2024 News

Lamar University faculty and staff lent their support to this year’s ToyFeast, a community-wide initiative aimed at providing food, toys, and monetary donations to benefit Southeast Texas families during the holiday season.

Lamar University celebrated its fall commencement on Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13 at the Montagne Center, honoring the achievements of more than 2,500 graduates.

Hardin High School senior Abbey Lanier has been named a recipient of Lamar University's full-ride Presidential Scholarship for 2025-2026.

Dr. Kalyan "Kal" Chakraborty, an associate professor at Lamar University, has been named the December 2024 Member of the Month by the International Atlantic Economic Society for his extensive research contributions in applied microeconomics, health economics, public education economics, and biotechnology policy.

Lamar University’s online MBA program, accredited by the prestigious AACSB and offering 12 areas of concentration, ranks #32 among College Consensus's 40 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs for 2025, combining affordability, flexibility, and academic excellence.

The JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing at Lamar University celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighting its legacy, innovative programs, and commitment to nursing excellence with awards, community partnerships, and advanced educational opportunities.

Lamar University has received a $500,000 donation from Valero Energy Corporation to upgrade the Process Control and Unit Operations Labs in the Department of Chemical Engineering, enhancing student training with advanced equipment, including a PetroSkills simulator and a carbon capture system.

Scott Thomas, a Lamar University senior, turned his passion for civil engineering into impactful work at Collins Engineers, excelling in marine structures and leadership while preparing for a promising career.

Jacqueline Marroquin’s journey at Lamar’s JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing is marked by resilience, inspiration from her mother, and a commitment to excellence as she graduates during the program’s 50th anniversary.

Lamar University student-athletes discussed the challenges of balancing academics and athletics, including time management and mental health, during the "Flip the Script: The Unique Experience of Student Athletes" event hosted by the Athletics Council.

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.

Lamar University celebrated academic excellence and innovative research during the 2024 David J. Beck Fellows ceremony, recognizing senior Ryan Shugart and junior Mahima Verma. 

Lamar University’s Dr. Wilma Jackson has been appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Student Success Advisory Workgroup (SSAW)

Lamar University's fourth annual Cardinal Lights holiday display, featuring thousands of lights, children's activities, fireworks, and a $50,000 donation from ExxonMobil for STEM and sustainability, is open to the Southeast Texas community through the new year.

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.

The Lamar University Association of Rocketry (LUNAR) has officially been accepted into the NASA Student Launch Challenge competition for the second year in a row.

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.

In this Q&A session, we delve deeper into the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program and how it impacts LU and beyond.

Lamar University celebrated the accomplishments of its first-generation college students on Friday, Nov. 8, at the First-Gen College Celebration Student Awards Luncheon.

The Lamar University College of Engineering hosted its annual STEM Teacher Workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 10, for K-12 educators.

Dr. Edythe E. Kirk, associate professor at Lamar University, has been awarded the 2024 David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award.

The Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance (LUTD) will present its annual fall faculty dance concert, “Fall & Recovery" beginning Nov. 22.

Lamar University’s Center for Career and Professional Development celebrated Halloween by giving back to the community and donating supplies to AniMeals, a program designed to provide pet food for the pets of homebound seniors.

Lamar University has named Jesus Mendoza and Alex V. Tran as its First-Generation Students of the Month for November.

The Lamar University College of Engineering held its bi-annual career fair at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Center this past September, featuring a record-breaking 85 companies.

The annual Study Abroad Fair at Lamar University transformed the Setzer Student Center into a gateway to the world, drawing students eager to explore international opportunities.

Lamar University will honor its first-generation college students with a series of events during First-Gen College Celebration Week, starting Monday, Nov. through Saturday, Nov 9.

Nederland High School senior Karim Shaaban has been awarded the Lamar University Presidential Scholarship.

Several Lamar University faculty members have been named among the world's most-cited scientists in the latest edition of the World’s Top 2% of Scientists List, released by Stanford University and Elsevier.

Dr. Helen Lou of Lamar University has secured $1.44 million from the Department of Energy to lead a project enhancing cybersecurity for the midstream energy industry

Lamar University partnered with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) to host Manufacturing Day (MFG Day).

The newly formed Lamar University Sustainability Advisory Committee recently partnered with LU Green Squad and Schneider Electric to celebrate Energy Awareness Month.

Dr. Serdar Ilban and Dr. James Han, faculty members from the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music at Lamar University, were invited to present their research at the 15th Pan European Voice Conference (PEVoC) held in Santander, Spain.

We caught up with students during Homecoming Week to hear their thoughts on the festivities and the importance of student engagement in shaping their campus experience.

Lamar University officially launched a $90 million renovation of the Mary and John Gray Library, the first major update since it opened in 1976.

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.

Lamar University students took a break from Homecoming excitement on Friday, Oct 11, with a goat yoga session, offering a unique blend of relaxation and fun.

Lamar University officials broke ground on a new intramural field on Wednesday, Oct. 9, a development that promises to enhance the campus community and student life.

Lamar University has announced Dr. Vivienne J. McClendon as the new dean of the Mary & John Gray Library

Lamar University’s Fall 2024 Career Expo offered students and alumni from all majors the opportunity to explore internships, co-ops, and full-time positions in a wide variety of fields.

Lamar University is proud to announce that Dr. J. Kenneth Young, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership within the College of Education and Human Development, has been named the 2024 Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration (TCPEA) Advocate of the Yea

Eighty senior engineering students from the College of Engineering will have the opportunity to earn a leadership certificate from CAVU through a newly introduced program.

Beaumont City Council honored Lamar University’s athletics program Tuesday, recognizing its recent success and designating Oct. 1 as “Lamar Athletics Day.”

LU culinary students are defending their title at the Cajun Chef’s Cookoff while competing against their instructor, Chef Casey Gates, in a friendly but competitive showdown to benefit local charities.

Lamar University Theatre will present a fresh adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan,” co-directed by Tanner McAlpin and Ashley Dennison.

Lamar University reported a 12% increase in freshman enrollment for the fall of 2024, marking one of the largest freshman classes in recent years, and an overall headcount increase of 4-5%.

Lamar University’s annual Red Day, a virtual giving event, broke records this year, raising $162,349 from 553 donors across 658 gifts.

The Lamar University Department of Educational Leadership held an “Instructional Conversations” session to collaborate as a team and help each other grow as instructors.  

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.