A PUBLICATION OF LAMAR UNIVERSITY
VOL. 42, NO. 2 DECEMBER 2014
Breaking ground in this issue CONTENTS | DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 42, NUMBER 2 6 Breaking ground 24 Wayne A. Reaud Administration 40 under 40 Building and Reaud Honors College Transforming degrees to careers
49 Dan Hallmark ’65 becomes Hall of Famer 60 Jon Huntsman Sr. shares 64 story as Fisher Lecturer 61 Student- and alumnus- designed app makes secure saving a snap 62 Beck Fellows: Kahler and Townley-Smith seek and 20 find ways to excel 64 Study abroad retrospective: Porter in London 66 2015 Distinguished Alumni announced 82 Students flock to thank 10 82 a donor
4 President’s Letter
10 Rudy Williams’ generosity preserved through student accomplishment and building naming
14 Dream Makers 12 Jack ’58 and Linda Gill gift encourages and supports entrepreneurship 20 Cardinal Views
50 News around campus 18 Donors gather to commemorate inaugural President’s Circle 68 Class Notes
Annual Giving: Your gift helps students. Send it today. 84 DESIGNED BY RHODES DESIGN
2 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 3 from the A PUBLICATION OF LAMAR UNIVERSITY President Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of University Advancement, Lamar University, a member of The Texas State University System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity educational institution. Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist s the semester comes to a close and we look forward to the Larry Acker ’10, Assistant Director of Public Relations, Writer coming year, it is important to pause and remember the PRE-ORDERS Daniel McLemore ’09, Marketing Specialist events of 2014 and celebrate the support we receive from Frances Simpson ’95, Senior Administrative Associate our wonderful Lamar University family. NOW OPEN! Contributors It was an exciting day when we broke ground on the Writing | Cathleen Cole, Beth Gallaspy, Molly Porter, Cheryl new Wayne A. Reaud Administration Building that also will Rose, Kara Timberlake Lamar Photography | Tanny Chatlosh, Gary Christopher, Evie Clifton, be home to the Reaud Honors College. This magnificent building is the result of fj Gaylor, Brandon Gouthier, Hayden Gilbert, Russ Houston, Aexceptionally generous gifts from Distinguished Alumnus Wayne Reaud ’71 and Kevin Jordan, Matthew Lemke University Jon Huntsman. Earlier, we welcomed Mr. Huntsman to campus as our Judge Joe Circulation includes 75,000 copies distributed to alumni, faculty, J. Fisher Distinguished Lecturer and learned of his inspirational life and career. Official Texas staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have received more than one copy of this publication, please let us know. You can read about another Southeast Texas icon, the late Rudy Williams, License Plate Changes of address may be sent to: father of former LU First Lady Susan (Williams) Simmons ’68, in this issue of University Advancement, Cardinal Cadence. One of the buildings at the John Gray Center is named in his P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by E-mail: [email protected] honor as a long-time supporter of education and Lamar University. NOW is the We celebrated a generous gift this fall from LU Distinguished Alumnus and Division of University Advancement entrepreneur Jack Gill ’58 and his wife, Linda. Their support will fund the Gill time to ACT! Juan J. Zabala ’07, Vice President MCLEMORE Chair in Engineering and programs of the Center for Innovation, Commercial- Shannon Copeland ’02, ’03, ’07, Director of If we secure 200 pre-orders by 4/1/15, the plate will ization and Entrepreneurship. Advancement Services be released in May 2015. Lamar University needs to Floyd F. McSpadden Jr., Director of Planned Giving In the inaugural gathering of the Lamar University President’s Circle, we secure 200 pre-orders before the Texas Department honored and recognized a number of individuals whose commitment to the of Motor Vehicles can launch this plate. Charla Pate ’94, University Web Editor success of our students is exemplary. These leaders in philanthropy are making so Laurie Ritchel ’85, Director of Development many important differences to the university and its future. Brian Sattler, Director of Public Relations In this issue, we also highlight 40 young alumni who, while early in their P.O. Box 10011 Personalized Beaumont, Texas 77710 careers, are doing great things to help their communities. This sample of talent PRE-ORDER STEPS To Get Started Luxury Series: Full personalization up (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 and determination represented by our young alumni is truly inspirational. First, please read all the steps below. to six letters/numbers of your choice As one of Lamar University’s prestigious scholarships, the David J. Beck to appear on your Lamar University Lamar University Alumni Office Fellows program continues to provide unparalleled opportunities for LU After you visit the “PRE-ORDER NOW” license plate. When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the students. In this issue, you can read about the summer experiences of our Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Rudy C. Williams page, myplates.com/pre-order/cat- Building, Suite 102, 855 Jim Gilligan Way.
GOUTHIER 2014 Beck Fellows. egory/4 it will take you to the Lamar Personalized LU Alumni Office Our Study Abroad program enriches the student experience in unique and P.O. Box 10005 President Ken Evans and First Lady Nancy Evans hosted University license plate pre-order page. Background Only: Simply choose the Beaumont, Texas 77710 the inaugural President’s Circle Dinner on Oct. 10 in the lasting ways. We are putting new emphasis on this program and have welcomed There you will select the plate category Lamar University license plate and the (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 E-mail: [email protected] University Reception Center on the eighth floor of the our first full-time director. We anticipate finding new ways to build our offerings. you wish to purchase. State of Texas will generate a random www.lamar.edu/alumni Mary and John Gray Library. The event honored founding In this issue, we have included the story of one student’s curriculum experience letter/number combination for you. members of the President’s Circle, a recognition society in London, arranged with the help of our Office of Study Abroad. Lamar University Foundation of supporters promoting excellence, facilitating growth Juan J. Zabala ’07, Executive Director and developing distinction in the educational experience at We also celebrate in these pages the lives and work of Distinguished Alumni Karen Nichols ’83, Director Lamar University. David Bernsen ’73, Sandra Clark ’76, George Dishman ’49 and Roosevelt Petry If 200 Pre-Orders are not reached within the P.O. Box 11500 180 days allowed, the Lamar University plate Beaumont, Texas 77710 ’82, ’96, as well as the newest member of the College of Business Hall of Fame, A portion of the plate sales will (409) 880-2117 career banker and long-time LU supporter, Dan Hallmark ’65. will not launch, and all orders/monies received E-mail: [email protected] support Lamar University. will be fully refunded. www.lamar.edu/foundation Lastly, this semester our students gathered to express their appreciation of Lamar University’s donors at the “Thank a Donor Day.” As always, we thank you for your continued support of our students and your university. Your The Texas State University System Board of Regents support is a difference that changes lives forever. Brian McCall, Chancellor | Plano David Montagne | Beaumont Jaime R. Garza, Chairman | San Antonio Vernon Reaser III | Bellaire Rossanna Salazar, Vice Chairman | Austin William F. Scott | Nederland Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published by Lamar University, Division of University Advancement, Charlie Amato | San Antonio Donna N. Williams | Arlington 855 Jim Gilligan Way, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Kenneth Evans, President Kevin J. Lilly | Houston Anna Sandoval, Student Regent | Alpine Ron Mitchell | Horseshoe Bay
4 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 5 Reaud, Huntsman gifts create new administration building, honors college
by Brian Sattler
amar University and Texas State University System officials broke ground this fall on a new administra- tion building. The project that officials are calling “transformational” is made possible by gifts that also allow the university to Lupgrade its long-standing honors program into the Reaud Honors College.
6 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 7 SATTLER
The Wayne A. Reaud Building will be challenged to change the face of the age.” The new three-story building will be a state-of-the-art Founded in 1963 with just a handful of students, facility for university administration offices as well as the program has grown to be one of the most vibrant Information Technology, Human Resources and other and attractive programs on campus with enrollment of administrative functions. The ground floor of the around 300 students, said Doblin. building will be home for the university’s growing hon- With this gift, the Reaud Honors College will ors college that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. become the ninth honors college in Texas, joining those The building will become the cornerstone of the at Baylor University, Texas State, Texas Tech, the Uni- redefined formal campus entrance, a new gateway to versity of Houston, Prairie View A&M, the University the Lamar University campus. The presence of many of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington essential and central campus activities in the Reaud and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Building will create a sense of arrival for visitors to “The additional development of Lamar University campus and will serve as the catalyst to connect the honors education through this generous gift by Mr. From left, President Emeritus James Simmons, TSUS Regent David Montagne, Jon Huntsman Sr., Wayne Reaud, Jon Reaud, LU President Ken Evans. campus with the community. Reaud will serve to enhance student success and leader- SATTLER The project will encompass approximately 45,000 ship development,” Doblin said. In a typical year, more square feet. Page Southerland Page is architect for than half of the university’s honors graduates continue The gift from Wayne Reaud ’71 and an that a poor kid like me would not have had. part of the family and also one the great legal the project and SpawGlass will serve as construction their education in graduate or professional school, additional gift from Jon Huntsman Sr. are Without it being here, I may not have gone to minds in America. We’ve won two of the three manager. he said. “real game-changers for Lamar University,” college,” said Reaud, who received a bachelor’s largest out-of-court settlements in America The new building will be on the site of the former Reaud’s philanthropy has benefited hundreds of said LU President Ken Evans. “This is the degree in political science from Lamar in 1971. thanks to Wayne Reaud.” Lamar really Brooks-Shivers dormitory that was demolished earlier organizations across the nation. His commitment to very definition of a transformational gift.” “I am very thankful and appreciative of Lamar.” As one of the most successful trial lawyers this year. The university had previously named its din- education is reflected in scholarship programs he has Joining in breaking ground were “For many, many years, we were the largest in the U.S., Reaud is renowned for his litiga- gave me an ing facility the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall to retain the established in higher education throughout Texas, Reaud, Evans, Huntsman, Jon Huntsman, employer in Southeast Texas in the chemical tion work in asbestos and tobacco cases and for opportunity that names of former U.S. Congressman Jack Brooks and including many at Lamar University, said Juan Zabala, TSUS Regent David Montagne and LU business and virtually all of our supervisors his representation of major national corpora- a poor kid like former Texas Governor Allan Shivers on the campus. vice president for university advancement. President Emeritus James Simmons. and senior management had done work at tions. Reaud’s visionary approach to bridging The recent gift is a continuation of Reaud’s strong The Wayne A. Reaud Building will Lamar,” said Jon Huntsman Sr. during a visit to the “digital divide” led to the landmark settle- me would not Reaud Honors College support for Lamar University, including the Gena and become a part of a new gateway to campus campus earlier. “It really has been a tremendous ment in the Shaw v. Toshiba America Informa- Albert E. Reaud Scholarship valued at $1.6 million on the corner of Jim Gilligan Way and Rolfe university for helping to train people going into tion Systems Inc. case through which $400 have had. With- Establishing the Reaud Honors College at Lamar and the Reaud Scholars Program. It also encompasses Christopher Drive. energy-related fields. When our board saw what million was directed to the Beaumont Founda- out it being here, University will provide a clear indication to high-ability the $1.6 million Southeast Texas Legends Endowed “Today, universities find themselves in we were doing, it was logical that we would tion of America. students of our commitment to provide them with the Scholarships that honor Major T. Bell, Jack Brooks, competition for students, especially the best and participate in something like this in honor of He is a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foun- I may not have highest-quality education, well suited to their needs, Don Burgess, Dr. Joe Dickerson, Everett Lord, Gilbert the brightest,” Reaud said. “I believe this facil- Wayne but also of Lamar and our great associa- dation, fellow of the International Society of capabilities and aspirations, said Steve Doblin, provost gone to college.” I. “Buddy” Low, George McLaughlin, Hubert Oxford ity, coupled with our honors college, will make tion through the years. It’s a great honor for Barristers, past president of the Southeast Texas and vice president for academic affairs. III, Carl Parker Jr., James M. Simmons, Ward Stephen- us much more competitive than we’ve ever been our company and our family.” Trial Lawyers Association, Jefferson County “I believe that the honors college is going to be a son, Joe H. Tonahill, John G. Tucker, Walter Umphrey before. It will give us the opportunity to really “If you took a poll of our board of direc- Bar Association and of the Texas Trial Lawyers wonderful addition to Lamar,” Reaud said. “It is my —W aYNE Reaud ’71 and Bob Wortham. grow and take Lamar to another level.” tors and our family, there isn’t a man that we Association. dream, my hope, my desire, that students who pass “Lamar really gave me an opportunity admire more,” Huntsman said of Reaud. “He’s through this institution will not just be educated but
8| Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 9 “I hope people will recognize how the building committee for the church, and much Rudy did for others throughout his he helped to organize the fundraising com- life,” Simmons said. “He was a humble man mittee for the television broadcasting system whose legacy will now be a part of Lamar in at the church. perpetuity.” In 1951, Williams became executive Born at home on Aug. 27, 1922, in vice president of Gulf Supply. In 1967, he Milam, Texas, to Vessie and Lily Williams, became president and CEO of the company, Rudy was the youngest of four children. He which became a nationally known industrial recalled that his family, living on the farm, did distributor of piping and related materi- not have electricity, running water or indoor als. Later that year, Williams, John Duncan plumbing until the early 1940s. The Deep and others bought Roy Maness’s interest in He was a East Texas Electric Cooperative first brought Gulf Supply, and Gulf Supply became Gulf electricity to Sabine County in 1938. Consolidated Services. Williams became humble man Williams attended Geneva Grammar president and CEO of that company also. In School in Geneva, Texas, and graduated 1970, Williams and his partners moved the whose legacy from Hemphill High School in 1940. He company to Houston. His company bought/ lettered in basketball and made spending merged with several companies, and eventu- will now be a money raising and selling tomatoes. At 15, ally, as CEO of Gulf Consolidated Services, he worked at a tomato shed in Hemphill. he operated 21 divisions throughout the part of Lamar After graduating high school, his sister world and employed 1,600 people. Also, Carra Cates convinced their father that Rudy in 1970, Rudy and Jean built a lake house in perpetuity.” should not stay on the farm. He took $35 in Livingston, Texas, which became their by Brian Sattler that their father had given him for a car weekend place. — Susan (Williams) Simmons ’68 and rented a room in Beaumont where he In 1977, Williams and his partners sold attended Chenier’s Business School. While Gulf Consolidated Services to the Mead attending classes, Williams worked every Corp. From 1977-1985, he served as consul- Rudy C. Williams Building named day at the San Jacinto Drug Store as a short tant for the Mead Corp. In 1985, he started order cook, sold shoes at Rosenthal’s Depart- another company, Oil Company Specialties, ment Store and worked at Tyrell Hardware and then sold this company to John Mecom at John Gray Center on the weekends doing odd jobs. in 1988. That year, Williams retired, and In 1941, his first “real” job was with he and Jean bought a house in Beaumont fficials, family and Fund at Lamar University to provide Williams followed through on that Atlantic-Gulf and Pacific Dredging Co. First, where they lived part time and part time at friends gathered scholarships and academic enhancement conviction through the years by provid- he worked as a payroll clerk for this company the lake. While living in Livingston, he was Aug. 26 to formally funds for faculty and students. Three ing educational opportunities for many that dredged up and down the Intercoastal very active in community affairs. He helped dedicate the Rudy C. quarters of the money generated by the other young people, Simmons said. Canal from Mobile Bay to Corpus Christi. organize the fundraising drive to build a new Williams Building at gift will be distributed as scholarships The Rudy C. Williams Building He learned as many skills aboard the barge facility for Livingston’s First United Method- the John Gray Center to help the university recruit and retain was formerly Building B. The other as he could, and by 1942 the company classi- ist Church. He also served on the board complex to honor Williams for his con- students of the highest quality, and the major building in the John Gray Center fied him as a civil engineer. In 1944, he was and the building committee for the county Otributions to higher education at Lamar remainder will be used at the discretion complex was named for Herman Iles employed as an assistant purchasing agent hospital. In 1999, Jean and Rudy returned University. Williams, 92, died Oct. 10 of the president for university academic in September 2013. “Dad and Herman for the Lummus Co. in Port Neches, Texas. to Beaumont to live. Jean died in 2005, and after a brief illness. enhancement. Iles were very good friends,” Simmons Then he went to work for the Defense Plant Rudy married Helen Hatchell Freeman the “It is most fitting that the building The gift was made in memory of said. “In fact, Dad took Herman hunt- Corp. (a part of the U.S. Government). This following year. be named in his honor,” said Ken Evans, Williams’ late wife, Jean, who died in ing shortly before he died.” Inside the corporation coordinated materials to build An avid sportsman and “farmer,” president of the university, at the event 2005. Rudy and Jean were the par- Rudy Williams Building is a tribute chemical plants and refineries in the Port Williams enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, attended by a large number of family ents of Distinguished Alumna Susan to another of Williams’ friends, Elvis Neches, Port Arthur and Beaumont areas. In working in his yard, managing his invest- and friends. “Generations of Lamar (Williams) Simmons ’68, wife of LU Mason, for whom a conference room is December 1944, he married Jean Hilliard, ments and talking about his travels. He University students and faculty will ben- President Emeritus James Simmons. named. and they had three children: Susan, Reed especially enjoyed his visits to the Middle efit from his generosity. Now his name Rudy married Helen Hatchell Freeman “This is a legacy for my children and Richard. East: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. In will forever be alongside those of several in 2006. and grandchildren, and it means a In 1945, Roy Manes and Williams start- his later years, Williams still enjoyed watch- SATTLER great leaders in Lamar’s history—John “Education was very important to tremendous amount to me personally,” ed Gulf Supply Co. From 1944-1970, he and ing basketball and golf and telling “tall tales.” Gray, Herman Iles, Elvis Mason and my dad,” Susan Simmons said. “Al- Simmons said, “because Lamar Univer- his family lived in Beaumont, where he was a His favorite saying was “Life is good.” Richard Price.” though he didn’t have a formal educa- sity is where I earned my degree and charter and active member of Trinity United Williams established the Jean and tion, he felt that it was very important Lamar has been so much a part of our Methodist Church. In 1950, he served on Rudy Williams Academic Enhancement for his children to go to college.” lives through the years.”
10 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 11 I am very excited by the steps taken at Lamar and remain an avid supporter of the CICE.” —JACK GILL ’58
President Ken Evans, left, and Jack Gill Jack M. Gill he Gill Foundation of Texas, founded by Jack ’58 and Linda Gill, has given $1 million to support Jack Gill is the founder and managing partner (retired) of innovation-based entrepreneurship programs at Vanguard Ventures in Palo Alto, Calif.. During his career, Lamar University. Jack Gill, who is 1989 LU Gill has earned distinction and honors as a scientist, Distinguished Alumnus and holds a Ph.D. in senior executive, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, organic chemistry from Indiana University, was university professor and philanthropist. on campus recently to announce the gift. Half of the gift will add support to the Jack M. Gill Endowed Gill has more than four decades of experience TChair in the College of Engineering and half will support LU’s Center working in Silicon Valley and Boston as a company for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (CICE). founder and venture capitalist. Gill has founded and A successful technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, educa- financed start-up companies in the instrumentation, tor and philanthropist, Gill said, “This contribution from Linda computer, communications and medical industries. and me is a vote of confidence in the capacity of universities to Vanguard Venture’s first five funds invested $155 million accelerate entrepreneurship in society. Entrepreneurship drives the economy and brings advances in science, engineering and medicine in 107 start-ups and generated more than a $1 billion to market so everyone can benefit.” return to investors. The gift will enhance the capacity and reach of the CICE to In 1998, Jack and Linda established The Gill Gill’s million-dollar foster innovation at Lamar University and technology entrepre- Foundation of Texas. In 2000, he joined the faculties of neurship across the region, said Center Director Paul Latiolais. Harvard Medical School and MIT and served as senior Part of the donation will be used to create student internships and advisor to the Center for the Integration of Medicine and gift supports LU’s cross-disciplinary teams to support new ventures in a “learning lab” environment in the new Business Accelerator scheduled for comple- Innovative Technology. Since 2007, he has been profes- tion in early 2016, added Latiolais. sor of the practice of entrepreneurship at Rice University. entrepreneurial The donation will help accelerate student learning, encourage He has taught scientific, medical and entrepreneurship innovation among faculty and students, and support fast-growing courses at 12 major universities. He is now working on economic sectors through technology development and entrepre- converting his experience and the course materials into neurship, he said. The funds will help meet the growing needs of enterprise several books. the CICE, and help develop new entrepreneurial programs, student internships and technology-to-business teams. Gill is a past president of the LU Foundation and “I am very excited by the steps taken at Lamar and remain an member of Lamar University’s College of Engineering by Brian Sattler avid supporter of the CICE,” Gill said. Advisory Council, Jack and Linda Gill support students The gift also adds support to the Gill Chair in the College in many ways, including recently sponsoring LU MBA of Engineering held by David Cocke, an active researcher and students’ participation in the Ignite! Entrepreneurship professor in the Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineer- Conference at UC-Davis. The Gills are members of ing. Cocke is an expert in environmental and surface chemistry and catalysis, advanced materials and biomedical research. He is a Lamar’s Legacy Society in recognition of their support to member of the American Chemical Society, Electrochemical Society, the university. In 1999, he received the prestigious Horatio Society of Applied Spectroscopy, National Association of Corrosion Alger Award for Distinguished Americans. Engineers, Materials Research Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. SATTLER
12 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 13 a Second Language instruction to diagnosis. The Beans hope this en- engineering and business, respectively. international students from around the dowed scholarship in the College of globe. In 2011, the Texas International Arts and Sciences will pave the way Karen (Brownlee) ’67 and Glenn Education Consortium, an indepen- for caring and dedicated nursing stu- DreamMakers Smith ’67 endowed the Juanita dent, self-funded, non-profit corpora- dents to achieve their goals of serving Brownlee Memorial Scholarship for We express our deep gratitude to the alumni and friends of Lamar University, known to us as Dream Makers, tion opened a branch campus of TIEP others and helping those in need. Mathematics Teachers in memory who have recently established endowments and gifts through estate plans. These gifts encourage students at Lamar University. of Karen’s mother, Juanita, to honor to pursue a college education and help faculty create innovative learning environments. An endowment Srini Chittaluru ’90 endowed the Srini her many years as a math teacher. creates a legacy that becomes a permanent piece of LU’s history. To learn more about how you can begin The Gammill family established the Chittaluru Graduate Research The scholarship was established in your own giving plan, we invite you to visit lamar.edu/development. In this issue of Cardinal Cadence, we Michael Jay Gammill Presidential Scholarship in Engineering because the College of Arts and Sciences. are honored to acknowledge our Dream Makers. Scholarship in Business to benefit he received a scholarship while earn- Brownlee ’63, ’73, earned a bach- students striving for an education in ing a master’s degree in engineering elor’s degree in home economics business. A lifelong resident of Beau- at Lamar University. The scholarship and a master’s degree in education. mont, Gammill ’69 graduated from helped him pay tuition and living She authored the textbook Tangram Lamar University with a marketing expenses, which assisted him in Geometry in Metric. degree. He co-founded Associated successfully earning the master of Tool Specialties Co. in 1976 and engineering degree that, in his words, The Sierra Leigh-Anne Phillips Schol- magazine sponsored by the Depart- the endowment in honor of Dyess, Anita Riddle ’93, ’96, created the Dr. Gammill Pneumatics in 2005. His wife “has transformed his career.” arship in Journalism is an endowed ment of English and Modern Lan- who founded the ensemble orchestra Anita L. Riddle College of Engineer- and three daughters established the scholarship created in memory of guages. It contains poetry and prose and led the group for many years. ing Innovation Fund as a “strong vote scholarship in his memory because Sierra Phillips, a young lady who had by students from a variety of disci- The scholarship will benefit students in Pat ’71 and Melody (O’Reilly) Parsons of confidence for Dean Jack Hopper, Mike often worked several jobs to a passion and gift for writing. The plines on campus and celebrated its the College of Fine Arts and Com- ’71 endowed the Pat and Melody as well as the fine leaders who will maintain his studies while attending scholarship has been established for 60th edition in 2014. James and Sue munication. Dyess was director of jazz Parsons Innovation Fund in Business succeed him in the future.” Riddle Lamar. students in the College of Fine Arts were instrumental in the birth of PULSE studies, professor of trombone and to support teaching, research, ser- earned a master of engineering man- and Communication. Through this magazine as students. assistant director of bands at LU. He vice and professional development agement degree and her doctor- scholarship, her family wishes to honor was also the principal trombonist with Ynhi Doquang Nguyen endowed the activities in the College of Business. ate in engineering, both from Lamar her memory and pass on her legacy the Symphony of Southeast Texas. The Ed Hughes Memorial Regents Dr. Hai H. Nguyen Memorial Schol- Pat is a 30-year veteran of the bank- University. Riddle and her husband, with those who share the same love Scholarship is an endowed scholar- arship in Chemical Engineering ing industry and one of the driving Dr. Steven Schmidt, have generously for writing. ship open to students from Nederland George Hirasaki ’63 has endowed in memory of her late husband. Hai forces behind the founding of what is supported educational excellence in and established in memory of Ed the George J. Hirasaki Scholarship Nguyen was the first recipient of the now one of the largest locally owned the areas of faculty enrichment and Willa Nelson Ross established the Hughes, a longtime Nederland resi- in Chemical Engineering. Hirasaki doctor of engineering degree con- financial institutions in the region, scholarships for the Society of Women Willa Nelson Ross and Ruby Nel- dent and entrepreneur. Hughes was earned his undergraduate degree in ferred at Lamar University in 1975. CommunityBank of Texas. Engineers. Dr. Riddle serves as a trust- son Shirutis Scholarship in Civil the first recipient of the Mr. Nederland chemical engineering from LU and Through this scholarship, Ynhi Nguyen ee for the Lamar University Foundation wishes to encourage worthy students and as a member of the College of Engineering to honor her sister, Ruby award and a loyal booster of Lamar his doctorate from Rice University. He Diane (Keating) Woodcox -62, who to pursue a course of study in chemi- Engineering Advisory Board. Nelson Shirutis, and encourage stu- University and all its programs. He worked for Shell Development and studied English between 1960 and cal engineering. dents studying civil engineering. Ross, especially enjoyed cheering for the Shell Oil Co. for 26 years before join- 1962, endowed the Diane Keating along with her husband, Charles, Cardinal basketball teams. A found- ing the Rice University faculty in 1993. Woodcox Scholarship in English Jimmy Booker ’55, ’56, has estab- has dedicated much of her life to ing partner of the Market Basket He holds the title of A.J. Hartsook Jackie (Dezelle) ’58, ’60, and Ray- and Modern Languages within the lished the Merle Merritt Booker education, teaching in colleges and grocery chain, Hughes was gratified Professor Emeritus of Chemical and mon Bean -60 established the Amie College of Arts and Sciences. Her Scholarship in Art to honor his wife, elementary schools. that many young people used their Biomolecular Engineering. Lynn Bean Memorial Scholarship in generosity follows a family tradition Merle ’58. She earned her bachelor’s Hughes Market Basket income to help memory of their daughter Amie, who of supporting Lamar University with degree in commercial art at LU. The meet college expenses. James Mellard ’60 and his wife, Sue The TIEP at Lamar Scholarship is lost her battle with leukemia in 1991. endowments she created through a scholarship is an endowment created (Gilbert) -58, have established the an annually funded scholarship for The Beans attended Lamar University family foundation. She has honored in the College of Fine Arts and Com- James M. and Sue Gilbert Mellard Members of the Night and Day the benefit of any Lamar University between 1956 and 1960. Amie was her brothers Thomas ’67 and Calvin munication. Jimmy has served Lamar Endowment in the College of Arts Orchestra established the Dr. Wayne student earning a certificate in this a senior specializing in health care Keating ’73 with endowed memorial University for many years in multiple and Sciences. This endowment will Dyess Memorial Scholarship in Mu- program. TIEP, the Texas Intensive at Texas A&M when she received her scholarships supporting industrial areas, including on the LU Alumni support PULSE magazine, a literary sic. Friends and colleagues funded English Program, provides English as
14 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 15 Advisory Board, Cardinal Club Lamar University students. A planned A planned gift from the estate of Board, Industrial Engineering Advi- gift from the Elaine Cameron’s estate Larry W. Lawson -67 has established sory Council and the LU Foundation created this endowed scholarship. the Larry W. Lawson Research Fund optometry would be a better fit for her Board. Merle served on the Class of Thomas was plant superintendent in Electrical Engineering. Attend- future. 1958 Reunion Steering Committee. for Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. ing Lamar from 1963 through 1967, “As soon as I changed my major, so many things started to happen,” The couple previously established for 25 years. Avid boaters, the Cam- Lawson was elected cheerleader, she said. “My doctor has a colleague in the Cynthia (Booker) West Memorial erons were active in the Lake Charles played trumpet with the jazz and Houston who is an optometrist, and Scholarship in Art in memory of their chapter of the United States Power marching bands and performed I’ve had the opportunity to shadow daughter Cynthia ’84 who suc- Squadron. They met while attending throughout Southeast Texas. He grew him for the past year or so.” cumbed to breast cancer in 1999. Port Arthur College. up in Bridge City, where he learned to Thomas is the recipient of an play piano at age five, wrote music endowed scholarship, the Charles and and copyrighted his first songs at 13. The Hermie “Boots” Hefty Schol- Susan Gordon and Julia Gordon Gray Planned Gifts Lawson founded eCardio Diagnostics arship in Nursing and the Bessie Memorial Scholarship. According to The Moss Family Scholarship is in 2004. Today, eCardio is the leading McVey Scholarship in Education Thomas, the scholarship provided an an endowed scholarship created arrhythmia-monitoring company in are endowed scholarships cre- opportunity for her, as a first-genera- through a planned gift from the es- the U.S. ated through a planned gift from tion university student, to push past tate of Jessie Mae Moss. The scholar- the estate of Alan R. ’69 and Cherry her boundaries and excel more than ship recognizes her father’s dedica- Ann McVey Hefty ’70. Alan earned A planned gift from the estate of she thought possible. “This scholar- tion to education and will benefit ship came as a blessing and reprieve a bachelor of business degree in Ronald ’65, ’73, and Charlotte (Cupit) West Hardin High School students from to my family, who were ecstatic that I accounting and is member of Alpha Graves -85 has created the endowed the Batson and Saratoga areas, her had a chance to broaden my horizons Tau Omega Fraternity. He is president Ronald and Charlotte Graves Me- father’s parents’ hometowns. Jessie but were wary of the price of higher of Alan Hefty & Co., CPAs. Cherry morial Scholarship. Ronald Graves was a graduate of South Park High education,” she said. Throughout her earned a bachelor’s degree in ele- received scholarship assistance for School and attended the University of A sense of security time at LU, the Gordon scholarship mentary education. She is a member books, tuition and fees for the entirety Texas. Moss was an avid collector of has remained a constant and given her of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and taught of his undergraduate career at Lamar antiques, art, dishes, dolls and many a sense of security that proved priceless school in Port Arthur ISD, Beaumont University. The Graves want to afford other collectibles. when times were tough, she said. ISD and Monsignor Kelly High School students the same level of educa- Thomas is a member of the La- before retiring. tional fulfillment Ronald experienced, anni Thomas enrolled the way the Lamar campus looked, and mar University Ambassadors, a group A planned gift from the estate of and Charlotte also greatly benefitted as a freshman with the class sizes really appealed to me. I that represents the student body at Samuel Gerard Bonura will enhance from her studies at LU. Dr. John Mark Honea Jr. ’69, ’75, has 30 hours of college was worried that when I got to college official university events. She also plays the Margaret Bonura Memorial and created the John Mark Honea Jr. credit under her belt I would be in classes with 200 other the flute for the Concert Band and is a Gerard Bonura Scholarship in Nurs- thanks to a dual- students. It’s so nice to be able to get member of the band sorority. Scholarship in Education, an en- The Lamar University Foundation has ing, an endowed scholarship. Gerard credit program she to know your instructors and let them “There was only one other person dowed scholarship created through received a gift from the estate of Bonura ’77 established the scholar- entered while in high school in Deer get to know you.” from my high school who came to La- a planned gift from his estate. Dr. Lorenzo McCoy in memory of his wife YPark. Looking back, she remembers A senior majoring in applied mar, so that was a little scary,” she said. ship in memory of his mother. In 1965, Honea earned a bachelor’s degree Koreen. The McCoys said they were Margaret, affectionately called LU being represented among the alma arts and sciences, Thomas has plans “But, I’ve made so many new friends in government and a master’s de- proud to live in a community where Maggie, was unexpectedly widowed mater flags and banners displayed to become an optometrist upon and connections while here, and these gree in secondary education. In students are educated and trained after 23 years of marriage. A devout by many of her high school instruc- graduation in May 2015. Becoming a are people you will know for the rest recognition of his service as director by high-quality professors and pro- Catholic, she never remarried and tors. Because of her interest in Lamar physician had always been the aim of of your life.” of basketball operations for LU, the grams are administered by people of devoted herself to her three sons. University, a family friend introduced the Deer Park native, but when that Thomas said she would encourage weight room in the Montagne Center integrity. Because Mrs. McCoy loved her to a recruiter, and she scheduled a journey seemed a bit daunting, she any student considering LU to enroll. is named in honor of his parents John music and played the piano, a por- campus visit. changed her major to nursing. After “I don’t think you could do any better Elaine and Thomas Cameron estab- M. and Ruth W. Honea. Dr. Honea has tion of the funds will support the Mary “I had been accepted to five two years in the nursing program and than Lamar,” she said. “The instructors lished the Elaine and Thomas Cam- had a strong relationship with LU for Morgan Moore Department of Music. schools when I got ready to choose a a conversation with her own doctor are so approachable and that makes a eron Scholarship Fund to benefit many years. college,” Thomas said. “I really liked about a career in medicine, she decided big difference in being successful.” —LA
To begin your own endowment or to add a gift to an existing endowment, please contact the Lamar University Foundation at (409) 880-2717.
