LU Alumni News

Dr. George E. McLaughlin, Jr., a former chancellor of Lamar University and a leader in higher education for over 50 years, passed away at 91.

Four outstanding individuals from Lamar University and its affiliated colleges have been honored with the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award for their exceptional leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to community development in Southeast Texas.

Lamar University has unveiled a new permanent tribute to women in uniform—military veterans and first responders—with the dedication of the Wall of Honor.

Lamar University alumnus David J. Beck, a founding partner of Beck Redden LLP, has been named one of the 2025 Benchmark Litigation Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States.

Fifteen Lamar University alumni and one faculty member have been named as 40 Under 40 honorees by the Southeast Texas Young Professionals Organization for 2024.

The Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board has elected Emily (Everett) Allen ’98, ’04 of Sour Lake to serve as 2024-2025 president. Sharita Gardner ’12 of Beaumont will serve as past president and Christopher Graham ’90 of Kingwood will serve as president-elect. 

Joshua Tindel's journey from southeast Texas to the Navy and back to Lamar University, where he graduated with a Nursing degree in 2024, highlights his dedication to service, resilience, and passion for healthcare, inspired by his military experience and volunteer work at the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas.

On May 14, thirteen Lamar University alumni were named as Reaud Excellence in Education Award winners. 

Glen W. Morgan, managing partner of Reaud, Morgan & Quinn, L.L.P., has been given the title of Southeast Texas Legend by Lamar University.

Dos Corazonez, founded by LU alumnus Julian Stevens in tribute to his mother's legacy, embodies love, resilience, and empowerment through fashion, transcending mere apparel to make a statement about the enduring power of love and human resilience.

Lamar University announces the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, recognizing graduates who have excelled in their careers and community service.

Johnny Guidry, a distinguished Lamar University alumnus, has been named a finalist for the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF), a prestigious federal government leadership development program.

Frances Wimberly-Alberto, a Lamar University graduate, shares her family's legacy with the institution.

Lamar University organized an exclusive Dinner and Conversation event on Feb. 6, bringing together accomplished alumni and current students. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs, the event aimed to provide students with valuable insights into various professional fields.

During an executive leadership training session for the Lamar University Ambassadors, distinguished alumnus Orlando Alvarez, President & CEO of BP America, Inc., shared valuable insights on leadership, drawing from his 36-year career journey.

LU Alumna Dianna Caston will be inducted to the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, December 8 at the Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horshoe Bay, Texas at the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Convention.

Dylan Newton, a Lamar University alumnus and renowned cyberpunk photographer, is captivating global audiences with his surreal, futuristic imagery.

Out of the 40 individuals recognized for their outstanding achievements, an impressive 20 are proud graduates and one faculty member of Lamar University.  

Christopher Bates, Sr., an alumnus of Lamar University, has been honored as the United States Constable of the Year for 2023 by the National Constables and Marshals Association (NCMA).

It is no secret that Tiffany Tran made her mark on Lamar University throughout her educational career. Additionally, it is no surprise she continues to do so as she furthers her education at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston.

It is no surprise that being a recipient of the Milken Educator Award is a life-changing experience for a teacher, especially if said recipient is the first educator in her school district to do so.

Lamar University is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. This year, four alumni –– Hester Bell, Carl Griffith, George Hirasaki and Fred Vernon –– will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award Lamar University bestows upon its graduates.

Former Lamar University communication student and LUTV sports anchor Brooke Kirchhofer was awarded the “Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year” award from the National Sports Media Association on Monday, Jan. 9.

Ashley Wilbourn '13, along with several other educators in the Beaumont Independent School District, has been honored with the Above and Beyond Award, given to educators within the district for their dedication to student success.

Twins Keyara and Teyara Watson-Love took social media by storm in early summer just after simultaneously graduating from LU with master’s degrees in speech-language pathology –– a field with only 3% of Black women. Now, the pair are headed to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention to present research.

Lamar University alum Monica Fricke '14 was recently awarded Region 6 Counselor of the Year award.

