Now Is the Time to Invest in Lamar, Invest in Our Students, Invest in the Future of Southeast Texas
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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 502 BEAUMONT, TX 77710 Now is the time to invest in Lamar, invest in our students, invest in the future of Southeast Texas... 2010 SCHEDULE SEPT. 4 MCNEESE ST. OCT. 16 SOUTH ALABAMA SEPT. 11 WEBBER INTERNATIONAL OCT. 30 NORTH DAKOTA SEPT. 18 SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA NOV. 6 GEORGIA ST. SEPT. 25 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN NOV. 13 SOUTH DAKOTA OCT. 2 SAM HOUSTON ST. NOV. 20 OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE ST. OCT. 9 LANGSTON UNIVERSITY HOME AWAY TEXT LAMAR TO 41411 • LAMARCARDINALS.COM • 880-1715 CadenceCARDINAL VOL. 38 NO. 1 | FEBRUARY 2010 Magazine Design: Mike Rhodes From the President Cover illustration: Mike Rhodes, Cynthia Hicks CARDINAL DEPARTMENTS All across campus, we see evidence of vibrant changes taking place Cadence at our university. The Staff 20 On campus 38 Arts & Culture 42 Athletics 46 Class notes Record numbers of graduates led us to hold two commence- Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of University ment ceremonies in December. Growing enrollment—we set an Advancement, Lamar University, a member of The Texas all-time State University System and an affirmative action, equal record enrollment of 14,054 this spring—has led us to opportunity educational institution. FEATURES initiate construction of a fifth phase of Cardinal Village. When these new residences open this fall, Lamar will have on-campus Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations 12 Rodeo ready student housing for more than 2,500 students. Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist Pam Springer ’69 has moved up from cowhand Lamar is already a top-producer of chemical engineers. The new expansion to Cherry Larry Acker, Assistant Director, Writer to head wrangler as a Houston Livestock Show Engineering will help accommodate growth in our program, specifically the Ph.D. in chemical Beth Gallaspy ’09, Marketing Specialist, Writer and Rodeo volunteer engineering. Across campus, Lamar’s many music majors will also enjoy vastly improved Louise Wood, Media Specialist, Writer 46 accommodations when the renovation of the music building is complete. Frances Simpson ’95, Senior Administrative Associate 13 Sects under siege The return of football to Lamar’s sports slate has prompted much construction including Stuart Wright ties decades of research together Contributors: in a landmark study of government raids on the renovation of Provost Umphrey Stadium, the Dan F. and Sandra A. Smith Press Box, Cathleen Cole, Sharon Forret, Brian Henry, Patrick Murray, religious communities construction of the new athletic complex and installation of the state-of-the-art playing surface Amanda Rowell, Rush Wood, writing on Bud Leonard Field. Meanwhile, Coach Ray Woodard and the football staff continue signing Keith Carter, Michelle Cate, Dwaine Cox, Houston Livestock TM 16 A passion for gifted education 13 outstanding recruits, running drills and coaching the Cardinals as they prepare for their first Show and Rodeo , Brandon Gouthier, Keith Huckabay, Angeline Smith, Todd Stringer, Rohn Wenner, photography Dorothy Sisk has traveled the world on behalf season on the gridiron. Fans are getting ready too, with season ticket sales and reservations for of gifted children tailgating now under way. Circulation includes 67,000 copies distributed to alumni, 78 Expansion of Lamar’s dual credit and Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences programs faculty, staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have 18 Word view received more than one copy of this publication, please through our distance education division in partnership with Higher Ed Holdings will introduce A life of learning accompanied John Via ’86 let us know. these excellent opportunities to more than 500,000 Texas high school juniors and seniors’ as on his climb to VP of Alcon well as more than 680,000 Texans who began but did not complete their college education. On Changes of address may be sent to: campus and online, these are exciting days at Lamar University. University Advancement, 28 Music biz P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by Today, Steve Moore ’79 handles tours of top Alumni and friends of your university have continued to respond to the call to invest in E-mail: [email protected] 910 the future of Lamar. The $62 million raised thus far is the dynamic underpinning to students’ music artists THE FACE OF THE CAMPAIGN daily lives—helping them get the education they need through generous scholarships, supporting Division of University Advancement 16 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Internships expand students’ horizons Lamar’s growing academic programs, and offering students research opportunities and experiences Camille Mouton, Vice President 30 , Director of Planned Giving Beck Fellow Jennifer Mikel gained a global otherwise unobtainable. Funds raised toward the $100 million