16 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 17 President’s Circle Oct. 10 marked a milestone in Lamar University history—the inaugural year of the President’s Circle. President Ken Evans hon- ored more than 157 founding members of the prestigious group during a dinner in the University Reception Center, thanking them for their loyal and forward-looking support. These special alumni and friends of LU TSUS Regent and Distinguished Alumnus First Lady Nancy Evans, left, with Kim and Roy Steinhagen Bill Scott ’70 and Gay Scott ’80 have dedicated—and continue to generously give—time and treasure to scholarships, en- Alumni Advisory Board President and Distinguished Alumnus Vernon Durden ’69, Gene ’61 and Elizabeth Arnold -64, left, with Distinguished dowments and more with the aim of extend- Phillip ’81 and Cheryl (Spencer) Fuller ’82 ’04, and Johnnie (Criton) Durden ’00 Alumnus Mike ’65 and Pat (Peterson) Aldredge ’61 ing a helping hand to our students. Each of them keenly recognize what a fundamental difference an education can make to quality of life—and LU, with gratitude, recognizes them as President’s Circle members who are helping students meet their goals and fulfill their dreams.
Regina Rogers, left, with Mike ’72 and Jo Beth Jenkins
TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall and Big Red
Mike ’77 and Joanne Bonura, left, with Interim Dean Distinguished Alumnus Bob ’73 and Vic Zaloom, College of Engineering Sina ’80, ’81, and Soheila Nejad Beth (Thompson) Jones ’61
Terry and Lee Ann (Dean) Garth ’79, left, with President Ken Evans, left, with Chuck ’72 and Becky (Dickson) Mason ’71 LU Ambassador Micah Murdoch Floyd and Patti McSpadden, left, with S.L. and Natalie Greenberg
18 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 19 CARDINAL Cardinal walk of honor During the brick dedication ceremony Nov. 1 in the Quadrangle, many alumni and friends photographed their engraved pavers VIEWS among the many bricks laid in honor and in memory of almost 1,000 Cardinals to pave the Cardinal Walk of Honor.
Wind Ensemble Concert Scott Deppe, director of bands, conducts the 56-member Wind Ensemble this past spring as part of the Lamarissimo! Concert Series at the Julie Rogers Theatre. The group is one of only four bands invited to perform before the Texas Music Educators Association’s 2015 Clinic and Convention in February.
Concert in the Park The Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music held its second annual old-fashioned Concert in the Park this past April on the Plum- mer Building grounds. Lamar’s Wind Ensemble and Concert Band performed music from Disney’s “Frozen” and “The Lion King,” the overture to Hector Berlioz’s opera “Béatrice et Bénédict,” popular marches, and many other light classical, jazz and pops selections.
Softball Groundbreaking President Ken Evans and Athletics Director Jason Henderson joined in breaking ground for the new 650-seat softball stadium, scheduled for completion spring 2015. The natural-grass facility will have field lighting, bullpens, dugouts, an enclosed hitting area, an electronic scoreboard and a press box.
Anton in Show Business Production Tracie VanLaw of Winnie, foreground; Shelby Dryden, Vidor, left; and Lexi McDonald, Austin, right, are shown during Jane Martin’s Anton in Show Business, a satirical look into the world of theatre as three women pursue their dream of performing a play by Anton Chekhov in Texas. Instructor Brian LeTraunik directed the produc- tion, which opened the 2014-2015 season.
Veterans Day Tiemeyer “Slim” White, president of the LU Veterans Organization, the 23rd Cardinal Command, hosted a Veterans Day observance Nov. 11 to honor military veterans for their service and sacrifice.
20 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 21 CARDINAL May and August Commencements Eleemosynary Production Cardinal Swap Lamar University conferred 683 degrees during the Aug. 16 commencement ceremonies, keynoted by Sydney Haygood, Friendswood, left, and Hannah Barker, Beaumont, perform a scene President Ken Evans attended morning classes as a student while applied VIEWS Texas State University System regent and San Antonio-based entrepreneur, Charlie Amato. from LU Theatre’s production of Lee Blessing’s Eleemosynary. Directed by department mathematics major Madison Trevino took over LU presidential duties during the Chair Deena Conley, the production ran in early November in the Studio Theatre. April 17 Cardinal Swap, an outreach program of the LU Rotaract Club.
Distinguished Alumnus and sports broad- International Cultural Festival caster Bill Macatee ’78 delivered the Students from more than 60 countries, faculty and staff enjoyed foods and performances representing cultures commencement address May 18 before from around the world during International Cultural Festival Nov. 7. 1,655 graduation candidates. Macatee has anchored network coverage of the Olympics, covered 24 Masters golf tournaments, 24 US Open Tennis Championships and has called 16 years of NFL play-by-play for CBS Sports, among many other sports and network broad- casts he has anchored.
Literary Festival The Lamar University College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English and Modern Languages hosted 14 writers from around the country to talk with faculty, staff, students and the community about writing and publishing during the annual Literary Festival Nov. 13-14.
Jim Sanderson, chair, Department of English and Modern Languages
Daniel Williams, Lynn Hoggard, visiting writer visiting writer
22 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 23 DESMOND BERTRAND Never stop growing With more than 77,000 Lamar University alumni around the world, Desmond Bertrand ’10, ’14, has a love for educa- with school districts across the nation educator at Lone 40 tion and an entrepreneurial spirit that manifests to offer that extra motivation some Star College as an tens of thousands are under age 40. Yet these young alumni, itself in helping others. Born in Mamou, La., young men need to succeed. adjunct instructor not too far removed from their undergraduate experiences, are Bertrand was raised in Houston where he excelled “M.E.N. Inc. is a platform that in the college of in school. He was accepted at the High School for will allow many young men to be education. He is doing incredible things, making their mark in varied fields and Under Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, one of the motivated, educated and nurtured in a also in the early inspiring others. top magnet schools in Houston. After graduating in way that will change their lives for the stages of develop- We’ve gathered “40 under 40” in a sampler of the impressive 2003, he began his college career at Xavier Univer- better,” Bertrand said. ing his second sity in New Orleans to pursue a medical career. His passion for entrepreneurship business venture, breadth of talent and passions represented by younger LU alumni. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina abruptly changed began at the retailer Target in New 4.0 Consulting This new generation of leaders on the wing is made up of game his plans so Bertrand moved back to the Houston Orleans, where he quickly advanced Services, which is a
changers. Innovators. Entrepreneurs. They are talented. Generous. area and earned a bachelor’s degree in applied to team leader after transferring to a SATTLER consulting business arts and sciences from LU. He earned a Master Houston store. He sharpened his abili- that assists small Creative. Analytical. Successful. And best of all, they’re just of Business Administration degree from Ameri- ties at other retail chains, customer care centers, business owners in beginning their own entrepre- getting started. can Intercontinental University in June 2012, and Arbitron Ratings and ultimately as office man- neurial journey. No doubt many of our readers will think of other alumni continued his educational career by pursuing a ager of The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in “I’ve always been very passionate about master’s degree in educational leadership at LU, Houston. There he continued a family legacy since education, giving back and making a difference in who are doing remarkable things. We’d love to hear about their which he completed last May. it was his paternal grandfather who was founder the world,” he said. “I think it’s important to leave a accomplishments. Send suggestions to [email protected]. In the midst of his academic career, Bertrand and curator of the museum. While there, he gained positive mark on those around you and your com- was motivated, along with his partner, Justin Pitts, experience in non-profit management, marketing, munity.” to begin a non-profit organization called M.E.N. gift shop management, inventory, advertising, In his spare time, he writes poetry, songs and Incorporated dedicated to mentoring, educating and accounting and other facets of operating a not-for- short stories. He has three godchildren he loves nurturing young men regardless of ethnicity or sexual profit business. as his own, all boys: Jaden, eight; Eric, seven; and orientation. The goal of the organization is to partner Bertrand has begun a career as a professional Kalib, six.—LA
Lou Ann Bates Where there’s a need, there’s a way CRYSTAL BROUSSARD Passion for patients Lou Ann Bates ’11 always knew she wanted to reluctant to bring siblings to the experience Dr. Crystal (Ray) Broussard ’97 knew she wanted physicians trained to treat obesity,” she said. with her family in Spring. She and her husband, open a private therapy practice with her twin waiting room during appoint- at Lamar Uni- to be a physician, but she found her special pas- “We have more medication becoming available Lance Broussard ’97, have two children, Brianna, sister in their hometown of Port Lavaca after they ments. “If we can go and service versity with sion for medicine from a personal experience. to treat obesity, but we’re not educating our age 11 and Kincaid, age 8. When she’s not work- both completed graduate school. She just did not the home, we would be able to preparing When she was pregnant with her first child, she professionals.” ing, she’s involved with her children’s activities expect it to happen so quickly. reach more children. We see her to assist gained 70 pounds. From the education and effort Broussard grew up in Port Neches with including football and softball. Her per- After earning her master’s degree at LU in there’s a need.” patients with to lose weight for herself, she decided to shift her the intention of one day attending medi- sonal passion is weight training. When speech language pathology, Bates worked in Recognizing the need is what a variety of practice from family medicine to weight manage- cal school. She chose Lamar University the clinic closes for lunch each day, nursing homes, hospitals and a private clinic in drew Bates to speech therapy needs. ment. She is now board-certified in both obesity because of the high acceptance rate of she takes her whole staff to the the Brownsville area gaining additional knowledge from the start. At age eight, she Bates medicine and family medicine. the university’s students by professional gym to lift. and experience. But friends and physicians back asked her mother why her cousin said she is “I have a fantastic job,” she said. “I get schools. The Broussards met in home kept asking when she and her sister, Sandy, talked and moved differently proud that patients off medicine instead of putting Band- “I was looking for a more high school and were Home- an occupational therapist, would follow through from other children. Her mother she and her Aids on the problems they have such as heart personal experience, also,” she said. coming King and Queen to- on their long-term goal and establish their own explained that the cousin had sister have disease and high blood pressure. We actually get “My upper-level classes at Lamar had gether at Lamar. The personal practice. In April 2013, they opened BATES Place cerebral palsy and the family had been able to to fix the problem.I never meant to own my own about five to 10 students in them. My experience of a family-like for business. no insurance to pay for therapy establish and practice, but found my personal and professional friends who went to bigger schools environment is one of the JORDAN The sisters, now 27, turned their last name to help. Bates said she and her manage calling.” had 100 or so students in a class. At things she most appreciated into an acronym—BenefittingA ll Teens and Tots twin both decided then that they wanted to help a successful business while still providing quality Broussard opened Athena Wellness Center Lamar, we got a lot of one-to-one about her time at Lamar. Every Season—for their therapy practice, which people like their cousin, which led to their comple- therapy to their patients, which is the most im- in The Woodlands two and half years ago, offer- time with our professors.” “What stands out in serves mainly pediatric patients. Already, the prac- mentary career choices. portant aspect of what they do. “We have parents ing medically supervised weight management. Broussard pursued my memory is the student tice has a busy roster of patients and is growing. The twins knew they wanted to make an who say they’ve seen more progress here in eight She has seven employees, and the clinic group double degrees in biol- camaraderie,” she said. They hired an assistant in early summer and by impact in the community where they were raised. months than they have in eight years somewhere as a whole sees approximately 400 patients a ogy and chemistry. After “I was in a sorority, and early fall were interviewing for a second assistant. Before BATES Place opened, Port Lavaca families else,” Bates said. “My biggest accomplishment week. Broussard customizes weight loss and graduating, she attended it was possible to be They also are adding a home health component to in need of speech or occupational therapy had would be being able to change the quality of life management plans for her patients. In addition the University of Texas- involved in many things their practice—BATES Place On Wheels. to drive to Corpus Christi or Victoria for services, for a lot of children here in Port Lavaca. Since it is to her own practice, she volunteers to educate Houston for medical at one time because it “We’ve found in the year and a half we’ve which led to less frequent appointments. Now, a small town, we actually know a lot of the par- other physicians to understand obesity issues. school and did was a small school and been open that some families have transporta- Bates and her sister are able to provide effec- ents and encourage them and see the difference Third-year residents from Conroe Regional Medi- her residency at everybody knew each tion issues,” Bates said. Others have to travel tive therapy close to home for a full caseload of in these kids. It’s miraculous. It really is.”—BG cal Center have a rotation at her center as part of Conroe Regional other.”—CPR long distances or have multiple children and were patients. She credits her clinical and classroom their training. Medical Center. “It is an absolute necessity that we have She now lives
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JOHN SOENNING WYATT cagle Apprenticeship leads to studio Wyatt Cagle ’03 is CEO and owner rest of my life.” people, cool people that would be interesting of CGL Studios, a production and After putting his things subjects—just spend the day with them and do post-production house in Houston in storage—“your entire life in a day in the life. We had some money, time and Education making commercials, reality televi- a 10-by-10 room”—he hit the a bunch of gear, so we did that and it ended sion, as well as feature film and road working movie sets as an up that PBS picked it up for two seasons.” The engineers indie films. He also is a member assistant director and other po- show ran in 15 markets. Meanwhile, Cagle of the team of SWD Productions, sitions for a year gaining experi- continued to grow his business, adding clientele which focuses on TV, film and com- ence and making connections. and agency work. bright mercial work. The most significant connection “I ended up doing a lot of television com- Cagle holds a bachelor’s he made that year was with mercials for larger companies, as well as some future degree in communication in which April Marchant, an assistant national and international commercials,” Cagle he focused on film and television production. His wardrobe director who would become his wife said. Currently, most of his business is on post- While attending Lamar University, valedicto- first professional work came in 1999 and after three years later. The two have a 15-month production or high-end production for large com- rian of the May 2000 graduating class Johann graduating from Lamar when he had opportunity old son. mercial work, representing brands like Walmart, “John” Soenning discovered his passion— to produce a travel documentary in Warsaw, Soon, he received a call from Greg Schein- United Airlines, Dr. Pepper and Miller Lite. chemical engineering. Poland. After returning to Texas, he began doing man, whom he had worked with in Houston, One key to the work is flexibility and avail- “When I toured the campus, I took an as- post-production work as an apprentice, then with an offer to partner in a line of DVDs for ability. “I’m an editor that they can call to work at sessment test that pointed me to the chemical assistant editor, in Houston at a firm specializing children. Together they created TeamBaby different facilities under their umbrella,” he said. engineering field,” Soenning said. L“ ater on, in high-end commercial work, as well as some Entertainment, which was later bought out by Cagle will often join in a production in New York, my professors helped me realize my passion. music videos. He served as an assistant editor Michael Eisner after he left Disney. “We became edit the commercial there and then return to After completing four co-op terms with the on four films in his first year. his first acquisition,” Cagle said. I“ stayed with Houston to edit a Spanish version. Dow Chemical Co., I knew that chemical engi- Soon he moved on to other Houston com- the company a couple of years and helped grow Cagle enjoys staying connected with the neering was absolutely the right path for me.” panies, but, in 2005, he was hired by an Austin- it to a couple million dollars.” But after another communication department at LU where he has After earning his bachelor’s degree in based company to direct and edit high-concept acquisition, he decided to part ways and joined been a guest lecturer. “It is always a great thrill chemical engineering, Soenning accepted a corporate videos. There, he worked for clients with Scheinman again in a venture to produce to be able to bring in the latest gear and show job with BP, where he worked as a profession- like HP, 3M, Texas Instruments and Apple, but “a show that we had talked about doing years students,” he said. “Knowing the directorial, the al engineer and a technical supervisor. “decided to go a different way because I found earlier,” Cagle said. “We thought it would be theoretical, the breakdown of film, my education “Before I graduated, a team of BP myself not wanting to do corporate video the cool to interview entrepreneurs, artists, sports from Lamar has been invaluable.”—BKS engineers conducted recruiting interviews of Lamar students,” he said. “I interviewed and was offered a job. While working there, I be- came the lead for the Lamar recruiting board out of our Houston office. We were exposed to the top students, often identifying interns in fred vernon When a door is opened, the process. I discovered that about a quarter run through it of BP engineers are from Lamar. There is a lot of spirit and young energy among the Lamar When Fred Vernon ’12, ’13, started his trucking to attend college, believes his educa- graduates at BP.” company in his Cardinal Village dorm room in tion at LU and the opportunities he was Living in League City with his wife and 2012, he knew his Lamar University accounting given helped him become a success- two young daughters, whom he credits for his education would drive his success. ful entrepreneur. Lamar University motivation, Soenning now works as a director “Anybody who is considering a major should professors nurtured his entrepreneurial of operations for Plains All American Pipeline, consider accounting,” the CEO and founder of spirit and put him in touch with alumni a company involved in transporting and storing Houston-based KLV Ventures recommended. “Ac- who could help him. “You get a lot of fuels. counting is the language of business.” opportunities that come your way,” he SATTLER “When a former BP manager asked me The young entrepreneur earned a bachelor said. “I never say no to an opportunity. if I would be interested in coming with him of business administration and a master’s degree God opens doors, and you run through SATTLER to work for Plains Pipeline, I agreed,” he said. Southwest Regional Conference hosted at rounded LU curriculum continues to assist him in accounting in 2012. He earned an MBA with an them.” “Because of his genuine character, I decided Lamar University. in achieving success. accounting concentration in 2013. After graduat- Vernon’s favorite part about at- When he’s not focused on where to take his to take the leap. In this new position, I have “When I served on the board, comprised “Lamar does a great job exposing chemi- ing, Vernon worked as a valuation analyst with tending LU was his relationships with his peers, company next, Vernon harbors a preference for taken everything previously learned and imple- of workers from local industries, we would cal engineering students to the information PricewaterhouseCoopers until last April when he faculty and staff. The Accounting Department non-fiction reading, gaming and historical docu- mented it in a strategic manner. Success in meet with Lamar seniors involved in leader- they will need in their future profession,” he decided to focus all his efforts on his growing faculty encouraged him to pursue accounting as a mentaries. He also exercises regularly and wants this current role will unlock other possibilities.” ship, and we would hear about changes oc- said. “I worked hands-on alongside professors trucking company. major and go on for his master’s degrees. James to learn to play the piano. “It’s the best instrument Since graduating from LU, Soenning has curring in the department and curriculum,” he who had industry-specific knowledge, and, KLV Ventures currently has nine trucks and Simmons, president emeritus of Lamar University, to express your mood,” he believes. continued his involvement with the university said. “We would have an open discussion and moreover, they utilized this real-life experience 10 employees and works as a contractor with personally helped him obtain a scholarship, he As for the trucking company he started in his by serving on the Chemical Engineering De- tell the students our opinions about how they in the classroom. That experience was invalu- FedEx Corp. as well as hauling freight for other said. He stays in touch with some of his former dorm room, the accountant-turned-CEO aims to partment Advisory Council and speaking at the should prepare for the work force.” able and helped students identify present companies. Vernon eventually wants to be in the professors and attends alumni events. grow revenues to $30 million and take KLV Ven- 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Soenning said his takeaway from a well- real-world problems.”—KT oil fields transporting oil to refineries. Projected “I unequivocally recommend Lamar Universi- tures public within the next 10 years. “I want KLV revenues for 2014 are $750,000 to $1 million and ty to others,” he said. “It was a great place for me. Ventures to be branded as a premier transporta- for 2015 are $1.5 million, he said. The university will invest in students if students tion company,” he said.—CC The Port Arthur native, the first in his family will invest in themselves.”
