impact. She and her husband, The ematics, is a retired teacher and lives in education, was elected to the board of the district. She lives School. He and his wife, Robyn ’02, B.G.S. University. She lives in Babe White ’80, A.A.S. industrial electricity, Driscoll Staley ’83, B.S. electrical engineer- Honorable John B. Stevens Jr. ’74, B.A. gov- Vienna, W.Va., with her husband, Robert. Texas Forest Trail Region for the 2011 fiscal Visit Beaumont. general studies, have two daughters, Kirstey Village Mills. ’81, B.S. industrial technology, was inducted ing, works for Invista as maintenance man- ernment, live in Beaumont. year. She is executive director of the cardinalslockerroom.com and Kortney, who are attending Lamar Phil Gerik ’72, B.S. secondary education, Donald Young ’78, B.S. into the Epsilon Pi Tau International Honor ager in Victoria, where he lives with his wife, Beaumont Botanical Gardens. She lives in Karen (Williford) Lee ’76, University. Robert Bartlett ’85, B.B.A. marketing, is dis- works for Region 12 Education Service for Cardinal gear communication, is senior Society for Professions in Technology in Cynthia. Silsbee. B.S. music education, trict sales manager for AstraZeneca. He lives Center as a field agent. He and his wife, account manager for Nashville. He is a senior systems analyst for Cynthia (Boutte) Thibodeaux ’82, A.A.S. busi- retired as a middle school Naomi Arabie ’84, B.S. elementary education, in Plano with his wife, Diane. Cathy (Neumann) ’72, B.S. speech, live in Tweed Scott Chouinard ’74, B.B.A. market- TopSide Media in Austin, space station training facility at Johnson ness data processing, and Mike Thibodeaux choir director. She lives in Orange with her teaches math in High Island, where she lives. Waco. Their son, Matthew ’01, B.S. commu- ing, is owner of Texas Cool Wear, an author where he lives. Space Center in Houston. He lives in celebrated 25 years of marriage June 8 with Ross Boothman ’85, B.M. music education, husband, Dale ’72, B.A. history. nication, also is an alumnus. and professional speaker. He lives in Cypress. Dickinson with his wife, Yvonne (Collins) ’79, a Caribbean cruise. They have two daugh- Bill Dixon ’84, B.S. electrical engineering, is ’06, M.Ed. school administration, is presi- Toni (Passmore) Anderson ’79, B.M. music, Tom Noyola ’76, B.S. criminal justice, ’05, M.S. certif. nursing. ters, Courtney and Tayla. They live in senior staff systems engineer for Lockheed dent-elect of the Texas Music Educators Quenton Jackson ’72, B.S. mechanical engi- Warren Clark ’74, B.A. government, earned a earned a master’s degree in vocal perform- applied criminology, is Tech Prep/ESL coordi- Beaumont. Martin. He lives in Coatesville, Pa. Association. He lives in Lumberton, where neering, is territory sales manager for law degree from Texas Tech University and ance from the New England Conservatory Franchette (Bertrand) Bledsoe ’81, B.S. ele- nator for Lamar Institute of Technology. He he is high school band director. Monsanto in Senoia, Ga., where he lives works in Amarillo, where he lives with his and a doctoral degree from Georgia State mentary education, ’91, M.Ed. school Terry Welch ’82, B.S. electrical engineering, David Dornes ’84, B.S. sociology, works secu- lives in Groves with his wife, Mayra. with his wife, Joyce. wife, Cynthia. University. She published a book, Tell Them administration, is a principal in the West earned a master’s degree in business from rity for Allied Barton. He lives in Beaumont. Lou (Orton) Burgin -85, nursing, is student Maggie Perkins ’76, B.B.A. office administra- We Are Singing for Jesus: The Original Fisk Hardin school district in Saratoga. She lives Northwood University. He is site manager admissions assistant senior for Lamar David Lewis ’72, B.S. environmental science, Nelson Fernandes ’74, B.S. electrical engi- Linda Eddy ’84, B.S. elementary education, teach- tion, is lead human resources specialist for Jubilee Singers and Christian Reconstruction, in Sour Lake with her husband, Thomas. and vice president of operations for BP University. She lives in Vidor. ’78, M.S. biology, received the Big Thicket neering, is senior project engineer for AK es at Dishman Elementary in the Beaumont Valero Services in Port Arthur. She lives in 1871-1878. She lives in LaGrange, Ga. America in Decatur, Ala. He lives in Association’s R.E. Jackson Conservation Steel Inc. in Rockport, Ind. He lives in Cliff Bolton ’81, B.G.S. general studies, ’85, school district. She lives in Beaumont. Beaumont. Award Oct. 9 at the Big Thicket National Newburgh, Ind., with his wife, Elizabeth. Charles McBride Jr. ’79, B.S. communication, A.A.S. industrial electricity, is a systems ana- Preserve Visitor Center. He is a retired Anita (Prince) Watson ’76, M.Ed. supervision, ’88, A.A.S. computer electronics and robot- lyst at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Paula (Welch) Quick ’74, B.S. elementary edu- chemist and avid mycologist. is retired from the Beaumont school district, ics, teaches science at West Brook High Houston, where he lives with his wife, cation, ’85, M.Ed. secondary education, is where she lives. School in Beaumont. He lives in Port Dena. Lana Parker ’72, B.S. elementary education, superintendent of Burkeville schools. She Neches. is named 2010-11 School Board Trustee of lives in Jasper with her husband, David ’70, Ron Borel ’77, B.B.A. accounting, is chief Elizabeth (Evers) Braun ’81, B.S. mechanical FROM YOU the Year by the Texas Classroom Teachers B.S. secondary education, who is retired financial officer for Triangle Waste Solutions Larry Moon ’79, B.S. chemical engineering, is engineering, has published her first novel, Association. She is school board president in from ExxonMobil and also taught in the in Port Arthur. He lives in Orange. principal officer for Zephyr Environmental Tampico’s Gold. She lives in Ludwigshafen, Port Neches-Groves, where she lives. Burkeville district. Corp. in Austin, where he lives with his wife, Germany, with her husband, Thomas. Benjamin Eaglin ’77, B.S. health and physical Ann. Betty (Gaspard) Peebles ’72, B.S. speech, Bill Urquhart ’74, B.S. electrical engineering, education, works for Valero Energy. He and Charlotte (Dominy) Edwards ’81, B.S. elemen- teaches in the East Chambers school district. earned a master’s degree and law degree his wife, Patricia, live in Beaumont. Glen Weldon ’79, B.S. electrical engineering, tary education, earned a master’s degree in TO LU She lives in Hamshire with her husband, from Indiana University. He is president of is global manufacturing advisor for elementary education from Stephen F. Austin Tommy Goth ’77, B.B.A. management, ’80, Corky. International Chemical and Polymer and ExxonMobil in Baytown. He lives in State University and teaches in the La Porte M.B.A. business administration, is senior lives in Estes Park, Colo. Houston with his wife, Kathryn. school district. She lives in Baytown. Jerry Whittredge ’72, B.S. chemical engineer- vice president financial advisor for UBS in ing, is retired and lives in Tampa, Fla. Terry Weatherford ’74, B.S. electrical engi- Beaumont, where he lives with his wife, Iris (Laday) Williams ’79, B.A. English, ’79, Judy Lehner ’81, B.S. health and physical neer, retired from ExxonMobil and lives in Sherry (Jones) ’78, B.S. elementary educa- M.Ed. supervision, is retired and lives in education, ’86, M.Ed. counseling and devel- Keith Chatham ’73, B.B.A. management, Nederland with his wife, Wanda. They have tion, ’86, M.Ed. school administration. She Beaumont. opment, is counselor at Hamshire-Fannett owns Precision Fit Golf in Kerrville, where three children, Wesley, Traci and Tiffany. is a retired educator. Middle School. She lives in Beaumont. he lives. Tadarell Woods ’79, A.A.S. industrial electric- Robert Cuddy ’75, B.S. health and physical Paul Krenning ’77, B.B.A. general business, is ity, ’80, B.S. industrial electricity, is analyzer Kathy (Williams) Smith ’81, B.A. English, ’09, Give securely online Billy Curl ’73, B.S. music, ’78, M.M.E. music education, is a certified instructor for operations coordinator for BASF in technician for Oxy Vinyls in La Porte. He M.Ed. administration, is director of special education, retired as assistant superintendent Raytheon Technical Services in Wichita, Beaumont. He lives in Hamshire with his lives in League City with his wife, Hyacinth. programs in the Hardin school district where of the Port Neches-Groves school district Kan., where he lives. wife, Tina. she taught English and Spanish for 29 years. Lamar University is a vibrant center of knowledge and learning, comprised of student scholars, after a 37-year career in education. He lives She lives in Liberty with her husband, in Port Neches with his wife, Barbara Victor Higginbotham ’75, B.S. art education, is Don Pippen Sr. -77, business, and his wife, Jo involved faculty, innovative research facilities and more. Our mission is to engage graduates, 80s David, who works on Alaska’s North Slope. (Copeland) ’87, M.E. elementary education, creative director for Victor Higginbotham Ellen, celebrated their 50th wedding anniver- They have two sons. who teaches at Ridgewood Elementary Creative in China, where he lives. sary on Aug. 28. They live in Beaumont. Terry Ingram ’80, M.Ed. educational leader- families, friends, corporations and foundations in the life of the University. We also seek to School in the same district. ship, and his wife, Susan (Teel) ’72, B.S. ele- Doug Farmer ’82, B.S. mechanical engineer- Donald Hilton ’75, B.S. mechanical engineer- Lee Romero ’77, B.S. criminal justice, earned encourage financial investment in Lamar University’s programs and scholarships. We are mentary education, retired from the ing, earned a master’s degree from Jane (Borell) Dunn ’73, B.S. mathematics, was ing, earned a master’s degree from the a law degree from South Texas College of Beaumont school district. They live in Frisco. Pennsylvania State University and works for most grateful to our many alumni and friends who choose to support Lamar University with chosen as Region 5 Teacher of the Year University of Houston and works for Law and is an assistant district attorney in INVISTA as a senior research associate. He among secondary teachers. She teaches in the Commonwealth Engineering and Conroe, where he lives. Mike Kiger ’80, B.S. health education, is head lives in Greensboro, N.C. financial gifts. If you are considering a gift to Lamar University, we encourage you to use the Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district Construction as director of engineering in network tester for CenterPoint Energy. He Rosemary Banda ’78, B.S. criminal justice, is and lives in Orange. Houston. He lives in Chappell Hill. and his wife, Cheryl, live in Spring. Connie (Hembree) Galloway ’82, B.B.A. Lamar University online giving option now available. logistics manager for Crown Logistics. She accounting, is accounting manager for Candice (Zummo) Haggard ’73, B.S. health Ronnie Melancon ’75, B.S. physical educa- lives in Porter. Sam Kittrell ’80, A.S. law enforcement, ’89, Advanced Pharmacy in Houston. She lives and physical education received a Wayne tion, is branch manager for Helena Chemical B.S. criminal justice, retired as chief of the lamar.edu/advancement Diane (Ramby) Daniels ’78, B.S. elementary in Missouri City. Reaud Excellence in Education award. She Co. in Winnie. He lives in Nome. Orange Police Department after serving as education, ’89, M.Ed. school administration, Select the “GIVE NOW” button. teaches eighth grade at Central Middle chief since 1987. Kathleen (Hood) Haskins ’95, B.A. English, Vivian (Rogers) Skillman ’75, B.S. elementary retired as superintendent of the Kountze School in Nederland and is in her 37th year teaches language arts for Ehrhart School in education, completed training to be a foster school district at the end of a 32-year career. Tom Morris ’80, A.A.S. drafting technology, of teaching. She lives in Nederland. Beaumont, where she lives. She won the grandparent. She lives in Beaumont. She lives in Kountze. is principal electrical/instrument designer for Large or small, your gift keeps students learning and LU growing. inaugural Warren Adler Short Fiction David Lightfoot ’73, B.B.A. marketing, ’74, NANA WorleyParsons. He lives in New Robert Smithson ’75, B.A. political science, Robert Noffke ’78, B.S. industrial engineering, Competition, and her story is included in the B.B.A. accounting, is manager at Luminant Orleans with his wife, Paula. earned a master’s degree in history from the is industrial technology manager for BP book by Warren Adler, An Anthology of the Energy in Dallas. He lives in Rockwall with University of Dayton. He lives in Spring. Amoco Chemical Co. He lives in Athens, Ala. George Navarro ’80, A.S. law enforcement, Warren Adler Short Story Contest Winners. his wife, Linda. ’94, B.S. criminal justice, is police chief for Sharon (Womack) Woolley ’75, B.S. home The Texas Elementary Principals and