Lamar University alumna Jesica (Bates) Sykes ’05, ’19, has received the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Starting on Monday, Sept. 26, Lamar University is hosting a full week of events leading up to the university’s homecoming celebration on Oct. 1, which also coincides with Cardinal Parent & Family Day.

For as long as he could remember, Lance Taylor ’20, '21, has always followed the same formula in life: God + Hard Work = Undefeated. Now, as he settles into his new role as financial analyst at Walmart Corporate Headquarters, the accounting and finance graduate said there’s also one not-so-secret ingredient that has been pivotal to his success –– Lamar University.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently reappointed Charles E. “Charlie” Holder, a Lamar University alumnus, to the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners .

For the second year, the Lamar University Black Alumni Network will host its annual homecoming celebrations starting with a scholarship gala and Black alumni tailgate beginning Sept. 30.

Lamar University alumna DeMonica D. Gladney ’90 has been named a Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honoree.

After 40 years of service in the Lamar University Mail Center, beloved mail carrier Cynthia Perkins will postmark her last letter and retire on Aug. 31.

Brianne Ivy recent graduated with her bachelor’s degree in social work and was awarded the Otho Plummer Award, an award given at commencement to the male and female in that graduating class with the highest GPA.

Rosendo Varela was slated to graduate with his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in August before he tragically passed away.

Jennifer Hamilton '04, '21 chronicles her journey at LU and her laser-focused mission to earn her masters degree.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recently announced the recipients of its 2022 Fellowships. Fellowships totaling $649,000 were awarded to 62 of the nation’s top scholars at institutes with an active chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Among those 62 awardees was LU alum Tiffany Tran ’22.

On Thursday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m., the Lamar University Black Alumni Network is set to host “Entrepreneurship 101,” a virtual workshop that aims to educate Black LU alumni on how to start and manage a successful business.

For 22 years, Bellard has carried the torch for student success and remained laser-focused on being a team player. Now, upon his retirement as interim vice president for the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations, Bellard reflects back on his more than two decades at LU and his most memorable moments.

The year was 1976 when an excited Dr. Freddie Titus stepped onto the Lamar University campus for the first time. Now, as he enters his 40th year at Lamar University, he reflects back on his journey at LU and how he plans to give back to the university everything that was given to him.

The faculty and staff in the Department of Art & Design will present their work in an exhibition at the Dishman Art Museum Aug. 13 through Sept. 10. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, Aug. 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Summer '22 graduate Landon Richard discusses his passion for connecting with others and his experience at Lamar University before he walks the stage at commencement on Saturday.

After a 10-year hiatus, going back to earn her Master of Business Administration degree wasn’t an easy decision for Erika Thomas, but she focused on her future vision for her career. What she didn’t see coming, however, was that she would be graduating alongside her son Quincy Walter.

Inspire, lead and achieve. That is the motto for Pure International Pageants. It’s also the three actions that helped LU alum Tricia Hidalgo in being crowned the new Ms. USA for 2022.

The International Association of Defense Counsel has elected new Board of Directors and members for 2022-2023. The new appointments were announced at the association’s 2022 annual meeting in mid-July in Berlin, Germany. Among eight newly appointed board members is LU alumna Michele Smith ’88, who was named president-elect for the board.

For as long as he could remember, Thanh Nguyen has always been drawn to STEM –– science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Now, the recent chemical engineering graduate is taking what he learned in the Lamar University College of Engineering and applying it to his new role as improvement engineer at DOW Chemical Company.

Lamar University alumna Lori High was recently appointed to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by Governor Greg Abbott.

When LouAnn Asbury passed away unexpectedly in January of 2021 from complications due to COVID-19, her son Dr. David Hall, and his wife Dr. Jeannette Hall, knew they had to do something extraordinary to honor her legacy and passion for education and helping others.

Jenna (Burnaman) Dean '20 is a 4th grade math and science teacher and grade level chair at Helena Park Elementary in Nederland, Texas. The College of Education and Human Development graduate was awarded the first ever Teacher of the Month Award in March of 2022 by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce. Now, ahead of the new academic year, Dean reflects back on how her experience at LU helped to shape her career as an educator.