2023 News

Lamar University proudly appoints Dr. Joseph Tacy as the new Chair of the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, where he aims to lead with a comprehensive approach, emphasizing innovation and excellence in nursing education, scholarship, and practice for Southeast Texas and beyond.

Lamar University's "Home for the Holidays" program, initiated in 2018, sees returning students sharing their college experiences at high schools, connecting over 800 students with support services, dispelling myths, and offering valuable insights into the college journey to foster connections and ease the transition.

For 21 years, Chef Casey Gates and Lamar University culinary students have volunteered at the Garth House Gala, a charity event raising funds for child advocacy. Gates, who carried on the tradition from his student days, emphasizes hands-on learning and community service, providing students with real-world catering experience while contributing to the local community.

Lamar University held its fall commencement ceremony at the Montage Center on Friday Dec. 8 and Saturday Dec. 9, conferring over 2,000 degrees. 

Dr. Mehmet Akkurt, an assistant professor of counseling at Lamar University, delivered a keynote address at the National Board of Certified Counselor’s Mental Health Connections Conference. In his presentation, Akkurt emphasized the importance of creating sustainable mental health solutions globally by utilizing local resources.

Lamar University received a $5 million donation from alumna Carolyn J. Keating, establishing the Carolyn J. Keating Center for Academic and Career Success in the College of Engineering.

The Lamar University Model United Nations team achieved Outstanding Delegation (Russia) and Distinguished Delegation (United States) at the Lone Star Conference in Texas. They also received accolades in various committees, including Outstanding Position Paper and Distinguished Delegation in the UNESCO committee.

Micki Carpenter Platt named the Lamar University Foundation as the beneficiary of two $20,000 charitable gift annuities, facilitated by the National Gift Annuity Foundation.

Two Lamar University first-year writers, Mohamed Irhabi and Rayshaun Smith, earned top honors at the inaugural First-Year Writing Across Curriculum (WAC) Composition Awards.

Dr. Tracy Benson's research aims to transform waste management in the petrochemical industry through cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies and addressing challenges such as hydrogen sulfide removal and carbon dioxide emissions reduction.

The LU Foundation have established the Gemini Jackson Memorial Scholarship for engineering students.

David J. Beck Summer Fellows Jacob Thompson and Allison Harmon undertook distinct and intensive research projects across diverse disciplines across the United States and the globe.

Lamar University has partnered with TimelyCare to provide students with accessible and free virtual mental health services 24/7 through a user-friendly app, aiming to prioritize students' well-being during the holiday season and beyond.

The Texas Academy at Lamar University organized its largest student-led fundraising event, Fish 'N Fest, in Orange, Texas, raising $21,000.

Lamar University's College of Education and Human Development conducted the fall series of the Bridging the Digital Divide (BDD) program, funded by the AT&T Foundation. The initiative aimed to enhance digital literacy, safety, and social media education among fourth and fifth-grade students and their parents in underserved communities across Southeast Texas.

The Fall 2023 Cardinal View event, held on Nov. 11, boasted a 34% increase in attendance compared to last fall.

In celebration of Lamar University's centennial year, benefactor Michael Fuljenz, president of Universal Coin & Bullion in Beaumont, donated a rare 1923-dated United States Double Eagle Gold Coin for the coin flip at the football game against McNeese State University.

Dr. Shannon Jordan, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, was presented the David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award at Lamar University.

Lamar University kicks off its centennial year with a record-breaking 10% increase in new undergraduate and graduate student enrollment, reaching over 17,500 students, emphasizing a 'student-first' approach, introducing new programs in predictive analytics and energy management, and achieving significant growth in STEM and business student enrollment over a five-year period.

The Lamar University Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its academic program, introducing new graduate courses focused on User Experience with AI and AI for Industrial Engineering.

The McNair Scholars Program at Lamar University is proud to host the 24th Annual McNair Scholars Research Symposium on the 8th floor of the Mary and John Gray Library on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

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.

Lamar University has awarded the first Presidential Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year to Taylor Bui, a junior at Port Neches-Groves High School.