52 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 53 class notes

Cards in Atlanta

1 Janet (Mills) Coon ’85, B.B.A. economics, Steven Beagle ’87, B.S. kinesiology, ’95, Lockwood Cox ’89, B.S. secondary education, for the Port Neches-Groves school district. owns Brentwood Country Club. She lives in M.Ed. school administration, is principal of ’06, M.S. biology, teaches in the Little Stefani (Haynie) Kubena ’90, B.S. elementary Alumni living in Georgia, Beaumont. Her daughter, Michelle, is a Nederland High School. He lives in Cypress-Mauriceville school district. He lives education, teaches second grade in the Deer Lamar student. Nederland. in Buna with his wife, Kimberly ’98, B.S. Alabama, Tennessee and Park school district. She lives in Pasadena interdisciplinary studies, ’07, M.Ed. school Deirdre Davenport ’85, B.S. secondary educa- Lisa (Whitten) Brasseaux ’87, B.S. secondary with her husband, Jeffery. administration. Florida gathered Nov. 6 for a tion, earned a master’s degree in counseling education, ’10, M.Ed. administration, earned Charlie Sassine Jr. ’90, B.S. biology, is plant from Prairie View A&M University and a grant from the Texas Computer Educators Donnis (Payne) Henderson ’89, B.M. music pre-game reception hosted by protection specialist for the U.S. Department teaches in the Beaumont school district, Association. She is a science teacher and education, is owner and educator for of Agriculture in McAllen. He lives in the Office of Alumni Affairs to where she lives. robotics coach at Little Cypress-Mauriceville Kindermusik with Donnis. She lives in Corpus Christi. High School. She lives in Orange. Hallsville with her husband, Anthony. Tim Funchess ’85, B.B.A. finance, is Jefferson cheer on the Cards vs. the Kevin Stone ’90, B.M. music education, ’08, County treasurer. He lives in Beaumont. Donna (Peterson) Weeks ’87, B.B.A. market- Herbert James Jr. ’89, B.S. criminal justice, is M.M. music, is director of bands in the Georgia State Panthers in the ing, works for WinCo Industrial and Marine a community supervision officer for Jefferson Donna Gunter ’85, B.S. communication dis- Barbers Hill school district. He lives in in The Woodlands, where she lives. County. He lives in Port Arthur. Georgia Dome. orders, earned a master’s degree in education Baytown. from the University of South Carolina. She Eric Dengler ’87, B.S. computer and informa- Dolly Jernigan ’89, B.S.W. social work, is a Karen (Legnon) Gilman ’91, B.S. communica- is founder of OnlineBizu.com. She lives in tion sciences, is an administrator for licensed social worker and lives in Kirbyville. tion, is associate director of communications Orange with her husband, Eric. Encompass Home Health for the Houston Patonah Kassan ’89, B.S. mathematical sci- for the Diocese of Beaumont, where she region, where he lives. 2 Bill Herrera ’85, B.S. industrial technology, ence, is an educator in Malaysia, where she lives. owns Water Resources Co. in San Antonio, Jeannine (Estrade) Hoffman ’87, B.S.W. social lives. Dean Lackey ’91, B.S. mathematics, is district where he lives. work, earned a master’s degree in social Marla (Harris) McKinstry ’89, B.S.W. social general agent for Colonial Life and Accident work from the University of Houston. She Betty (Hammock) Martin ’85, B.B.A. person- work, works for Texas Bed Co. in Insurance Co. He lives in Round Rock. lives in Tomball. nel administration, is an educator in the Beaumont. She lives in Lumberton with her Lane Martin ’91, A.S. law enforcement, ’94, Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district. Daniella Irle ’87, B.S. kinesiology, is senior husband, Todd. B.S. criminal justice, is chief of the Orange She lives in Orange with her husband, John associate athletics director for internal opera- Brad Oden ’89, B.S. kinesiology, is principal Police Department and lives in Orange. 3 ’91, B.S. kinesiology, who is an educator in tions and senior women’s administrator for at Shiner High School. He and his wife, the same district. the University of North Dakota. She lives in Lisa (Pierce) Stewart ’91, B.S. elementary Cecelia (Garbade) ’90, B.S. kinesiology, live in Grand Forks, N.D. education, teaches in the Bridge City school Terry Price ’85, B.S. physics, ’90 M.S. mathe- Shiner. district. She lives in Port Neches. matics, earned a doctorate from Washington Jane Ledet ’87, B.S. fashion retailing and Kathy Portie ’89, B.S. communication, ’94, State University and is instructor of physics merchandising, is a freight-payables analyst Janna (Smith) Fulbright ’92, B.S. communica- M.A. visual arts, is sports editor for Big Bear at Lamar University. She lives in Lumberton. for Chevron Phillips Chemical in The tion, is public relations and marketing spe- Grizzly newspaper in Big Bear Lake, Calif., Woodlands, where she lives. cialist at Spindletop MHMR, working Clancy Weeks ’85, B.M. music education, where she lives. specifically with the Spindletop Foundation. earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Gary Martel ’87, B.S. kinesiology, earned a Charlette (Hope) Roddy ’89, B.S. sociology, She lives in Beaumont with her husband, the University of Houston. He is a pub- master’s degree in education from Stephen F. earned a “Back to School” grant from Dollar John. lished composer of band literature, with Austin State University as well as a superin- General for books and technology. She is more than two dozen works in print. He tendent’s certificate. He is superintendent of Percy Kennedy Jr. ’92, B.B.A. marketing, is librarian at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High 5 lives in Tomball with his wife, Molly. They the Diboll school district, where he lives an account manager for Novartis. He lives in School and lives in Orange. have a son, Leo. with his wife, Susie. They have been married Humble. 26 years and have two daughters. Joey Breaux ’86, A.A.S. industrial electricity, Robert Patten III ’92, B.B.A. marketing, is ’89, B.S. industrial engineering, is owner of Mark Williams ’87, B.S. kinesiology, was 90s engineering project manager for Verizon in Alamo Cleaners in Beaumont, where he lives named coach of the year on Beaumont Richardson. He lives in Dallas. Tammy (Burr) Astley ’90, B.S. secondary edu- with his wife, Elizabeth. Enterprise’s Super Gold Baseball Team. He cation, and Dennis ’89, B.S. electrical engi- Ken Pepper ’92, B.S. chemical engineering, lives in Evadale. Joey Hebert -86, accounting, is installation neering, live in Galena, Ill. ’99, M.E.S. engineering science, ’10, Ph.D. 4 manager for US Remodelers in Houston, Ronda (Greig) Zowarka ’87, B.S. chemical chemical engineering, works for Chicago Lydia Bahnsen ’90, B.S. elementary educa- where he lives. engineer, is environmental, health and safety Bridge and Iron as process engineering man- tion, ’00, M.Ed. educational leadership, is expertise leader for Dow Chemical Co. in ager in Beaumont, where he lives with his 6 Wayne Moore ’86, B.B.A. general business, principal of Eugene Field Elementary School Port Lavaca. She lives in Bloomington with wife, Angie. ’90, M.B.A. business administration, is in Beaumont, where she lives. her husband, Joe Gregory. administrator at Christus Hospital St. Mary James Richardson II ’92, B.A.A.S. applied Michelle (Bieljeski) Barnette ’90, B.S. elemen- in Port Arthur. He lives in Port Neches with Bob Caruthers ’88, A.A.S. industrial electrici- arts and sciences, works for Siemens as an tary education, ’10, M.Ed. administration, is his wife, Karen. ty, is informational technology manager for account executive. He lives in Round Rock. owner and director of The Clubhouse in Delta Industrial Construction Co. He lives in Cheryl (Allred) Nelson ’86, B.S. elementary Nederland, where she lives with her hus- Valerie Yaklin-Brown ’92, B.F.A. graphic Beaumont. education, ’93, M.Ed. educational leader- band, Barry. design, M.A. visual arts, is an adjunct profes- ship, ’10, Ed.D. educational leadership, is Patricia (Charles) Fontenot ’88, B.S. psycholo- sor at Lone Star College-Montgomery. She Rodney Cavness ’90, B.S. kinesiology, was a special programs coordinator in the gy, is director of substance abuse services for lives in Magnolia with her husband, David. finalist for the Superintendent of the Year Lumberton school district, where she lives the South East Texas Regional Planning award from the Texas Association of School Teresa (Harrison) Camp ’93, B.A. political sci- with her husband, Steven. Commission. She lives in Beaumont. Boards. He is superintendent of schools in ence, earned a master’s degree in special edu- Willie Simmons ’86, B.S. industrial engineer- Laura (Miller) Sattler ’88, B.B.A. general busi- the Port Neches-Groves school district. He cation from Grand Canyon University in ing, works for Entergy as a senior engineer. ness, is owner of Beaumont Dealers Auction and his wife, Tanya, live in Beaumont. 2006. She is director of student services in He and his wife, Jennifer (Stelly) ’89, B.B.A. Inc. in Beaumont, where she lives with her the Hull-Daisetta school district. She lives in Gina Giblin ’90, B.A. sociology, earned her personnel administration, live in Nederland husband, Scott. Their daughter, Catherine, is Thicket with her husband, Shelby. law degree from South Texas College of Law with their daughter, Morgan, and son, a Lamar student. and works for the Giblin Law Firm in Ava (Hamilton) Caughrean ’93, B.S.W. social Mason. 1. From left, Doris (Brown) Thorn ’60, Virginia (Sheffield) Seelbach ’73, Wayne Seelbach ’70, Stan Thorn and Chris Farnie ’88 2. Alva Primm, left, Camille Mouton, vice president for univer- Bret Babineaux -89 was selected to play with Dallas, where she lives. work, earned a master’s degree from the John Valastro ’86, B.S. kinesiology, ’05, the U.S. team, USA Classic Eagles, at the University of Houston and is executive direc- sity advancement, and Phil Primm ’67 3. From left, Vern Berwick, Thad Patin ’79, Cynthia (Puckitt) Thomas ’78, Robert Thomas and Joseph Malbrough ’86 4. From left, Juan Zabala ’07, Eddie Hernandez ’90, B.S. kinesiology, teaches M.Ed. educational leadership, is assistant World Rugby Classic in Bermuda. He is vice tor of Grace Hospice of Oklahoma. She lives in the Vidor school district. He lives in Port executive director of alumni affairs, Marion Phillips III ’84, Michelle Bonds and Bobby Flores ’77 5. From left, Alex Hashemian, Nikki Hashemian, Chris Farnie ’88, Hash Hashemian ’08 and superintendent of the Lumberton school dis- president of Air Comfort in Beaumont. He in Tulsa, Okla. Neches, with his wife, Cheryl (Toups) ’84, Nazzy Hashemian 6. From left, Spenser Decuir, Larry Decuir ’81 and Austin Decuir trict, where he lives. lives in Lumberton. B.B.A. accounting, who is business manager