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Carving his RONNIE TURNER JR. LESLIE SOLIS Chemist keeps composition in balance niche in law R onnie Turner Jr. ’07 decided at a young age grow- vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha confirmed. N“ o. 2 is that After eight years at Valero’s Port Arthur refinery, schedules stay up to date. On She also enjoys chairing the company’s ing up in Houston that he wanted to be a lawyer. Fraternity. He was vice chair of the Lamar gives you a great Leslie (Prejean) Solis ’01 still enjoys her job as a a day-to-day basis, much of her Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project When it was time to settle on a university, he chose Student Advisory Board to the Texas opportunity to succeed.” chemist. “It’s something new every day. It’s not responsibility is ensuring that all each Christmas season. “That’s one Lamar University to help him achieve his goal. State University System Board of He notes the easy ac- boring or monotonous at all. Every day, there’s a instrumentation used to test the of my favorite projects,” she said. “We Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychol- Regents in 2004-2005. “Lamar gave cess to professors and different challenge, and I have a really good team refinery’s finished products of jet load up a trailer with all the gifts em- ogy with a minor in political science. He began me a chance to hone my leadership administrators who are to work with. That makes it enjoyable to go to fuel, diesel and gasoline is prop- ployees bought and deliver them to the majoring in political science but switched to psy- skills,” he said. always willing to help work.” erly calibrated and working well, Salvation Army.” chology because, as an attorney, “a lot of what you Under his administration as and the plentiful op- Solis, 36, majored in chemistry at LU and and correcting any problems that Solis enjoyed her involvement with do is try to read people,” he said. SGA president, he supported and portunities to enhance feels fortunate to have worked in her field since might occur. Alpha Delta Pi at Lamar and remains a After graduation, Turner was accepted to voted for bringing the university’s your education. “You will graduation. She started out as a contract lab tester “Obviously, all the chemistry strong supporter as an alumna, attend- Baylor Law School where he became a member of football program back, and the get as much from Lamar at ExxonMobil before moving to Huntsman as courses and labs I had at Lamar ing events when she can and helping the nationally recognized Baylor Mock Trial Team student body followed his lead. He as you put in,” he said. a chemist for about five years. That assignment have helped me in my career, with donations, especially during rush. and a finalist in the Top GunI ntramural Mock Trial was also proud to give a speech “College students want allowed her to expand her quality management but the extracurriculars I was She met her husband, Steve ’00, who Competition. He earned his law degree in 2010 and at the opening ceremony for the to find good jobs after skills by working with computer programmers and involved in—Alpha Delta Pi, the played baseball at LU, at a sorority joined Provost Umphrey Law Firm where he is a Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports they graduate, and La- information technology professionals to scrub data Dance Team and the Student mixer. non-equity partner. He primarily practices in areas Center in April 2007. mar University professors help facilitate that goal.” and upload information as the entire company Government Association—have Despite her professional success, of personal injury, premises liability and product Turner stays involved with LU by serving on The bachelor likes to keep physically active migrated from an existing LIMS (laboratory informa- helped me develop profession- Solis counts her most important ac- liability cases. He’s on the board of the Founda- boards and committees. “I’m on the Alumni Advi- when he’s not practicing law. “I like to build my tion management system) to a module within a ally and get along with many complishment to date as being a mom tion for Southeast Texas and the Jefferson County sory Board,” he said. “I’ve just been nominated to own furniture and play soccer,” he said, adding that larger enterprise resource planning software solu- different types of people,” Solis said. to her 5-year-old daughter Mia, who keeps her Young Lawyers Association. be on the Strategic Planning Committee.” his father remodels homes for a living, so wood- tion. Eight years ago, she joined Valero as a refinery Volunteering remains important to Solis. She busy with dance, soccer and other activities. “It’s At LU, Turner developed his interest in student Turner would “absolutely” recommend a working runs in the family. “I find it to be relaxing,” chemist, later moving up to a senior chemist and serves as corresponding secretary of Valero’s very trying, but it’s rewarding at the same time,” governance, becoming Student Government As- Lamar University education to others. “No. 1 is he said.—CC also serving as LIMS administrator to ensure that volunteering council to let other employees know she said. She and her husband are expecting their sociation president for 2006-2007 and serving as that Lamar is a great education for the price,” he the refinery’s testing products, specifications and about opportunities to help out in the community. second daughter in February.—BG
ELIZABETH THOMAS Dream made reality TINA BUNNELL Bunnell runs the numbers Dr. Elizabeth (George) Thomas ’00, began her love as a pediatrician,” Thomas said. “I truly enjoy my it allowed me to step into the world of medicine.” For Tina Bunnell, crunching numbers success were always at the accounting firm, before becoming director of affair with medicine as a nurse but, the dream of career and feel that God has brought me here for She worked as a registered nurse in Houston comes naturally. Now the director of forefront of their minds.” finance for the City of SanA ngelo. becoming a doctor remained in a purpose.” for a couple of years before applying and eventu- finance for the City of SanA ngelo, Bun- After graduating, Bun- “Having graduated less than eight years ago, the back of her mind. Born and raised in Hous- ally gaining acceptance into medical school at nell graduated from the College of Busi- nell was hired by KPMG obtaining a director of finance position for a city of “I distinctly remember ton, Thomas moved away Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort ness with a BBA in accounting in 2006. LLP, a U.S. audit, tax and nearly 100,000 people is a pretty big accomplish- at the age of 16 shadowing a from home after being ac- Worth. “I’ve always had a strong appre- advisory services firm and a ment for me,” she said. “I also became a certified pediatrician at Texas Children’s cepted in the Texas Academy It was the shadowing experience at Texas ciation for Lamar and for the business Big Four accounting firm. government finance officer during my first year Hospital in Houston and think- of Leadership in the Humani- Children’s Hospital that led Thomas to become a department,” she said. “They were so “Any accounting major working for the city.” ing to myself, ‘That is what I ties (TALH) at Lamar University. pediatrician. She enjoys the opportunity to build supportive, and I don’t know if I would that wants to go anywhere As the director of finance, Bunnell oversees want to do!’” she said. “The Through the program, she relationships with children and their families that have gone as far as I did as quickly with- or be anything is striving the divisions of budget, accounting, purchasing, gentle way this particular completed her junior and last for years. She plays a vital role in helping out that support and encouragement.” to get a job offer from IT, and billing and receipts. Under Bunnell’s super- physician spoke to the child, senior years of high school them make crucial decisions that can influence When she graduated, Bunnell one of the Big Four firms vision, the department has won several awards, examined him, and developed along with her first two years their lives, whether it is in regard to food choices received the Wall Street Journal Student when they graduate from including the Government Finance OfficersA sso- a diagnosis and treatment plan of college simultaneously. Her or how to prevent bullying. Achievement Award, the Texas Society college,” she said. “It’s high- ciation Budget Presentation Award, the Gold-Level appeared amazing to me.” mother’s experience as a reg- “One of the most rewarding things about my of Certified PublicA ccountants Account- stress and a lot of work State Comptroller Leadership Circle Award, and An an osteopathic istered pediatric nurse helped career is witnessing a child’s life changed by the ing Education Foundation Award, the once you get in there, but it the Government Treasurers’ Organization of Texas physician today and fellow Thomas decide to pursue a advice and recommendations that were provided Ben J. Rogers Outstanding Business gives you a foundation and Investment Policy Award. of the American Academy nursing degree at LU. In addi- during a visit,” Thomas said. “It reminds me that Student Award and the Plummer Award. a background that you need “I love working with my employees and help- of Pediatrics, Thomas has tion to her nursing curriculum simply encouraging someone can have a great Bunnell also served as president of the business to pretty much do anything you want.” ing them and the city find new ways to do things,” worked with Children’s Health coursework, she completed a influence on his or her life.” fraternity Beta Alpha Psi, president of the Lamar While working for KPMG LLP, Bunnell sat for she said. “We try to find new ways to make sure Pediatric Group in Dallas since 2010. Osteopathic few pre-requisite courses for medical school with According to Thomas, her greatest blessing Accounting Society, treasurer of the LU Society the Certified PublicA ccountant exam, becoming a that we’re efficient, serving the taxpayers in the medicine allows her to take a holistic approach to the intention of applying at some point. is to be a wife and mother. She is married to an for the Advancement of Ethics and treasurer of certified public accountant in 2008. best way possible and being good stewards of young patients, and family education emphasizes “God was in the center of my life through “amazing husband” and they have two beautiful Rotaract during her time at Lamar. “I’m glad I earned my CPA within my first those resources.” preventative measures to promote safety and nursing school, and I know that it was only children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old “Graduation was a very special time for year while working at a Big Four firm,” she said. Outside of work, Bunnell serves as the healthy habits. through Him that I completed this competitive son.—LA me because of the recognition for achieving my “That’s an accomplishment not many people are treasurer for the San Angelo Federal Credit Union. “It is the first and only placeI have practiced program,” she said. “It was a challenging time, but goals and doing it in such a great way,” she said. able to experience.” Also an avid runner, she serves as treasurer for “I believe the College of Business, especially the Bunnell then worked for the Department of the San Angelo Road Lizards, a local running accounting division, was very strong and very the Army as an accountant in internal review and group. She has three children: Lacey, 17; Kelsey, encouraging. I feel like my education and my later worked at Eckert & Company, a San Angelo 14; and Bryce, 6. — MP
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Rebekah maxwell Being social Rebecca Burleson Rebecca Burleson with her Malawian coun- terpart, Madalitso Saiwa, showing reusable Rebekah Maxwell ’11 started her marketing frustrating sometimes, but there’s always sanitary pads they learned to make so they consulting business as a small side project in the something new coming out or a platform can implement the "Pad Project" in their village. summer of 2013 to help a few Southeast Texas being developed that could be useful in Many teenage girls in Malawi miss several business owners she had met find ways to use a year or two,” Maxwell said. “A lot of days of school each month because they don't social media effectively for their companies. After business owners don’t have the time or have access to feminine hygiene products. The a little more than a year, her evening project, energy or don’t want to learn about social Pad Project uses locally available materials to supplementing her full-time job at the Better Busi- media for their businesses, but they know make effective, reusable pads. ness Bureau of Southeast Texas, began demanding it’s important. I like being able to educate more and more attention. In August 2014, Maxwell them and show them how they can decided to flip her work priorities. Her marketing improve something for their business that consulting company, ReStep Marketing, is now her can be beneficial for them to bring in new slow, but “has become a bit of a therapeutic full-time job, and she cut back to part-time hours in customers or help with public relations activity. Malawian style cooking requires her position as director of the In Pursuit of Ethics aspects of their business.” time and patience, but it affords one time program for the BBB. Maxwell also has an educational role to think, listen to music, text American and international service trip to Belize. While a graduate Since turning more of her time and energy to in her work for the BBB, which she joined Peace Corps friends, and journal. Only being student in Scotland, Maxwell became involved in a ReStep, Maxwell, 26, has picked up new clients two years ago. As In Pursuit of Ethics director, able to cook one dish at a time used to drive community Rotaract Club in Glasgow. After return- and new assignments from existing clients. Much Maxwell presents programs on ethics and ethical me nuts, but now I enjoy the process!” ing to Southeast Texas, she worked with other LU of her focus is on developing and implementing decision making to middle school, high school After four months adapting and learn- alumni to form a community chapter of the club to social media plans as part of a comprehensive and college students and related workshops for ing her community, Burleson is at work on provide another outlet for service on the local and marketing strategy. Maxwell began developing her businesses. several projects, including nutrition work- international levels. expertise in social media for businesses as part of In addition to her professional commitments, shops, small business training, and HIV/AIDS As to what the future holds, Maxwell said she her studies and dissertation work for a master’s Maxwell is active in the community as a member and malaria awareness. “I have just started a hopes for continued growth. “I would love to see degree in international marketing from University of LU’s Alumni Advisory Board and of the Young Serving in the ‘Warm ‘Wall of Fame’ project, going door-to-door in ReStep grow and get to the point where I could cre- of Strathclyde in Scotland, which she completed in Professionals of Southeast Texas. She has also the villages to discuss the use of bed nets. ate jobs in Southeast Texas. I plan to continue to try 2012 on a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. remained involved in Rotary, an interest that began We assist with net hanging if needed, and to make a positive impact in the community.”—BG Heart of Africa’ “One thing that’s fun with social media is as an LU student when she was a member of take pictures of families who are properly it’s always changing, which is challenging and the campus chapter of Rotaract and part of an Rebecca Burleson ’11, ’12, arrived in Malawi ment; it’s my constant motivation.” using their nets.” These photos will be in March and will serve there in the Peace Today, Burleson is one of more than displayed in the health center as good Corps until May 2016 as a community health 130 Peace Corps Volunteers serving in the examples of malaria prevention. “The aim is advisor at a rural health clinic in the village country that is about the size of Pennsylva- behavior change by providing incentive to of Kasinje. There, her primary project areas nia and home to more than 16 million. Peace other community members to begin using Ycyan Scott include malaria prevention outreach, water Corps volunteers often serve in villages their mosquito nets every night,” she said. Small town boom and sanitation hygiene, and female empow- where modern conveniences such as run- Although English is widely spoken in erment. ning water, refrigeration and electricity are Malawi, she is learning to speak Chichewa When he began his position to receive it, figure out how the county construction division and worked on a new “I also do a lot of other projects with ex- scarce. Although this presents difficulties, it on a daily basis. “I am far from fluent though, civil engineering wants to grow sustainably,” Scott said. Along water purification plant onL ake Houston that isting groups in my area,” she said. “Most of also propels the volunteers to focus on basic and Chichewa is a challenging language studies well over a with reviewing plans and overseeing permits for now meets the water needs of much of Harris this work is nutrition education and cooking needs and to experience a simpler life style. to learn. ‘Chichewa chovuta’ or ‘Chichewa decade ago, Yancy residential and commercial development, Scott County. Then, after obtaining his professional demonstrations.” Nutrition is her specialty, Requisite attributes of a Peace Corps volun- is troublesome’, is what I tell Malawians Scott ’01 imagined works on changes to regulations occasionally engineering license, he moved on to a smaller but she’s learning to adapt her knowledge to teer include a sense of adventure, patience when they ask how my language learning himself as a future and ensures compliance with floodplain require- firm where projects included the civil design of the culture and challenges of life in Malawi. and resilience. is going,” she said. It is worth the effort bridge designer. ments, using his background as a certified an elementary school and of several rail lines for A Beaumont native, she earned both Burleson explains that most travel is on because learning the language enriches the Since graduating, floodplain manager. the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Seeing those bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dietetics public minibuses—which can mean sharing experience and makes her a more effective however, Scott, 35, Transportation planning is a critical need in lines being constructed in the areas around from Lamar and completed a dietetic intern- the ride with chickens, produce and lots of volunteer, she said. has been able to the greater Houston area, and Scott is heavily in- Northline Mall and Texas Southern University has ship at LU as well. She then worked as a passengers because “in a minibus, there’s Burleson also has worked as a coun- put his engineering volved in that issue as chairman of the Technical been gratifying, Scott said. clinical dietitian at Texas Specialty Hospital ALWAYS room for one more.” selor for Camp GLOW, a girls’ empowerment knowledge and Advisory Committee of the Houston-Galveston Outside his work, Scott volunteers as a
SATTLER and Mesquite Specialty Hospital before She describes a typical day in the camp for girls from all over Malawi. “I have credentials to work Area, which serves a 13-county area. minister in area prisons and enjoys spending beginning her Peace Corps training. village beginning before dawn because the met some young girls that fill me with hope in a much wider array of projects large and small As his career has progressed, Scott has time with his family. His wife, LaQuitta (Samuel) “I’ve always felt very privileged to grow roosters make sure sleeping late isn’t an for the future of this country,” Burleson said. in both the public and private sector. enjoyed watching the planning he employed in ’03, received her nursing degree from LU, and up in America with so many opportunities, option. Water is always precious, even more “These girls were such an inspiration to As assistant county engineer for Waller previous job assignments come to fruition as they have two children, daughter Yanaia, 7, and education among them,” Burleson said. so with a balky well making bucket baths me. They’ve faced violence, every type of County since 2008, Scott has had a hand in help- tangible projects constructed in the Houston son Yancy II, 5, nicknamed Deuce. “Peace Corps was a chance for me to share and other water-saving measures essential. abuse you can imagine, as well as just living ing the small county in the booming Houston area. His first job after graduating fromL U was Scott is not sure what will come next for these opportunities, through my knowledge The days are full of activity and work, but in a culture that believes they are good for metropolitan area manage its rapid expansion. with MWH Global, an international engineer- him. “I just want to continue growing as an and skills, with others who have been less evenings are peaceful. Without widespread nothing except carrying water and having Waller County borders Harris County to the east, ing company that had contracts with the City engineer and helping in whatever capacity I can fortunate. While my views on the world and electricity, activity centers on visiting with babies, and yet here they are, fully prepared Montgomery County to the northeast and Fort of Houston to improve wastewater treatment wherever I am,” he said. “Lamar gave me a good development work have definitely evolved neighbors, or relaxing. With only a single to change their future and that of their Bend County to the south. plants and distribution systems. After identifying springboard for that.”—BG this year, I still return to this original senti- fire, she says, preparing the evening meal is country.”—BKS “We’re getting all that growth and trying problems in the system and proposing solutions to figure out how to put the county in the best for a few years, he moved into the company’s
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JENNIFER LANDRENEAU charlotte jungen Counting on a great career
Financial planning professional Charlotte Jungen education, she contends, but even ’97 believes she developed her money sense from more importantly, LU’s Accounting her stay-at-home mom and her working dad who Department faculty maintained had to stretch their pennies to raise nine children in strong relationships with poten- Bridge City. tial employers both in Beaumont Jungen earned her bachelor’s degree in and in Houston. “Through those accounting and is a client service manager with relationships and the network- Goodman Financial Corp. in Houston where ing opportunities Lamar provided she helps people with money management and through various organizations financial planning. She’s a certified public accoun- and events, I was able to obtain tant and a certified financial planner.I “ started off an internship and ultimately a doing traditional CPA work like taxes and account- full-time job after graduation,” she ing,” she explained, “but transitioned to financial said. “The connection that Lamar services.” actively maintains with the local “The fellowship experience She credits her seventh-grade math teacher community and potential employ- helped me professionally by for sparking her interest in number crunching. ers of their students is invaluable.” “Once I got to high school, I figured ifI enjoyed Jungen served on the Alumni SATTLER making me more culturally math, I needed to either be an accountant or an Advisory Board and is currently on engineer,” she remembered. “I hated science, so the Accounting Advisory Board. “I stay in contact scholarship and became the youngest member of sensitive.” that ruled out engineering. I took an accounting with a lot of Lamar alumni,” she said. “I am very Lamar’s Legacy Society. “I encourage all LU alumni class my senior year in high school and, as nerdy passionate about Lamar.” and friends of Lamar to consider how they might as it sounds, I found that I loved the symmetry of The accounting graduate’s passion includes be able to help future generations of students as debits and credits.” Accounting fit her personality giving back to the university. “I was fortunate to re- well,” she said. of wanting things in balance and made sense to ceive a full academic scholarship to Lamar,” Jungen Although high finance is a major part of her her. “Now, of course, I know accounting is so much said. “I am mindful that I was only able to receive life, the single financial professional likes to read, more than debits and credits and math,” she said, such a great education because of other people’s play piano and watch movies to relax. She also “but it is what originally sparked my interest and generosity, so it is important to me to pass that enjoys going places. “I like to travel,” Jungen said. made me choose accounting as my degree.” legacy on to others.” Because of that, she made a “And I like to eat out. I enjoy the many fabulous Lamar University provided Jungen with a great planned gift to establish an accounting restaurants in Houston.”—CC
Compassion is universal BRIAN Hurtado Good Chemistry Helping tiny babies and nervous parents is ing and Christus hospitals to introduce local influences how she approaches her daily job. rewarding work for Jennifer (Mikel) Landre- high school students to job opportunities in “The fellowship experience helped me In any relationship, it’s important to have good two organizations was The chemist stays involved neau ’11, a registered nurse at the neonatal the nursing profession. Landreneau credits professionally by making me more culturally chemistry. For Brian Hurtado ’99, that meant pur- a highlight of his time at with LU by going to alumni and intensive care unit of Christus Hospital-St. Gina Hale, nursing instructor and Nightingale sensitive,” she said. “Being thrown into a to- suing a bachelor of science degree in chemistry LU, he confirmed. sports events. He previously Elizabeth in Beaumont. Experience project manager, with offering tally different country on a different continent at Lamar University. In 1998, as SGA served on the Alumni Advisory Growing up in Sweeny, Landreneau support and helping her stay focused during can be a little unnerving at first. WheneverI The Sugar Land native has two older broth- president, Hurtado inter- Board. He also helps to recruit thought she wanted to be a dancer, but when and post-school. am taking care of patients and families from ers who graduated from LU and encouraged him viewed university presi- LU graduates to Huntsman. she changed her plan to nursing, she knew While at LU, Landreneau had a unique a different country or culture than what I’m to check out the university. “I always enjoyed dential candidates includ- “We stay active,” he says of Lamar University’s program had an excellent opportunity. She was the recipient of a David used to, I remember how I felt at first being in math and science,” Hurtado said. But it was the ing James Simmons, himself and his wife, Randa reputation. J. Beck Fellowship, which, in addition to a strange place surrounded by people I didn’t positive relationships he had with his professors then dean of LU’s College (Tooke) ’97, who is also an LU “The nursing school became my second providing scholarship funds, grants recipients know. I learned empathy for those situations. that encouraged him to pursue a future in the of Fine Arts and Commu- graduate. family,” she said. “The faculty became my $10,000 for a project to further their educa- I saw that compassion for your patients and field. “WhenI took chemistry at Lamar, I enjoyed nication and the interim Lamar University is a great mentors and counselors. I don’t know if you tional experience. their families is universal. I would not have how it was being taught, and the professors executive director of school with small classes and would get that at any other university, the way “Through the fellowship, I was fortu- traded my experience for anything in the were top notch,” he said. “They kept me wanting University Advancement. excellent professors, Hurtado my professors still want me to succeed and nate to go to Hohoe, Ghana, in Africa for six world. It has taught me to not be afraid to to learn more, which drove me to get a degree in Of course, Simmons was emphasized. He also encourag- are still supporting me even though I’m not a weeks,” Landreneau said. “I served as a medi- take risks, to be confident in the woman thatI chemistry.” the favorite choice. “It es students to take advantage student anymore.” cal volunteer/intern at the hospital in Hohoe, am and to be accepting of others’ beliefs and Hurtado, an operations manager for surfac- was a unique opportunity of the plentiful opportunities Landreneau has been in her current role where I saw how the medical field can be so values.” tants and amines production units at Hunts- for a student,” Hurtado remembered. made available through LU the way he did. “You for three years and says she is still learning different around the world, but how some Outside of the hospital, Landreneau and man Corp. in Port Neches, says his time at LU But it wasn’t all business for the chemis- get out of it what you put into it,” he said. new things daily. In the neonatal ICU, she diseases are the same no matter where you her husband, Craig ’14, enjoy running and cy- prepared him to be a chemist and a leader. He try major and student leader. He also enjoyed Hurtado lives in Fannett and enjoys tends to babies that are 28 weeks old and go. Seeing children sick solely from malnutri- cling together. The couple have already planned served on several student committees and was student social activities such as homecoming spending time with his family, which includes up. She is also involved in the Nightingale tion made me realize I took even the smallest to participate in three half-marathons next year president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in 1997. events, and, in 1998, Homecoming King was his 4-year-old son, Braxton, and his 2-year-old Experience, a collaboration between the necessities of life for granted.” in Austin, Houston and Beaumont.—CPR His leadership skills made him popular with the added to his list of titles. “It was just an over- daughter, Preslee. “If I’m not playing golf,” he JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nurs- The opportunity had a lasting impact and student body, and he was elected Student Gov- whelming experience,” he says of the opportuni- said, “I’m with my family.”—CC ernment Association president for the 1998-1999 ties he had at Lamar University. “They were my academic year. Serving as president for those glory days.”
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Scott Sheridan melinda hopper Translating passion into success The lay of the land Homecoming Queen Melinda (Oknefski) interpreting for share classes with deaf professors and students, Hopper ’08, ’09, who earned a bachelor Lamar students and and was taught the different way deaf children For Scott Sheridan ’05, his eye for surveying has helped me succeed professionally,” he ary surveying and topographic surveys for of science in interdisciplinary studies faculty as well as learn and how to meet their needs as a teacher.” and civil engineering runs in the family. said. “I use that information every day.” special projects.” and her master of science in deaf stud- for Lamar events,” Planning to return to teaching when her “My father owned a land surveying After graduating in 2005, Sheridan ob- In 2012, Sheridan, along with his ies and deaf education, said she discov- she said. “The role daughter is older, Hopper said her former profes- company, F.M.S. Surveying, and he has really tained his professional engineering license. brother Jason took control of their father’s ered her passion in middle school. helped me gain sors were instrumental in helping her find teaching motivated me,” he said. Sheridan earned a He also received his registered professional land surveying company, F.M.S. Engineering, “I first learnedA merican Sign valuable experience jobs after graduate school. B.S. in civil engineering and says he was first land surveying license in 2009. which their father founded in 1978. Sheridan Language from a deaf family friend and helped pay col- “When I saw an opening at a district I was drawn to LU because of the strength of the “I enjoy designing something and being is now president of the company and lives in who was a deaf education and ASL lege costs.” interested in, both Dr. Mary Ann Gentry and Dr. civil engineering program. able to see the finished project after it’s con- Alvin with his wife and son. Outside of work, instructor,” Hopper said. “A coach I As one of Kristen Jackson Dacres wrote me references and “Professionally, I wouldn’t be where I structed,” he said. “Seeing it function like it was he most enjoys spending time with his fam- had in middle school, who at the time the few universi- helped me in preparing for the interview,” she said. am now, designing subdivisions and get- originally designed is what I enjoy the most.” ily, deer hunting, duck hunting and fishing, was taking deaf education graduate ties in the country “When I was hired as an itinerant deaf education ting surveys without my degree and my Sheridan began working for Bryant Civil as well as taking his son on boat rides and classes, also inspired my love of ASL. that offered a deaf teacher, both professors not only were knowledge- education from Lamar,” he said. “I think the Engineering in 2006. In 2007, Sheridan and trips to his deer lease. She passed away my freshman year, the studies/deaf educa- able about the position, but they found articles and professors were very good in teaching us his partner left to found their own engineer- “I think the greatest achievement in my same year I took an ASL class and fell in tion degree, LU books to help me prepare.” the basics and the foundation of what we ing firm,D aniel Scott Engineering. career is probably being able to be self-em- love with the language and culture.” provided Hopper a Hopper credits the smaller setting of Lamar needed to succeed.” “On the engineering side, we do mu- ployed for the past eight years in surveying After the birth of her daughter, grant to cover her University as giving her an awareness of campus As a student, Sheridan was a member nicipal consulting for cities, and we design and engineering,” he said. “The ultimate goal Hopper began working as a part-time tuition and a perfect organizations, leading to her involvement as mem- of the American Society of Civil Engineers, civil infrastructure, like roads, bridges, sewer was to run my own company. I think I’ve ASL interpreter for Sorenson Communi- place to pursue her ber and president of Zeta Tau Alpha, which she said as well as the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. systems and water systems,” Sheridan said. succeeded in that.”—MP cations, a company that offers the Deaf master’s degree. taught her leadership skills as well as the impor- “I feel that the Civil Engineering Department “On the surveying side, we provide bound- community the ability to communicate “In my graduate tance of organization and time management. using video relay service. studies, I was prepared to work with students in a “During my time at Lamar, I felt more plugged Hopper has previous experience interpret- wide variety of settings,” she said. “While improv- in,” she said. “I really got to know my profes- ing, having been a sign language interpreter for ing my signing skills, I learned about the culture sors and make great connections that are lasting Lamar University while a student. “My role included and history of the Deaf community, was able to today.”—LA
LIvonia mitchell Soaring to new heights
From Nigeria to Norway to New Jersey, Livonia engineer in Mexico and a process rewarding that my Mitchell ’07 has traveled the world. engineer in Sugarland. She has foundation at Lamar “What you choose to do with your potential also worked in Norway, Australia is an inspiration to my and your drive determines your success and and Malaysia. Currently, she is an loved ones.” future paths,” Mitchell said. “It’s what you do InTouch engineer at Schlumberger Mitchell serves where you go that counts. At Lamar, I learned Limited one of the world’s biggest on LU’s Advisory the importance of multi-tasking, process im- oilfield services company, and Council for Industrial provement and time management. Those skills works in Princeton Junction, New Engineering. “My role are applicable to everything in work and life, no Jersey, as a liaison between experts and field in the council is to give feedback about what matter what your job title is.” operations, providing technical support, facilitat- I would like to see from Lamar regarding the After earning her bachelor of science in ing collaboration between groups, coordinating industrial engineering field,” Mitchell said. I“ use industrial engineering from LU in 2007, Mitchell field tests and identifying areas for improve- my experience as a basis to recommend which obtained a master’s degree in industrial and ment in training and product design. “Process courses students should be proficient in to be systems engineering from Rutgers in 2011. improvement is the fundamental definition of successful in their future profession.” “I only knew I would go into engineer- an industrial engineer’s job,” Mitchell said. “You “Southeast Texas is huge for oil and gas, so ing a couple of months before graduating learn how to look at the entire picture and how a university right in the middle of the action was high school,” Mitchell said. “My AP Calculus each element fits into it.A fterwards, you take perfect,” Mitchell said. “At Lamar, my professors teacher told me about her husband who was an steps to make it better based on time, cost and came from a diverse set of career backgrounds industrial engineer. After looking up industrial impact.” with industry expertise that proved invaluable engineering in one of Lamar’s brochures, I was Mitchell’s success has inspired family when discussing future career possibilities.” “Professionally, I wouldn’t be where I am now, impressed by the flexibility and versatility the ca- members to follow her path. Mitchell said LU set her on a higher plane for reer offered. When I knew which major I wanted “Both my sister and cousin are planning to success. “Lamar has the same value and same designing subdivisions and getting surveys to pursue, Lamar became my obvious choice.” pursue industrial engineering careers at Lamar,” impact as larger schools,” she said. “I graduated without my degree and my education from Lamar.” Previously, Mitchell has worked as a field Mitchell said. “By witnessing my professional with zero debt and had no financial concerns hold- maintenance engineer in the United Kingdom achievements, my sister and cousin are encour- ing me back. Because of Lamar, I entered my field and Nigeria, a drilling and measurements field aged at what awaits them after college. It is prepared for the jobs I have experienced.”—KT
