Living the Inventing
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A PUBLICATION OF LAMAR UNIVERSITY VOL. 42, NO. 1 APRIL 2014 LIVING THE Legacy INVENTING THE Goal surpassed $132 million raised Future Nanoscopic research Huge potential For more than 90 years, Lamar University students have embraced Cardinal Pride. Cardinals build their own unique futures on Lamar’s legacy of educational opportunity. Our students, faculty and alumni pursuits combine to form a creative, living legacy that contributes to a vibrant and powerful future in Southeast Texas and beyond. 2 | CARDINAL CADENCE 42:1 APRIL 2014 42:1 APRIL 2014 CARDINAL CADENCE | 3 2 President’s Letter LIVING THE LEGACY A PUBLICATION OF LAMAR UNIVERSITY in this issue 7 $132 million raised CONTENTS | APRIL 2014 VOLUME 42, NUMBER 1 Campaign surpasses goal * Campaign wrap-up Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of University 14 Profiles Advancement, Lamar University, a member of The Texas State LIVING THE LEGACY, University System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity INVENTING THE FUTURE Eager to start a business * Exploring possibilities educational institution. Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations 32 The Investiture of Innovation Fund Inspires Dr. Kenneth R. Evans 16 Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist Leland Best’s legacy remembered Larry Acker ’10, Assistant Director, Writer INVENTING THE FUTURE Daniel McLemore ’09, Marketing Specialist 18 A Visionary Leader Innovation-based Eco System Frances Simpson ’95, Senior Administrative Associate 36 Herman Iles Building dedicated New building will house commercialization center CONTRIBUTORS Supporting Students in Health Care Writing | Julie Aimé, Cathleen Cole, Beth Gallaspy, Molly 20 Nanoscopic Porter, Cheryl Rose, Kara Timberlake 39 Orange Memorial Hospital Corp. gift continues tradition Professor thinks small. Very small. Photography | Julie Aimé, Gary Christopher, Evie Clifton, 22 Honors Celebrates Golden Anniversary Caity Colvard, fj Gaylor, Brandon Gouthier 42 Transforming From contaminant to commodity Circulation includes 72,000 copies distributed to alumni, faculty, Distinguished Alumni staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have received more 26 than one copy of this publication, please let us know. 44 Innovations in health care Bost, Nejad and Clark honored Planned gift strengthens EE Changes of address may be sent to: University Advancement, (Still need a title for these pages) P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by 47 Optical Illusions 28 Stealth painting banishes blemishes LIVING THE LEGACY, INVENTING THE FUTURE E-mail: [email protected] Diversity Celebrated DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 50 32 The Investiture of Dr. Kenneth R. Evans Camille Mouton, Vice President 51 Good Advice INVENTING THE FUTURE Juan J. Zabala ’07, Associate Vice President Undergraduate Advising Center Floyd F. McSpadden Jr., Director of Planned Giving fosters success Innovation-based Eco System 36 Tracie Craig, Director of University Reception Centers New building will house commercialization center 53 Springboard to LU Shannon Copeland ’02, ’03, ’07, Director of Academy offers early excellence Advancement Services Nanoscopic 39 Mark Osborne, Director of Spindletop-Gladys City 54 Embracing LU opportunities Professor thinks small. Very small. 39 Boomtown Museum Charla Pate, University Web Editor 55 Diagnosis – determination 42 Transforming P.O. Box 10011 Passion for learning From contaminant to commodity Beaumont, Texas 77710 20 56 6 President’s Letter (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 44 Innovations in health care LIVING THE LEGACY Planned gift strengthens EE LAMAR UNIVERSITY ALUMNI OFFICE When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the 7 $132 million raised Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Building B, Suite 102, 47 Optical Illusions Campaign surpasses goal * Campaign wrap-up 855 Jim Gilligan Way. Stealth painting banishes blemishes Linda LeBlanc ’75, Director of Alumni Affairs 14 Profiles LU Alumni Office Diversity Celebrated Eager to start a business * Exploring possibilities P.O. Box 10005 50 Beaumont, Texas 77710 (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 51 Good Advice 16 Innovation Fund Inspires E-mail: [email protected] Undergraduate Advising Center fosters success Leland Best’s legacy remembered www.lamar.edu/alumni LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOUNdaTION 53 Springboard to LU 18 A Visionary Leader Juan J. Zabala ’07, Executive Director Herman Iles Building dedicated Karen Nichols ’83, Director 36 44 16 42 Academy offers early excellence P.O. Box 11500 Beaumont, Texas 77710 Embracing LU opportunities 20 Supporting Students in Health Care (409) 880-2117 54 Orange Memorial gift continues tradition E-mail: [email protected] www.lamar.edu/foundation 