54 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 55 class notes

Mark Gaudet ’97, B.B.A. general business- with her husband, Jim ’92, B.S. communica- Charlotte (Gray) Carrico ’01, B.S. health edu- lyst. He lives in Fairfax, Va., with his wife, LaRae Vilce ’03, B.B.A. management infor- a financial advisor for Edward Jones industrial engineering, is director of sales for tion. cation, is program director at Kaplan College Minu. mation systems, is planning executive for Investments in Beaumont. He lives in Groves READERS’ SURVEY the North and South Americas, Canada and in Beaumont. She lives in Silsbee with her Ranger Planning and Management in with his wife, Kelly. Kimberlee Shelton ’99, B.S. sociology, works Chanelle (Guidry) Reese ’02, B.B.A. manage- Mexico, for American Autogard Corp. in husband, Ronald. Beaumont. She lives in Port Neches. Please take a minute to share your thoughts for the Texas Department of Family and ment information systems, earned a master’s Audra (Smithey) Benoit ’05, B.S. biology, ’05, Rockford, Ill. He lives in Port Neches. Srimanth Brindavanam about Cadence through the online readers’- Protective Services as a caseworker. She lives April Colligan ’01, B.S. communication disor- degree in education from East Carolina ’04, M.E. industrial B.S. criminal justice, ’07, M.S. applied crimi- Shawn Hurley ’97, B.B.A. finance, ’07, in Beaumont. ders, ’03, M.S. speech-language pathology, is University. She lives in Alexandria, Va., with engineering, is project manager for the state nology, is natural resource specialist and survey at surveymonkey.com/s/ZKSHRX8 M.B.A. business administration, is vice presi- a speech language pathologist for Rehab 4 her husband, Terrence, and sons, Terrence of Tennessee. He lives in Mount Juliet, enforcement coordinator for the Texas Stephen Townsend ’99, B.B.A. management dent for Texas First Bank in Port Arthur. He Kids. She lives in Lumberton. and Cason. Tenn., with his wife, Sirisha ’05, M.E. indus- Commission on Environmental Quality. She information systems, ’04, M.B.A. business lives in Beaumont with his wife, Shana trial engineering. lives in Vidor. Your answers will help us tailor your alumni administration, earned a law degree from Crista Crouch ’01, B.S. psychology, earned a Brian Stampley ’02, B.S. psychology, ’06, (Bourgeois) ’93, B.S. nursing. magazine to your interests to create a more South Texas College of Law. He lives in Port master’s degree in occupational therapy from M.Ed. counseling and development, is a Robyn (Voss) Hesse ’04, B.S. kinesiology, is Jessica (Lyon) Burgin ’05, B.S. chemical engi- Chris McAfee ’97, B.B.A. marketing, is an Neches. Texas Woman’s University in Houston. She licensed professional counselor and regional senior assessment specialist for Lamar neering, works for Nalco as district represen- enjoyable reading experience. industry manager for Univar USA Inc. in lives in Beaumont. director for The Wood Group Behavioral University in Beaumont, where she lives. tative and lives in Angleton with her hus- Rebecca (Lane) Weeks ’99, B.A.A.S. applied Dallas. He lives in Royse City with his wife, Health Services in Beaumont. He lives in band, Chase ’06, B.S.W. social work. arts and sciences, retired from teaching in the Michael Curl ’01, B.A. history, is a youth Renwick Johnson ’04, B.S. communication, Kim (Jones) ’04, B.S.W. social work. Vidor with his wife, Aspen. Woodville school district. She lives in Village minister at First Baptist Church in Mustang, teaches and coaches at Memorial High Dr. Tyler Dabel ’05, B.S. biology, has a dental Chris Ingram -93, business, is Precinct 1 jus- tional leadership, is director of special pro- Colleen (Creed) Shugart ’97, M.S. speech-lan- Mills with her husband, Larry ’84, B.S. math- Okla., where he lives with his wife, Rynda. Amber (Kimura) Ambrose ’03, B.S. communi- School in Port Arthur. He lives in Beaumont practice in Nederland. He lives in Beaumont. tice of the peace for in Hardin County. He grams for Orangefield school district, where guage pathology, is a speech language ematical sciences. cation, is public relations account executive with his wife, Hailey. Suresh Gudavalli ’01, M.E. civil engineering, Casey Gates ’05, B.S. family and consumer lives in Silsbee. she lives. pathologist for West Wichita County Coop for Design At Work. She lives in Houston ’06, Eng.D. civil engineering, works for Wynetta Jones ’04, B.S.W. social work, is sciences, is chef and kitchen retail manager in Kamay. She lives in Wichita Falls with her with her husband, Lennie. Rickey Jacks ’93, B.S. kinesiology, coaches Jake Hebert ’95, B.S. physics, earned a mas- ATSER as manager of engineering and test- unit supervisor for the Texas Health and for Sodexo in Port Arthur. He lives in girls basketball in Vidor, where he lives. ter’s degree in physics from Texas A&M husband, Mat. 00s ing in Houston, where he lives with his wife, Erik De La Rosa ’03, B.B.A. finance, ’08, Human Services Commission. She lives in Beaumont. University and is pursuing a doctorate from Jeff Collum Rob Arnold Beaumont. David Janecek ’93, B.B.A. general business, ’98, B.S. kinesiology, is executive ’00, B.G.S. general studies, works Archana. M.B.A. business administration, works for Amanda (Steeves) Hebert ’05, B.B.A. finance, the University of Texas at Dallas, where he director of student services for the Tyler for J P Morgan Chase Bank as senior loan BHP Billiton in Houston as a financial ana- is warehouse supervisor for Golden Pass Mohammad Nashir ’01, M.E. civil engineer- Rene’ (Slott) Latiolais ’04, B.S. communica- is teller manager for Capital One Bank. She lives. school district. He lives in Longview with officer in Houston. He lives in League City lyst. He lives in Humble. LNG in Sabine Pass. He lives in Beaumont ing, is project manager for Calvin, Giordano tion, is director of membership development lives in Baton Rouge, with her husband, his wife, Cara. with his wife, Janette. with his wife, Patricia. Lisa Lewis ’95, B.A.A.S. applied arts and sci- and Associates in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He Linda Esch ’03, B.S. nursing, is a registered and relations for the Greater Beaumont Joseph. ence, ’10, M.Ed. special education, is an edu- Anita (Jagneaux) Leonard Damon Daniels Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Bridge Harry Murdock Jr. ’93, B.S. industrial tech- ’98, B.S. nursing, ’00, B.F.A. studio art, works lives in Cooper City, Fla., with his wife, nurse for Sava Senior Care at Kountze Vishnu Koya ’05, M.S. computer science, is cator with the Beaumont school district, City with her husband, Toby ’10, M.Ed. nology, is chief executive officer of Sterling works for Christus Hospital St. Mary in Port for Artizen Studios as studio manager and Sadia Naaz. Nursing Center in Kountze. She lives in senior software engineer for 3I Infotech. He where she lives. Arthur. She lives in Beaumont with her hus- color expert in Dallas. He lives in Fort Beaumont. administration. Shipyard in Port Neches. He lives in Orange Katie O’Brien ’01, B.S. communication disor- lives in Freemont, Calif. band, Donald ’89, A.A.S. welding. Their Worth. with his wife, Kristen. Stephan Malick ’95, B.S. communication, is ders, ’04, deaf studies and deaf education, Lindsay Feagin ’03, B.B.A. general business, Aimee Lieby ’04, B.S. criminal justice, is daughter, Miranda, is a Lamar student. Dawn (LeBlanc) Stanley ’05, B.A.A.S. applied student media adviser in the Beaumont Alyson Kirchner human resources assistant for ExxonMobil in Thomas Price Jr. ’93, M.Ed. educational lead- ’00, B.S. communication, is teaches American Sign Language and lives in works for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift arts and sciences, is child-care licensing super- school district, where he lives. He is the Joy (Dubose) Simonton Beaumont, where she lives with her husband, ership,’07, Ed.D. educational leadership, was ’98, B.A.A.S. applied senior district marketing manager for Austin. America as a legal services coordinator and visor for the Texas Department of Family and 2010 A&M Club Classroom Teacher of the arts and sciences, is a lawyer in Bridge City, Aramark Higher Education. She lives in senior paralegal in Houston. She lives in Lane Weatherford. a finalist in the Texas Association of School Jonathan Crisman ’02, B.B.A. management, Protective Services in Beaumont. She lives in Ye a r. where she lives. Houston. Cypress. Board’s Superintendent of the Year. He was is area operations director for Hospice Melinda (Coziar) Moore ’04, B.B.A. account- Village Mills with her husband, Randy ’91, Scott Weldon selected as a mentor superintendent and ’95, B.F.A. graphic design, Mandy (Matte) Weeks ’98, B.S. communica- Shawn Molina ’00, B.A. history, ’07, M.A. Source in Houston. He lives in Conroe with Jason Galloway ’03, B.S. criminal justice, is ing, ’04, B.B.A. finance, is tax manager for B.S. criminal justice. Region 6 representative for the earned a master’s degree in biomedical com- Lufkin Industries in Lufkin. She lives in tion disorders, ’01, M.S. speech-language history, is account executive for Time Warner his wife, Debbie. title manager for RedSky Land, LLC. He Kasey Tanner ’05, communication disorders, Commissioner’s Cabinet and board member munications and is supervisor of medical pathology, lives in Lake Charles, La., with Cable Media Sales in Beaumont, where he lives in Austin. Nacogdoches with her husband, Robert. Traci (Yawn) Cross ’02, B.G.S. general stud- earned a master’s degree from the University on the State Board of Texas Association of illustration for Baylor College of Medicine. Stephanie (Dollar) her husband, Corey. lives with his wife, ’00, Angel (Lewis) Murphy ’04, B.G.S. general of Houston and is a speech-language pathol- Mid-sized Schools. He is superintendent of He lives in Kingwood with his wife, Leah. ies, teaches second grade in Warren. She lives Padamanabh Jahagirdar ’03, M.E.S. industrial B.B.A. general business, who is director of studies, earned a master of education in ogist at Texas Children’s Hospital in the Splendora school district, where he lives. Melissa Cessac ’99, B.B.A. marketing, is in Beaumont, with her husband, Darren ’03, engineering science, is project manager for Shannon (Tarbett) Flowers marketing for the Beaumont Convention ’96, B.S. interdisci- director of youth ministry for St. Charles B.B.A. marketing, ’03, B.B.A. management. Parkson Corp. He lives in Pompano Beach, administration and supervision from the Houston, where she lives. Sheri (Moore) Sheppard and Visitors Bureau. ’93, B.S. medical plinary studies, ’01, M.Ed. counseling & Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland. Fla., with his wife, Deepa. University of Phoenix. She is an educator in Trey Elliott ’02, B.S. computer science, and Whitney (Evans) Williamson ’05, B.S. commu- technology, works for Christus Hospital St. development, teaches in the Hardin-Jefferson She lives in Port Arthur. Dr. Wesley Myers ’00, B.S. chemistry, ’00, the Port Arthur school district, where she Gwyndolene Harrison were married June 6, Stephanie (Baird) King ’03, M.S. family and nication, teaches kindergarten in the Clear Elizabeth as a medical technologist. She lives school district. She lives in Sour Lake with B.S. biology, earned his doctorate at the lives with her husband, Pedro. Kevin Ginger Dahl ’99, B.A.A.S. applied arts and 2010, on Grace Bay Beach in Turks & consumer sciences, is a nutrition support die- Creek school district. She lives in Bacliff with in Lumberton with her husband, James. her husband, ’91, B.S. kinesiology. University of Texas Medical Branch in sciences, ’04, M.Ed. counseling and develop- Caicos. He earned a master’s degree in busi- titian for LifeCare Solutions. She lives in Cynthia (Allison) Pipkins ’04, B.S. nursing, her husband, Tyler. Angela (Texada) Sterling Ramon Lopez Galveston and is a plastic surgeon for the ’93, B.S. criminal ’96, B.S. industrial technology, ment, is a counselor for Shepherd school dis- ness administration from the University of Sanger. ’07, M.S. nursing, is an instructor at Lamar Sadler Clinic in The Woodlands, where he Courtney (Martindale) Airheart ’06, B.G.S. justice, is a clinical nurse at M.D. Anderson is a material engineer at DuPont. He lives in trict. She lives in Kountze. Houston and is software manager for M.D. University and lives in Nederland with her Keri (Harris) Shawn Mills general studies, teaches at Vandegrift High Cancer Center in Houston, where she lives Port Neches, with his wife, Cheryl. lives with his wife, ’00, B.S. biol- ’03, B.S. chemical engineering, husband, David ’00, B.B.A. finance. Their Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. They School in the Leander school district. She with her husband, Norman. Bryce Darby ’99, B.S. chemical engineering, ogy. is a project engineer for Bechtel. He lives in Kayla (Pipkins) Fisher James Molina live in Katy. daughter, ’08, B.S. fam- ’96, B.S. political science, is a is senior account manager for General Sugar Land, with his wife, Vanissa (Turney) and her husband, Wes, live in Austin. Jo Ann (Nash) Borel Kristell Nelson ’00, B.M. music, teaches in ily and consumer sciences, is also a Lamar ’94, B.A. history, ’98, legislative correspondent for the U.S. House Electric in Baytown, where he lives. Mike Gonzales ’02, M.Ed. educational leader- ’02, B.M. music. the Houston school district, where she lives. alumna. Sharae Bassett ’06, B.B.A. marketing, earned M.A. history, is supervisory management of Representatives. He has worked in the ship, is assistant superintendent in the Port Dr. Laura Eastep ’99, B.S. chemistry, earned Judy (Johnston) Peterson ’03, B.B.A. a law degree from Texas Southern University. program analyst for the U.S. Department of Congress for nine years and lives in Christina (Strickland) Parrillo ’00, B.A.A.S. Neches-Groves school district. He and his Rachael (VonDerAu) Turner ’04, B.S. family her doctorate from University of Texas- accounting, is manager at She lives in Houston. Education in Washington, D.C. She lives in Washington, D.C. applied arts and sciences, is a juvenile proba- wife, Dana ’93, B.S. interdisciplinary studies, and consumer sciences, is senior designer for Annapolis, Md., with her husband, Medical Branch at Galveston. She lives in PricewaterhouseCoopers. She lives in Stephanie (Tyler) Best Melinda (Francis) Teer tion officer for the state of Fla. She lives in live in Port Neches. Furniture Marketing Group. She lives in ’06, B.S. interdiscipli- ’96, B.A. English, St. Louis, Mo. Washington, D.C. Christopher. Port Saint Lucie, Fla. Rosenberg. nary studies, teaches in the Barbers Hill teaches in the Hardin-Jefferson school dis- James Graham Jr. ’02, B.S. criminal justice, is Greg Falcon Jr. ’99, B.S. computer science, is Lori (Johnson) Rochelle ’03, B.A.A.S. applied school district. She lives in Port Neches, with Rodney Patten ’94, B.S. communication, trict. She lives in Sour Lake with her hus- Jaime (Yim) Talbert Sharron (Manuel) Wood ’04, B.G.S. general ’00, B.M. music, is band a sergeant in the Beaumont Police her husband, Jared ’07, B.A. criminal justice, earned his doctorate degree in city manage- band, Bennette. a software engineer for ITA Software in arts and sciences, ’05, M.Ed. special educa- studies, is an educator with Little Cypress- director at Mauriceville Middle School and Department. He lives in Kountze, with his and son. ment from the University of Texas at Dallas. Cambridge, Mass. He lives in Weymouth, tion, is director of student activities at Dr. Manda Waldrep was named Texas Young Bandmaster of the wife, Laura, and sons, James and Landon. Mauriceville school district. She lives in ’96, B.S. biology, earned a Mass., with his wife, Nicole. Central High School in Beaumont, where He has also earned a law degree from Texas Year. She lives in Orange. Mauriceville with her husband, Monty. Dean Clower, Jr. ’06, B.G.S. general studies, medical degree from Texas A&M University Dottie (McIntyre) LeBlanc ’02, B.S. communi- she lives with her husband, Kendrick. Southern University and is assistant city Celena (Champagne) Green ’99, B.S. criminal is assistant tennis coach at the University of College of Medicine. She completed her resi- Lori (Jackson) Blake ’01, B.B.A. marketing, cation, is regional business manager of the Sainath Adhiraj ’05, M.S. computer science, is attorney for the city of Plano. He lives in justice, works for Texas Regional Title Co. as Marco Sanchez ’03, M.E. industrial engineer- Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., where he lives dency in internal medicine and pediatrics and teaches in the Beaumont school district, south central region for Reckitt Benckiser. software quality assurance project manager McKinney. an administrative assistant. She has 5-year- ing, is an engineer for Mason Construction. with his wife, Amanda (King) ’07, B.S. psy- a fellowship in allergy and immunology at where she lives with her husband, Jason. She lives in Daphne, Ala., with her husband, for Clearwire in Kirkland, Wash. He lives in old twins and lives in Beaumont. He lives in Beaumont. chology. She is assistant track and field coach Paul Shipman ’94, B.S. mathematics, ’99, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Matt. Redmond, Wash. Kyle Boudreaux ’01, B.A. English, is universi- also at the University of Wyoming. M.Ed. school administration, ’08, Ed.D. Ala. She lives in Round Rock with her hus- Ashley (Gerlufsen) Jackson ’99, B.S. criminal Stefanie (Grohn) Stallings ’03, B.S. communi- Steve Megas Matthew Badgett ’05, B.B.A. general busi- educational leadership, is principal of band, David Hall, and son, Nathaniel. ty instructional designer at Lamar University ’02, B.B.A. general business, is Derrick Davis ’06, B.B.A. marketing, is man- justice, works for Dell and lives in cation, is account executive at IDEA in ness, works for Motiva and lives in Dishman Elementary in Beaumont, where he in Continuing and Distance Education. He vice president of the Schooner restaurant in Wayne Wells Wimberley with her husband, Jason. Houston, where she lives with her husband, ager at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Beaumont. ’96, B.S. criminal justice, is lives in Nederland with his wife, Erin (Savell) Nederland. He lives in Port Neches. Nederland, with his wife, Danielle, and chil- lives with his wife, Kimberly. Curtis ’04, B.S. communication, ’04, B.B.A. He lives in Orange with his wife, Rebecca. principal of Ogden Elementary School in the Carmel (Reeves) Myers ’99, B.B.A. account- ’03, B.S. psychology. dren, Kennedy and Drake. Dayna (Herring) Smith Leo Pius ’02, M.S. computer science, works marketing. He is a trader for Sequent ’94, B.A. English, ’99, Beaumont school district, where he lives. ing, is accounting manager for the Brock Brianne Dengler ’06, B.B.A. marketing, is for Marlabs Inc. as a software developer ana- Energy. Jason Barrett ’05, B.B.A. general business, is M.Ed. special education, ’02, M.Ed. educa- Group in Houston. She lives in Tomball advertising sales marketing manager for

56 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 57 class notes

eHarmony in Pasadena, Calif. She lives in Frederick, Md. Santa Monica, Calif. Roshan Balasubramanian ’07, M.E.M. engi- Ashley (Holt) Guillory ’06, B.B.A. general neering management, works for R J business, teaches third grade at St. Anthony Engineering Systems Inc. as manager of Cathedral School in Beaumont. She lives in global projects in Houston, where he lives Nederland. with his wife, Sudhamani.