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Jnaso Dugas Porcia Davis While studying at Lamar, Dugas Davis encourages everyone became interested in the Reduced Gravity Porcia Davis ’03 has combined a discrepancies. She would lead inner spirit for overall health and wellness,” Davis program under the guidance of Jim Jordan, love of fitness, wellness, beauty and that department for the next said. “I have always been driven by life-transform- professor and chair of the Department of style to embrace an entrepreneurial four years before moving on ing ventures that help others.” Earth and Space Sciences, whom he credits passion for helping others. A native to an opportunity with United Davis Dynasty Designs is expanding its with reawakening his childhood interest in of Austin now living in Houston, Healthcare as a network op- reach. With a new certification in high definition space. “He really convinced me that I could she graduated with a bachelor’s erations consultant. She soon makeup, she now offers her clients beauty and do this,” Dugas said. “The last year of my degree in health education. Through transitioned into a leadership cosmetic consultation. The company will live up degree, I decided I would really like to work a steady progression of leadership role with Molina Healthcare to its name when Davis begins a collaboration for NASA.” roles in the healthcare industry, she of Texas, as the manager of and partnership with both her sisters and mother Remarkably, despite having no formal has been inspired to found her own provider services. Today, she in 2015, when they hope to take Davis Dynasty contacts and on the heels of a series of hir- business with an interest in building oversees and supports a team Designs to the next level. ing freezes, “the stars lined up,” and he was a family dynasty. of representatives that respond Her vision for the family-led business is a offered a position in 2001 during an ever-so- After graduating from LU, to physicians and hospital one-stop shop business model for styling and im- brief hiring window. she began her career in network facilities throughout Harris, age consulting services through fashion blogging,
management and operations in the SATTLER Jefferson and surrounding closet organization, personal shopping, personal managed care industry. Her counties in Texas. dressmaking and custom clothing designs. Her role supported the underserved populations of She combined her leadership skills, health- business model also includes health and wellness “Almost overnight, I saw success.” Medicare and Medicaid recipients and led to a care background and natural eye for beauty to consulting through fitness training, customized position as a community relations representative establish her own business—Davis Dynasty meal planning and healthy lifestyle alternatives. with Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership in Designs—becoming a master-certified makeup In the spirit of building her own family Houston. artist. The company offers statement fashion dynasty, Davis contributes to an educational fund After working several years as a NASA Davis accepted an opportunity of greater accessories for men and women—from signa- for her two nephews. She says her desire is to staff engineer, Dugas won a fellowship to responsibility with Humana as a provider network ture jewelry to clothing accessories designed to encourage others to adopt the concept of building earn his master’s degree at the University of consultant, assisting network providers to resolve enhance the styling desire of her clients. their own dynasty while supporting confident life- Houston–Main Campus. “It was close to the all contractual methodologies and claim payment “I have always had an eye for fashion and an styles through fashion, styling and wellness.—LA Space Center and had the hardware focus that made sense as I wanted to continue in the power area,” he said. “To get the fellow- ship was a blessing in no uncertain terms.” Dugas earned his master’s in 2009. Chris Davis Since that time, he has seen his work A stroke of good fortune shift gradually from engineering to project management. “First it was small technology A talented tennis player, Chris Davis ’03 had academic and athletic PGA standout Chris Stroud ’04 as a development projects and moved on later to recruitment offers to attend a number of univer- experiences at LU had a roommate helped give him perspective more space-flight hardware project manage- sities on an athletic scholarship. However, Davis symbiotic impact on his on his own talent. He is grateful now ment,” Dugas said. “I am also doing some had developed a new passion—golf. career. that he pursued his business career larger-scale technology development.” One “I fell in love with golf the summer before “The relationships I instead, though he still plays serious of those projects is the development of light- my junior year in high school and became a made at Lamar absolutely golf, having qualified and played in the weight wiring in spacecraft power systems scratch golfer in a matter of years,” Davis said. built my business,” he said. U.S. Mid-Amateurs Golf Championship Flying high that reduces weight by 30 to 40 percent. “My mentor was Mike Smith, the head pro at “My first clients were my twice recently. Davis maintains a close An electronics engineer and project manager comfort and scientific experimental equip- “We are working on getting those systems Idylwild Golf Club. He played at Lamar University golf coach’s parents. One of my best clients relationship with Coach Brian White, who was an at NASA Johnson Space Center, Jason Du- ment without having to develop customized qualified for human space flight.” on the great golf teams of the ’80s. He intro- today is a golfer I met through Lamar golf.” assistant coach when Davis was a student. His gas ’01 is responsible for planning, design, power converters. We are able to drasti- He also has been working with the duced me to the then-head golf coach, Brad At the business school, Davis remembers company, UBS Financial, is also a sponsor of an development and testing of high-reliability cally reduce cost for a lot of activities on the SpaceX Corp.’s Dragon capsule and Falcon McMakin, who let me walk-on to the team. I the influence ofR obert Swerdlow and Russ annual wine-tasting event to support the Dish- power electronics for the International Space International Space Station.” rocket that are used to resupply the ISS. redshirted my freshman year and then earned an Waddill. Davis was a student in the first entrepre- man Art Museum on campus. Station and other NASA programs. One such After beginning his undergraduate edu- “SpaceX is a very vibrant company in terms athletic scholarship.” neurship class Waddill taught, a course that left Davis enjoys his role as a financial advisor, project that Dugas heads is the International cation at another university, “I didn’t feel like of the average age of the employees and the Davis had a long connection to LU. His a lasting impression on Davis. helping clients with their financial needs and es- Space Station Power Inverter project that I was being successful enough,” Dugas said. whole culture. It has been a real treat for me family never missed a game of Lamar basketball. As a student athlete, Davis’ favorite memo- tate planning. “I’ve been very fortunate in the last converts the DC power used on the station “So I looked at Lamar.” to go up there and see that and become a Both his elder siblings, Clay Davis ’96 and Kelly ries of his time at LU involve the camaraderie 10 years to build on some of the relationships to AC power like that found in our homes. “Almost overnight, I saw success,” Du- part of it.” (Davis) Lietzke ’99, had preceded him at LU, as of the athletic dorm. The golf team won three from Lamar,” he said. “It’s in my nature to help “The idea was that we could build an inverter gas said. “It was a combination of things— Today, Dugas serves on the Earth and had good friend and basketball player, Kenyon Southland Conference titles and had four NCAA people. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping that would allow astronauts to use commer- the change in environment, the professors Space Sciences Advisory Board and on the Spears ’01. regional appearances during Davis’ tenure. Davis clients navigate their financial issues and goals.” cially available, consumer-grade equipment and the whole culture at Lamar was more Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory “I always felt like I would go to Lamar,” had just played in the NCAA regional at Kansas Davis and his wife, Kristin (Adams) ’06, have for non-critical experiments,” Dugas said. suited towards engineering education.” Board. “I support Lamar and pull for them, Davis reflected. I“ always knew I would study State in 2003 when he got the call offering him a one daughter, Palmer, who just turned 1 year “We’ve flown iPads, iPhones, GoPro cam- He credits much of his success to classes advocate for them whenever I can,” he said. business, because I knew I wanted to be a job at Merrill Lynch. He worked there until joining old. “Lamar will always be a part of my life and eras, all kinds of interesting things,” Dugas taught by Robert Carlin. “I owe everything to “I still have a big spot in my heart for the financial advisor.” UBS Financial Services in 2008. I would be proud to see my children go there,” said. “We’ve also been able to use crew that man,” he said. school.”—BKS Now the first vice president of UBS Davis briefly toyed with the idea of pursu- Davis said. “It’s a great place that produces great Financial Services in Beaumont, Davis said his ing professional golf, but he said having future people.”-CPR
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D’ juANA Davillier Planning well can lead to poetic results C oURTNEY King A dream realized Ever since her first job at age 16,D ’Juana Davillier As transportation manager, Davillier oversees Davillier is proud of the work she does, but ’03, ’07, has had a knack for attracting the right the South East Texas Transit program, which counts her greatest achievement since graduation Since her early days growing up online, and I just knew in the organizations in Southeast Texas. kind of attention from employers. During high provides low-cost rides for residents of rural areas as her growing interest in travel. “I’m getting to in Beaumont, Courtney King ’09 back of my mind that I would King also spent a semester with Disney Col- school and while working on her bachelor’s of Jefferson, Hardin and Orange counties. see how cultures and people outside of our area always had a distinct love for the end up there some day.” lege. “I went with a couple of other friends from degree in social work at LU, she “I like the fact that I’m behave and eat and think,” she said. “It’s really arts. Whether it was performing As the marketing and Lamar to live and work at Disney for a semester moved easily from one retail posi- able to utilize both of my eye opening for me. Some people have a small with the Lamar University dance promotions manager, King’s in Florida while getting college credit,” she said. tion to the next, with prospective degrees. I’m helping provide a mentality of the world. My biggest accomplish- team as a communication major favorite performances have After returning from the internship, she spent employers noticing her work ethic service that is necessary and ment is opening my mind to the fact that the or taking adult dance classes in always been the Broadway several semesters as a Disney College campus and offering new opportunities. is some people’s lifeline. But world is much bigger than Beaumont.” circus arts, her desire to merge shows because of her passion representative for Lamar University where she After graduation, her boss and in addition to the social work Her time at LU, where she first encountered her passions with her career for musical theatre. From the helped to recruit other students to enroll in the her mother urged her to go to aspect, I handle the account- diverse people from varied cultures, began that landed her at one of the most traditional productions like Hair same program. “At every job interview I went graduate school in business. She ing and management of this process for her. A classmate in the MBA program up-and-coming performing arts and Phantom of the Opera to to after college, they all wanted to know about took their advice, which led to the service, ensuring that our sub- taught her to plan trips and have the confidence centers in the nation, The AT&T edgier shows like The Book of Disney,” she said. perfect job for her. contractors are following all to travel alone. She also appreciated the expertise Performing Arts Center in Dallas. Mormon and The Blue Man King values her education and attributes a Davillier, 33, has been federal and state guidelines,” and effort her professors showed. “They expected “It’s different every day be- Group, “you still get to see the lot of her success to the hands-on approach that transportation program manager she said. “This is vital service the best from you and worked with you to make cause we’re constantly presenting latest and greatest without her professors advocated. “I’m still in contact for the South East Texas Regional to a lot of people because sure you could do your best,” she said. a new show. As soon as one show having to travel to New York,” with a lot of the professors that I took classes Planning Commission since 2008. they have no other means of Outside work and travel, Davillier volun- leaves town, you start working on another one. King said. with at Lamar,” she said. “You get that hands-on While the accounting firm she transportation.” teers her time on the advisory board of the Art I could be doing comedy one week and ballet Just before graduating with honors from learning experience that extends beyond the worked at during graduate school In 2013, the federally Museum of Southeast Texas, by delivering Meals the next,” she said. “During my last semester of LU, King worked for the Southeast Texas Arts classroom with people who really know that college, I actually watched the center being built Council, a non-profit arts organization dedicated particular industry.”—DM was auditing the Planning Com- SATTLER funded program provided on Wheels at least once a month, and at Peaceful mission, she learned of a full-time approximately 63,000 one-way Rest Baptist Church, where she serves as Sunday by viewing the construction cameras they had to supporting other arts- and humanities-related staff position, applied for it and got the job. “It’s trips. Many of the participants are senior citizens, School superintendent, teaches Sunday School a family atmosphere here. It’s nice to be in an low income or have disabilities, but the service is and is secretary of the building committee. She environment where people really care about what available to all as long as rides originate in a rural also writes poetry and enjoys participating in we do,” she said. area of one of the three counties. poetry events whenever she can.—BG Alisa fryar An unexpected expert called to speak before the state commissioners of Her passion for LU was evident while higher education at their leadership meeting. “It she was an undergraduate student. She was RENE RODRIGUEZ was a little surprising at first because you never president of the Student Government Association Taking control of his career expect to be an expert,” she said. “That just kind and homecoming queen. On the night she was of sneaks up on you.” crowned, she was busy on the basketball court When it comes to a career, Rene Rodri- Rodriguez graduated. “He As a junior, he recalls, he had a tough year Fryar, who earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M serving as Big Red, the LU mascot. “My students guez ’02 knows the importance of seiz- was strict but passionate taking a heavy course load and working part University in 2006, has research interests in just can’t imagine me being a mascot,” Fryar said. ing opportunities and taking control. He about students learning,” he time. When he made it to his senior year, he higher education policy, representation, public “For some of my Lamar friends, it’s the thing they works at Motiva Enterprises LLC in Port recalled. knew he was almost finished with his course- management, and minority politics and policy. She remember most, but for my students, it seems Arthur as a control systems team lead. LU offers a more per- work and took 12 hours in the fall semester was recently invited to be a part of a project of completely incomprehensible.” “I supervise nine Motiva employees— sonal touch, Rodriguez said, and nine hours in the spring semester. He American Enterprise Institute on comprehensive When not researching, she is teaching un- four are control system engineers, and adding that professors at could finally take some time to relax and used universities, that is, public regional institutions dergraduate and graduate courses, and supervis- five are instrument inspectors,” he said. the university are accessible. it playing table tennis between classes in the like Lamar University. “For obvious reasons, I am ing master’s thesis and doctoral dissertations. “I Rodriguez also understands that all He believes Lamar Univer- Setzer Student Center. “I had fun at Lamar,” he very passionate about the topic,” she said. “It love being part of a university,” she said. “They work and no play can make Rene a dull sity’s engineering college is remembered. was such a great experience.” Of the 30 or so are such great places to be, and I really enjoy engineer. Luckily, his education at Lamar “first-class” and produces Rodriguez is married to Nina (Tong), a 2005 participants involved, Fryar found that she was getting to teach and work with students.” In par- University offered him the best of both graduates who help run the LU alumna, and they have a son, Evan, 5, and a one of only two who graduated from a compre- ticular, Fryar finds satisfaction in getting students worlds. industries in Southeast Texas daughter, Layla, 3. He recently took up coaching hensive university. “I had the opportunity to see engaged in projects and helping them learn about The Beaumont native earned a and beyond. soccer for Evan’s team. Riding his bicycle, work- the problems that our leaders face,” she said. opportunities in local government and non-profit bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in The most important point that the engi- ing out and enjoying time with his family are “Policymakers regularly make decisions about organizations. To that end, she is working on a 2002. “I was always passionate about math and neering faculty taught him was that you have favorite activities. “I also like cooking,” he said, As an associate professor of political science at what should happen to universities like Lamar, but proposal to expand the university’s course offer- science, and my older brother, Jose, graduated to take advantage of opportunities and take adding that he tries new recipes often. the University of Oklahoma, Alisa (Hicklin) Fryar how many of them have a personal connection to ings in non-profit education and training. with a civil engineering degree in 1991 from charge of your future. “You have to take control Staying involved with LU is important to ’02 has had the opportunity to be engaged in any of these institutions?” “A lot of our students are interested in the Lamar, so I knew engineering was a natural of your own career and your own success,” he Rodriguez, and he keeps in touch with Harley conversations at both the state and national level “Universities like Lamar are the backbone of non-profit community,” she said. A“ nd non-profits fit,”R odriguez said. “Since I have always been said. Professors encouraged students to pursue Myler, chair of the Phillip M. Drayer Department on issues related to affordability and success in higher education,” Fryar said. “They are doing the are looking for people who have the skills they fascinated by electronics, it was an easy choice internships, which could be stepping stones to of Electrical Engineering. Part of his job is to higher education. heavy lifting. They educate the most students. need to be successful.” She has served as a facul- to pursue electrical engineering.” job opportunities. Rodriguez gained confidence bring in new hires, and he’s helped recruit LU In her research, Fryar examines college They even educate the most graduate students, ty mentor for the Oklahoma Group, a student-run, He remembers one of his favorite instruc- at LU through his education and interaction with graduates to join Motiva. He also attends oc- graduation rates and “ways in which policies can which a lot of people don’t realize.” Some of her student-lead organization that does free consult- tors, Dewey Carlin Jr., who retired the year other professionals. casional football games. — CC either help or hinder efforts to improve afford- work will appear as a chapter in “The University ing for non-profit organizations. “Students can do ability for college students.” She was recently Next Door” to be published in 2015. so much more than they think,” Fryar said.—BKS
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Cherie Oubre LEATHA HALLMARK Co-opting in
Cherry trees in bloom always remind Leatha gineers, cost analysis and budget. “Focus more (Hughes) Hallmark ’04 of her time at Lamar Univer- She also does some of her own on what you need sity. Not that she is a stranger to the campus, since project management. to be a good em- she returns every fall and spring as a lead recruiter “I knew I wanted to be in the ployee when you for Marathon Petroleum, where she is employed as petrochemical industry, and Lamar graduate,” she said. an engineering supervisor at the Texas City location. caters to that industry,” she said. “Any big company Hallmark became interested in engineering when “Lamar prepared me for what to isn’t going to hire she was in junior high, thanks to a science teacher in expect, particularly by promoting you without co-op her hometown of Channelview. As a high school se- the co-op program, which makes or intern experi- nior, she tagged along with some friends on a college a huge impact by giving you real- ence. Also, another tour that included a stop at LU. life experience.” challenge we have “The actual faculty of the engineering depart- Hallmark now lives in League as an employer is ment gave me a personal tour,” she remembered. City with her husband, Kevin, employees willing “I liked the family environment of the school.” and two young children, Sadie, 3, to relocate. We Hallmark received a scholarship to study and Brady, 2. Life away from the have seven refiner- mechanical engineering. While a student, one of office is centered on the children: ies in addition to her favorite experiences was the Pun’kin Chunkin’ play time, dance class and the our home office. contest because it required students to use their occasional motor home trip. If For career experi- engineering skills in a fun, collaborative and Hallmark does steal a few minutes of her own to ence, relocation is the best thing to do. It will make competitive way. She also participated in three chill between work and family, she enjoys reading. you a well-rounded engineer and increase your co-op experiences, but still graduated in four and As an alumni recruiter for her company, she credibility. Sometimes you have to go outside of a half years. strongly encourages LU students to focus less on your comfort zone.” In her current role at Marathon Petroleum, a specific graduation date and more on getting Hallmark came back to campus in November Hallmark supervises engineers that are responsible experience. Hallmark visits with students at the when IEEE hosted a softball tournament for the engi- for a portfolio of projects that run a total budget of career fairs sponsored by the university, and, as neering school students, which Marathon Petroleum approximately $200 million annually. She is respon- a fellow Cardinal, she is able to guide students in sponsored, providing the food and an LU alumni Keeping astronauts healthy and safe sible for leading and training a team of project en- their career prospects. team of Marathon Petroleum employees.—CPR “Every day is something different,” said classic microbiology, which is time consum- contractor, in the Air Force Research Labora- senior scientist Cherie (Morgan) Oubre ’99. ing and takes a lot of materials. Anything tory, School of Aerospace Medicine at “Sometimes you get bogged down in the that takes crew time or requires a lot of Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio. There, day-to-day operations, but then you step bulky supplies to be flown in space is expen- her research focused on the identification Joel Love back and think, ‘I get to help people go into sive. So, we are exploring next-generation and mitigation of risks to war-fighter health Composer lives for the music space.’” molecular technologies to develop advanced through the development of a probiotic that For Joel Love ’07, music is a way of supportive. These influences continue ble Composition, a finalist in the thirdI nternational Oubre is employed by Wyle, a leading ways to identify microbes in flight,” she said. could be used by troops to mitigate gastro- life. He earned a bachelor’s degree working in my life every day.” Frank Ticheli Composition Contest and winner of provider of specialized engineering, profes- Oubre supports current NASA-funded intestinal distress that commonly occurs in music composition and now Love also composed two choral Best Original Score at Houston’s 2010 48-Hour sional, scientific and technical services spaceflight research activities, including during initial deployment. Oubre also studied works primarily as a composer. pieces while attending LU, which Film Project. He received honorable mention for to the federal government. At the NASA a study that is evaluating the changes in wound care and healing using hyperbaric “At about 16, I became enam- helped him transition to graduate the New York Youth Symphony’s First Music Com- Johnson Space Center Microbiology Labora- microbial flora resulting from spaceflight. treatment and biomarker development to ored with how music could elicit a school: “Musica Dei, donum optimi,” missions. Artist James Turrell recently commis- tory, Oubre is involved in a diverse blend of Closer to home, she works directly with as- identify warfighter fatigue. primal emotional response,” he said. or Music, Gift of the Highest God, sioned a work from Love to accompany his Austin research, operational and science manage- tronauts as one of the microbiology instruc- However, with the closure of Brooks “Ever since then, I have wanted to and “O nata lux,” or O Born of Light. Skyspace. “His art and mission, ‘a string presenta- ment activities with the goal of maintaining tors for a crew training session designed to AFB, the position was moved to Wright-Pat- capture and recreate that response.” He performed “O nata lux” in Panama tion of the sublime,’ mirrors what I strive for in my astronaut health and safety. Her research demonstrate microbiology techniques and terson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Instead of mov- Love entered Lamar University while touring with the A Cappella Choir. work,” Love said. activities and interests include the evaluation theories. In addition, she is supportive of ing, Oubre sought work in Texas where her on a trumpet scholarship and earned an additional Love later earned his master’s degree in He now regularly composes and performs as of beneficial probiotics, monitoring changes education and outreach activities, includ- husband, Cullen, could continue his teaching piano scholarship after his first year. He played composition from the University of Houston well as teaches music privately. in the human microbiome, and development ing participating as a judge in local school career. Her mother, Barbara Morgan, who trumpet in the band and piano in the jazz band, Moores School of Music in 2010 and doctor- “I love composing because it’s an activity of future spaceflight microbial monitoring science fair activities. She also is working earned an LU communications degree in sang in the choir and composed music for the ate from the University of Texas at Austin Butler in which I can get completely lost and lose track hardware. with NASA collaborators and Houston-area 1998 and now works at NASA, saw the posi- ensembles. In his junior year, he earned a spot School of Music in 2014. of time,” he said. “I love it because I get the very Oubre and her team examine microbes hospitals “to decrease microbial load on tion opening at Wyle. Oubre was selected on the Phi Mu Alpha Honors Recital playing Franz “I am most proud that my music seems to special responsibility, privilege and challenge to on the International Space Station and equipment.” for the position, and the couple soon moved Liszt’s “Un Sospiro.” He also was a member of touch people and sometimes transports them into create something new and unique that expresses perform environmental analysis “to keep the Oubre graduated from Lamar University to the Clear Lake area. the Gamma Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, an a place where they enjoy being,” he said. “I am emotions and thoughts that are very personal to crew safe.” Microbe-immune interactions with a bachelor’s degree in biology and con- “At Wyle, I have the best of all worlds,” honorary band fraternity. also proud that I can do some novel things with me.” are important in human health. The body’s tinued her education at Texas A&M, conduct- she said. “I get to do science management “My experiences with Lamar were extremely my music while simultaneously maintaining an Love lives in Austin with his fiancé,A melia response to microorganisms, both harmful ing research focused on evaluating microbe- with NASA and with the microbiology team well-rounded,” he said. “I also had a chance to emotional appeal and an aesthetic of beauty.” Ciskey, and his dog Amity. He enjoys riding his and beneficial, has an impact on immune immune interactions using the chicken as to guide what research needs to be done for work with some great mentors. All of my private Love has won numerous awards for his bike around the city, cultivating his hobby of function and plays a role in overall health, a model organism. She earned her Ph.D. in crew health and safety. I also get to work on teachers, Dr. Rissman, Dr. Hines, Dr. Simmons work. He is the two-time winner of the PARMA photography and reading as many books as pos- Oubre said. microbiology in 2005. safe flight operations, both those occurring and Dr. Ornelas, were all exceedingly encouraging Recordings Composer Competition, the winner of sible.—MP She also is helping develop future Oubre was a post-doctoral scientist now and those planned for the future.”—BKS and models on how to be professional as well as the John Swain Memorial Prize for Wind Ensem- spaceflight hardware. R“ ight now, we do with Hyperion Biotechnology, a defense
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Stephanie Molina Bryan Graham Solving problems comes naturally
Since childhood, Bryan Graham ’98 has been fasci- thought a chemical engineer- in Texas and Louisiana. nated by chemical processes. ing, Gulf Coast school that “I’m making decisions Graham earned a B.S. in chemical engineering was right in the heart of the on safety, environmen- from LU in 1998 and now works as an asset direc- chemical industry would be tal quality, costs— There’s a niche tor for DCP Midstream. a great match. Certainly the everything to optimize “I’ve wanted to be a chemical engineer since class sizes and industry ties of the business,” he said. for everything I was in the sixth grade,” Graham said. “One of my the faculty were a big plus as “There’s no boring day. teachers was married to a chemical engineer, and I well. I participated in a co-op You’re always trying to used to babysit their children. I met him one night, with Lyondell when I turned improve in some area.” and he said that he solved problems every day. He 19, had great experiences While working for didn’t mix chemicals in labs, but he found ways to with all of my teachers, and I LyondellBasell, Graham mass-produce them. He used math and science to love Lamar.” received multiple solve problems, and I just thought that was in line Graham worked for Lyon- awards for championing Search alligator farm or muffler men and Spindletop and saw her fielding media inqui- with what I would like to do in school and what I dell, now LyondellBasell, and community involve- Beaumont will appear in the top results, ries. “Everybody was there, including Pres. wanted to do in my life. I was sold on engineering its predecessor companies ment. He has also been two of the many Southeast Texas tourism George Bush, and I thought, ‘I am going to ever since.” after graduating until 2012. He involved with many themes Stephanie (Dollar) Molina ’00 keeps love this industry.‘” More recently, her team While attending Lamar University, Graham began working as a chemi- project teams which her eye on as director of marketing for the completed market research for develop- received the Katherine E. and William C. Mundt cal engineer on production were recognized for Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau. ing Cattail Marsh, including construction Student Engineering scholarship. He received units and planning assign- operational excellence. Beaumont’s two muffler men, larger-than-life of boardwalks, birding lines and directional a nationally competitive Robert C. Byrd Honors ments and later became a Graham lives in advertising sculptures, are popular roadside signage, as part of a master plan to promote Scholarship and was chosen for the Donald F. & manager for laboratories, Carthage with his wife attractions, in addition to Gator Country’s Beaumont as the hub of a regional birding Mildred Topp Othmer Scholarship Award program engineers and manufacturing and two daughters. In alligator and the world’s third-largest fire destination. “It’s a huge market, and the in his sophomore year. operations groups. He transitioned to his current his spare time, he works as an engineering duty hydrant in downtown Beaumont. “There are economic impact that market leaves on an “I grew up in North Texas,” he said. “I had position in management as an asset director for officer for the U.S.N avy. He enjoys travelling, hiking, people that travel all over the world to view area is substantial. Beaumont is strategically never heard of Lamar until I started looking for DCP Midstream in 2012, responsible for natural gas playing sports and listening to music.—MP muffler men,” she said. “We have two of placed to benefit a great deal.I t is perfectly chemical engineering programs. I saw it and processing plants, storage facilities and pipelines them here and get a lot of hits from that. We positioned to be the overnight stay for bird- have an eclectic mix.” ing visitors.” That eclecticism keeps Molina’s job With a myriad of associations looking interesting. Each day brings a new chal- for meeting destinations, the bureau sales lenge, but she applies what she learned team stays busy booking business. Molina through participation in the LU chapter of steps in to develop a theme for the event the American Advertising Federation as a and helps design the promotional materi- business major with her natural artistic tal- als and strategies—whether it’s creating a KATIE KORNEGAY ent and skills honed by her work first as an visual brand for the National Baton Twirlers A classroom of her own intern and then later as an employee with Association or a user-generated photo and Katie Kornegay ’02 had a dream to be an elemen- numerous faculty workshops and ricular robotics team, advertising agencies. As a student, she was video social media contest for a national tary school teacher most of her life. At 23, she training courses. She is currently which has advanced “fascinated by psychology and sociology,” softball competition. fulfilled that dream and became a full-time a member of the Area V Science to state competition but her heart craved art. When she discov- Although she travels a lot for work, mathematics and science teacher of fifth-grade Teacher’s Association of Texas’ for the past three ered that a business degree’s advertising Molina still looks forward to joining her students at Lorena Oates Elementary in West steering committee for the area’s years against el- communication track combined business, husband, Shawn, and children, ages 8 and Orange. She has since moved to West Orange- Conference for the Advancement ementary and middle psychology and art, “I loved it and thrived,” 11, on family trips. “I enjoy taking them to Stark Elementary to become the lead science of Science Teaching. school teams. Her she said. Several of the friends she made new places I’ve discovered or read about. I teacher for the campus. She sponsors an annual Fam- fifth-grade windmill then are now in the tourism industry, and like to take pictures. I still love to do artwork, “At the age of eight, my third-grade teacher, ily Science Night on her campus design team won first those connections still flourish as she works but family time is definitely a priority when Mrs. Beverly Morris, inspired me to become which allows students and their place the past two to promote Beaumont and the surrounding I’m off.” an elementary school teacher,” Kornegay said. families to experience science first- years at the Shangri area. Molina spent most of her early youth The Nederland High School graduate earned a hand through interactive explorato- La Botanical Gardens From road trips exploring destinations growing up in the Kentwood and Bogalusa bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies ry activities. These events generally Annual Windmill Com- through a tourist’s eye to creating a new areas of Louisiana a little more than an hour at LU. Through the Texas Regional Science Col- draw 400-500 participants each spring. petition against other area schools, and she also meeting campaign for an organization that north of New Orleans before the family laborative, a program of the Region V Education She has written numerous successful coached the campus UIL Number Sense team has selected Beaumont for its convention, moved to Vidor where she graduated from Service Center, she began to network with teach- grants, enabling her to take her students to and the Maps, Graphs and Charts team. A strong Molina says she never knows what she is high school. Those Louisiana memories con- ers throughout Southeast Texas, and began to the Johnson Space Center, the Natural Sci- believer in life-long learning, Kornegay is a NASA going to walk into each day. “That’s using a tribute to her feelings of kinship for South- mentor other science teachers. ence Museum of Houston and Moody Gardens LiftOff alumna, a highly competitive, prestigious little hyperbole, but it’s exciting,” she said. east Texas with its strong Cajun influences. Now in her 10th year of teaching, Kornegay in Galveston. Additionally, she has brought program sponsored by NASA at the Johnson Her first day on the job as marketing direc- Here in Southeast Texas, “we can claim the says her goal is to “inspire students and to representatives from these organizations to her Space Center in Houston. tor coincided with the 100th anniversary of best of both worlds,” she said.—CH spark an interest in life-long science learning.” campus to expand on the science curriculum for “I hope to inspire my students to love learn- Toward that end, she has mentored more than other grade levels. ing, and especially science, just as Mrs. Morris 30 elementary science teachers and presented Kornegay coaches the elementary extracur- inspired me,” she said.—LA
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Josh Daspit nicole lewis Managing a pathway to success
When Nicole (Madden) Lewis ’03 began her “Coming to work straight out undergraduate studies, she was uncertain of which of college, I was appreciative of direction to follow. how well co-op prepared me for a “Originally, I began at Stephen F. Austin State full-time job,” Lewis said. “In my University, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” career, I have worked in capital Lewis said. “One of my family members was a projects, engineering roles, sup- Lamar alumnus, and she connected me to a Lamar ply chain roles and international dean who helped me solidify my career pursuits. compliance. Throughout my With the benefit of smaller classroom sizes and a various jobs, I have implemented close proximity of the university to the industries the basic skills I learned at Lamar, that were pertinent to my major, I knew Lamar was setting a foundation for the rest the right fit for me.” of my career.” While working toward her chemical engineer- Currently, Lewis works as a ing degree, Lewis completed four co-op terms with plant manager at Athlon Solutions LyondellBasell Industries, a multinational chemical in Houston where she oversees company. all manufacturing processes as “The co-op experience allowed me to connect well as customer demand. book smarts to the real world,” Lewis said. “Dur- “Part of my job as plant SATTLER ing this process, I was able to see the realities of manager is to ensure safety and make sure we are teaching me I needed to work hard and by helping the fieldI was entering. One of the LyondellBasell being efficient, environmentally friendly and meet- me transfer this work ethic to my professional ca- recruiters, also an LU alumnus, became a mentor ing customer demands,” Lewis said. “Also, one of reer,” Lewis said. “My professors served as incred- of mine. He was passionate about his work, and he the important facets of my job is creating goals and ible mentors, challenging me to be successful and taught me fundamental tips such as how to plan career development plans for employees. How I giving me the chance to show my potential. My Giving business and prioritize tasks—tips I utilize today.” was developed while at Lamar has been an inspira- participation in university organizations and co-op After graduation, Lewis earned her M.B.A. tion for how I develop employees.” taught me the importance of perseverance and fa- from the University of Texas at Tyler and accepted Lewis has continued her involvement with the cilitated a smooth transition to the work force. The the family treatment a job at LyondellBasell where she would eventually university by helping recruit LU students and sup- skills I learned at Lamar have played a tremendous take on the roles of project manager, production porting the Society of Women Engineers. role in my professional success today.”—LA
