Students maximize Opportunities at every turn Panama Canal CEO RE-engineering commerce New Cards on campus Kenneth and Nancy Evans FROM THE CARDINAL CONTENTS | JUNE 2013 VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 PRESIDENT Cadence Cardinal Cadence is published by the Division of University Advancement, Lamar University, a member of The Texas State FEATURES University System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity educational institution. ne of the great privileges of serving as Brian Sattler, Executive Editor, Director of Public Relations 24 Beyond the textbook One of the world’s most productive environmental president is the opportunity to attend Cynthia Hicks ’89, ’93, Editor, Publication Specialist researchers named University Professor commencements. In my career I have Larry Acker ’10, Assistant Director, Writer 28 LU treasures its history attended 90 Lamar commencement Beth Gallaspy ’09, Marketing Specialist, Writer The dining hall has a name exercises, and, in my 14 years as presi- Louise Wood, Media Specialist, Writer dent, 30,245 individuals have become Frances Simpson ’95, Senior Administrative Associate 30 Beck Fellowships grow in number Lamar graduates. I have greeted most Check out how students Chrissie Vandehoef and Amy Morgan spend their summers of them as they crossed the Montagne Center stage. Each pas- CONTRIBUTORS Writing | Julie Aimé, Erik Cox, Sharon Forret, Pat Murray, 32 A can-do attitude Osage not only signifies individual achievement, but the significant Andrew Strange Meet Kenneth and Nancy Evans: LU’s new promise for the future of the region and beyond. Photography | Julie Aimé, Matt Billiot, Gary Christopher, president and first lady 28 30 34 Lamar’s next president, Dr. Kenneth Evans, joined me on Sharon Forret, Brandon Gouthier, Drew Loker, Miguel Perez, Chris Smith, Andrew Strange, Shevaun Williams, Rick Yeatts the platform at spring commencement during a brief campus visit. He will take the 34 Shaping their futures Will Robbins capitalizes on fascination with politics reins July 1, and I trust you will join Susan and me in welcoming Ken and Nancy Evans Circulation includes 69,000 copies distributed to alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Lamar University. If you have received more Ashley Newchurch prefers creating to curating to the campus and community. Together they bring a wealth of perspective on not only than one copy of this publication, please let us know. Joshua Barnes already puts theory into practice Ana Mendez overcomes language barrier higher education but also what it means to be leaders with care and passion. Changes of address may be sent to: A.J. Webb loves the richness of his college experience In this, my final edition of Cardinal Cadence, I want to express again that it has University Advancement, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710, or by been a tremendous honor to serve. As I step away from the office and Susan and I E-mail: [email protected] 39 Distinguished Faculty Lecture move into the next chapter in our lives, I look forward to returning to my first loves — Mark your calendar for Catalina Castillon teaching and music—and to the faculty of the Mary Morgan Moore Department DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 58 Cardinal inspiration Camille Mouton, Vice President of Music. Acclaimed composer Joey Love ’07 captures Juan J. Zabala ’07, Associate Vice President During this leadership transition in Lamar’s 90th year, I am confident that there emotion in melody 39 Floyd F. McSpadden Jr., Director of Planned Giving are even greater days ahead for our university. That confidence is reflected in the con- 61 A college love story Tracie Craig, Director of University Reception Centers tinuing support for Lamar’s Investing in the Future comprehensive campaign that is on Frederic Day ’60 honors the memory of his wife Shannon Copeland ’02, ’03, ’07, Director of Ruth (Findley) ’75 target to meet, or exceed, its $125 million goal. We are so grateful for the generosity of Advancement Services so many who have given to better our university and to enrich the lives of our students. Mark Osborne, Director of Spindletop-Gladys City 62 Entrepreneur from the start Everyone should have an opportunity to leave a legacy at Lamar, and one way to Boomtown Museum Roosevelt Petry Jr. ’82, ’96, and Marlene (Captain) ’95 build international company do so is to participate in the campaign by purchasing a brick in the Cardinal Walk of Charla Pate, University Web Editor Honor. Together, we can support the university and enhance the campus quadrangle. P.O. Box 10011 64 New authority Beaumont, Texas 77710 As CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, Jorge These are exciting days. (409) 880-8419 or fax (409) 880-8409 Quijano ’73, ’74, leads a $5.25 billion expansion With Cardinal Pride, LAMAR UNIVERSITY ALUMNI OFFICE 67 Everything in balance When visiting campus, you’re invited to stop by the Leading litigator Sandra Clark ’76 takes Alumni