Cardinals on the wing Lisa (Reid) Hansen ’06, B.A.A.S. applied arts Megan (Kelly) Begnaud ’07, B.B.A. market- and sciences, ’10, M.Ed. educational technol- ing, is employer relations coordinator for ogy leadership, lives in Beaumont with her Christus Health Foundation. She and her husband, Keith. husband, Aaron ’06, B.B.A. general busi- ness, live in Groves. Christyne Harris ’06, B.B.A. finance, earned a law degree from South Texas College of Jennifer (Moore) Camp ’07, B.S. communica- BILL MCAFEE ’82 has lived and worked in Law. She lives in Lumberton. tion, earned a law degree from the South Texas College of Law. She lives in Tabitha (Nash) ’06, B.S. interdisciplinary Antarctica periodically since 1992 managing the Beaumont. Information Techology and Communications studies, and Mario-Antonio Herrera married June 19, 2010. They live in Houston. Lindsey Cauthen ’07, B.S. biology, ’07, B.A. Department at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole music, is a graduate research assistant for Kimberly (Cessac) ’06, B.S. biology, ’08 M.S. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Station for eight of those years. Here, he shows biology, and Karl Huch married May 29, where she lives. the Red and White, standing in -20F weather in 2010. She is an environmental analyst with Lower Neches Valley Authority. They live in Angela (Boatner) ’07, B.B.A. human resource an LU cap his parents sent to him. He spends Beaumont. management, and Christopher DeMore cele- brated their first wedding anniversary in Key four months each year at the Pole during the Stephanie (Kelsey) Kemmerling ’06, B.S. nurs- West, Fla. Christopher is a member of the ing, earned a master’s degree in nursing from austral summer. armed forces. They live in New York. the University of Texas-Health Science Center and is a family nurse practitioner. She Yvette (Beaugh) Garner ’07, Ed.D. education- Lamar University public radio station KVLU-FM has plans in lives in Beaumont, with her husband, al leadership is assistant professor of elemen- Andrew ’08, B.S. chemical engineering. tary education at McNeese State University. place for a trip through the Canadian Rockies July 18-26, 2011. She lives in Lake Charles. Jessica (Spinks) LeDet ’06, B.B.A. finance, Being organized in conjunction with Collette Travel, the trip will take travelers teaches English as a second language in the Gladys (Aguirre) Hall ’07, B.A. Spanish, teach- through some of the most scenic vistas on the Houston school district. She lives in Humble es in the Beaumont school district and lives with her husband, Anthony ’05, B.B.A. in Vidor. North American continent, traveling through finance. Britnie Hanks ’07, B.S. nursing, works as a British Columbia from Vancouver to Calgary and Tyran Lee ’06, M.S. deaf education, has been registered nurse for Children’s Hospital Los appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Angeles, where she lives. staying in some of the finest resorts, including Texas School for the Deaf Governing Board Marty (Boudreaux) Hooks ’07, B.S. interdisci- for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2013. He is an the renowned “Castle in the Mountains,” the plinary studies, teaches in the Goose Creek American Sign Language instructor for Lone school district. She lives in Deer Park with Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, said Melanie Star College at Cy-Fair. He lives in Humble. her husband, Tobey ’06, B.S. mechanical MELANIE DISHMAN ’88 Dishman, KVLU co-manager for advancement. Jan (Prejean) Lopez ’06, B.G.S. general stud- engineering. enjoys a chance meeting ies, teaches in the Nederland school district, Amanda (Henry) Jureidini ’07, B.S. interdisci- “For the sixth year in a row, KVLU is pleased with actress Molly where she lives with her husband, Shannon. Shannon during a visit to plinary studies, teaches kindergarten at West to sponsor another exciting travel adventure,” New York City this winter. Zenobia Ozen ’06, B.B.A. human resource Orange-Stark Elementary and lives in management, is business office manager of Orange with her husband, Elias. Dishman said. “We put a lot of thought into what Kaplan College in Beaumont. She lives in Jennifer (Vardell) Kahla ’07, B.S. sociology, is Port Arthur. kind of trip we wanted to offer for this year, and Canada was at the top of the list.” a field accountant assistant for JV Industrial Joel Pace ’06, B.S. industrial technology, and Companies in La Porte. She lives in Dana ’08, B.A.A.S. had a son, Jude, June 22, Baytown with her husband, Josh. 2010. He is a manufacturing engineer for Sivasanthosh Komirelly ’07, M.E. chemical American Valve and Hydrant Manufacturing engineering, is a process simulation engineer in Beaumont. She teaches in the Hardin- for Cape Software Inc. in The Woodlands. Jefferson school district, and they live in He lives in Houston, with his wife, Sour Lake. Send Cadence your Santhoshi ’08, M.E. electrical engineering. Palak Naik ’07, M.E.S. electrical engineering Kartheek Thalakanti ’07, M.E. chemical engi- trict, where she lives. SKYLAR ROWLEY, a Subash Paudel ’06, M.E.S. civil engineering science, works for Constellation Energy as an neering, is a process engineer for AMEC in Shaston Marks ’07, B.S. kinesiology, is head Shamyra Bessard-Barry ’08, B.S.W. social photos as you travel science, is senior structural engineer for analyst for application development. She Houston, where he lives. general studies major from women’s basketball coach for Lone Star work, lives in Beaumont with her husband, Cameron International Corp. in Houston. lives in Houston with her husband, the globe. College in Kingwood. He lives in Houston. Jonathan Vernon ’07, B.S. political science, Melvin. Orange, left, and JOSETTE He lives in Cypress with his wife, Pratistha Darshankumar Trivedi ’07, M.E.S. electrical Prints: Attn: Cynthia Hicks earned a law degree from South Texas Pradhan ’07, Eng.D., civil engineering. Billy McQueen -07, general studies, crafts engineering science. Amy (Dunlap) ’08, A.A.S. nursing, and (TAYLOR) HUGHES ’93 stop College of Law. He lives in Houston. Cardinal Cadence, Box 10011, drums for national musicians as well as Donald Blanding married Oct. 16, 2010, Brittany (Broussard) Robinson ’06, B.G.S. Kailas Patil ’07, M.Ed. mechanical engineer- to admire the Eiffel Tower teaching as an adjunct professor at Lamar Edolia (Alexander) Anderson ’08, B.S. interdis- and live in Flora, Miss. Beaumont, TX 77710 general studies, teaches in the Beaumont ing, is a mechanical engineer for Liftmoore, during the KVLU-sponsored, State College-Port Arthur and private lessons ciplinary studies, teaches in the Port Arthur school district. She lives in Nederland with Inc. He lives in Houston. Crystal Brunson ’08, B.S. communication dis- E-mail: high-resolution file to at Lamar University. He plays for two school district, where she lives with her hus- eight-day tour of London her husband, Brett. orders, is a speech language pathology assis- Houston churches and is the drummer for Mustafa Rampurwala ’07, M.E. mechanical band, Demar. [email protected] tant in the Houston school district, where and Paris Sept. 23-30, 2010. Shafi Shaik ’06, M.S. chemistry, is a research the Houston band Doppelganger. He lives engineering, is an engineer for Smith Kim Ballenger ’08, B.G.S. general studies, she lives. and development scientist for Pharmaceutics in Houston. International Inc. He lives in Houston. teaches and coaches at Humble school dis- International in Hunt Valley, Md. He lives in James Carnley ’08, B.S. computer science,

58 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 59 class notes

We will miss...