Members of Lamar University's LU Crew offer valuable insights and insider tips for prospective Cardinals attending the university's largest open house event, Cardinal View.

Junior political science student Antonio Lopez Maldonado is on a path toward a career in immigration law, fueled by his personal immigration journey and a passion for making a difference.

Lamar University College of Engineering professors participated in an externship at Motiva where they gained practical insights and industry-relevant knowledge to improve their classroom teaching and research.

Lamar University's Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS) has been working to expand industry knowledge through education and expertise.

The Alpha Delta Chi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) at Lamar University received the "Chapter of the Year" award presented by the National Communication Association (NCA). 

Lamar University's Collegiate 100 organization proudly welcomed its largest-ever induction of 16 new members, known as the "Supreme 16," on October 4.

Texas Academy student Evelyn Hardy has been designated as a Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The Lamar University Speech and Debate team, co-founded by Drake Rothenberger and Kiera Figgins, has achieved remarkable growth and success in recent tournaments, earning multiple national qualifications and impressive rankings, with plans to participate in the national stage at Central Michigan University in spring 2024.

Lamar University alumna Bianca Vitale, originally from Bologna, Italy, pursued a bachelor's in industrial engineering with a minor in mathematics, graduating in 2021, and is now working towards a master's in industrial and systems engineering with plans to graduate in 2023, highlighting her dedication to her field, international experience, and her journey from tennis player to Staff Engineer at American StructurePoint in Texas.

Lamar University's College of Engineering hosted its largest-ever Engineering Career Fair, with over 80 prominent companies offering students unprecedented networking opportunities and career insights, reinforcing the university's reputation as an engineering talent hub.

The Lamar University Foundation and donors Cherrie and Alan R. Hefty have established the Hermie "Boots" Hefty Scholarship in Nursing, providing $15,000 in financial aid to dedicated nursing students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, in honor of Hermie Lucille Harkins, who devoted her life to caring for others and recognized the vital role of nurses during her battle with cancer.

Joanne Yi, a student at Lamar University's Texas Academy, has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, a prestigious recognition in the United States academic scholarship competition for high school juniors who excel on the PSAT/NMSQT.

Lamar University announces the Bessie McVey Scholarship in Education, a $15,000 scholarship for full-time students in the educator preparation program at the sophomore, junior, and senior levels, funded by donors Cherrie and Alan Hefty.

Dr. Philip Cole, Chair and Professor of Physics, has secured a $163,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's RENEW program to train minority undergraduate students in nuclear physics through the NuSTEAM program, led by the University of Houston in collaboration with other institutions. The program offers students hands-on experience in nuclear physics research, computer skills, and soft skills, preparing them for careers in academia, government, and industry in the field of nuclear physics.

Lamar University celebrated its centennial by unveiling the LU 100 statue, a collaborative effort led by the Centennial Committee and supported by students and faculty, showcasing elements of the university's history.

Lamar University and Motiva have come together to establish the Motiva Endowed Scholarship, aimed at supporting students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, math, or business.

Lamar University's annual Red Day fundraising event raised a record-breaking total of $232,832 from 510 donors. 

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.

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $300,000 to chemical engineering professor Dr. Helen Lou to lead an interdisciplinary project to equip the future workforce with knowledge and skills on industrial cybersecurity. 

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

Lamar University announced the awarding of 100 scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to high schools across Southeast Texas.

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

Beaumont City Council officially proclaimed September 17 as "Lamar University Day" to celebrate the institution's centennial milestone.

Lamar University’s Dr. Cynthia Stinson, chair of the Department of Nursing, and Dr. Janeal White, associate professor and internship coordinator of family studies, have been selected to receive Women of Integrity Awards from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Southeast Texas. 

Dr. Chiung-Fang Chang, associate professor of sociology, has been granted $131,000 from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine as part of their Gulf Research Program initiative.   

The second chapter of the relationship between EIDS and CMMS has now begun with EIDS sharing a portion of its enormous database on energy system microbes with Lamar University.