HOUSTON engineer and foreign trade-zone engineer. “Lamar set the foundation for my career by
Dinner tables and arranged marriages. Adop- Japan, managers are choosing to inject fresh students, helping them make discoveries and tions and business management. For Assistant ideas into tired, generations-old businesses determine their own future paths. After LU, he Professor Josh Daspit ’04, these seemingly un- through modern-day arranged marriages for earned his MBA in international management related topics are like pieces of a puzzle slowly new vitality. “Then, in some cases,” Daspit from the University of St. Thomas, followed Cy od DiSHON revealing a larger whole as he delves into the said, “they will formally adopt a future suc- in 2012 by his Ph.D. in strategic management Vision accomplished dynamics of family business management at cessor so that he or she accrues those family from the University of North Texas. Now, he Resolved at young age, LU and, although he began with no makes the final decisions.” Mississippi State University. connections rather than having an outsider is well on his way to academic success at Cody Dishon ’09 had advance credits, he finished his degree Dishon loved Lamar basketball as a student, “There’s still a lot to be understood,” he they’ve hired run their firm.”R esearch shows, the halfway mark to tenure with a portfolio a plan and executed it in three years. He compliments the and, when he wasn’t studying, he was watch- said. “For a long time, no one looked at the Daspit says, that when family members run of more than 12 publications and numerous with smart strategy and College of Business faculty on their ing basketball. In fact, when he remembers his differences between family businesses and a firm, additional value is created in terms of presentations. hard work. His goal was helpfulness and recalls particularly students days, the Montagne Center is front and other types of firms.I can probably name on commitment to quality, care for employees, As an undergrad, Daspit struggled to to become a trial lawyer enjoying James Slaydon’s finance class center of his memories. With his case load and one hand the number of people who are doing long-term focus, and strength of customer and decide between public service and law until in order to help ordinary because of the practical applications to Julia’s graduate school program, he doesn’t get research in family firm innovation.” His interest community relationships. one pivot point came through insight he people solve problems life and Jeff Dyson’s entrepreneurship back as often as he’d like, although he catches in the topic came built in: his grandmother Family business research explores an gained as student government president at at difficult times in their course. Today, he uses those business the occasional football or basketball game. When owned a florist shop, an uncle founded an important area of commerce. The U.S. Census LU, serving on university committees like the lives. He achieved that skills in a real estate venture, Dishon they can find time, theD ishons enjoy attending air conditioning business and another family Bureau reports that about 90 percent of long-range planning committee. “The average vision and is now an Investments, which he shares with his Houston Rockets or Houston Texan games, catch- member owned a jewelry store. “My mom American businesses are family owned or student doesn’t see those things,” Daspit said, attorney for Provost Um- father, John Dishon. ing live music concerts and going to the movies. and I often joked because she worked for my controlled, accounting for half the nation’s recalling his seat in the president’s boardroom phrey Law Firm in Beau- After graduation, Dishon earned Dishon, who clerked in Houston while earn- uncle, who was a dentist, about some of the employment. “We’re starting to look at how to as the only student in attendance. “They were mont. Lamar University his law degree from South Texas Col- ing his law degree, encourages current students interesting things that happen when you mix create a sense of cohesiveness in non-family discussing issues that, as a student, I never re- was an important step in lege of Law in 2012. He now has a busy to gain practical experience in the field or industry family and business,” he said. firms because there is certainly value in not alized were so complex, and it was at that mo- his career journey. case load with the Provost Umphrey tied to their degrees while still in school. Currently, Daspit is working on a project only being family but also in feeling like a ment that the behind the scenes effort peaked Knowing that SATTLER firm and is actively involved with “Internships open up doors, demonstrate focused on succession in family business and family,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s all my curiosity. Having exposure to the other graduate school would be required to reach his Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association. He your work ethic and distinguish you from other how catastrophic the lack of a plan can be, the about how we can help family and non-family side of academia was something that changed dream profession, Dishon was looking for a col- also takes on some pro bono work. applicants,” he said. “It’s important to know leading reason why many family firms don’t firms perform better, both financially and non- the trajectory of my professional pursuits.” lege that would be both affordable and reputable. LU offered one more important legacy for what you want to do and then you can develop survive across generations. Researchers are financially.” Daspit finds digging into an emerging The then-Bridge City resident didn’t have to look Dishon—his wife, Julia (Tran) ’12. They were a roadmap. Research and find something you’re exploring ways to help managers be more pro- Daspit says he couldn’t have made a area of research to be energizing. He said, “I far to find the right fit. married in December 2013 and have a toy poodle passionate about. It can take hard work, dedica- active in making those plans so firms remain better career choice. He enjoys both the intel- just can’t wait to see what the next discovery “By attending Lamar, I could commute to named Justice that Dishon says they treat like tion and sacrifices, butL amar University will put viable, Daspit said. His reading shows that, in lectual challenge of research and teaching is going to be.”—CH school and get a quality education,” he said. their child. “Julia came up with the dog’s name,” you in a position to succeed. You just have to put Dishon studied business administration at he said. “I argue my case, but she is the one who in the work.”—CPR
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Julie Rodriguez Kennon Cotton On top of technology
electrical engineering and accelerator and research involving 5G wireless Engineering solutions for computer science appealed to technologies. him and he was able to secure Cotton returns to campus frequently as both a full scholarship. Being from a recruiter for NI and as a member of the Electri- company and community Vidor, Lamar University also cal Engineering Advisory Board, providing input offered the option to live away on industry trends and feedback to the faculty. from home without being far When he interacts with current students, he always away from home. encourages them to take advantage of the co-op Working hard to achieve her remained involved with LU as a member of the Me- “When I think of Lamar, I experience. He also encourages the electrical goals is nothing new for Julie chanical Engineering Department Advisory Council think of some of the excellent engineering majors to do more programming and Rodriguez ’09, so it comes as and the Alumni Advisory Board. She also is on professors I had,” he said. the computer science majors to learn more about no surprise that she has suc- ExxonMobil’s recruiting team for Lamar University, “One in particular, Mr. Carlin, hardware. cessfully navigated a variety which allows her to return to campus during career was tough in class, but very Through his work, Cotton and his family have of assignments at ExxonMobil fairs and interview current students for employ- helpful outside of class and taken some international trips to places such as Corp. Rodriguez, 32, started ment opportunities with her company. made sure we were well-pre- Australia and France, but they also like to hit the with ExxonMobil in five rotations “I’m proud of being a Lamar Cardinal. I want to LEMKE pared for our future careers.” road for cross-country road trips. The next stop as a cooperative education, or help the university continue to be successful in any At National Instruments, Kennon Cotton ’98 Based in Austin, National Instruments’ is Disney World later this year. Cotton married co-op, student while pursuing her way I can whether by recruiting students or placing believes he has found the right match for his equal hardware and software is used by scientists and his high school sweetheart, Edan. They have four mechanical engineering and math- their graduates,” she said. “I understand being a interests in computer hardware and software, engineers to automate testing and measure- children—Coralee, 10; Lincoln, 7; Lauramae, 5; ematics degree. After graduation, non-traditional student, being a first generation col- putting his double major in electrical engineering ment systems, enabling them to more efficiently and Witten, approaching his first birthday. Cotton she joined the company full time as lege student, and there are students at Lamar that and computer science to work as a senior software develop the products they are producing. One of spends most of his free time being an involved a machinery engineer. She then have the same challenges. I find great satisfaction group manager. He credits Lamar University’s Col- NI’s core products is LabVIEW software. Cot- dad—coaching soccer and football teams, leading moved on to a position as a in helping students.” lege of Engineering and his co-op experience while ton started at the company in the Engineering Sunday School at church and working on a long list reliability engineer at the Rodriguez came to the U.S. from Mexico at a student with preparing him for the “real world.” Leadership program in 1998. Soon after, he joined of fix-up jobs around the house. Mont Belvieu plastics age 15 for a summer vacation. Her mother decided “Lamar had and continues to have a very good the LabVIEW software development team as a “After working at a company with engineers plant. This fall, she she should stay, and she ended up completing engineering program,” he said. “While at Lamar, I software engineer. Within a few years he began from dozens of universities around the world, I transitioned to high school and learning English while living with was challenged by the classes I was taking and felt managing a portion of that team. Now he writes definitely feel the educationI received at Lamar a new job as a a foster family. After high school, she worked two I was getting a good education. I learned a lot that less code, but supervises the project management University was every bit as good as, if not better, project engineer full-time jobs for three years to save money for col- has directly applied to my work in the industry.” of several products produced by the team. Some than anywhere else,” he said.—CPR for Baytown lege before starting a few classes at night. Eventu- Cotton decided on LU after attending a spring LabVIEW customers and applications include LEGO Area Projects ally, she was able to reduce her work schedule and open house. The double major then available in Mindstorms products, the world’s largest particle where become an active, full-time student. she looks Rodriguez enjoys giving back to her communi- forward to ty. Until recently, she served as the Junior Achieve- continuing ment coordinator between ExxonMobil Mont Megan Romero to develop Belvieu Plastics Plant and Barber’s Hill High School, her lead- working with more than 20 volunteers and multiple Behind the scene ership teachers to educate students on economics, Megan (Barrett) Romero ’11 has loved theatre since she was very young, management, acting and abilities by investments and production. During her tenure, the developing her interest first in high school theatre at Westbrook in the technical trades of the managing program almost doubled in volunteer participation Beaumont and then at the collegiate level at LU as a theatre major. She industry as well. multi-million and expanded into the junior high school. “While later earned a master’s degree in stage management from the California Romero’s favorite profes- dollar capital I’m in the classroom, I get to talk to them about my Institute of the Arts. sor was assistant professor projects. job,” Rodriguez said, noting that she hopes those Romero’s favorite production to work as stage manager for Austin’s and director of technical “I have the op- encounters help students to start thinking about ZACH Theatre was Gospel at Colonus, a gospel version of Sophocles’ theater Jeff Wisor, who died portunity to impact the their own career goals. tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus. “It was absolutely breathtaking and had a early this year. “He was the community, and that’s When asked where she sees herself in the fu- wonderful cast,” she said. most influential person in my very important to me,” ture, Rodriguez, currently pursuing an M.B.A., said Her most recent production was a one-hour children’s play, A Year career, and he was actually Rodriguez said. “I en- she has worked on a five-year plan in college and with Frog and Toad. By the time the production’s run ended, more than the person who led me to joy solving problems, during her career. However, life experiences have 15,000 students from the Austin area saw the show. “I’m so excited that I become a stage manager,” helping engineer solu- taught her that she must be flexible in modifying get to make the magic happen behind the scenes for them,” Romero said. she said. “I was so blessed to tions and working with that plan depending on circumstances. “Whatever As a student at LU, Romero spent a few semesters as a Lamar Uni- be able to have him as one of teams to implement I’m doing, it will be something that I enjoy, other- versity Ambassador, one of an elite group of students who represent LU at my mentors.” those solutions, being wise I’m not going to be doing it,” she said. “I’d like events and in the community. “It really helped me to refine my communica- Robero anticipates the able to see ideas from to continue to have the opportunity to influence tion skills and interact with donors and people within the community,” she day she reaches her long-term concept to fruition.” people. As long as I continue to grow, I’ll end up said. “I’ve been able to take what I learned from that experience and apply goals: to receive her equity
Rodriguez has where I’m supposed to be.”—BG CHATLOSH some of those skills in theatre because we are a non-profit organization.” card from the Actors’ Equity Romero enjoyed the size of LU. “All of my professors knew me Association and eventually become a teacher in higher education. by name, and that was a huge plus,” she said. She made the most of “I definitely want to teach stage management on a collegiate level and classroom and production opportunities, gaining experience with stage look forward to those days,” she said.—DM
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Brandan Still Pushing past limits I owe Lamar so much. Anything I can do to return the favor, After an early run on a three-mile trail exciting to be a part of Ambassadorial scholarship. He applied, interviewed in Memorial Park with his wife Jena something that’s grow- and won the scholarship. “That proved to me that return the support that I’ve had, I would certainly be willing to do. (Verrill) ‘06, attorney Brandan Still ing,” Still said. “We have I was in a place where good things could happen —DAN HALLMARK ’65 ’06 completes his morning ritual and a unique blend of exper- for me personally at Lamar,” he said. “It let me walks through the downtown Houston tise because we have know that, down the road, I would be prepared to doors of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett been doing private equity compete for other opportunities.” law firm, happy to be working back work as long as that’s He is grateful for his post-LU learning and home. been a practice area, and professional experiences, but enjoys being closer The son of LU alumni Maridale in Houston we’ve devel- to both his family and his wife’s. Buna native (Adams) Still ’79, teacher and current oped an energy expertise and communication disorders alumna Jena met LU doctoral student, and Randy Still to go along with that.” Brandan at LU. Today, she is a speech-language pa- ’80, engineer, he grew up in Beau- Still’s love of the law thologist with Houston school district and a “driving mont, Harvard law followed on the cemented early when he force” for Still. “I look at the work she does every heels of LU graduation, and his suc- began thinking about a day, and she’s so fulfilled by it and so passionate cess there earned him a place at the career and participated in about doing a good job by being an advocate for internationally known Ropes and Gray a high school mock trial. students,” he said. firm headquartered in Boston. Still SATTLER “Growing up in the What keeps his blood pumping is the feeling spent his first year of practice in Boston working Beaumont area, I knew a lot of attorneys as friends that he is constantly at the edge of his ability, find- with CAPLAW, Community Action Program Legal of my parents. They’re really great people, and they ing his limits and then pushing past them. “That’s Services, as an attorney dealing with issues ranging were protecting people’s rights. I thought that was part of the challenge and part of the joy. You get as from federal grant law to employment law in the really an interesting and honorable profession to be much responsibility as you can handle plus a little administration of community service block grants. a part of.” bit so that you’re testing yourself,” he said. “It is ex- In October 2010, he joined the New York offices of With the encouragement of his parents, he citing, and the satisfaction of getting some of these
Ropes and Gray, where he worked until this past decided to attend LU after speaking with faculty. deals across the finish line is just huge.” SATTLER February when he accepted a position with another “A lot was happening at Lamar, and I got the sense The view from his office window is of Minute international firm,N ew York-based Simpson Thatch- that really good things were happening with the Maid Park. “I’m glad to be home near my Astros er & Bartlett. This one afforded him the opportunity business school. That, indeed, turned out be the and to be able to catch a Lamar game more often to help build a newly established Houston office case.“ He took several law classes at LU to comple- than I’ve been able to,” he said. His office relocates Dan Hallmark back home in Texas and be closer to family. ment his economics degree with “some very, very next year from the 14th floor to the 50th floor. For Still represents mostly private equity firms good professors,” but his Honors Program experi- Still, that’s as good as moving forward, which he joins Hall of Fame investing in oil and gas exploration, helping guide ence as a freshman at LU stands out as notable believes to be the key to success. He just hopes he financing for those deals and serving clients in the when Donna Birdwell, program director at the time, gets to keep his ballpark view.—CH oil and gas, energy and related industries. “It’s suggested Still should apply for a national Rotary he College of Business recently inducted National Bank, both attained with the help of Lamar ad- successful banker and dedicated community ministrators. Still, he had no interest in banking as a career patron Dan Hallmark ’65 into the college’s until his senior year when Dean J.D. Landes urged him to Hall of Fame. interview for a management training program at American Stephanie Glover Doctor and teacher The tribute recognizes alumni who have National Bank. Out of respect for Landes, Hallmark met excelled in business and is the highest accolade possible for with bank leaders. He decided banking sounded interesting A natural leader with a combined love of medi- “I kept a journal about everything that 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee, where they lived T graduates of Lamar University’s College of Business. Mem- after all. cine and teaching, Dr. Stephanie (Cryer) Glover touched my senses, from all the wonderfully dif- for five years. She worked at the University of bers of the Hall of Fame serve as outstanding role models “I worked for the bank in that same building for 38 ’05 has created a career for herself that allows ferent smells to the diversity of the people, she Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis for current and future students, said Dean Enrique “Henry” years, through many name changes,” Hallmark said. Hall- her to teach best practices while helping others. said. “I go back and read the journal from time to for Pediatric Residency where she served as Originally from Liberty, she time and am reminded of the wonderful chief resident from 2012-2013. During that year, Venta. “Dan Hallmark is an individual worthy of this rec- mark spent the majority of his career at Texas Commerce attended Lamar University people of Nepal.” she enjoyed being involved in hospital commit- ognition,” said Venta. “In addition to having accomplished Bankshares. He eventually retired from JP Morgan Chase as as a pre-med major. Active in She continued her education tee work, teaching, scheduling and helping to much in the banking world, he is involved in community chairman and chief executive officer of the Southeast Texas the Honors Program, Baptist at Texas Tech Health Science Center road map future visions for the program. and professional organizations and has played a long-term, region and then from Hibernia National Bank as regional Student Ministry, Ambassador School of Medicine in Lubbock where Glover is now a neonatal hospitalist in the significant role in the history of the university.” president. Program and Pre-Medical So- she continued her love of teaching and neonatal intensive care unit at the University If not for Lamar University, Hallmark believes he never A 2002 Distinguished Alumnus and past president of ciety, she earned a bachelor’s leadership. She was involved in the Pedi- of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. would have found a successful career in banking. He has the Lamar University Alumni Association, Hallmark has degree in psychology. atric Interest Group, Student Council and She works with newborn well babies and their worked over the years to return the favor. “I guess almost worked to strengthen Lamar programs as well. He served Glover spent six weeks in Ambassador Program. Medical school parents and late pre-term infants who require a from the day I graduated, I’ve been a contributing alumnus,” as a Texas State University System regent, advocating for Nepal on a medical mission trip defined her future in two momentous short NICU stay to get the best start in life. She said Hallmark, who earned a B.B.A. in management. “I owe creating additional residence halls for Lamar University. He through the Baptist Student ways: She met her future husband, Dr. particularly enjoys teaching the families of her Lamar so much. Anything I can do to return the favor, return is a member and past chair of the College of Business Board Ministry the summer between Mark Glover; and “due to an inspiring patients as well as budding pediatricians and her junior and senior years. Alongside other stu- pediatric attending, the most intriguing thing I medical students. Glover remains involved in the support that I’ve had, I would certainly be willing to do.” of Advisors and created the Dan S. Hallmark Endowment dents, she worked in a hospital near Khatmandu learned in medical school was that I was inter- academic medicine, which is central to her love Hallmark paid for his education with a scholarship from in Business to provide the dean with a discretionary fund for and taught English to local nursing students. She ested in being a teacher,” she said. of research and managerial roles that comple- American National Bank and a loan from First Security scholarships, salary supplements and other purposes. —BKS defines the global experience as life changing The couple was fortunate to be able to ment the clinical care she gives. She and Mark and treasures it. complete their respective residency programs in have two daughters, Gemma and Juniper.—LA
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MBA students win first University posts Choreographer Math Department place at GAME conference 14,889 students record enrollment provides free tutoring Judith Jamison Four members of the Lamar University Student Official figures for the fall 2014 semester taken on 6.1% The Department of Mathematics is visits campus Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) placed first in one INCREASE providing free math tutoring for students the 20th class day show the highest enrollment in Judith Jamison, artistic director emeri- category of the Student Managed Portfolio Competi- in grades K-12 each Wednesday evening Lamar University’s history. tus of the Alvin Ailey American Dance tion at the annual Global Asset Management Education from 6-7 p.m. at the R.C. Miller Library Record headcount was set with 14,889 students, Theater, spoke to a large campus (GAME) conference. The 2014 GAME conference, in Beaumont. The program began Sept. up 6.1 percent over last fall. Credit hours are also up, audience Nov. 10 as part of Lamar which hosted more than 1,000 students from universi- 140,626 cedit hours 3 and currently serves approximately 100 totaling 140,626, up 4.07 percent, the second most University’s Academic Lecture Series. ties in the U.S. and abroad, was held at Quinnipiac in LU’s history (second only to Fall 2010). In large 4.07% students per week. American dancer and choreographer University in New York City. INCREASE “I am getting calls from other librar- measure, the growth was a result of sharp jumps in Jamison is an icon in the performing The four students who participated were Katherine ies in southeast Texas to begin similar international students, graduate engineering enroll- arts world. In her decades at the helm Brockett of Geelong, Australia; Sijie Sun of Hehehot, programs,”said Kumer Das, associate ments, and online graduate education students. of one of the most respected dance China; Thomas David of Lumberton; and Clayton professor of mathematics. This fall saw increases in new first-time-in-col- companies in the country, she has Owen of Port Arthur. Since January 2009, the Lamar international studenst Beaumont ISD recognized student lege freshmen (up 1.2 percent over last fall), transfer taken the company to unprecedented University SMIF has nearly doubled an original alloca- students (up 32.8 percent), and graduate students 57.3% volunteers with an award presented during tion of $250,000 on behalf of the Lamar Foundation, heights and received numerous INCREASE the district’s Nov. 17 board meeting. (up 119.1 percent). The total of non-Texas resident honors, including an Emmy Award, an said Tommy Thompson, LU associate professor of There are 20 LU faculty members and students, including international students, grew 56.1 American Choreography Award, the economics and finance. “MBA students in two classes students who regularly help with the clinic, percent, and those from other states grew 6.8 per- Kennedy Center Honor and a National conduct security analysis and make purchase and sale but any individual with pertinent math cent. The numbers of Hispanics students increased Medal of Arts. recommendations,” he said. The students were awarded 24.5 percent, Asian Americans increased 5.2 percent, multiracial students increased skills is welcome to volunteer. Volunteers first place in graduate-level growth funds, the fourth 22.9 percent, and international students increased 57.3 percent. are needed for the growing number of stu- consecutive year in which Lamar students have won The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks Lamar University 11th among public dents and may contact Das at kumer.das@ first place in a graduate-level category. doctoral institutions in its “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2001-12,” based upon an lamar.edu or (409) 880-7947. increase of 45.8 percent. SATTLER
Marching band selected for UIL exhibition honor LU’s marching band, the Showcase of Southeast Texas, per- formed by invitation as the exhibition band at the University Interscholastic League’s Area F Conference 6A marching contest Oct. 25 in Galena Park, a first-time honor for LU. The band is composed of 156 students from several dif- ferent colleges and majors throughout the university. They performed “Country Show,” which included “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “I’m in a Hurry” and “Ring of Fire.”
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Dodson becomes Math, computer science LU appoints first founding dean of major wins statistics award Study Abroad director Chelsea Boling, a math and computer science major, won best Reaud Honors College undergraduate poster award at the 2014 Conference of Texas After an extensive national search, Lamar Statisticians. Following a national search, Kevin University has appointed Jeffrey Palis as the Named as a 2014 grant recipient by the Office of Undergradu- Dodson, professor of philosophy university’s first director of study abroad. Palis ate Research, Boling plans to conduct her undergraduate and interim dean of the Lamar has served in a variety of positions related to his research on high dimensional data. She is also an ASCENT University Honors College, has TOP 10% new role at Lamar: interim director of interna- scholar, a program where selected math and computer science been named founding dean of the tional studies and administrative coordinator of students are awarded scholarships for up to four semesters. During the first sum- college that serves more than 300 IN the nation study abroad and exchange programs at Georgia mer, students take a class and engage in a research project with mathematics and Southern University, a trade assistant intern at students. computer science faculty. the American Chamber of Commerce in Vien- “I’m incredibly excited about LU cracks Top 10 for na, Austria, and the internship coordinator and the future, and I’ve been thinking upwardly mobile grads education specialist in the Office of Cooperative SATTLER a lot about how to further develop Education at East Carolina University. He has opportunities for our students beyond what we’ve already LU to select student commencement speakers without debt experience designing, marketing, leading and evaluating study abroad pro- done to elevate the honors program, so I’m thrilled,” grams, creating legal and risk management guidelines, and developing and Dodson said. At each December and May university commencement ceremony, a selected The latest Social Mobility Index published by CollegeNET coordinating exchange programs. Dodson received his bachelor’s in philosophy from representative of the student body will deliver a commencement address ranks Lamar University in the Top 10 percent of universities in As the principal investigator of a U.S. Department of Education the University of Washington and his doctorate in philoso- to the graduating class. The university adopted the new initiative begin- the nation. Lamar University was listed 49 out of 539 universi- grant, he coordinated student exchanges in Canada and Mexico, and he phy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He ning with December 2014 commencement. Penny Finch ’13, who earned ties in the nation on the index. has professional experience in many of the world’s cities, including Bei- began working at Lamar in 1991 as an assistant profes- a Master of Education degree in school counseling, delivered the inaugural According to the website, “The SMI rankings are meant jing, London and Paris. He has led study abroad programs in Poland, the sor of philosophy and became a full professor in 2003. In address Dec. 13 in the Montagne Center. The privilege is recognized with a to highlight schools that do the best job of helping disadvan- Czech Republic and Latvia (which he visited as a Fulbright Scholar while 2004, Dodson became the assistant director of the Honors $500 honorarium. taged students graduate with the ability to start a career free of finishing his dissertation). In addition, Palis has close professional ties Program, now the Reaud Honors College. Dodson became To be eligible to deliver the student commencement address, the crushing levels of debt. Five criteria determine the SMI rank- in numerous other countries, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, the director of the program in 2008. applicant must meet certain requirements and complete an application, ings: tuition, percentage of the student body from low-income Ireland and Japan. As the founding dean of the college, Dodson will both available at http://facultystaff.lamar.edu/academic-affairs/forms/index. Palis holds a doctorate in curriculum studies with a concentration households, graduation rate, salaries of grads once they start facilitate the transition from the program to a college. The html. The nomination committee, appointed by President Kenneth Evans, in multicultural/international studies from Georgia Southern University, working, and the size of each school’s endowment.” program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, reviews finalists’ applications, judges auditions, interviews candidates and Statesboro, Ga. He holds a master’s in international studies with concen- “This methodology points out the importance of keeping was inaugurated in 1963 and is the oldest honors program makes a recommendation to the president, who makes the final selection. trations in international trade and German from East Carolina University, higher education accessible and affordable, while providing in the Texas State University System. The Reaud Honors The deadline for May application is March 2. Greenville, N.C., and a bachelor’s in geography with a minor in psychol- high-quality programs that prepare our graduates for reward- College officially opened its figurative doors in fall 2014. ogy from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. ing careers,” said Kevin Smith, senior associate provost. Physical new doors will open when construction of the new “Lamar University continues to be accessible to many first-gen- More students will study abroad Wayne A. Reaud Building is completed in Spring 2016. eration students and students from lower-income families and, Lamar University has joined the Institute of International Educa- (See the related story in this issue.) “We’ll have a larger Two University as such, is vital to creating opportunities that enrich lives.” tion Generation Study Abroad initiative. Although the campaign seeks to student lounge, so hopefully we can have more meetings Scholars named The CollegeNET listing is not the first time LU has been double the number of students studying abroad by the end of the decade, there,” Dodson said. “We’re going to have two classrooms, Lamar University honored two recognized for its return on investment. In a similar study in Palis aims to double the number of LU students studying abroad by the both of which can probably hold about 25 people. We’ll end of 2016. The initiative also is focusing on increasing the diversity of faculty members with the Univer- 2013, PayScale Inc. ranked LU as a top school for return on in- also have a computer area and a study area. It’s going to be the students who study abroad, ensuring quality and removing barriers to sity Scholar Award this past spring: vestment when Lamar’s engineering graduates were tapped 11th a beautiful building and a beautiful space. participation. Brian Craig, professor and depart- nationally, just behind Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “There are two main things that an honors college is Currently, fewer than 10 percent of 2.6 million U.S. college students ment chair for the Department of The Social Mobility Ranking can be found at www.social- about: academic excellence and community engagement,” study abroad at some point in their academic career. LU’s goal is to ensure Interim Dean Vic Zaloom, Prof. Brian Craig, Industrial Engineering, and John mobilityindex.org. Dodson said. “We’re going to pursue both of those, and that students from all backgrounds and in all fields of study have the Provost Steve Doblin Guo, associate professor for the De- we’re going to use the Reaud Honors College to lift the opportunity to gain this important experience. Palis intends to remove partment of Chemical Engineering. profile of Lamar University.” Celebration x 2 barriers to participation. His plans include advisement and workshops The University Scholar Award Some of the changes to the college have already been Reaching the pinnacle of graduation after years of hard work about nationally competitive and campus study abroad scholarships, fund- is the most prestigious research hon- implemented, such as graduation requirements for its and dedication demands the maximum recognition. And now, raising and grant writing for future scholarship funds, better visibility for or bestowed upon a faculty member. students. “We’ve added an additional requirement of high- students, their families and friends have double the oppor- study abroad on campus, and a greater diversity in academic coursework The award recognizes an individual impact educational practice for our students,” Dodson said. tunity to celebrate one of life’s major milestones. December offered within programs. For 2015, new study abroad initiatives are being for their outstanding contribu- “Students have to participate in one of four: study abroad, marks the inaugural addition of afternoon College Conferment planned in criminal justice, theater, hospitality administration, psychology tion to scholarship, research, grant and geography, among other areas, to enhance existing LU programs in undergraduate research, internships and co-ops, or service Ceremonies following the morning University Commence- writing and/or creative activity. The art, health sciences, business, biology and Spanish. More information is learning. Whenever a student comes to Lamar, they will ment Ceremony as LU joins many of our fellow universities in University Scholar Award is a career available by visiting lamar.edu/studyabroad. be asked to do more academically. They also will have the the tradition. Visit lamar.edu/commencement for details. Prof. T.C. Ho, Associate Professor John Guo, lifetime achievement, recognizing resources available to them so that they can do more.” Provost Steve Doblin the recipient’s body of work.