’10, M.S. computer science, is a software is assistant principal of Tomball High School. trict and lives in Orange. Alumni Jerry White ’53, B.S. business administration, 2010. Aline (Wells) Hall ’71, B.S. secondary educa- Sheridon (Gay) Wright ’83, B.S. elementary developer for Epic in Verona, Wis. He lives in She lives in Tomball. died Dec. 20, 2010. tion, died Aug. 28, 2010. education, died Aug. 23, 2010. Kasey (Lawler) ’09, B.S. interdisciplinary stud- Frank Myers ’63, B.S. speech, died Jan. 2, Fitchburg, Wis., with his wife, Crystal Lottie (Wherry) McWhorter ’31, A.A. general Jennifer (Arceneaux) Cole ’09, B.S. nursing, ies, and Beau Strange married July 31, 2010. Joan Brenizer ’54, B.S. mathematics, died Oct. 2011. Lawrence Huelsebusch ’71, B.S. industrial Michael Coleman ’84, B.S. computer science, (Wettingfield) ’09, B.S. computer science. studies, died Sept. 1, 2010. works for Christus Hospital St. Mary in Port She teaches in the Port Arthur school district, 10, 2010. engineering, died Dec. 7, 2010. died Sept. 18, 2010. Earleene (Dryer) Nolan -35, died July 12, Sandra Whyte ’63, B.S. physical education, Christopher Cole ’08, B.B.A. management Arthur. She lives in Groves, with her husband, and lives in Port Neches. Jack McGaffey ’54, B.S. physical education, 2010. died Oct. l, 2010. Annette (Howell) Wiggins ’71, B.S. elementary Ronald Roberts ’84, B.S. biology, died Dec. information systems, is systems and applica- Keestan ’09, B.S. civil engineering. died Aug. 27, 2010. education, ’75, M.Ed. counseling and devel- 12, 2010. Lauren Williams ’09, B.B.A. marketing, works Thelma (Rosentreter) Hammons ’64, B.S. ele- tions specialist for the University of Texas James Callender ’38, A.A. general studies, opment, died July 9, 2010. Marcus Cooper Sr. ’09, B.S. electrical engineer- for ABS in Houston as marketing coordinator. Claude Clower ’55, B.S. industrial engineering, mentary education, died Dec. 13, 2010. Patricia (Verret) Sanderson ’86, B.S. commu- Health and Science Center in Houston. He died Sept. 24, 2010. ing, is an instrument and power distribution She lives in Kingwood. died Oct. 3, 2010. Charles Beard Jr. ’72, B.S. elementary educa- nication, died Nov. 13, 2010. lives in Richwood. Naomi (Stanley) Echlin ’40, A.A. general stud- Joyce (Duke) Serres ’64, B.S. elementary edu- engineer for DuPont in Victoria, where he lives. James Smith ’55, B.B.A. general business, tion, died Dec. 30, 2010. Wade Womack ’09, M.Ed. administration ies, died Feb. 21, 2010. cation, died Aug. 27, 2010. Wilda Welch ’86, M.Ed. counseling and Jamie Gongora ’08, B.S. communication, teach- died Dec. 4, 2010. Doris (Babcock) Byrd ’72, B.A. French, died development, died Oct. 27, 2010. Candy Core ’09, M.Ed. administration, is edu- teaches and coaches softball for Medina Valley Robert Shannon ’64, B.S. physics, died Aug. es third grade in the Port Arthur school dis- William White ’40, A.A. general studies, died Sept. 21, 2010. cation specialist for Region 4 Education High School in Castroville, where he lives with Juanice (Dixon) Collier ’56, B.S. elementary 15, 2010. Cynthia (Cain) Frederick ’89, B.S. criminal jus- trict. She lives in Nederland. Oct. 19, 2010. Service Center. She lives in Houston. his wife, Brenda. education, ’71, M.Ed. special education, died Thomas Christian ’72, M.B.A. business admin- tice, died Aug. 9, 2010. Jesse Lafferty Curtis Barbay ’65, B.S. health and physical Rebecca (Krenning) ’08, B.S. interdisciplinary ’41, A.A. general studies, died Oct. 7, 2010. istration, died Dec. 5, 2010. Shanna Cormier ’09, B.S. finance, is contract Johnny Briseno Jr. ’10, Ed. D. educational lead- Jan. 18, 2011. education, died Sept. 25, 2010. Curtis Rutherford III -89, criminal justice, died studies, and Dusty Green were married in James Durham ’57, B.A. history, died Oct. 21, Robert Preston ’72, M.Ed. counseling and Oct. 26, 2010. administrator for Camp Dresser and McKee in ership, is a principal in the Alvin school dis- Warren Clark Jr. ’65, B.B.A. managem0ent, Beaumont Aug. 1, 2010. She teaches science at Dorothy Levin ’41, A.A. general studies, died 2010. development, died Oct. 16, 2010. Houston, where she lives with her husband, trict. He lives in Pearland, with his wife, Maria. died Dec. 7, 2011. Lavenia (Bray) Durso ’91, B.S. sociology, ’93, East Chambers High School, and they live in Nov. 14, 2010. Michael Nguyen ’08, B.S. chemical engineering. Ben Kirby Jr. -57, business, died Oct. 16, Robert Seelen ’72, B.B.A. management, died M.Ed. counseling and development, died July Winnie. Diane (Sylvester) Campbell ’10, M.Ed. adminis- John Pagan Jr. ’65, B.S. secondary education, Arthur Greenspan ’42, A.A. general studies, 2010. Nov. 3, 2010. 2, 2010. Michelle (Bauer) Courmier ’09, B.G.S. general tration, is an educator for the Conroe school died Oct. 5, 2010. Memorial contributions died Dec. 6, 2010. Rachel Gunther ’08, B.A. political science, Harry Reed ’57, B.B.A. general business, died studies, is a graduate assistant at Lamar district. She lives in Spring. may be made to Lamar University Judy Tharp ’72, B.S. elementary education, Richard Edwards II ’93, B.B.A. marketing, teaches social studies at Legacy Christian July 20, 2010. Carl Smith ’65, B.B.A. management, died July University in Beaumont. She lives in Vidor. Foundation for the Arthur Greenspan died Oct. 23, 2010. died Sept. 17, 2010. Academy in Beaumont, where she lives. Lisa (Perez) Cox ’10, M.Ed. administration, 25, 2010. Memorial Scholarship, Lamar University Carl Siebenthall ’57, B.B.A. accounting, died Mike Barnett ’73, B.S. health and kinesiology, Barbara (Watson) Fleming ’93, B.S. criminal Leslie (Riedmueller) ’09, B.S. family and con- teaches in the Houston school district and lives Jimmie (Stubbs) Wright ’65, M.Ed. elementary Casi (Carter) Harris ’08, B.A.A.S. applied arts Foundation, P.O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Sept. 25, 2010. died Oct. 19, 2010. justice, died Aug. 19, 2010. sumer sciences, and Joseph Edwards ’06, in Huffman with her husband, Edward. Texas 77710. education, died Dec. 16, 2010. and sciences, works for Claybar Kelley-Watkins Thomas Martinez B.B.A. finance, married July 10, 2010. She ’58, B.B.A. accounting, ’69, David Colemon ’73, B.B.A. accounting, died William Wright ’93, B.A.A.S. applied arts and Funeral Home and lives in Lumberton with Alice (Grant) Crocker ’10, M.Ed. teacher leader- Delores (Brigance) Riddick ’42, A.A. general M.B.A. business administration, died Aug. 17, Charles Zoch ’65, B.S. electrical engineering, works for First Steps ECI, and he works for Dec. 29, 2010. sciences, died Jan. 7, 2011. her husband, Sean. ship, teaches and coaches in the Kilgore school studies, died July 30, 2010. 2010. Memorial contributions may be made died Nov. 29, 2010. Jason’s Deli. They live in Beaumont. to the Lamar University Foundation, P.O. Box William Copelin ’73, B.B.A. management, Richard Guilbeaux ’95, B.A.A.S. applied arts district, where she lives with her husband, Lula (Conway) Skinner ’43, A.A. general stud- Paul Moak ’66, M.B.A. business administra- Mindy (Oknefski) Hopper ’08, B.S. interdiscipli- 11500, Beaumont, TX 77710 for the Modern died Aug. 11, 2010. and sciences, died July 28, 2010. Lauren Holt ’09, B.S. nursing, works for Baptist Randy. ies, died Aug. 9, 2010. tion, died Nov. 17, 2010. nary studies, ’09, M.S. deaf studies/deaf educa- Languages Competition. Beaumont Hospital as a registered nurse. She Kay (Grounds) Smith ’73, B.S. elementary edu- Donna Kiser ’98, B.S. nursing, died July 19, tion, is a deaf education teacher in the Bryan Stephanie Hall ’10, M.Ed. administration, is Edward DuBose ’47, A.A. general studies, David Ryan ’66, B.S. speech, died Dec. 4, lives in Nederland. Raymond McNeil ’58, B.B.A. management, cation, died Nov. 25, 2010. 2010. school district. She lives in College Station data specialist in the Lewisville school district, died Aug. 28, 2010. 2010. died Dec. 23, 2010. Jerolyn (Wilson) Halbrook ’74, B.S. elementary Thomas Caraway ’03, B.A.A.S. applied arts with her husband, Jarrett. Nicole (Armentrout) ’09, B.S. interdisciplinary where she lives. Doris (Maida) Riley ’47, A.A. general studies, Bobby Walls ’66, B.S. industrial engineering, Stuart Wilson ’58, B.A. English, died Dec. 4, education, died Jan. 2, 2011. and sciences, ’08, M.A. history, died Jan. 4, studies, and Nicholas Hunt married July 31, died Sept. 30, 2010. ’70, M.E. engineering, died Jan. 13, 2011. Dawn Katz ’08, B.S. communication, earned a Lyndi (Wells) ’10, B.S. kinesiology, and 2011. 2010 at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. 