goal are also fashioning a vastly Floyd F. McSpadden Jr. Janice Trammell ’85, ’93, Director of Development 4 Coach of champions perspective in Ghana improved campus—from the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center to new athletics fields Tracie Bryan Craig, Director of University Reception Centers Former students, family remember and recognize and the top-notch, renovated Provost Umphrey Stadium. I invite you to join with us in moving Coach Vernon Glass P.O. Box 10011 34 Moving forward Lamar University to a new level of excellence by Investing in the Future today. Beaumont, Texas 77710 Rex and Ruth Goode Typical 80-hour weeks don’t slow down (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 6 Carl Griffith Jr. ’81, ’83, ’87 The couple expressed their love of music and the With Cardinal Pride, arts through a planned gift Lamar University Alumni Office 37 Black gold, Texas tea When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the 7 Video vital to victory Drilling engineer Jimmy Stark ’78 has designed Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Building B, Gift from Conn’s Inc. equips a first-class video wells from Texas to Thailand 855 Florida, Suite 102. viewing and editing facility 28 James M. Simmons 56 Top brass President Juan Zabala ’07, Executive Director of Alumni Affairs and Advancement Services 8 Valero to LU Scott Gearhart ’94 plays trumpet as one of Lamar University LU Alumni Office Valero Energy Foundation gives $1 million for “The President’s Own” P.O. Box 10005 engineering student scholarships Beaumont, Texas 77710 58 Mining for treasure (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 9 Tennis, anyone? Business takes CEO Nick Carter ’75 from E-mail: [email protected] Jennifer ’84 and Greg Thompson dedicate a gift THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM Silsbee to Saudi Arabia www.lamar.edu/alumni for top-to-bottom renovation, creating the BOARD OF REGENTS Thompson Family Tennis Center Janice Trammell, Executive Director Ken Craycraft, Interim Chancellor | Austin Lamar University Foundation 58 P.O. Box 11500 10 Score big Ron Blatchley, Chairman | Bryan Trisha S. Pollard | Bellaire Beaumont, Texas 77710 Education First Federal Credit Union backs (409) 880-2117 Cardinal athletics with $1 million contribution Charlie Amato, Vice Chairman | San Antonio Michael Truncale | Beaumont Kevin Lilly | Houston Greg Wilkinson | Dallas LAGNIAPPE Ron Mitchell | Horseshoe Bay Donna Williams | Arlington Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published biannually 32 Cardinal Views David Montagne | Beaumont by Lamar University, Division of University Advancement, 855 E. Florida, Beaumont, Texas 77705. 60 Football season tickets 34 On sale now 2 | CARDINAL CADENCE 38:1 FEBRUARY 2010 FEBRUARY 2010 38:1 CARDINAL CADENCE | 3 CAMPAIGN IMPACT The respect and affection Glass had for Higgins and accepted the challenge of mov- He moved on to Baylor University as a his players was readily reciprocated. ing up to the NCAA College Division backfield coach before taking over the “I had immense and total respect for level,” said Joe Lee Smith, who was Lamar’s Cardinals program from Higgins. Coach Glass,” said Bart Simmons ’78, ’79, a sports information director when Glass “If you talk to the guys who played for three-year letterman as a Cardinals offensive was head coach and Higgins was athletic Vernon and those who worked with him, lineman. “He was the best example of a true director. “In his second season, we started you’ll find out what an outstanding person Coach of players’ coach. a string of three-straight conference champi- he was,” Smith said. “He was dedicated to “He related to the players, was at ease onships. doing things the right way—as a coach and VERNON GLASS around them and talked openly with them. “Soon after that, we took another big as a person. He was clearly a class act.” More importantly, he motivated them. We step up when we went to the University He also was a gifted storyteller who all wanted to play our best for Coach Glass. Division 1A level. That was a huge step became a sought after banquet speaker dur- We wanted to play like champions.” because Vernon then started having a hard ing his days in Beaumont, according to champions In recognition of Glass’s legacy, the time competing on our limited resources.” football media guides of the time. Cardinals football practice field was dedicat- Glass, who died in 2005, had an Simmons, a Distinguished Alumnus ed this fall as the Coach Vernon Glass Field impressive record as a player and coach even and member of the College of Business of Champions. Improvements to the field— before coming to Lamar. He had been an Board of Advisors, often heard Glass say including a new covered pavil- that games were won or lost on ion—were made possible by a the practice field, not in the sta- $200,000 gift from Simmons dium. “Naming the practice by Beth Gallaspy and his wife, Martye (Sculley) field the Coach Vernon Glass Simmons ’78, to Lamar’s His whole purpose was to Field of Champions is appropri- igh expectations Investing in the Future compre- make those around him better.