10 Cardinal Views THE TEXAS StatE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS 55 Diagnosis – determination 22 Honors Celebrates Golden Anniversary 12 Dream Makers Brian McCall, Chancellor | Plano David Montagne | Beaumont Donna N. Williams, Chairman | Arlington Vernon Reaser III | Bellaire 56 Passion for learning Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) 57 Class Notes 26 Distinguished Alumni is published by Lamar University, Ron Mitchell, Vice Chairman | Horseshoe Bay Rossanna Salazar | Austin Bost, Nejad and Clark honored Division of University Advancement, Charlie Amato | San Antonio William F. Scott | Nederland 855 Jim Gilligan Way, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Jaime Garza | San Antonio Matthew Russell, Student Regent | San Marcos 28 Memories in pictures Kevin J. Lilly | Houston 4 | CARDINAL CADENCE 42:1 APRIL 2014 42:1 APRIL 2014 CARDINAL CADENCE | 5 from the President Campaign surpasses goal, $132 million raised by Brian Sattler Gifts from thousands of loyal Cardinals and friends contributed to a historic campaign, significant because it allowed Lamar University to take transfor- mational strides toward a GOUTHIER bigger, brighter future. elcome to this edition alumni, Brent Bost, Rena Clark and Sina Tracy Benson and John Guo. Tracy’s work amar University’s first-ever of Cadence. We cel- Nejad, with this year’s Distinguished Alumni on capturing petro chemical emissions has comprehensive campaign has ebrate the completion Award. All have made outstanding contribu- potentially significant implications both surpassed its goal by raising From left, Camille Mouton, vice president for University of Lamar University’s tions to not only Lamar University but to financially and environmentally. John’s in- more than $132 million. Advancement; James Simmons, president emeritus; first comprehensive the community. Additionally, J.C. Corrent novative research on nanocomposites holds In June, members of Chancellor Brian McCall, The Texas State University campaign with a total of gifts and pledges of is making a very creative contribution to promise in a wide array of applications the campaign cabinet and System; Greg Thompson, campaign co-chair; and W Elvis Mason, honorary chair. Not pictured: Mike Aldredge, $132 million. This amazing outpouring of visual effects on oil and gas facilities. Who including the maritime industry and informa- Spindletop Society, donors of $1 million or campaign co-chair more, joined in a celebration of the successful L GOUTHIER generosity from alumni, friends, faculty and would have ever thought of stealth painting tion technology. Forward-thinking research staff, foundations and businesses, to name —J.C. did and the results are astounding. We will find traction on its way to becoming the campaign. Of the total raised, $72 million is for academic support, $40 million for scholar- “When the campaign began, it would group of volunteers on the foundation board but a few, will have transformational implica- recognize Herman Iles for his leadership in processes and products of tomorrow in the ships, and $20 million for athletics. have been hard for anyone to imagine the and campaign cabinet, has done something I tions for LU. establishing Lamar University. The Orange New Center for Innovation, Commercializa- Seven years ago, with a desire to ensure response. We flew past the original goal have never seen accomplished by so few, yet While Lamar University has benefited Memorial Hospital Corp. gift dedicated to tion and Entrepreneurship that will soon be a superior university experience for genera- and surpassed the final goal by a significant done so well,” she said. from the support received through this supporting students seeking careers in the under construction on our campus. Lastly, tions to come, dedicated alumni and friends amount,” Mouton said. “I also compliment the integrity and true campaign, it is also cultivating the next healthcare professions is also recognized. Lamar’s new Undergraduate Advising Center formed a campaign cabinet and joined with The journey has been the result of pride philanthropic spirit exhibited by all of the generation of community service leaders We celebrate teaching excellence through provides valuable support for students across President Emeritus James M. Simmons, the in the university near and far. Remarkably, 70 donors. It is amazing that Lamar only had among our student population. As you read Randy Best’s gift in memory of his mother, an array of services. Lamar is committed LU Foundation and a talented advancement percent of Lamar employees—easily the to write off .06 percent of pledges where the the many profiles of the diverse community lifelong educator LeLand Best. Finally, Larry to student success and this new advising staff led by Vice President for Advancement highest percentage of participation at any norm is 1 to 4 percent,” Costello said. “That