2010. Harold Pitts ’74, B.S. chemistry, died Oct. 17, Henry Rodrique John Hignett Jr. ’67, B.B.A. general business, master’s degree in communication and public Matthew Keller married June 12, 2010. She is ’47, A.A. general studies, died 2010. Martha Woolwine -03, general studies, died They live in Lumberton. Donald Bean ’59, B.B.A. general business, died died Nov. 17, 2010. relations studies from the University of the daughter of Douglas ’76, A.S. law enforce- Nov. 27, 2010. Oct. 28, 2010. July 9, 2010. Kathleen (Williams) Sherwood ’74, B.S. ele- Houston and is now an instructor of commu- Courtney King ’09, B.S. communications, is ment, and Monica Wells ’83, M.Ed. elementary Mary (Alexander) Walker Lucretia (Crusan) Hopper ’67, B.A. English, ’47, A.A. general mentary education, died Dec. 28, 2010. Cassandra Rogers ’08, B.S. sociology, died nication at Lamar University. marketing and promotions coordinator for the education. The Wellses live in Sour Lake and Louis Morrison Jr. ’59, B.B.A. management, died Nov. 26, 2010. studies, died Aug. 28, 2010. Oct. 24, 2010. AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, the Kellers live in La. died Sept. 11, 2010. Ilona (Kessler) Baker ’75, B.S. elementary edu- Johnny Plasencia Jr. Thomas Whitson E. A. LaBauve Jr. ’67, B.B.A. general business, ’08, B.A.A.S. applied arts ’47, A.A. general studies, cation, died Aug. 5, 2010. Tom Sawyer ’09, B.S. criminal justice, died where she lives. Frankie (Compton) Schexnayder ’59, B.S. home died Dec. 29, 2010. and sciences, works for Parigi Property Nicole (DuPree) May ’10, M.Ed. administration, died Sept. 5, 2010. Dec. 19, 2010. economics, died Dec. 3, 2010. Henry Bowman ’75, B.B.A. accounting, died Management Ltd. in Beaumont, where he lives Gary Long Jr. ’09, B.S. mechanical engineering, is assistant principal in the Denton school dis- James Bergeron Violette (Braswell) Ladd ’67, M.Ed. special ’48, A.A. general studies, July 22, 2010. Joshua Melder ’10, B.A. English, died Nov. 8, with his wife, Erin. is machinery engineer for LyondellBasell trict, where she lives with her husband, Perry. Barbara (Youngblood) Willard ’59, B.S. elemen- education, died Nov. 14, 2010. died Sept. 2, 2010. 2010. Industries in Houston. He lives in Pearland tary education, died Aug. 13, 2010. Nell (Sherman) Jones ’69, B.A. English, ’75, Jinwei Qiu ’08, Eng. D. civil engineering, is a Jennifer (Schwaiger) Sawyer ’10, B.S. industri- Ruth Carter ’48, A.A. general studies, died David Reimers ’67, B.S. geology, died Jan. 21, with his wife, Valerie. Alfred Besch ’60, B.S. physical education, died M.Ed. counseling and development, died project engineer for URS Corp. in Dallas. He al engineer, works for Delta Refractories as a Sept. 21, 2010. 2010. Aug. 28, 2010. Oct. 4, 2010. Megan Myers Faculty, staff and friends lives in Plano. ’09, B.S. interdisciplinary studies, quality engineer in Lumberton, where she Barbara (Collins) Roark Juanell (Jones) Langston ’68, B.S. elementary ’48, A.A. general William Smith ’75, B.S. elementary education, teaches fourth grade at Fletcher Elementary in lives. Howard Perkins ’60, B.A. English, died Oct. education, died Sept. 16, 2010. Agnes Bledsoe, retiree, died July 13, 2010. Meghan (Merritt) Ruggles ’08, B.S. chemistry, studies, died Aug. 12, 2010. died Aug. 2, 2010. Beaumont. She lives in China. 20, 2010. Contributions to a scholarship in ’10 M.S. chemistry, is an instructor of chem- Michelle Somerhalder ’10, M.Ed. administra- Hubert Swanzy James Sheffield ’68, B.S. sociology, died Nov. Barbara Brentlinger died Feb. 4, 2011. ’48, A.A. general studies, died his memory may be made to the Lamar Janis Dupuy ’76, B.S. sociology, died Nov. 14, Sonia (Sanchez) Owens 1, 2010. istry at Lamar University. She lives in Silsbee. ’09, A.A.S. nursing, is a tion, teaches Spanish at Decatur High School. Aug. 30, 2010. University Foundation, P.O. Box 11500, 2010. Dr. Joe Dickerson died Nov. 24, 2010. registered nurse for Christus Hospital St. She lives in Decatur with her husband, James Beaumont, TX 77710. Wilbur Webster Genny (Griggs) Hargrove ’69, B.S. music, died Cathy (Seidman) Warmack ’08, B.S. music, ’48, A.A. general studies, Betty (Burns) Cole ’77, B.S. secondary educa- Leonard Drake died Sept. 30, 2010. Elizabeth. She lives in Port Neches. Vandebeck. Dec. 12, 2010. teaches private violin students and plays with died Dec. 11, 2010. Larry Richardson ’60, B.S. geology, died July tion, ’81, M.A. government, died Nov. 15, 27, 2010. Clyde Goff Jr., retiree, died Nov. 2, 2010. two orchestras. She lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sabrina (Rushing) Pomales ’09, M.Ed. adminis- Karen (Fennell) ’10, M.S. family and consumer Joyce (Whitman) Hester ’49, A.A. general Frances Henley ’69, B.S. biology, died Sept. 2010. tration, teaches in the Brazosport school dis- science, and Jordan Spindle married June 5, studies, died Aug. 2, 2010. Kenneth Alexander Sr. ’61, B.S. biology, died 11, 2010. Ann (Dickinson) Jones, retiree, died July 18, Michael Welch ’08, B.B.A. marketing, is title Flois (Chapman) Howard ’78, B.S. elementary trict. She lives in Angleton with her husband, 2010, in College Station. They plan to move Dec. 23, 2010. 2010. Memorial contributions may be made agent for J. Mark Smith and Associates. He Arby Walker ’49, A.A. general studies, died Teresa Rhone ’69, B.A. psychology, died Jan. education, died Dec. 28, 2010. Benjamin. to Brooklyn, N.Y., where he will be a ophthal- to the Tom F. and Ann D. Jones Memorial lives in Beaumont. Aug. 11, 2010. Larry Jacobs -61, died Oct. 16, 2010. 3, 2011. Matthew White Scholarship Fund, Lamar University, P.O. mology resident at SUNY Downstate. ’78, B.B.A. general business, Brian Roberson ’09, B.S. communication, John Wasser died July 17, 2010. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710. Angelique (Stuart) ’08, B.S. nursing, and Gloria (Luke) Hamilton ’50, A.A. general Gerald Nelson ’61, B.S. chemical engineering, ’69, B.B.A. management, ’71, teaches special education in the Spring school Ashli Stinnett ’10, B.A.A.S. applied arts and sci- M.B.A. business administration, died Nov. Kenneth Whitney married Sept. 25, 2010. She studies, ’61, B.S. mathematics, died Sept. 6, died July 24, 2010. Nancy (Clingan) Tanner ’79, B.S. nursing, ’87, Gerald Klein died July 26, 2010. district. He lives in Houston. ences, is a paralegal for Schechter Shaffer and 2010. 25, 2010. works for Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Lloyd Tansy ’61, B.S. chemistry, died Sept. 24, M.Ed. guidance and counseling, died on July Harris in Houston, where she lives. Sam Lucia, retiree, died Sept. 5, 2010. Beaumont, where they live. Nigeria Savoy ’09, B.B.A. accounting, is a sen- Rose Mary (Oge) Rose ’50, A.A. general 2010. John Herrington ’70, B.B.A. marketing, died 17, 2010. Nov. 17, 2010. Brenda Oliver, retiree, died April 13, 2010. ior associate for Deloitte and Touche in George Taylor III ’10, M.Ed. administration, studies, died Aug. 28, 2010. Howard Trahan Jr. ’79, B.B.A. accounting, Lyn Williams ’08, B.S. communication disor- David Todd ’61, B.S. chemical engineering, Houston, where she lives. teaches and coaches at Anahuac High School. Walter Sekaly Walter Leleux ’70, B.B.A. accounting, ’71, died Dec. 5, 2010. ders, ’10 M.S. speech-language pathology, ’51, A.A. general studies, died died Oct. 27, 2010. He lives in Baytown with his wife, Heather. Aug. 17, 2010. M.B.A. business administration, died Sept. works for HCR Manorcare as a speech lan- Shane Howard ’09, M.B.A. business adminis- Jim Wiley -80, died July 20, 2010. June (Adams) Traiteler ’62, B.S. elementary 17, 2010. Rodney Christ guage pathologist in Houston, where she lives. tration, is tax assessor-collector for Jefferson ’52, A.A. general studies, died education, died Dec. 25, 2010. James Crum ’81, B.S. criminal justice, died County. He lives in Beaumont. Jan. 16, 2011. Memorial contributions may Shirley (Schexnayder) Ogunbanjo ’70, B.S. ele- Elizabeth (Otey) Carmine ’63, B.S. elementary July 8, 2010. Ashli Brown ’09, B.G.S. general studies, owns be made to the R. B. and Earline Christ mentary education, died July 19, 2010. education, died Oct. 5, 2010. Zandy Zoo’s Clothes and Shoes, an infant and Patricia (Domingue) Steele ’09, M.Ed. adminis- Family Scholarship, Lamar University, P.O. Michelle Taylor ’82, B.S. physics, died Nov. 7, Sherry Ryals ’70, B.S. speech, ’75, M.Ed. edu- children’s boutique, in Nederland. She lives in tration, was chosen Region 5 Teacher of the Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710. 2010. Stephen Hodges ’63, B.S. graphic design, died cational leadership, died Jan. 7, 2011. Port Neches. Year among elementary educators. She teaches Aug. 18, 2010. Preston Premeaux ’53, B.S. biology, died Evelyn (Roberts) Wheelus ’83, B.S. environ- Raymond Tadlock ’70, B.B.A. marketing, died in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville school dis- Aug. 29, 2010. mental science, died Dec. 23, 2010. Karen (Kinto) Chlebo ’09, M.Ed. administration, Sam Morphew ’63, B.S. physics, died Oct. 25, Dec. 25, 2010.