Office at the John Gray Center, Building B, Suite 102, multitasking to new level 855 Jim Gilligan Way. 32 62 James M. Simmons Linda LeBlanc ’75, Director of Alumni Affairs President LU Alumni Office P.O. Box 10005 Lamar University Beaumont, Texas 77710 DEPARTMENTS THE FACE OF THE CAMPAIGN (409) 880-8921, or (800) 298-4839 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE E-mail: [email protected] 10 On Campus www.lamar.edu/alumni 56 Arts & Culture 4 Building business Motivation comes naturally to Gene ’61, LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOUndaTION 40 Class Notes ’80, and Elizabeth Arnold -64 Juan J. Zabala ’07, Executive Director Karen Nichols ’83, Director 52 Athletics 6 Sharing success P.O. Box 11500 Larry ’73 and Cynthia (Smesny) 4 Beaumont, Texas 77710 Norwood ’72 know students need a leg up (409) 880-2117 LAGNIAPPE THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS E-mail: [email protected] 22 Cardinal Views 8 DreamMakers www.lamar.edu/foundation Endowments create legacies that 30 Brian McCall, Chancellor | Plano David Montagne | Beaumont 30 Standing Ovation for honor alumni and friends Jimmy and Susan Simmons Donna N. Williams, Chairman | Arlington Vernon Reaser III | Bellaire MAGAZINE DESIGN | Mike Rhodes Ron Mitchell, Vice Chairman | Horseshoe Bay Rossanna Salazar | Austin 44 Upcoming Cardinal Adventure ON THE COVER | Kenneth Evans Charlie Amato | San Antonio William F. Scott | Nederland 68 Buy your personalized PHOTO BY | Shevaun Williams Cardinal Cadence (USPS 017-254) is published biannually by brick today! 68 Jaime Garza | San Antonio Andrew Greenberg, Student Regent | Beaumont Lamar University, Division of University Advancement, 6 Kevin J. Lilly | Houston 855 Jim Gilligan Way, Beaumont, Texas 77705. 2 | CARDINAL CADENCE 41:1 JUNE 2013 41:1 JUNE 2013 CARDINAL CADENCE | 3 or most people, retirement means taking it easy and partnership to mine and quarry lime in Peru.” doing all the things you never had the chance to do Through an on-site manager, Arnold has spent the last few during your career. For Gene Arnold ’61, ’80, his years constructing the lime processing facility, preparing the quarry passion has always been business, and retirement and acquiring the kilns and necessary equipment to produce lime didn’t diminish that passion. To acknowledge all that oxide and lime hydroxide. Also known as calcium oxide and calcium Lamar has done for him and wife Elizabeth -64, they hydroxide, lime is widely used in building and engineering materi- have established the Gene and Elizabeth Arnold Innovation Fund als, including limestone products, concrete and mortar. He makes Fin Business and the Gene and Elizabeth Arnold Innovation Fund in regular trips to Peru each year to manage the business. Audiology. Arnold recently started two other businesses in the Beaumont Arnold earned a bachelor of business administration degree in area. He created Armour General Contractors LLC, which builds accounting in 1961 and an M.B.A. in 1980, both from Lamar. As homes and constructs commercial buildings, roads and other a certified public accountant, he spent 30-plus years serving various commercial facilities. The other is Cole Creek Materials, a recycling business interests in nearly every senior managerial capacity from business that takes the residue from demolished buildings, roads controller to stock broker to vice president. His service to Lamar and bridges and reprocesses it into fill materials for road beds came after his first retirement. and other uses. “When I retired, I guess I got bored, so I came out to the The Arnold’s love for each other began when they started dat- Lamar Small Business Development Center to see if there was any- ing in college and has fostered a love for Lamar University as well. thing I could do for them. Well, I ended up becoming the director An interesting footnote from his tenure as director of the Small Busi- of the center,” Arnold said. It was a position he would hold for the ness Development Center, Arnold has the distinction of being the next 11 years. first person to know Jimmy Simmons had been selected as the 14th The motivation for establishing the endowed innovation funds president of Lamar. rather than endowed scholarships came from Arnold’s years of expe- “The SBDC was housed in one of the buildings in the John rience in knowing what it takes Gray Center complex, and the to fundraise and the challenge of “He needed a partner and an board of trustees was conduct- allocating limited resources. The investment in time, money and expertise, ing the presidential search innovation funds may be used interviews in the building next to support teaching, research, so we formed a partnership to mine door,” he said with a smile. “I service and professional develop- and quarry lime in Peru.” walked out to go to lunch and ment activities of faculty, as well —GENE ARNOLD ’61, ’80 saw Jimmy walking out of the as funding for new programs or building with his head down for enhancement of existing programs.