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Brandon Price Hall of Honor welcomes featured lecturer for Online industrial 2014 class IES Lecture Series Legendary coach Pat Foster, pitching ace David engineering B.S. Smith and Olympian Yamelis Ortiz were inducted Emerging Innovations in the Life Sciences into the LU athletics Hall of Honor during the (and Why You Need to Think Like an Entre- first in country regular-season finale against Incarnate Word in the preneur) was Brandon Price’s topic of discus- This fall, the Department of Industrial Engineering Montagne Center Nov. 15. sion for the Entrepreneurial Lecture Series began offering the Bachelor “It is our privilege to add these three individu- Nov. 4 in Landes Auditorium. The series is of Industrial Engineering as a als into our Hall of Honor,” said Athletics Director sponsored in part by ExxonMobil and hosted 2 + 2 online program, which Jason Henderson. “They exemplify success at the by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. allows students to complete the highest level of their respective fields. Due to their Price has more than 30 years in the final two years of an industrial hard work, they helped build a tradition of success biopharmaceutical industry and co-founded Chair Brian Craig engineering degree online with that future athletes strive to achieve.” Biogenin, a Mexican company that develops minimal travel. and licenses human and veterinary pharma- “The program is designed for students who ceuticals for Latin American markets. He has are unable to attend a traditional IE program been CEO of four biotechnology start-ups due to geographic location and scheduling is- and has worked for Cardinal Health and Ortho Diagnostic Systems. sues,” said Professor and Chair Brian Craig, who
ACKER developed the program. LU’s is the only online BSIE program in the country and the only online David Smith and Yamelis Ortiz engineering degree program in Texas. Texas Secretary of State The degree earned with this delivery method is identical to the degree earned by on-campus Chasing Quicksilver Jerry Lin Nandita Berry visits campus students. The program also offers a low cost approach to becoming an industrial engineer. The 2014 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Lamar University students and faculty welcomed Texas Secretary 2 + 2 online program is designed for students of State Nandita Berry to campus Aug. 29. Berry met with faculty Lamar University honored Jerry Lin, versity Scholar and 2012 University who have completed the first two years of an W.S. “Bud” Leonard and Pat Foster member Sara Gubala, a political science instructor, to discuss professor of environmental engineer- Professor and Ann Die-Hasselmo the practices LU has instituted to educate students about voter engineering program at a community college or ing, as Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Faculty Scholar. He was the recipient registration and the election process while encouraging students to four-year institution and want to complete an for 2014. “Chasing Quicksilver: From of the Chi-Epsilon, the civil engineer- exercise their right to vote. industrial engineering degree online. All junior and LU joins ecosystem an Emperor’s Tomb to the Global En- ing honor society, James M. Robbins Secretary Berry is the first Indian-American to hold the office. senior courses are delivered via online instruction, studies unit vironment” was the topic of his lecture Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008. except for a three-day manufacturing lab that in the University Theatre. Lin is the His areas of expertise include fate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry appointed Berry as the 109th Texas Secretary Lamar University was recently accepted into the Gulf 28th recipient of the honor—one of transport of atmospheric mercury, of State. In her official capacity, Berry serves as the state’s chief elec- requires one weekend visit to campus. Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GC-CE- the highest accorded a Lamar faculty water and wastewater engineering tions officer, the governor’s liaison on border and Mexican affairs, SU), a network designed to encourage educational member. He has been a member of and air quality assessment. He is a and Texas’ chief protocol officer for state and international matters. opportunities and provide a platform for partners to ACKER the faculty since 1999. principal investigator for 55 environ- coordinate research. “The lecture presented a historical mental research projects in excess of “Joining gives Lamar faculty and students the overview on the relationship between $5.5 million. ability to get involved with research at a lower cost, human activities and mercury distribu- Lin is a world-renowned search yielded a vice president who of Texas in Austin for more than 15 which enables us to be more competitive for research Juan Zabala tion in the environment,” Lin said. He researcher in environmental mer- also has strong connections with Lamar years. During this time, Zabala worked grants,” said Paul Nicoletto, chair of the biology detailed the discovery and industrial cury. His work in the chemistry and tapped to head University alumni and donors and in at the institution’s College of Engineer- department. use of mercury, the release of mercury modeling of atmospheric mercury the communities in which they live and ing, School of Law Library and within the Established in August 2002, the GC-CESU is a advancement into the environment and its associ- provides important insights to the fate work,” said research committee member School of Law itself as the assistant dean partnership among federal agencies, universities and ated impacts. and transport of mercury in the global Terry Garth. for administration and executive director other non-governmental organizations that are com- “In ancient China, mercury environment. The kinetic and mecha- Juan Zabala has been named vice Zabala has served in varied of the Law School Foundation from 1993 mitted to studying the human and natural environ- was thought to be a medicine that nistic parameters of mercury reactions president for university advance- capacities at Lamar University since to 2003. ment across the region and beyond. The GC-CESU prolonged life,” Lin said. “The first he proposed are widely implemented ment after a national search. He 2003, including executive director of Presently, Zabala is working is a part of the national CESU network which covers continues in his role as chief ex- alumni affairs and advancement services, towards his doctorate in education in emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in regional and global atmospheric 17 biogeographic regions across the U.S. ecutive officer of the Lamar associate vice president for university Educational Leadership. He holds degrees was allegedly killed in 210 BC by models. His critical analysis on the sci- Lamar is now one of approximately 40 univer- University Foundation. advancement and executive director of from Brigham Young University Idaho and continuously taking mercury pills as entific uncertainties of mercury models sity members and 100 federal agency members who “How fortunate we the Lamar University Foundation. Prior to Sul Ross State University and an MBA an attempt to gain eternal life.” has led to new efforts in bridging the benefit from improved access to federal resources to are that our expansive his time at LU, he was at the University from Lamar University. Lin was named the 2008 Uni- knowledge gap. conduct projects of mutual interest. More information on the unit is available by visiting http://gccesu.org/.
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Mc Neil appointed VP LU offers Statistical researcher Fregia keynotes ExxonMobil for Division of Student computer game discusses reliability Executive-in-Residence program Student Engagement of literature claims development Paul Fregia served from her kitchen, and, in 1994 he began sweep A nationwide search Stanley Young, assistant director for bioinfor- ’81, LU 2009 Grandma Maud’s Inc. as a tribute to her memo- At the recent Texas Association of indentified Vicki course matics at the National Institute of Statistical Distinguished ry and in response to the increasing popularity Creative Writing Teachers’ Student McNeil as the top Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C., The Department of Computer Science Alumnus for southern-style comfort food. Contest, students from the Department choice for vice presi- visited campus last spring to discuss the reli- is offering a new course, Introduction to and founder His extensive experience in both entrepre- of English and Modern Languages dent of the division of ability of claims coming from human medical Computer Game Development, designed of Grandma neurial and corporate management includes nearly swept the top awards: In the student engagement. observational studies. Many of these studies for students interested in learning more Maud’s Inc., tenure as a vice president for one of McDon- Undergraduate Fiction competition, McNeil began her only replicate 10-20 percent of the time, about the game development industry. was keynote ald’s national suppliers for more than 10 years Skyler Williams, an English major from tenure with Lamar whereas randomized clinical trials replicate The course is required as part of a new speaker Sept. and management positions with Damron Groves, won first place, while Michelle June 16 after serv- more than 80 percent of the time. Young computer science game development 23 for the Corp., Container Corp. and Hewlett-Packard. Lansdale, an English major from Bridge ing as associate vice discussed the systematic problems with how concentration, which began this fall. LU College While at Lamar, he helped establish a chap- City, won second place. In Graduate chancellor for student observational studies are conducted. ACKER “The computer game industry is the of Business ter of the National Society of Black Engineers Fiction, Melissa Becker, an English affairs for the Uni- According to Young, vitamin E was fastest-growing segment of the enter- ExxonMobil that would give minority students an opportu- graduate student from Beaumont, took versity of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her widely reported to protect against heart tainment market and an excellent field Executive- nity to study together. Since then his student first place, and in the Undergraduate resume includes strategic planning, assessment, attacks. However, large, well-conducted ran- Poetry competition, Ashleigh Ray, a lib- for career advancement,” said Timothy in-Residence activism has helped many students succeed. “I crisis response and budget management of more domized clinical trials failed to replicate the eral arts student in the Texas Academy Roden, associate professor of computer program. Fregia earned a bachelor’s degree would not be who I am today without the skills than $40 million. science. “The course surveys important claims. Likewise, similar claims were made in electrical engineering from Lamar Univer- of Leadership in the Humanities from ingrained in me at Lamar,” he said. Rowlett, placed first. Prior to her service in North Carolina, she topics such as the history of electronic concerning individuals with a so-called type- sity and an MBA from Purdue University. He was vice president for student affairs at Arm- games, player motivation, elements of A personality having a greater predisposition loved the food his maternal grandmother Maud strong Atlantic State University in Savannah, games, the development process, team for heart attacks. The claim failed to replicate Georgia, and also served for 18 years as associ- composition and roles, programming, in two separate studies. ate vice president for student affairs at Loyola art, audio and marketing. Roden said Young discussed how technical changes, University in New Orleans. Her background and managerial changes, funding agencies and Reese Construction that the course is open to any major in- Management Program experience includes directing the evacuation of terested in learning more about the game journal editors can repair this broken process Loyola students to Baton Rouge prior to Hur- development industry. No programming and lead to more reliable claims along with earns national ricane Katrina making landfall in 2005. knowledge is necessary. fairer ways to judge their reliability. accreditation “Loyola had never evacuated in the face The Reese Construction Management of a hurricane and we had made the decision Program has earned national accreditation to stay put during Hurricane Katrina,” McNeil from the American Council for Construction said. “We expected a Category 2-3 hurricane, but Education (ACCE) after evaluation of its when Katrina spun up to a Category 5 storm we Jerry Bradley named organization and administration, continu- quickly made the decision to go. We spent two ous improvement, curriculum, faculty, staff, nights at a Baptist church in Baton Rouge with 2014 Piper Professor students, facilities, services and relations more than 200 students...quite an experience.” Jerry Bradley joins an elite group of Bradley with the $5,000 honorarium, with key members of industry. McNeil is originally a native of Pawnee, educators as a 2014 Piper Professor certificate of merit and gold commemo- The Reese Construction Management Oklahoma, and attended Oklahoma State in recognition of his dedication to the rative pin that accompany the honor. Program is one of 110 four-year construction University. She earned the bachelor of music teaching profession and his outstand- Bradley is the first Lamar Univer- management programs in the nation and one education degree in voice and piano in 1977 and ing academic and scholarly sity faculty member to be of 74 with accreditation from ACCE. Part of is an accomplished pianist. She earned a master’s achievements. honored as a Piper Professor the College of Business, the Reese Construc- degree in curriculum and instruction in educa- Bradley, university since 2011, when the foun- tion Management Program formed in 2008 tion with an emphasis in music in 1978 and her professor of English and dation recognized James with a generous donation from Sheila and doctorate in student personnel administration modern languages, is one of Westgate, university profes- Jerry Reese to address the growing demand with an emphasis in leadership, career counseling 10 faculty members in Texas sor of earth and space sci- for construction managers. The program has and development in 1981 from Oklahoma State to be honored this year by ences. The Piper Foundation a 100 percent placement rate of graduates in University. the Minnie Stevens Piper presents the awards annually industry-related jobs. “Extensive, hands-on “I’m so excited to be here in Beaumont Foundation—and the 13th to professors for superior education plus a required internship make and at Lamar,” she said. “Lamar has changed Lamar faculty member to teaching at the college level, our graduates competitive in the market- so much in such a short time, and I believe the receive the honor since the making its selection based place,” said Steve McCrary, director of
experience I bring to student engagement will SATTLER program began in 1958. on nominations submitted the program. fit in well with where Lamar is heading as a President Kenneth Evans presented by colleges and universities. university.” aylor fj G
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Entertainer, educator celebrates Microbiology FacultyNotes professor receives Hispanic Heritage Month The American Institute of Chemical NHARP research In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Jesus “Chuy” Negrete Engineers honored Helen Lou, presented “A Celebration of Hispanic History and Culture through University Professor of Chemical grant Storytelling and Music” Oct. 1 before a crowd of 250 in the Science Engineering and Ann Die Hasselmo Ashwini Kucknoor, assistant professor of Auditorium. A nationally recognized entertainer and educator, Negrete Scholar, as recipient of the 2014 microbiology, received an $85,000 Norman is the founder of the Mexican Cultural Institute. Sustainability Education Award. h Hackerman Advanced Research Program “He incorporates storytelling in a performance presented in both The U.S. Department of Health and Grant for the 2014-2015 academic year to English and Spanish,” said Vernice Monroe, liaison to the president Human Services, Substance Abuse study Tritichomonas foetus, a sexually trans- on University Multicultural Enhancement. Incorporating songs, slides and Mental Health Services Admin- mitted disease that causes trichomoniasis in and images of Mexican labor in the U.S. to portray his viewpoint of Mexican history, Negrete istration awarded $1.4 million to the cattle. The disease causes abortion, as well as discussed the history of Mexican-Latino experiences ranging from pre-Columbian times to present. Clinical Mental Health Counseling numerous reproductive diseases in females. Program in the Department of Coun- “Given the swift competition and tight seling and Special Populations to funding situation, receiving this grant is very fund its proposal, “Behavioral Health rewarding,” Kucknoor said. “I feel awesome. Online MSN ranked No. 4 Workforce Education and Training I am also happy for Lamar and the biology for Professionals and Paraprofes- sionals.” Others receiving awards department in particular.” aylor nationally for veterans fj G “Regardless of control methods, T. foe- include Michigan, Johns Hopkins, U.S. News & World Report The university itself was recog- tus infections still run rampant where natural The grant will also provide funding for Dallas, the University of Texas Health Science LSU, NYU, Connecticut and UC nized as a “military friendly” school breeding, as opposed to artificial insemina- Kucknoor to hire a graduate student and four Center at San Antonio and the University of ranked the online graduate Berkeley. Principal investigator is and included in the “2014 Guide to tion, is allowed,” Kucknoor said. “However, undergraduate students and finance the students’ Houston. nursing program fourth in Carl Sheperis, associate profes- Military-Friendly Colleges and reports suggest that artificial insemination is presentations of the research at conferences. “The outcome from this research will help the nation specifically for ONLINE PROGRAMS sor and chair of the department. Universities” released by the Military not completely foolproof in prevention. This The grant was one of 11 successful the field of T. foetus pathogenesis and the cattle veterans. h The Texas Council of Professors Advanced Education magazine. project will look into a new group of proteins proposals of 256 submissions. Universities farming industry,” Kucknoor said. “Any new “This designation joins of Educational Administration has U.S. News & World Report called rhomboid proteins and their role in represented include Baylor College of Medi- information gained will also help the field of three others recently where named Sandra Harris, professor released the 2014 Best Online Pro- T. foetus pathogenesis, with the long-term cine, Rice University, Texas Tech University, the Trichomonas vaginalis, the human STD causing the magazine has noted the of educational leadership, “Educator grams for Veterans on usnews.com. goal to explore the possibility of using these University of Texas at Arlington, the University pathogen as well.” quality of our online Master of the Year.” h In its Recruitment The rankings, now in their second proteins as a therapeutic target.” of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at of Science in Nursing pro- and Retention Competition, the gram,” said Paula Nichols, executive director of year, are designed to help veterans identify Texas Higher Education Coordi- distance learning. The JoAnne Gay Dishman high-quality online degree programs that suit nating Board awarded Monica Department of Nursing program was tapped their educational needs. Lamar University is a Bellon-Harn, associate professor Engineering student helps No. 2 overall in 2013 and placed in the member of the Service members Opportunity and chair of speech and hearning sci- Top 20 in 2012 and 2014 by U.S. News & Colleges Consortium and the SOC Degree ences, and Rebecca Frels, assistant develop TXDOT device World Report. Network System. professor of counseling and special Encouraging students to participate in faculty research and innovation is a hallmark at LU. populations, a 2014 Minority Health This past summer, Tyler Mackey, sophomore electrical engineering major from Vidor, worked Research and Education Grant for on a project with Harley Myler, professor and chair of the Phillip M. Drayer Department of the project, “Quality care: A model to Electrical Engineering at Lamar. EDA innovation grant to strengthen economy increase underrepresented minorities Mackey, a Mirabeau Scholar, assembled the circuit for a special device suggested by the Lamar University is one of 19 universities awarded a grant in a national competition to advance and in speech and hearing professions.” Texas Department of Transportation to assist law enforcement in verifying proper permitting strengthen regional economies. LU will use the $102,590 grant to accelerate student learning, en- h The National Science Foundation of trucking as well as oversize/overweight loads on Texas roads. courage innovation among faculty and students, and support fast-growing economic sectors through awarded a research grant to Associate “The goal of this device is to enable law enforcement to be able to verify proper permit- technology development and entrepreneurship. Professors Bo Sun, computer sci- ting without having to make traffic stops,” Myler said. “This would save time not only for the The Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce provided the ence, and Qin Qian, civil engineer- officers, but also for the drivers, conserving resources. It would also enhance safety by signifi- funding for the University Center Economic Development Program Competition. A total of $2.5 million ing, to fund “MRI: Acquisition of cantly reducing the frequency of highway stops.” in grants was awarded to support initiatives focused on advancing regional commercialization efforts, equipment to develop a ubiquitous The user will connect the patent-pending device to the Texas permitting system via the entrepreneurship and a high-skilled regional workforce. wireless sensor network for measure- Internet. Once proper permits are verified and the data uploaded to the device, it is returned to Paul Latolais, director of the Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship at ment, modeling and prediction in the vehicle. On the road, the device can be activated by radar gun. This challenge-response will Lamar University, said, “This grant from the EDA helps support the university’s role in creating and water resource management.” The give law enforcement an instant answer on whether a particular truck has proper permitting, sustaining a healthy and growing economy in Southeast Texas.” three-year, $200,000 award will help Myler said. EDA-funded university centers provide business solutions and technical assistance to public- revolutionize modeling to provide This semester, Mackey participated in a co-op with Valero and the current team will be and private-sector organizations and conduct other activities with the goal of enhancing regional more accurate prediction for water incorporating the printed circuit board that he designed over the summer into a proof-of-prin- economic development. sustainability management. TTLER SA
ciple prototype of the permitter device that should be ready by the end of the spring semester.
58 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 59 Judge Joe J. Fisher Distinguished Lecture Series
Huntsman becomes 11th Fisher Lecturer
hilanthropist, industrial- company’s 2012 revenues exceeded ist and author Jon M. $11 billion. Huntsman visited Lamar Huntsman also served as a U.S. University this past spring Naval Gunnery Officer, Special Assistant and spoke on the topic to President Richard M. Nixon and as P“We are not put here to fail,” becoming White House Staff Secretary. the 11th guest in the Judge Joe J. Fisher Huntsman authored a book on Distinguished Lecture Series. corporate ethics entitled, Winners Never “We were delighted to have Mr. Cheat: Everyday Values We Learned as Huntsman as our guest,” said Kevin Children (But May Have Forgotten). Smith, senior associate provost and The second edition, Winners Never chair of the Judge Joe J. Fisher Dis- Cheat: Even in Difficult Times, made the tinguished Lecture Series committee. Wall Street Journal’s best sellers list. “Known worldwide as a leader in Widely recognized as one of industry, his phenomenal business suc- America’s foremost concerned citi- Marketing major, alumnus cess is matched by his equally incred- zens and philanthropists, Huntsman’s ible generosity. On every level, his is an lifetime humanitarian giving, including release biometric app inspiring story.” contributions to the homeless, the ill The series was created in 1986 to and the under-privileged, exceeds $1.4 honor Judge Fisher’s many contribu- billion and has assisted thousands, both SATTLER
tions to Southeast Texas and Lamar domestically and internationally. University. The people of the com- He was a member of the American munity established the series to benefit Red Cross Board of Governors from att Bukovicky, a senior business that you have to have in order to access the LU students and to honor the longtime 1997-2005 and from March through marketing major, and Charles Teel information,” he said. “The app utilizes a major federal judge who died June 19, 2000. October 2013. He also serves on the ’11 have launched LockBoxDSB, feature that Apple brought out for developers Past lecturers in the Fisher series board of the Beaumont Foundation. an application for iOS devices, in this last development kit.” He expects Touch are former President Gerald Ford, Larry The Chronicle of Philanthropy Mwith help from LU’s Center for Innovation, ID to also be available in new versions of the McMurtry, Vladimir Sakharov, Stephen placed him second on their 2007 list of Commercialization and Entrepreneurship. iPad and other products Apple may release in Jay Gould, Linda Ellerbee, Antonin Sca- largest donors. In 2011, Forbes Maga- LockBoxDSB, available now in Apple’s app the future. lia, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., former Prime zine counted him among the 18 “most store, is a document and file storage application Bukovicky conceived the idea of always Minister Shimon Peres, James Watson, generous givers on the planet.” that uses biometric data to provide a higher having access to important documents with- and former Pakistani Prime Minister Huntsman and his wife, Karen, level of security for files stored on the Internet. out having to have his wallet, or remembering Benazir Bhutto. founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute The “DSB” stands for Documents Stored Bio- complicated and ever-changing passwords. He Huntsman is founder and execu- in 1995 to accelerate the work of curing metrically. The app works with Touch ID, the joined with Teel, who earned an LU MBA in tive chairman of Huntsman Corp., a global manufacturer and cancer through human genetics. The institute is now one of the fingerprint recognition feature designed and 2011 with a concentration in entrepreneurship, marketer of specialty chemicals. country’s major cancer centers dedicated to finding a cure. The released by Apple Inc. and currently available on to create the app. Teel is owner and founder Forty years ago, he began a small entrepreneurial plastics combined facility features leading edge research laboratories and the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. of Pocket Watch LLC, a developer of mobile packaging business. Originally known for pioneering innova- a state-of-the-art hospital treating cancer patients. Touch ID is heavily integrated into the software for business and home users. tions in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth A recently announced $100 million expansion will double Apple operating system on these devices and al- Bukovicky and Teel worked with LU’s in petrochemicals, the company has grown to manufacture the laboratory space and create the Primary Children’s and Fami- lows users to unlock the device, as well as make Center for Innovation, Commercialization and chemical products used in a wide range of industries, with more lies’ Cancer Research Center, which will focus exclusively on purchases in the various Apple digital media Entrepreneurship in developing the app and than 12,000 employees and multiple locations worldwide. The inherited and childhood cancers. —BKS stores by touching the sapphire fingerprint sen- business plan. “Having access to resources and sor. LockBoxDSB taps into the power of Touch expertise has been a tremendous help,” Bu- ID to safely store information on the Internet, kovicky said. “There is no doubt the CICE has Bukovicky said. helped us move forward much more quickly “Known worldwide as a leader in industry, his phenomenal business success is matched by “LockBoxDSB uses Amazon servers off-site than we could have otherwise.” —BKS his equally incredible generosity. On every level, his is an inspiring story.” and is encrypted with the biometric fingerprint —KEVIN SMITH, senior associate provost
60 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 61 BECK FELLOWS
Townley-Smith worked at atomic level Townley-Smith completed an 11-week internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md., with its atomic spectroscopy group. The group compiles wavelengths, energy levels and transi- tion probabilities that support numerous applications in industry and the scientific community. Townley-Smith joined the group to study light emitted by atoms to better understand their dynamics on a quantum level. Some of the most important work of the group is the maintenance of the online Atomic Beck Fellows Spectral Database that provides information about the energy structure of the elements. Scientists worldwide use leave classroom behind those structures, which have applications in industry and astronomy. The scientists in the group try to engineer new types of atomic systems and discover their properties. They by Larry Acker also study plasmas, which are increasingly useful in the nuclear fusion process for cleaner energy. xercise science and pre-med major Kollin Kahler of Waco and Keeley Townley-Smith, a “It’s amazing just to be able to go and do this type Lumberton physics and electrical engineering major, were selected as 2014 recipients of of research with scientists of such high caliber,” Townley- the David J. Beck Fellowship. Only two fellows are named each year, making the award Smith said. “Lamar University has provided me countless opportunities to do research as an undergraduate and one of the most highly competitive and prestigious honors for undergraduate students at participate in several conferences.” Lamar University. Key to their selection as fellows were their proposed summer projects, Beck Fellows receive full academic scholarships a requirement specific to the rigorous Beck Fellowship application process. covering all tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board. Additionally, each fellow receives up to $10,000 in EIreland welcomed Kahler strength and conditioning, biomechanical analysis and magnetic funding for a summer project, which may entail research, Kahler chose to study advances in rehabilitative surgery and resonance imaging, he said. an internship or international study. therapy for sports injuries at the Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, While at the clinic, Kahler concentrated on biomechanics and First awarded in 2009, the fellowships are made Ireland, after an Internet search of “the best sports medicine clinics the aims of rehabilitation techniques to repair athletic groin injuries possible by a generous gift from prominent attorney and in Europe.” Kahler learned best practices and techniques from lead- and tears in the anterior cruciate ligament. Being able to get an all- LU Distinguished Alumnus David J. Beck ’61, founding ing researchers and physicians. He chose the clinic not only because around experience with research and surgeries was a perfect fit for partner of Beck Redden LLP in Houston. The David J. of its prominence but also because there was no language barrier, his future goal of attending medical school. Beck Fellowships reward outstanding academic achieve- although Irish slang did take some getting used to he said. “The experience confirmed my passion for medicine and pro- ment in any discipline and allow top students to further “In Ireland, I participated in everything pertaining to sports vided me the experience of a lifetime.” he said. “I was able to gain challenge themselves with unique opportunities for medicine,” Kahler said. He shadowed several physicians and a unique perspective on medicine and acquire knowledge from the undergraduate research and creative study. observed more than 60 surgeries. The invaluable opportunity finest surgeons in Europe and the world’s leading researchers and helped him gain perspective on physician consulting, physiotherapy, physicians in the area of groin injury.”