60 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 61 from Lamar. In 1969, Norwood went to has paid off. Norwood is not the only person business and the lube oil additives business is work for Lubrizol as a co-op student. He has in Lubrizol’s senior management team who excellent,” said Jack Hopper, dean of LU’s been with the company ever since. got his start with the company through College of Engineering. “He understands Co-op to corporate “I really liked the company,” Norwood cooperative education. The chief executive Lamar and understands the industry, so he’s said. “They offered a lot of challenges and officer was a co-op student from Texas been an extremely valuable addition to the by Beth Gallaspy opportunities to do different things as a co- A&M, and the chief operating officer was a advisory board.” co-op from Cornell. The company’s strong Norwood said he looks forward to management and marketing dominance working with the council and with Hopper, recently prompted Warren Buffett’s Berkshire who was one of his professors, to further Hathaway to acquire Lubrizol for approxi- strengthen Lamar’s engineering programs mately $9.7 billion. With significant opera- and develop additional graduate education tions in Texas and Ohio, Lubrizol continues offerings in engineering. He enjoyed his own to use co-op students from Lamar, among time at Lamar, particularly the friendships he other Texas universities, and from universities made and the dedication he saw from profes- in the Midwest. sors to take extra time to help students learn. Staying with one company for an entire “We had a pretty good time there. When I career and moving up through the organiza- first started attending Lamar we had some tion was fairly common for people who, like pretty good basketball teams,” Norwood him, started their careers in the early 1970s, said. “I think my fondest memories are about Norwood said. With changes in the economy the friendly campus atmosphere and interac- and globalization, however, such a practice is tions with other students and the professors.” more unusual today. Norwood cites global- Norwood and his wife, Cynthia ization as one of the biggest changes he has (Smesny) Norwood ’72, married while seen during his career. attending Lamar. They will celebrate their “I guess I started doing work in China as 40th anniversary this year. The couple met a younger engineer in the early 1980s when on a blind date in high school and continued the country first started opening up to inter- dating as college students. Cynthia, who national investments. It’s been interesting to majored in history at Lamar, teaches classes see how much the chemical industry has around the country on making traditional grown globally,” Norwood said. “Another hooked rugs using techniques that date back major change has been the advances in tech- about 200 years. Her interest in the art and nology—the use of computers, electronics, craft began as a hobby and evolved into a distributed control systems in the day-to-day business, Norwood said. She even wrote a operations. From a technology perspective, book on the topic, published in 2008. s corporate vice president of operations for the Lubrizol Corp., Larry op student. I liked the way they treated things have changed very rapidly.” The Norwoods enjoy interests such as Norwood ’73 is no stranger to international travel. The specialty chemical employees. When I graduated in 1973, I Lubrizol produces a variety of lubricant golf, gardening, downhill skiing and attend- company headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio, has facilities in North America, went to work for them full time.” additives to improve the performance of ing orchestra performances. Norwood said South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia, and Norwood oversees Then and now, co-op students alternate transportation and industrial lubricants and he also enjoys fly fishing and woodworking. the operations of all of them, a responsibility that requires monitoring one semester in classes with one semester in fuels. These products have changed over the Ever the engineer, he also likes experiment- things first-hand at times. paid employment related to their studies to years in response to auto manufacturers’ ing with electronics. He has built his own Earlier this year, Norwood visited Nanjing, China, for an official contract signing ceremo- provide practical professional experience. As a desires to enhance engine efficiency, reduce computers on several occasions. nyA with the construction and engineering companies that will build a new facility for Lubrizol chemical engineering major, Norwood found emissions, improve fuel economy or increase In the years ahead, he sees his biggest in Zhuhai, China. Another business destination offered some enjoyable excursions in Lubrizol, which was then a small specialty equipment durability. The company also has professional challenge as grooming his suc- Normandy, France. The company has facilities in the cities of Le Havre and Rouen. chemical company in Houston, a good fit. diversified into advanced specialty polymers cessors to ensure continued strong leadership The travel has made Norwood’s work more interesting and, on occasion, more challeng- “It was a company that, as long as you used in consumer and industrial applications, and forward momentum for his company. ing. “It’s always interesting to get an opportunity to meet different people and see how different proved you could handle responsibility, they such as thermoplastic urethanes, performance “This is an issue facing a number of compa- LARRY NORWOOD cultures approach things,” Norwood said. gave you responsibility early in your career. I coatings and various components used in nies. People my age are moving through Norwood can trace his opportunities for a career with such a global reach directly to his had the opportunity to work in a number of personal care products. their careers and are working to develop the roots at Lamar University. After he graduated from Liberty High School, three of the factors different areas. That was interesting and Because of his vast experience in the next generation of leaders, to make sure the that attracted Norwood to Lamar were its strong engineering program, reasonable tuition and exciting,” Norwood said. industry, Norwood was invited to join next guy is ready to take our place.” good cooperative education program. Norwood knew little about Lubrizol when it came up as The company’s philosophy of building Lamar’s College of Engineering Advisory a possible co-op assignment. But, with facilities in Houston, it wasn’t too far from home or reciprocal relationships with co-op students Council. “His expertise in the chemicals