62 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 63 ture that ultimately led me to the British Studies Program. When I began looking for ways to expand my honors thesis research and my knowledge base, I was intrigued by the concept of studying abroad. One day, I visited Lamar’s study abroad website and discov- ered the British Studies Program. I was elated to find that it offers a course in Victorian studies. Although USM was the host school, LU is in the consortium group, so I was eligible to attend. The application process was a little more extensive, but that wasn’t a problem for me. Lamar’s study abroad office was very helpful throughout the process of completing all of the necessary paperwork. Despite the extra steps, everything went smoothly. Ultimately, studying abroad in London was the trip of a life- time. I was able to do so many things in the course of the month that I’ve always wanted to do, like visit Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station from the “Harry Potter” series and travel to Stonehenge. The trip was more amazing for me because of my love of lit- erature. I visited the former homes of John Keats, the Brontë sisters and Charles Dickens. I saw many wonderful plays, including Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Ernest” and a performance of “Julius Caesar” at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. I visited Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the British Library. by Molly Porter My class in London was based at the Waterloo campus of King’s College London. The location was perfect. We were just English major explores around the corner from Waterloo Station, and we were on the south bank of the River Thames, within a few minutes’ walk of anywhere we wanted to go. British literary legacy It was in the heart of London that the city’s Victorian roots were laid bare. It was especially fascinating being able to read and eading has always opened about the cultural and historical contexts analyze the course texts while I was staying in the doors for me to new worlds that inform the texts. Victorian literature in city. Suddenly, I could visualize the places the and experiences, but this particular has become a passion. The period characters had been—I had been there myself. took on new meaning for me saw many dynamic changes due to the effects It really brought the stories to life in ways I when I travelled to London, of industrialization, urbanization and imperial- never would have imagined. England this past summer. I ism, and it’s fascinating to me to examine how While I was abroad, I also had the op- participated in the British Studies Program of- this is reflected in Victorian culture. portunity to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, Rfered by the University of Southern Mississip- I’m currently looking more deeply into and Dublin, Ireland. In Edinburgh, I sampled pi with the help and guidance Victorian studies with my haggis, climbed a mountain called “Arthur’s of the Lamar University Study honors thesis. I’m writing Seat,” visited Edinburgh Castle and took Abroad Office. about Alfred, Lord Ten- a literary tour of the city. In Dublin, I I’ve wanted to go to nyson’s poems “Ulysses” visited Trinity College, took a James England since I was a little and “The Lotos-Eaters” and Joyce walking tour and saw Oscar girl. England’s history, culture examining how the character Wilde’s birthplace. My only regret is and literary legacy have always of Odysseus is presented in that I didn’t have more time fascinated me. My love of the poems. Odysseus seems to explore each city. literature began early. When I to have transformed into a My experiences abroad was younger, my father would Victorian hero rather than will be a great help to me take my sister and me to a Greek one, and I hope to as I move forward with Waldenbooks every weekend. examine why this change my honors thesis. This trip We could each pick out one has occurred and how a has illuminated Victorian book, and it was such a treat. Victorian background alters culture for me and given me My passion for reading and interest the character. an entirely new perspec- in British literary history and culture made My travels have benefited me greatly tive on the era. I’m looking majoring in English an easy choice. I love in helping me to understand the Victorian forward to applying all that learning not just about the literature but also mindset. It was my interest in Victorian litera- I’ve learned to my analysis of Tennyson’s poems.
64 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 65 D aVID E. Bernsen ’73 is a trial attorney who has represented clients in multiple types of litigation for nearly 40 years. He is the founder of The Bernsen Law Firm and became the first Southeast Texan and first LU graduate to serve on the Texas Highway Commission (now TXDOT), with his appointment by Gov. Ann Richards in 1991. Bernsen earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Lamar University in 1973 and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1976. n established hurricane evacuation routes along the Texas Gulf Coast n served in the Texas Senate—the first LU graduate to do so—representing District 4 n named “Legislator of the Year” by Keep Texas Beautiful and the Sierra Club n selected to the Cardinal Hall of Honor in 1984, the first baseball player so honored n founder of the Lamar University Baseball Players Association n Citizen of the Year awards: City of Beaumont, Neches River Festival and Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce “Lamar University was instrumental in my life because I received a good education and also learned leadership skills. I had the good fortune to be Student Government Association president while John Gray was the university president. My interactions with him had a profound effect on my life and career, and I’m humbled to be so recognized by an institution that means so much to me.”
George A. Dishman Jr. ’49 is a lifelong resident of Beaumont with deep ties to the community and to Lamar University. He graduated from LU in 1949 with an associate of arts degree and later earned a bachelor of business administration from Texas A&M in 1952. In that same year, he married his wife, JoAnne (Judy). n served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force, stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany n co-founded Prudential Drilling Co.; served as president from 1976 until 1980 n served on the board of directors for First Security National Bank, InterFirst Bank Houston, Port Neches Bancshares, and Community Bank and was a 25-year board member of Conn Appliances Inc. n elected to the Beaumont City Council for a two-year term in 1972 n appointed to the Lamar University Board of Regents in 1982 for one six-year term n created an endowment for the LU nursing department, known today as the JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing “Looking back, I think earning my degree at Lamar was really the starting point for me,” Dishman said. “Furthering my education D isTINGUISHED The Lamar University Office of Alumni Affairs proudly presents these four gave me the foundation for my success, and it created in me a desire for lifelong learning, something I’m very grateful for.” outstanding men and women as the 2014 Distinguished Alumni. Their dedication to their professions, service to their communities and loyalty to their alma mater epitomizes the Lamar University spirit. Roosevelt Petry Jr. ’82, ’96, earned an associate’s degree in drafting and a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Lamar University. A few years later, he founded GP Industrial Contractors Inc., a company specializing in building refineries and petrochemical plants. Alumni The company’s services include piping, steel fabrication, engineering, project management, CADD, field services, maintenance, janitorial, hole watch/fire watch, warehousing, labor and carpentry. n taught AutoCAD, surveying and drafting as an LU instructor n received the Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs Award n received the Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus n received the President’s Award from Lamar State College-Port Arthur n honored by the State of Texas House of Representatives in recognition of his many contributions to local communities n hosts the Roosevelt Petry Jr. Business Hour radio program on KSAP 107.1 n serves the community on numerous boards, committees and commissions “Being selected as a Distinguished Alumnus gives me a glorious memory of a very proud and happy time in my life; a memory I am sure to reflect upon for years to come. I will do my best to represent Lamar University according to the standards this award represents.”
Sandra French Clark ’76 is an attorney in Beaumont and Houston, as well as a shareholder and member of the Management Committee of MehaffyWeber P.C. She earned a master’s degree in English from Lamar University and her law degree from The University of Houston Law Center, where she was a member of Law Review and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. She joined MehaffyWeber in 1980. n repeatedly recognized by her peers in Best Lawyers in America for the last 15 years n recognized in Texas Monthly Magazine as a Super Lawyer for ten consecutive years n named a Top 50 Female Super Lawyer in the State of Texas and in the Top 100 Attorneys in the Houston area n received the President’s Citation from the State Bar of Texas n served on the Lamar Foundation Board, the advisory council for Fine Arts and Communication, Friends of the Arts and as a former chair of Le Grand Bal n endowed the Sandra French Clark Scholarship in Choral Music at LU n serves as a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and of the DuPont Legal Leadership Council “In the 70s, Lamar was well known for its science and engineering programs, but I found a somewhat hidden treasure there in the English department. The professors were inspiring and first class and challenged the students in the master’s program beyond what I would have ever expected.”
66 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 67 ClassNotes
We hope you enjoy reading about former classmates. If you have news to share—a position announcement, milestone, achievement, wedding, baby—or know JoAnn (Pasak) Baker ’62, B.S. elementary home economics, are retired and live in Bill Haynes ’64, B.B.A. management, Jeanette (Hirsch) Tyer ’64, B.S. medical He was elected to the board of directors tary education, published a textbook for education, retired after a 35-year career in Richmond. retired as a tax analyst from Exxon and lives technology, retired and lives in Katy, with of Biolase and is professor emeritus of the special education teachers, Ten Critical the whereabouts of a lost alumnus, we want to hear education and lives in LaGrange. in Crossville, Tenn., with his wife, Sandy her husband, Norris ’64, B.S. chemistry. periodontology department at the Univer- Components for Success in the Special Jerry Cozby ’64, B.B.A. marketing, retired (Nicks) ’64, B.S. home economics. sity of Florida’s College of Dentistry. He Education Classroom. She lives in Friend- Nolan Campbell ’63, B.B.A. accounting, as a professional golfer and lives in Bartles- Wally Watson ’64, B.B.A. marketing, is from you. lives in Palm Coast, Fla. swood with her husband, Tom ’73, B.S. retired and lives in Kissimmee, Fla., with ville, Okla., with his wife, Karole. Sena (Walters) Kerns ’64, B.A. English, lives chief executive officer for Tanglewood environmental science. his wife, Sybil. in Kingwood with her husband, William. Homes. He lives in Fort Worth. Kathy (Johnson) Young ’67, B.A. English, Send us your news: Jimmie Cypert ’64, B.S. electrical engineer- earned a master’s degree in mathematics Margaret (Delahoussaye) Anzaldua ’71, B.S. Gloria (Chambliss) Russell ’63, B.S. elemen- ing, earned a master’s degree from the Linda (Concienne) Lynch ’64, B.S. biology, Herman Weber ’64, B.S. government, from the University of Florida. She lives in home economics, earned a master’s degree Cardinal Cadence, tary education, ’64, M.Ed. elementary University of Texas and retired as general earned a master’s degree in psychology earned a master’s degree in public adminis- Holly Springs, N.C. from Stephen F. Austin State University education, is a retired educator from the manager for IBM. He lives in Lakeway. and counseling from Columbia Pacific tration from Cornell University and retired P.O. Box 10011 and teaches in the Garrison school district. Corona-Norco school district. She and her University. She lives in Prescott, Ariz., with as director of personnel at the city of Pasa- Jack Wilson ’68, B.S. government, lives in Beaumont, TX 77710 H. Stephen Grace Jr. ’64, B.S. industrial She lives in Timpson. husband, James, live in Jurupa Valley, Calif. her husband, Patrick. dena, where he and his wife, Loretta, live. Lago Vista with his wife, Helen. engineering, earned a master’s degree from Doug Simpson ’71, B.S. biology, ’73, M.S. Gilbert Adams Jr. ’64, B.S. government, the University of Chicago and a doctorate Jim McDaniel ’64, B.S. physical education, Robert Schrimsher ’66, B.A. sociol- Doug Boone ’69, B.S. physical educa- biology, is chief executive officer, director e-mail [email protected] earned a law degree and is an attorney from the University of Houston. He is retired after a 41-year career as a teacher, ogy, earned a master’s degree from the tion, earned a master’s degree from Texas and president of Corgenix Medical. He for the Law Office of Gilbert T. Adams in president of H.S. Grace and Co. in Hous- coach and administrator. He lives in University of Alabama and a doctorate Southern University. He retired and lives or call (409) 880-8921. lives in Boulder, Colo. Beaumont, where he lives with his wife, ton. He lives in Bellaire. DeSoto with his wife, Pamela. in education from Catholic University of in Canyon Lake with his wife, Joan (Fiesel- Marilyn. America. He retired from Samford Univer- man) ’67, certif. secretarial science. Mike De Nero ’72, B.B.A. marketing, is Ronn Haddox ’64, B.B.A. management, Tom Muehlenbeck ’64, B.A. political science, sity as a professor of pharmacy practice and president of California Sunsations Inc. and Karen (Kirkpatrick) Baird ’64, B.A. English, earned a law degree from South Texas Col- earned a master’s degree in public adminis- pharmacy librarian and was awarded the lives in Rancho Belago, Calif. is a retired educator and lives in Kerrville. lege of Law and lives in Baytown, where tration from the University of Kansas and rank of professor emeritus. A retired Army he is an attorney. His wife, Anna Lee (Dunn) lives in Corinth with his wife, Myrtle. Gary Jaetzold ’72, B.B.A. marketing, retired Jane (Urey) Barrett ’64, B.A. English, is a aviator who served in Vietnam, he lives in 70s ’64, B.S. home economics, teaches in the Doug Galloway ’70, certif. diesel mechanics, from W.R. Grace and lives in Bryan with 30s 60s retired educator and lives in Magnolia with Wofford Plott ’64, B.S. physical education, Birmingham, Ala. Mildred (Bogan) Blair ’32, A.A. general Nancy (Hawthorne) Benson ’60, B.A. Goose Creek school district. ’70, B.S. secondary education, earned a his wife, Linda (Schaefer) ’71, B.S. health her husband, Ellis. earned a master’s degree in education from studies, celebrated her 100th birthday in English, earned a master’s degree from the Carole (Cobble) Wills ’66, B.B.A. secretarial master’s degree in educational administra- and physical education. Don Hannegan ’64, B.S. industrial engineer- Texas State University-San Marcos. He August 2014. She lives in Houston. University of North Texas. She retired from Dick Brand ’64, B.A. history, retired from science, is head of school for The Briar- tion and supervision. He retired and lives ing, is director of strategic drilling technol- retired and lives in Friendswood. Sister Paulette Shaunfield ’72, medical the Corpus Christi school district and lives a career as teacher and coach and lives in wood School in Houston, where she lives in Kingwood. ogy for Weatherford International. He lives technology, retired from the Sisters of in Austin with her husband, Bruce. Fort Lupton, Colo., with his wife, Gail. James Ricks ’64, B.S. mechanical engineer- with her husband, Jim ’66, B.S. mathemat- in Fort Smith, Ark. Colleen (Clough) Hickman ’70, B.A. political Charity of the Incarnate Word. She lives in ing, earned a master’s degree in business. ics, ’68, M.S. mathematics. He retired from Annette (Valentino) Clark ’61, B.S. graphic Jeanette (Havard) Coffield’64, B.B.A. mar- science, ’82, M.B.A. business administra- Houston. 50s VJ Harper ’64, B.B.A. general business, is He retired and lives in Japan with his wife, Chevron after a 42-year career. Douglas Erwin ’56, B.S. chemical engineer- design, earned a master’s degree in art edu- keting, is executive director for Lakes Area tion, retired as a certified professional an independent adjuster working for Ward- Masako. The Texas Society of Certified Professional ing, authored the book, Industrial Chemical cation from the University of Nevada. Her Hospice in Jasper, where she lives. Samuel Low ’67, B.S. biology, earned a accountant. She lives in Beaumont with her law Claims Service. He lives in Port Arthur Accountants awarded Nathan Cross ’73, Process Design. He lives in Richmond. work was displayed in the Butler Longhorn Ronald Turner ’64, B.B.A. accounting, medical degree in dentistry and a certifica- husband, Arthur ’70, B.A. sociology. Robert Couch ’64, B.S. civil engineering, with his wife, Cheryl. B.B.A. accounting, its Distinguished Public Museum in League City in May. She lives retired and lives in Houston with his wife, tion in periodontics from the University of and his wife, Carolyn (McCormick) ’63, B.S. Nannette (Devoti) Samson ’70, B.S. elemen- Service Award. He lives in Beaumont. in Kemah. Ann. Texas-Health Science Center at Houston.
4
N utrition and Services for Seniors Several alumni volunteers helped assemble Easter meals and delivered them to area seniors April 5. 1. Elaine (Norman) Shellenberger ’74 2. Cardinal Alumni 1 2 3. LU Ambassadors, alumni and friends 4. Jean (Hebert) Ornelas 3 ’71 and Eddy Crain
68 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 69 ClassNotes Jazz Night Alumni shared good sounds, good food and good times as they listened to Jimmy Simmons & Friends featuring Sharon Montgomery during Jazz Night at Rao’s on Dowlen in Beaumont July 24. Gary Phillips ’73, B.B.A. general business, is procurement manager for Chevron USA. He lives in Houston with his wife, Sandra. 1. Cathy (Bebeau) ’78 and Frank Zummo 2. Jake Tortorice ’76, left, Bishop Curtis Randall Rice Guillory and President Ken Evans 3. Dean Terrebonne ’11, left, with Beverly ’73, B.B.A. accounting, is county auditor for Galveston County, (Davis) ’77 and Fred Escamilla 4. Antionette Kelly ’91 and Tom Sigee ’91 where he lives with his wife, Deborah (Reyn- 5. From left, Eric Rose ’13, Gary Janecek ’95, Ramon Ramos ’96, Greg Rose olds) ’82, B.B.A. office administration. and Rowena Rose 6. Ina and Jude Messina ’76 Barry Evans ’74, B.S. biology, is a staff chemist for Motiva Enterprises. He lives in Groves with his wife, Linda. Naomi (Perkins) Gardner ’74, B.B.A. office administration, retired from East Chambers school district and lives in Winnie with her husband, Dudley ’75, B.S. oceanographic technology. Michael Thompson ’74, B.S. biology, earned master’s degrees in science, business admin- istration and health administration from the University of Houston. He is chief executive officer of the Frio Regional Hos- 1 2 pital in Pearsall and lives in San Antonio with his wife, Maria. Ida Duplechin ’75, B.A. arts, ’11, M.Ed. counseling and development, owns Life 1 2 Skills Management and Counseling in Beaumont, where she lives. Vicki (Hale) McCown ’75, B.S. elementary education, teaches at Westbrook High School in the Beaumont school district, where she lives with her husband, Nathan. Vivian (Reynolds) Toups ’75, B.A. sociology, lives in the United Kingdom with her husband, John ’75, B.S. oceanographic technology. He is a laboratory manager for BP Amoco Foundation. Daryl Attaway ’76, B.S. chemical engineer- ing, is a senior consultant for Turner, Mason and Co. in Dallas. He and his wife, 3 4 Denise, live in Pottsboro. John Carrens ’76, B.S. mechanical engineer- ing, is a projects manager for TOTAL Pet- rochemicals USA. He lives in Georgetown with his wife, Valerie. 3 4 Jim Denney ’77, B.S. oceanographic technology, earned a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a geologist for W. B. Osborn Oil and Gas Operations and lives in Houston with his Alumni Night @ the wife, Robin. Basketball Game Charles Jehlen Jr. ’77, B.A. history, ’87, M.A. history, is completing his 37th year Alumni gathered for a pre-game reception Feb. 1 in in public education and is principal of the Cardinal Club Room before the tip-off between Central Middle School in Nederland. He is the Cards and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. president-elect of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. He works for KBTV Fox 4 as the play-by-play telecaster 1. Dwight and Kayla Richard, left, with Jana (Hicks) for Lamar University football and baseball Richard ’01 2. Jonathon and Kristin (Bradford) and telecasts high school football with Sheffield Productions for the Friday Night Bolser ’05 with family 3. Linda (Embs) LeBlanc ’75, Experience. He lives in Groves with his left, with Johnnie (Criton) ’00 and Vernon Durden wife, Sheri. ’69, ’04 4. Janet (Lynch) ’01 and Rob Ellison ’02 Fannie Turner ’77, B.S. communication, ’94, with family 5. Sherri Fitzgerald ’00 M.S. audiology/speech-language pathology, 5 6 5 is an audiologist for Northeast Texas Hear- ing in Paris, where he lives.
70 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 71 ClassNotes
Homecoming 2014 Alumni, students, friends and community members wore their red during Homecoming Week Oct. 27-Nov. 1 in celebration of the ties that bind. On Oct. 14, Mayor Becky Ames proclaimed Nov. 1, 2014, “Lamar University Homecoming Day,” leading up to the week- long celebration. An 11 a.m. parade of student organization floats, corvettes ferrying LU luminaries, high school bands and LU’s own award-winning band, the Showcase of South- east Texas, waved to onlookers as the prelude to tailgating before the Cardinals hosted the Huskies of Houston Baptist University on the W.S. “Bud” Leonard field Nov. 1.
72 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 73 ClassNotes Humane Society Project Pet-loving alumni volunteered to walk dogs and play with cats Oct. 18 at the Humane Society of Southeast Texas as part of a community service project Mark Alsup ’78, A.A.S. drafting technology, an engineer for Supreme Source Energy sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs. works for Lanier and Associates as a senior Services. He and his wife, Kristi (Jordan) mechanical process designer. He lives in ’82, B.S. communication, live in Katy. She Beaumont with his wife, Kathleen (Boehm) is an administrator at Stokan Jaggers and 1. Tony Landry ’94 2. Christopher ’13 and Tracy Ward 3. Karla ’14 ’80, B.S. environmental science. She works Associates. and Shawnee Hyatt 4. Sara Kelley ’85 5. Rebekah Maxwell ’11 for RPS Group as a senior consultant. Stephanie Pitts ’80, B.S. home economics, 6. Sherri (Horn) DelMage ’01, ’03 Harvey Criswell Jr. ’79, B.S. secondary teaches family and consumer science in the education, works for Criswell Sprinkler Rochelle school district. She lives in Brady. Systems. He lives in Dickinson. Tommy Fulton ’81, B.S. civil engineering, is Gary Cruse ’79, B.S. electrical engineering, senior project manager for Dewberry and is a global category manager for Shell in is responsible for the Florida transportation Houston. He lives in Lakeway. group. He lives in Tampa, Fla. Paul Kendall ’79, B.S. mathematics, ’79, Connie (Huebner) Huch ’81, B.S. home eco- B.S. computer science, earned a master’s nomics, is a production analyst for Freeport degree in business from the University of McMoRan Oil and Gas in Houston, where 3 North Texas and a doctorate degree from she lives with her husband, Nicholas ’79, Warren National University. He serves on B.S. energy resources management. the Computer Science Advisory Council. Donna (Simon) Laverne ’81, B.S. elemen- He was inducted into the Computer Sci- tary education, earned a master’s degree 1 2 ence Hall of Fame in 2009 and co-advised from Texas Southern University. She is an Richland College in the development of a administrator for the Port Arthur school new associate of applied sciences degree in district, where she lives. digital forensics. He lives in Fort Worth. Jake LeMaster ’81, B.B.A. marketing, Judy (Dupuy) Lewis ’79, B.S.W. social work, is a service manager for Xerox State and received the 2014 Adjunct Faculty Excel- Local Government Solutions in Carrolton. lence Award from Kingwood College. She He lives in Keller with his wife, Kathy and her husband, Greg, live in Humble. 1 2 (Williamson) ’09, M.Ed. administration, Timothy Magnuson ’79, B.S. computer who teaches music in the Eagle Mountain- science, earned a master’s degree from the Saginaw school district. University of Texas-Tyler. He lives in Round John Danna ’82, B.S. chemical engineering, Rock. is a consulting engineer and lives in Prosect, 6 Stephanie (Prejean) Wright ’79, earned a Ky., with his wife, Linda. master’s degree in counseling from Prairie Jim Leiferman ’82, B.B.A. business admin- View A&M University. She retired from a istration, is president of Mattamy Homes. career in education and lives in Beaumont. He lives in Orlando, Fla. Ray Taylor ’79, B.B.A. management, earned Michael McEachern ’82, B.B.A. personnel a master’s degree in management and pub- 4 5 administration, is interim chief executive lic administration from Webster University. officer for Bowie Memorial Hospital. He He retired after a 31-year career as a special lives in Montgomery. agent with the U.S. drug enforcement agency and as a lieutenant colonel in the Terry Welch ’82, B.S. electrical engineer- Air Force Reserves after serving 32 years. ing, earned an executive master’s degree in He lives in Humble. business from Northwood University. He is vice president of upstream operations for 3 4 Michael Turpin ’79, B.S. music, earned a BP Corp. N.A. Inc. He lives in Anchorage, 8 master’s degree in music education from Alaska, with his wife, Janelle. the University of South Carolina and a doctorate of philosophy from Texas Van Wigginton ’82, B.S. government, ’84, A&M University. He is vice president of M.P.A. public administration, earned a law instruction at Kilgore College. He lives in degree from the University of Houston. Longview. He is provost of San Jacinto College and 2014 Homecoming Tailgate a member of the Texas Higher Educa- tion Coordinating Board Undergraduate LU vs. Houston Baptist was the backdrop Nov. 1 for the Alumni Tailgate Party. Education Advisory Committee. He lives 80s in Houston. Alan Coleman ’80, B.S. biology, received 1. Charlotte Jungen ’97 and Jose Maldonado ’01 2. Linda (Embs) LeBlanc ’75, the 2014 It’s Time Texas Summit Award Terrie (Fontenot) Breeden ’83, B.S. left, with Lillie (Gilford) ’71 and Ken Lloyd ’73 3. Roger Dimick ’76, ’91, ’02, left, from the Greater Beaumont Chamber of elementary education, ’85, M.Ed. special Commerce in honor of his commitment to education, is program specialist and Section Judy Hammond ’72, ’82, and Becky Zikes 4. From left, Angali, Julianne, Avani, build healthy communities in Texas. He is 619 coordinator for the Texas Education Nathan and Raju Srirama ’93 5. Randy ’80 and Maridale (Adams) Still ’79, ’12, left, a city councilman and dentist in Beaumont, Agency. She lives in Wimberly. with Brandan ’06, Jena (Verrill) Still ’06 6. Ryan ’11 and Lindsey (Street) Prasek where he lives. Jennifer (Barry) Gill ’83, B.B.A. accounting, ’10, left, with Mandy (Anderson) ’10 and Garrett Street ’10 7. Leroy and Margaret Will Leonard ’80, B.B.A. marketing, is is a certified professional accountant in president for BBVA Compass Bank in Lake Charles, where she lives. (Pugh) Bostic ’64, ’75 8. The Stuberfields from left: Ted ’91, ’00, ’08, Margaret Beaumont, where he lives. (Owens) ’94, ’03, Halle, Willie and Nicholas Billy Pattarozzi ’83, A.A.S. drafting technol- Mason Panahi ’80, B.S. mechanical ogy, ’83, industrial technology, ’13, M.B.A. 5 6 7 engineering, ’83, M.E. engineering, is business administration, is a procurement
74 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 75 ClassNotes Saturday Morning @ Golden Circle Luncheon the Umphrey Center More than 170 graduates from the During Saturday Morning at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center years 1924 through 1964 enjoyed a June 21, alumni experienced a number of workout opportunities, from Golden Circle luncheon Sept. 20. cardio equipment and a yoga session to the indoor track and bouldering, before enjoying fruity smoothies. 1. Stephen Grace ’64, left, Indus- trial Engineering Department Chair 1. Ronnie Turner ’07 2. Michelle (Castillo) Bellot ’95 and Kara Monceaux Brian Craig, Mike Aldredge ’65, 3. Butch Henderson ’88 and Rachel Gilford ’03, ’10 4. Paul Rizk ’14 Gary Friedman ’64 and President 5. Vernon ’69, ’04, and Johnnie (Criton) Durden ’00 1 2 3 Ken Evans 2. Bill and Grace (Davis) England ’55 3. Linda (Embs) LeBlanc ’75, left, Jane (Siros) Connelly ’62 and Ernst Siros ’71 4. Laurie (House) Ritchel ’85, left, with Charles ’61 and Martha Jo (Phillips) Starcke ’61 5. Lou Ella (Beard) McDonald ’64, 2 left, Billy Cogswell, Dot (Tudor) 4 7 Cogswell ’59, ’90, and Sally (Mc- Donald) House ’59, ’67 6. Mary Joubert, left, and Martha (Richards) Washington ’60 7. Gilbert Adams Jr. ’64, left, Juan Zabala ’07 and Marilyn (Thornton) Adams -94 8. Sarah (Sims) Matheny ’61, left, Dixie (Dowden) Tucker ’61 and Jane (Sims) Moore ’59 5 5 6 8 1 3 4