62 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 63 When he graduated in 1984—the morning ceremony took place Beyond the vital financial support, the ministry gives in the old McDonald Gym—he was sworn in as an officer that after- survivors and their families the ability to “talk with some- BRIAN SATTLER noon. Two days later, he was on his first military post learning the one who’s walked that same dark path and knows the art and science of war. His career would take him on assignments emotions and things you’re going through. It’s a great around the world, including combat with the 2nd Armored Calvary opportunity to do what scripture tells us to do and to Battle Group in the Battle of 73 Easting inside Iraq where the lead comfort others as we were comforted.” elements of the 7th Corps hit Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard Along the way, the couple, with co-author Ginger on Feb. 26, 1991. His Army career was well on track. Kolbaba, wrote Refined by Fire: A Family’s Triumph of Love “When Sept. 11 occurred, Mel became both mom and dad to and Faith, which chronicles their life-changing ordeal. “It’s a our son Matt and the sole decision-maker in the family because I story of the Lord’s grace more than anything else and what was incapacitated,” Birdwell said. “There is a tremendous burden in life is like in a burn center,” Birdwell said. being both caregiver and parent and being faced with decisions not Birdwell was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds really knowing the long-term implications.” received at the Pentagon and at his retirement received the “There were some hard moments for both of us for a lot of Legion of Merit Award, the capstone of a long and success- days,” Birdwell said. ful military career. On one of those days Jack Elwood, an associate pastor of the Today, Mel manages the work of the ministry while he church the Birdwells attended, visited Birdwell in physical therapy. serves the people of Texas in the Senate in a very challeng- “I was at fixed bayonets with pain, looking at it every day 24/7. ing session with big issues such as overcoming a massive When 60 percent of your skin is missing, you’re dealing with pain budget shortfall. Other challenges include redistricting, on a moment-by-moment basis,” Birdwell said. “Pastor Elwood said voter identification, security and immigration, as well as ‘God doesn’t waste our pain.’ It wasn’t until about six months later various issues specific to the many regions of Texas. when my returns to the hospital were becoming less frequent that I Birdwell is a proponent of limited government, a term began to see what he meant.” he sees “as a statement of jurisdiction, not just a measure of On one visit, Birdwell’s physical therapist asked him to visit how many employees or the size of your state budget. It is Through the fire: with the family of a newly arrived burn patient. At first he was reluc- a measure of the jurisdiction we are exercising on people’s tant, wondering what he could share. “I visited with the family for lives on a day-to-day basis.” From military man about an hour, and, when I stepped out of the room, the little light “Ultimately, those 49 words of the Declaration of bulb came on,” he said. “I realized how God could use our experi- Independence are most important,” Birdwell said. “We are a to statesman by Brian Sattler ence to help other folks.” people ‘endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Birdwell’s medical journey would continue into 2005, and he rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of knew from a medical perspective that his military career was over. happiness,’ and then the phrase right after is the charge to He would have to retire with 20 years of service. The big question us as elected officials and ‘to secure these rights govern- ife changed forever for Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell ’84, his wife, Mel, and their son, was what was next. “My plan didn’t work out the way I wanted it ments are instituted among men,’” Birdwell said. “My pri- Matt, when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. to,” he said, “but I realized that we could comfort others as we had mary duty is to be here to protect you from government. In that terrible instant, Birdwell was thrown to the ground and engulfed in flames been comforted as Second Corinthians tells us to do.” To protect your rights, to protect your ability to go out and that ravaged 60 percent of his body. Of his burns, nearly half were third degree in Together, Brian and Mel started Face the Fire Ministries, shar- succeed or to go out and fail and learn from that failure.” severity. After 39 operations and months of hospitalization and long rehabilitation, he ing their story with burn survivors and their families. They also raise “I always ask myself the question, ‘Is what you’re ask- has traded his Army career for the role of statesman as Texas senator in District 22, funds to help offset the costs associated with keeping families intact ing government to do going to expand opportunities by covering the counties of Bosque, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Hill, Hood, Johnson, McLennan, while one member, often the primary breadwinner, is being treated. removing an obstacle or will it put another rock in their Navarro and Somervell. Expenses can mount quickly, from temporary housing to child care. rucksack?'” The son of life-long educators, he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps It takes a lot to just make ends meet. The ministry has also provided A native Texan and resident of Granbury, Birdwell was programs and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice under the tutelage of Lamar funds to medical facilities specializing in the research, treatment and elected in a special election to fill the unexpired term of L mentors Jim Love, Robert Frazier and John Altemose. “Lamar was very good to me,” care of burn injuries. Senator Kip Averitt. Birdwell ran unopposed on the Birdwell said. “It was a very good fit.” “The financial gifts we’ve been able to provide to burn survivors November ballot and was elected for the full term. and wounded servicemen and women have been able to help defray Although calamity could easily have weighed him the costs of their displacement from home,” Birdwell said. down, he is quick to credit faith, family and friends with helping him triumph over the trauma and once again find fulfillment in serving others.

facethefire.org 64 | CARDINAL CADENCE 39:1 APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 39:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 65 to Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and Russia. Plenty of time was allotted to visit sites in the many coun- tries, Smith said. Many of the stops during the 42-day trip were locations of particular interest to Smith, who graduated Lamar Around the world with a degree in history. “I have many mental movies of the by Brian Sattler trip,” Smith said. “One day that comes immediately to mind is the flight to Petropavlovsk, Russia. We left Nagoya, Japan July 15 in rain and low clouds. Our wonder- utch Smith ’75 and two colleagues completed ful Japanese handlers managed all the a flight around the world last summer in a arrangements perfectly, then lined up in a 300-m.p.h. twin-engine Beechcraft King Air row and held a formal bow as we took off. to raise awareness for Grace Flight, a non-prof- “Handling was a little different at our it organization providing free air transportation first stop in Russia (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) with for medical and humanitarian purposes. lots of soldiers, border security guards and customs officials, all with the most extraordi- B nary hats. After refueling and a shocking

“Hundreds and hundreds of people followed the flight. It is very gratify- EGYPT ing, and more than a little English from the controllers who “It is our goal to remove the transportation burden from gave altitude assignments in meters patients so they can get to specialized medical treatment not ”humbling to know that and wind speeds in kilometers per available to them locally and focus on getting well,” Smith these good folks, and second. It was fairly challenging to said. “Many of our patients do not have access to convention- fly a low-ceiling approach in an air al transportation or are too ill to drive or fly commercially. their friends, were intro- control system so different from Grace Flight of America relies completely on volunteer pilots duced to Grace Flight our own over such remote and and donations from individuals, foundations, clubs and cor- and its compassionate unforgiving terrain. porations.” “We broke out (of the “Our global circumnavigation flight was an incredible mission.” clouds) to land on a 10,000-foot runway completely surrounded ISRAEL adventure,” said Smith who, when he’s not flying with Grace —BUTCH SMITH ’75 Flight, pursues business opportunities through McRight- by hills and tall, green trees. As Grace Flight provide their time, equipment, Smith Capital, LP, a private equity company. we taxied over a mile through dark woods and fuel and operating costs with no A 1975 history graduate of Lamar University, Smith chilled by mist and fog, we spotted aircraft reimbursement. Grace Flight, a non-profit built a career in marketing and financial institutions. Smith revetments to the left and right filled with corporation headquartered in Addison, was one of the first speakers in the College of Business’ amount of paperwork, we left for the over MIG and Sukhoi fighters. The Russians Texas, works with hospitals; care facilities; Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies speaker series. water flight ending at our final stop for the appeared to be just as amazed by us as we and social, community, and religious workers “To our great surprise, we know that hundreds and hun- day, Petropavlovsk, 900 nautical miles away. were by them.” to identify people whose access to critical dreds of people followed the flight. It is very gratifying, and “As we arrived and crossed from ocean Grace Flight of America flew more than care is hampered due to location or trans- more than a little humbling to know that these good folks, to the Kamchatka peninsula, a low cloud 1,600 missions last year and is on track to portation difficulties. All Grace Flight and their friends, were introduced to Grace Flight and its deck“ obscured the mountains and active vol- increase that number by 50 percent this year, services are provided free of charge to those Butch Smith, standing; Glenn Smith, compassionate mission.” canoes below. The approach to landing was Smith said. The more than 1,300 volunteer left; and Mark David CHINA in need. The flight, which originated in McKinney, took the three ‘interesting’ with rapid-fire Russian-accented pilots and aircraft owners who serve with

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