manager for Baker Hughes. He lives in Richelle Brewster ’85, A.A.S. mid-manage- Resources. He lives in Nederland. Neches-Groves school district, where she Gary Martel ’87, B.S. kinesiology, earned a lives with her husband, Neil. Gwen Boyett ’90, B.A. English, ’99, M.Ed. a doctoral degree in public policy and Houston with his wife, Amy (Barker) ’05, ment, earned bachelor degrees in criminal lives with her husband, Charles. master’s degree in education in mid-man- school administration, is director of public administration. He is city manager Anthony Wingate ’85, B.S. mechanical Clara (Brown) Cooper ’89, B.S. sociology, B.S. exercise science and fitness manage- justice and accounting from the University agement and is superintendent of schools in alternative education for the Silsbee school in Orange. engineering, is manager of subsystems and John Via III ’86, M.E.S. engineering science, earned a master’s degree in business from ment, ’12, B. S. nursing. She works for of Houston-Downtown. She is a revenue Diboll, where he lives with his wife, Susie. district, where she lives. component quality engineering for Sandia retired from Alcon Laboratories following LeTourneau University and is president Jill (Jenkins) Borque ’93, B.B.A. office Christus St. Elizabeth Beaumont. agent reviewer for the Internal Revenue National Laboratories. He lives in Albu- its acquisition by Novartis and is associate Karen (Colbert) Williams ’87, B.S. communi- and chief executive officer of Souper Bowl Rodney Cavness ’90, B.S. kinesiology, ’94, administration, is senior title examiner and Service in Houston, where she lives. Don Rollins ’83, B.B.M. music education, querque, N.M., with his wife Kim. dean of Engineering for online programs cation, teaches in the Dallas school district, of Caring. She lives in Pearland. M.Ed. school administration, earned a team leader for Stewart Title. She lives in is now director of fine arts for the Vidor Kittie (Nelson) Elrod ’85, B.S. nursing, lives in and in the department of Engineering where she lives with her husband, Fred. doctorate degree from the University of Sour Lake. Gregory Wolfford ’85, A.A.S. electricial Steven Floyd ’89, B.B.A. finance, is senior school district after a career as a singer/ Hope Mills, N.C., with her husband, Ron. Management Studies at Drexel University Houston. He is superintendent of the Port technology, ’92, B.S. industrial technology, Tina (Davros) Kelly ’88, B.S. family and trust officer and specialty assets manager Derrick Jones ’93, B.B.A. marketing, ’00, songwriter and best known for co-writing in Philadelphia. He lives in Sinking Neches School district. He and his wife, Sam Louis ’85, B.B.A. business admin- is vice president of engineering for Richard consumer sciences-food and nutrition, is for American Bank. He lives in Corpus M.B.A. business administration, is regional “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” recorded by Spring, Pa. Tanya, live in Port Neches. istration, earned a law degree from Industrial Group. He lives in Orange with a registered dietitian and certified diabetes Christi. manager for the Houston office of Sealy & Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. He lives Texas Southern University and has joined his wife, Staci ’88, A.A.S. dental hygiene. John Curtin ’87, B.B.A. finance, is senior educator for Asante Rogue Regional Medi- Tracy Glende Sr. ’90, B.S. electrical Co. He lives in The Woodlands. in Orange. Jason Landry ’89, B.B.A. accounting, is Strasburger & Price LLP as partner in the vice president for Citibank in New York, cal Center in Medford, Ore. She lives in engineering, earned a master’s degree in Donna (Driver) Zwartkruis ’85, B.S. sociol- president and chief executive officer for Patrick Ryan ’94, B.S. civil engineering, is Nydia Thomas ’83, B.S. government, earned Houston office. He served more than 21 where he lives. Jacksonville, Ore. international business and marketing from ogy, earned a master’s degree in public Neches Federal Credit Union. He lives in director of construction for the Texas De- a law degree from Howard University and years as a federal prosecutor and is former Arizona State University. He is president administration from Texas Southern Uni- Elizabeth (Durso) Branch ’87, B.A. history, Lori (Peschel) Likins ’88, B.B.A. market- Nederland. partment of Transportation in Beaumont. is deputy general counsel for the Texas deputy criminal chief of the Program Fraud and chief executive officer for Veritas Steel versity and a doctoral degree from Union earned a law degree from the University ing, is inside sales representative for global He lives in Fred. Juvenile Commission in Austin. She lives in group for the Department of Justice in the Jennifer Penland ’89, B.S. elementary and lives in Naperville, Ill. Institute and University. She is teaching at of Mississippi. She owns and is principal accounts for National Oilwell Varco in Pflugerville. Southern District of Texas. He recently education, ’01, M.Ed. secondary education, Sheila Thibodeaux ’94, B.S. chemical engi- the University of Amsterdam, where she attorney for The Branch Law Firm in Houston, where she lives with her hus- James Halbert Jr. ’90, B.S. computer sci- served as the Health Care Fraud Coordina- ’07, Ed.D. educational leadership, is assis- neering, earned a master’s degree in busi- Janet (Meloncon) Kemons ’84, A.A.S. lives with her husband, Peter. Rockwall. She and her husband, Jerry band, Ralph. ence, is a control systems analyst for Cen- tor for the Department of Justice Health tant professor of education and indigenous ness from Our Lady of the Lake University. nursing, ’99, B.S.N. nursing, ’05, M.S.N. Stephenson, live in Mesquite. terPoint Energy. He lives in Plantersville, and Human Services Medicare Fraud Strike Larry Cook ’86, B.B.A. marketing, is manag- Rodney Anderson ’89, M.Ed. special educa- scholar at Shepherd University in Shep- She is a strategic partner manager for Bayer nursing, is an upward mobility nursing with his wife, Cheryl. Force. He lives in Pearland. ing partner for 5th Avenue Acquisitions Eric Heinlein ’87, B.S. criminal justice, tion, is principal of West Orange-Stark herdstown, W.V. She lives in Kingwood. Technology Services in Baytown. She lives instructor for Lamar State College-Orange. and Venture Capitalists in Houston. He earned a master’s degree from the Uni- High School in the West Orange-Cove The Texas Community College Instruction- in Houston. She lives in Groves. Craig Moore ’85, B.S. kinesiology, teaches lives in Richmond. versity of Houston-Clear Lake and is the school district. He lives in Beaumont. al Administrators named Pam (Quinn) ’91, and coaches in the Conroe school district. Marlene (Captain) Petry ’95, A.A.S. nursing, Connie Simon ’84, B.S. sociology, ’93, supervising U.S. probation officer for the B.S. kinesiology, the recipient of the 2014 He lives in Splendora with his wife, Sarah. Nancy (Phillips) Ervin ’86, B.M. music, is the Sharwin (York) Black ’89, B.S. elementary earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from A.A.S. nursing, is a school nurse in the Eastern Texas District Court. He lives in 90s Ray Williams Outstanding Leadership pastor’s ministry assistant for Coggin Av- education, lives in Beaumont with her Hazimi Baharum ’90, B.S. civil engineering, the University of Texas-Medical Branch in Dallas school district. She lives in Frisco. James Price ’85, A.A.S. business data Nederland. Award. She is provost of Dallas County enue Baptist Church in Brownwood, where husband, James ’72, B.S. government, ’79, is chief operating officer for Zelan Berhad, Galveston and a master’s degree in nursing processing, is technical lead/business analyst Community College District and lives in Andrew Sunderman ’84, B.B.A. accounting, she lives with her husband, James. James Hwang ’87, Eng.D. electrical M.B.A. business administration. Malaysia’s 25th-largest construction com- from Regis University. She and her hus- for Hagemeyer North America. He lives in Kirbyville. is chief financial officer for Direct Energy. engineering, is executive director of Far pany by market capitalization. He lives in band, Roosevelt, live in Port Arthur. Prairie View with his wife, Veronica. Linda (Savant) Lovelace ’86, B.S. secondary Melissa (Custer) Boyett ’89, B.S. elementary He lives in Cypress. East Broadcast Company. He lives in Kuala Lumpur. Shawn Oubre ’92, A.S. law enforcement, education, ’96, M.S. special education, is education, teaches at Pine Forest Elemen- Jennifer Bensky ’96, B.S. interdisciplinary Johnny Spell ’85, B.S. chemical engineer- Fullerton, Calif. ’93, B.A.A.S., applied arts and sciences, an educational diagnostician for the Port tary in the Vidor school district, where she studies, earned a master’s degree from ing, is ventures manager for Flint Hills ’02, M.P.A. public administration, earned
76 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 77 ClassNotes College of Craft Beer Business Tasting At the inaugural Lamar University Trinity University. She is director of Landon Rowe ’00, B.S. communication, is a Alumni Prashanth Srinivasan ’04, M.E.S. mechani- James Harris ’07, B.A.A.S. applied arts courseware operations for FlightSafety supply chain specialist for Clariant. He lives Alumni Craft Beer Pairings March 28, cal engineering, is a senior specialist for and sciences, earned master’s degrees in International. She lives in Irving. in Houston. eight craft beers foamed to the music Consolidated Edison Co. of New York. He health care management and accounting. Reception lives in Plainview, N.Y. He is an EHR applications specialist for Raye Castro ’96, A.A.S. nursing, was select- Jaclyn Scales ’00, B.S. political science, ’11, of Mad Maude & the Hatters while The Institute of Health Metrics and lives in ed to be included in the publication World- M.Ed. administration, teaches and coaches Dallas alumni gathered in the Chapar- Justin Henderson ’05, B.S. family and con- alumni sampled pours along with Beaumont. wide Leaders in Heathcare. She currently at Goose Creek Memorial High School in sumer sciences-family studies, ’07, M.Ed. ral Ballroom of the Sheraton Dallas carefully chosen cheeses and sweets is a correctional nurse working at John Baytown, where she lives. Hotel March 13 to catch up with fel- counseling and development, is a licensed Tyrone Haynes ’07, B.B.A. marketing, Sealy Correctional Center in the University in the University Reception Center on professional counselor and lives in Houston earned a law degree from Texas Southern Dr. Jason Flores ’01, B.S. biology, ’04, B.S. of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and low classmates in the Dallas area. with his wife, Candise. University with magna cum laude honors. nursing, earned a dental degree from the the eighth floor of the Mary and John also serves on staff at Christus Hospital St. 1 He served as a judicial law clerk for two University of Texas Health Sciences in Michelle (Easter) Mitchell ’05, B.S. nursing, Elizabeth. She lives in Beaumont. Gray Library. federal judges and has joined Steele Law Houston and a specialty in anesthesiology 1. Beth Yelverton ’04 and Josh Daspit lives in San Marcos with her husband, Billy. Group as an associate attorney. He lives in Dana (Anderson) Frazier ’96, A.A.S. nursing, from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. ’04 2. Bart Simmons ’78, ’79, left, Pranay Reguri ’05, M.E. electrical engineer- Houston with his wife, Jasimi (Bankston) is a nurse with Texas Home Health and He is director of dental anesthesiology for 1. Wayne Margolis, left, President Ken ing, is EAI analyst for CPS Energy in San ’07, B.S. psychology, ’13, M.Ed. school lives in Pineland with her husband, James. the University of New Mexico. He and his and Will Sennette 3. Mary Aubry Evans and Susan (Hendrix) Margolis Antonio. He lives in Helotes with his wife, administration. She teaches in the Galena wife, Amy (Buffington) ’03, B.A. psychology, ’93, left, Cindy Barnes and Joyce The Society of Women Engineers – ’79 2. Allison (Edwards) Brocato Snigdha Boppidi. Park school district. live in Rio Rancho, N.M. Houston Area Section and the Federation (Johnson) Scott ’72 4. Wasim ’85 and Lum Edwards III ’89 Ashley Stone ’05, B.G.S. general studies, David Pickett ’07, B.G.S. general studies, is of Houston Professional Women named Suresh Gudavalli ’01, M.E. civil engineering, Akram ’12, left, K.C. Sen and Eddie is chapter development manager for the a science teacher in the West Hardin school Brandy Lang ’96, B.S. civil engineering, the ’06, Eng.D. civil engineering, is manager 3. Randa (Tooke) ’97, ’02, and Brian Shamp IV ’07 5. Elvis Mason ’59, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in district. He lives in Beaumont with his 2014 Woman of Excellence. She is an en- E&T for ATSER. He lives in Houston Hurtado ’99 4. Lloyd ’77 and Adri- Austin, where he lives. wife, Gloria. gineer for Rinker Materials and a member with his wife, Archana Gottipati. ’82HD, left, Fred Casteel ’62, Randy enne (Smith) Hebert ’81 5. Tammy of the Lamar University Civil Engineering Irish (Carter) Clark ’06, B.S. health and South African, Dawie Van Der Walt ’07, Korey Kimball ’01, B.B.A. finance, is senior Best ’67 and Joan Mason 1 Advisory Council. She lives in Cypress. and Ted Booker ’88, left, with Penelope kinesiology, ’13, B.S. health promotion, is B.A.A.S. applied arts and sciences, won the project manager for The Bayou Compa- (Stratiotis) ’91, ’94, and Carl Butler ’91 a program specialist for the Texas Depart- Nelson Mandela Championship in golf. John Duff ’97, B.S. communication, is as- nies. He lives in New Iberia with his wife, ment of State Health Services. She lives in The win came the day before the funeral of sociate director of the Longhorn Network Suzanne. Seagoville with her husband, Byron. Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black in Austin, where he lives. Joshua Home ’02, B.B.A. marketing, is a president. He lives in Kingwood. Megan (Ramos) Davidson ’06, B.S. interdis- Andrea (White) Henry ’97, B.S. sociology, is general manager for Cintas Corporation in ciplinary studies, ’09, M.Ed. administra- Josh Yawn ’07, B.S. communication, health care administrator for The Hampton San Antonio, where he lives. 2 tion, teaches third grade in the Conroe produced and hosted Southeast Texas’s first Post Oak. She lives in Katy with her hus- Rachel (Lewis) Gilford ’03, B.S. interdis- school district. She lives in Spring with her and only family game show, Family Knows band, Kenneth ’97, B.A. psychology, who is ciplinary studies, ’10, M.Ed. elementary husband, Jason. Best. The show has aired for two seasons assistant principal for the Cypress Fairbanks education, teaches in the Beaumont school on Fox 4. He lives in Beaumont. school district. Kimberly (Doucet) Sala ’06, B.A.A.S. applied district, where she lives. arts and sciences, ’14, M.Ed., educational James Carnley ’08, B.S. computer science, Brian East ’98, B.M. music, ’10, M.E. Joseph Haeggquist ’03, B.G.S. general stud- technology leadership, is an academic ’10, M.S. computer science, is a software school administration, is principal of Curtis ies, earned a law degree from St. Mary’s advisor for Lamar University and lives in engineer for Epic in Verona, Wis., where he Elementary School in Beaumont, where University and works for Brock Person 2 Beaumont with her husband, Vincent. lives with his wife, Crystal (Wettingfield)’09, he lives. Guerra Reyna P.C. in San Antonio, where B.S. computer and information sciences. Bhavin Sanghavi ’06, M.E. mechanical engi- Tim Kimble ’98, B.S. mechanical engineer- he lives. She also works for Epic as an interface neering, is a pipe stress engineer for Bechtel ing, is senior engineer for American Bureau analyst. Hardik Parekh ’03, M.S. environmental Corporation. He lives in Houston. of Shipping. He lives in Humble. engineering, is senior engineer for H2M in Dr. Bobby Clay ’08, B.G.S. general studies, Scott Whitman ’06, B.B.A. human resource Vickie McGee ’99, B.A. history, is a market N.Y., where he lives. earned a pharmacy degree from the Univer- management, is a sales representative for human resources manager for Wal-Mart sity of Houston. He lives in Houston. Judy (Cowan) Taylor ’03, B.S. communica- Daiichi-Sankyo Pharmaceuticals. He lives Stores Inc. She lives in Cypress. tion, earned a master’s degree in liberal in Houston. Jessica (Munson) Hill ’08, M.B.A. business Byron Miller ’99, B.A.A.S. applied arts and arts and sciences from Western Illinois administration, is vice president of eco- 3 4 Jason Yeaman ’06, B.S. kinesiology, ’11, sciences, ’99, B.A. English, ’04, M.Ed. University. She lives with her husband, nomic development for the Southeast Texas M.Ed. administration, is assistant principal school administration, ’12, Ed.D. educa- Luis, in Quincy, Ill. Economic Development Foundation. She in the Little Cypress Mauriceville school tional leadership, is principal of Simsboro and her husband, Zeke, live in Nederland. T.J. Donnell ’04, B.S. communication, is an district. He lives in Bridge City with his School in Lincoln Parish in Louisiana. 3 4 appraiser for Lone Star Appraisals & Realty wife, Charlee (Lemons) ’06, M.Ed. school Caitlin James ’08, B.A. English, ’11, Earl Morrison Jr. ’99, B.S. criminal justice, Inc. in Cedar Park, where he lives. administration, who is principal at High- M.A. English, is an instructor at Lamar earned a master’s degree from the Univer- land Park Elementary in the Nederland State College-Port Arthur. She lives in Candace (Landry) Greer ’04, B.S. criminal sity of Houston-Downtown and is chief of school district. Beaumont. justice, is a security officer and substitute police for the Hutto Police Department. teacher for the Beaumont school district, Judy (Alvarado) Brodeur ’07, B.S. health Anjib Mulepati ’08, M.S. computer science, He lives in Deer Park. where she lives. education, is a substitute teacher for the is a software engineer for Source Allies Inc. Friendswood school district, where she in Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife, Kelli Gunter ’04, B.A. political science, lives with her husband, Norman ’07, B.S. Kunjini Rajbhandari, live in Johnston, earned a law degree from Texas Tech Uni- industrial technology. He is global quality Iowa. 00s versity. She is a litigation attorney for Kane Arvind Gopal ’00, M.S. computer science, is manager for Best Pump Works. Russell Coleman and Logan. She lives in Priscilla Rosell ’08, B.B.A. economics, is director for Etera Solutions Private Limited Houston. Jacob Cassity ’07, B.F.A. graphic design, is financial planning and analysis leader for in India, where he lives. marketing technology specialist for DuPont GE Oil and Gas and lives in Nacogdoches. Wesley Mahon ’04, B.B.A. management Verna (Koleosho) Johnson ’00, B.S. psychol- Goodrich Federal Credit Union. He and information systems, is a digital forensic Andrew See ’08, B.S. chemical engineer- ogy, earned a master’s degree in behavioral his wife, Jillian, live in Beaumont. examiner for the Army. He lives in Raeford, ing, is a field engineer for Schlumberger in psychology from the University of Hous- N.C., with his wife, Rachel. Dwayne Champagne ’07, B.B.A. finance, is Houston, where he lives. ton-Clear Lake. She is a service member of a financial advisor for Mobiloil Financial VetUs Staffing and lives in Fresno with her Nicholas Mott ’04, B.B.A. marketing, is Group. He lives in Beaumont with his wife, husband, Cedric. construction manager for Tulsa Inspection Re- 5 5 Jennifer (Way) ’07, B.B.A. finance. sources in Tulsa, Okla. He lives in Kountze.
78 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 79 ClassNotes
CO64 Baseball Reunion Tailgate More than 90 Class of 1964 Alumni enjoyed links, boudin alumni attended the reunion and more at the April 11 Sept. 20. Alumni Baseball Tailgate before watching the Cards 1. Beth (Dudley) Wheeler take on New Orleans at 1 2 3 ’94 and Corky Wheeler ’64 1 Vincent-Beck Stadium. 2. Stephen Grace ’64, left, and Claud Stanley ’64 1. President Ken Evans, 3. From left, Ellen (Goldin) left, and David Bernsen ’73 King ’64, Michael Ann 2. Caitlin Kruger ’09, left, (Agee) Crawford ’64, Linda and Christi Grudier ’10 (Henriksen) Kmiecik ’64, 3. Claud ’59, ’72, and Alice 4 Susan (Terry) McLendon Sibert 4. Daniel ’93 and 3 ’64, Anna Lee (Dunn) Had- Karen (Gunn) Martinez ’91, dox ’64, Bob McLendon ’64 left, with Victoria Martinez 4. Ronn ’64 and Anna Lee 5. Shawn ’00, ’07, and (Dunn) Haddox ’6 2 Stephanie (Dollar) Molina ’00, 5. Margaret (Pugh) Bostic with Gabi, center, and Myah ’64, ’75 6. President Ken Molina 6. From left, Evans, left, with Carolyn Melinda McWherter, Olivia (Honea) ’64, ’75, and McWherter, guest Ace, Grant Bo Crawford ’65, ’73 McWherter, guest Bryce, Jacob McWherter and Glenn McWherter ’93 4 5 6 5 6
Josh Shenkir ’08, B.S. electrical engineer- Cody Dishon ’09, B.B.A. general business, pal exchange in Brazil. She has completed Sean Leamon ’10, M.Ed. administration, Murrell Stewart ’10, M.Ed. school adminis- April (Parnell) Hughes ’11, B.S. interdisci- School in the Cypress-Fairbanks school Lauren Bridwell ’13, B.G.S. general studies, ing, is a project engineer for Chevron earned a law degree from South Texas the National Board of Professional Teach- is principal in the Sonora school district, tration, is principal of Gentry Junior High plinary studies, teaches in the Brookesmith district. He lives in Jersey Village with his is a legal assistant for Strong Pipkin Bissell Phillips Chemical in The Woodlands, where College of Law and works for Provost ing Standards’ principal certification pilot where he lives with his wife, Dana. School in the Goose Creek school district. school district. She lives in Brownwood wife, Terry (Ullrich) ’11, M.Ed. administra- and Ledyard in Beaumont, where she lives. he lives with his wife, Lauren ’05, B.S. Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont. He lives program and lives in Houston. He lives in Beaumont. with her husband, John. tion. She teaches at Emery Elementary in Christopher Mayfield ’10, M.Ed. administra- James Feemster ’13, B.G.S. general studies, interdisciplinary studies. in Beaumont with his wife, Julia (Tran) ’11, the same district. Brian Roberson II ’09, B.S. communication, tion, is principal at Lovejoy High School Dominic Barone ’11, M.Ed. administration, Rachel Johnson ’11, B.S. family and is human resources training manager for B.S. nursing. She is pursuing a doctor- Aaron Wright ’08, B.S. industrial engineer- ’10, M.Ed. educational technology leader- serving Fairview, Lucas and Allen. He lives is principal at Jefferson Elementary in Nor- consumer sciences, is a preparation to adult Jordan Champagne ’12, B.S. family and Signature Industrial. He lives in Silsbee. ate in nurse anesthesia at Texas Christian ing, is manager of projects for CDI Co. He ship, teaches and coaches at a high school in Wylie. man, Okla. He lives in Oklahoma City. living trainer and case manager for Buckner consumer science-fashion retailing, is an University. Natalie Fikac ’13, Ed.D. educational leader- lives in Orange. in the Cypress-Fairbanks school district. He International. She lives in Port Arthur. independent beauty consultant for Mary Jeff Moreau ’10, B.S. electrical engineering, Dalene (York) Burns ’11, M.Ed. educational ship, is coordinator of guidance services Boone Drummond ’09, B.S. mechanical lives in Houston. Kay in Brazoria, where she lives. Rio Grande Valley Texas Association of works for Dupont as an electrical engineer. technology leadership, is director of student Adam Lack ’11, B.B.A. general business, for the Pearland school district. She lives in engineer, is a program consultant for Bilingual Education selected Perla (Mon- Prerakkumar Shah ’09, M.E. electrical He lives in Hope Mills, N.C. services for the Dimmitt school district, is a maintenance engineer for KMTEX Jeff Guelker ’12, M.Ed. administration, Baytown. CLEAResult Consulting. He lives in talvo) Alvarez ’09, M.Ed. administration, engineering, is an electrical engineer for where she lives. chemical plant in Port Arthur. He lives in is assistant principal in the Crane school Duncanville. Regina (Boulet) Peddy ’10, A.A.S. nursing, Lori Webb ’13, B.A.A.S. applied arts and as bilingual teacher of the year. She lives in Braintree Tech Solutions. He lives in Nederland with his wife, Desirae. district, where he lives. works for the Vidor school district, where Joshua Davis ’11, B.S. criminal justice, is sciences, is a clinical analyst for MD Buy- Edinburg. Chad Helton ’09, B.S. civil engineering, is a Cincinnati, Ohio. she lives with her husband, Danny. lead surgery scheduler for Altus Health in Sara Madden ’11, M.Ed. teacher leadership, Kelly Rivera ’12, B.S. communication, is a line and lives in Richardson. project engineer for Bell Engineering. He Dustin Baxter ’09, B.F.A. graphic design, is Howell Wright ’09, Ed.D. educational lead- Beaumont, where he lives. is a social studies teacher in the Cypress- tutor coordinator for Lamar University and lives in Orange. Bill Posey ’10, M.Ed. administration, is Robert Martinez ’14, B.A.A.S. applied arts and a graphic designer for Conn’s. He lives in ership, is assistant superintendent for the Fairbanks school district. She lives in lives in Beaumont. campus coordinator for state testing and Anne (Bennett) Dickens ’11, Ed.D. sciences, is a data center analyst for Apache. Tomball with his wife, Jaclyn. Erica (Sanchez) Lopez ’09, B.B.A. manage- San Marcos school district, where he lives Houston with her husband, Joseph. career and technology education for the educational leadership, is a grant project Justin Slankard ’12, B.B.A. management, is He lives in Katy with his wife, Gloria. ment, works for ExxonMobil and lives in with his wife, Dorothy ’89, B.S. secondary Iris (Garcia) Beltran ’09, B.S. computer Joshua school district. He and his wife, director for Galveston College. She and her Suni (Collier) Meeks ’11, B.B.A. account- a sales representative for Glazer’s Distribu- Beaumont. education, ’00, M.Ed. school administration. Logan Porter ’14, Eng.D. electrical science, is a front-end web developer for Genell, live in Burleson. husband, Durrell ’11, Ed.D. educational ing, is customer service representative, for tors. He lives in Beaumont. engineering, is an engineer for National Clarity Ventures. She and her husband, Priscilla (Quinonez) Michel ’09, M.Ed. leadership, live in League City. He is an Cameron. She lives in Bryan. Chris Simpson ’10, M.Ed. administration, William Ware ’12, B.S. electrical engineer- Instruments. He lives in Austin with his Omar, live in Pflugerville. administration, teaches in the Ysleta school associate professor at Galveston College. is principal at Wiley Middle School in the Alan Peterson ’11, B.S. mechanical engi- ing, ’12, B.S. physics, earned a master’s wife, Iris. district, where she lives with her husband, Chalijua (Brown) Brooks ’09, B.A.A.S. 10s Leander school district. He lives in Round John Eubanks ’11, M.Ed. administration, neering, is a reliability engineer for Odfjell degree in electrical and computer engineer- Adrian. Jennie (Muse) Good ’10, M.Ed. administra- Crissie Vandehoef ’14, B.S. chemistry, ’14, applied arts and sciences, is a financial aid Rock. earned a master’s degree in science educa- in Seabrook. He lives in Houston. ing from Purdue University. He lives in tion, is curriculum director for the Kilgore B.S. biology, has been accepted into the specialist at Lamar University. She lives in Justin Morris ’09, B.B.A. marketing, works tion from the University of Texas-Arlington. Oxford, Ohio. school district, where she lives. Jessica Smith ’10, B.S. family and con- Jennifer (Hamm) Veal ’11, M.Ed. adminis- Texas A&M combined training program Beaumont. in sales for Andon Specialties. He lives in He is head of sport and physical education sumer sciences, earned a master’s degree tration, is a teacher at the Pleasant Grove Isaiah Blanchard ’13, B.A. English, is sea- that leads to both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Tomball with his wife, Rachael. Kim (Sheppard) Heinze ’10, M.B.A. business at the Beacon Academy in Jakarta, Indone- Michelle (Bauer) Courmier ’09, B.G.S. in liberal arts from the University of St. High School. She lives in Texarkana. food representative at HEB in Beaumont. She was a 2013 Beck Fellow and lives in administration, is president and chief execu- sia. His wife, Margaret (Mangan) ’03, B.A. general studies, ’11, M.A. history, teaches Lindsey (Knauer) Pollock ’09, M.E. adminis- Thomas. She works for Envoy Mortgage He lives in Kountze. College Station. tive officer of River City Federal Credit history, ’11 M.Ed. administration, is deputy Jerry Boyd ’12, M.Ed. educational technol- in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville school tration, ’13, Ed.D. educational leadership, and lives in Houston with her husband, Union in San Antonio, where she lives. head of school at Beacon Academy. ogy leadership, teaches at Smith Middle district. She lives in Vidor. recently returned from a two-week princi- Melvin Roberts.
80 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 81 a Donor Day2014 Thanktudents from across campus gathered to “First and foremost, I’d like to say “Thank you.” I may never meet you, laugh with you or share any real memory with you, but I’m grateful for your contributions to thank generous alumni and friends who the University. It’s selfless acts like yours that make me proud to be alive and just have made donations to Lamar University honored to know there are people like you out there. It’s because of you that I am during the first-ever “Thank a Donor Day” able to pursue my dreams at such a wonderful university.” —Tyler Sept. 18. Staff and student volunteers wore S“Gratitude Crew” t-shirts, and the phrase, “There is no “I just wanted to personally thank you for everything you’ve done for Lamar. LU without U,” coined by one student became the I moved all the way from Portland, OR, to come study at this university, and popular sentiment written by many on thank you without people like you my experience wouldn’t be nearly as amazing. Your cards and posted on social media. donations mean so much, so thank you!” In a day packed Your Lamar Cheerleader, —Emmalee with fun, laughter and friendship, students “Your donations help change the lives of all the students on campus. Next year, showed their apprecia- I will earn my bachelor’s degree which will help create a bright future not only tion to those who have for me, but for my son as well. I love Lamar because it feels like its own world, helped make LU such where I am safe. Your help is doing more than you a wonderful place to could ever imagine. Thank you!”—Meagan learn. In addition to written thank you notes, “As a Cardinal both proud and true, students posted their I would like to take this moment to thank you. thanks on social me- For all that you give and all that you do, dia, filmed their own testimonials and more. If you I am forever grateful to you.”—Skylar visit campus, see if you can catch sight of a Thank a Donor Day t-shirt worn by this year’s participants. We “Thank you so much for your support of Lamar! I am hope you might experience a little of the excitement a student in the Texas Academy of Leadership in the of that day through these photos and quotes. Humanities Program. Not only do I get to start college at 16, but my tuition is covered by a scholarship. I know that this would not be possible without support from
generous donors like you.”—Sydney oung Y ristie “Thank you for donating to Lamar. I have a full academic , K emore
scholarship. I know that without this scholarship you L c
provided, I would not be in college. You have literally M
changed my life. Thank you!”—Leela aniel , D ilbert G ayden : H hotos P
82 | Cardinal Cadence 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 42:2 DECEMBER 2014 Cardinal Cadence | 83 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 502 BEAUMONT, TX
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