Tonya Jeffcoat

Tonya Jeffcoat was active in the Lamar University Press. She is part American Indian and is very interested in the history. She wrote about the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation.

 Lamar was preparing for its Diamond Jubilee 75-Year celebration in 1998

‘I grew up in Beaumont and it seemed like the logical choice to got to Lamar. Being a commuter school, it just made it easier for me. I started in June of 1995. I graduated in August of 1998. Lamar University gave me a whole new outlook on life. It made me think critically about everything around me, question everything, and provided a lot of growth mentally. Computers were fairly new then. I love that school. I have a boat repair company in Clear Lake.’


Information that was provided off the record by Ms. Tonya Jeffcoat: ‘I grew up on the West end of Beaumont. Attended Amelia Elementary, Vincent Middle School, Forest Park and graduated from West Brook in 1984.  I started Lamar University June 1995. With 4 small children, nursing the youngest, I set out to accomplish my goal of a college degree. Loving a challenge, I chose Public Relations as I absolutely hate public speaking (and it had the least amount of math). I loved my geology classes and studying rocks but Texas history turned out to be my favorite. Prof. Joanne Stiles made it so fun and colorful. I loved it so much I actually took it two semesters. Determined to finish my degree, I never changed my major. I started my junior year with a work study at the University Press. I worked in advertising but also wrote several articles. We also competed in an Advertising competition at Texas A&M in College Station. Being a single parent of 4 small children and not near enough to do so I joined the Communications Club. Served as VP for a couple of semesters. Also, I was a founding member of the Advertising Federation started there at Lamar. I also belonged to the American Indian Student Organization as I am part Indian and am very interested in the history. My senior year I took an internship with HEB Pantry in the Human Resources Department. Mind you, I am still working at the UP while doing my internship with HEB. This led me to join the Human Resource Society. One week after joining HEB, the Area Manager I was partnered with left the area. I was placed in the roll of HR Manager of the East District of HEB Pantry. I graduated August of 1998, 3 years and 1 semester on the Dean’s List. I started Graduate School and quit after one semester. Single with 4 children, Grad School and working 60+ hours a week had proven to be more than I would handle so Grad School had to go. During my senior year I won Outstanding Communication Student of the Year. This was such a HUGE honor! But it took some amazing Professors to get me to this point. Dr. King, Dr. Mary Alice Baker, Dr. Harrington and the whole Communications Dept can be credited for my success.  I left HEB after 3 years for an opportunity to become an insurance Agent with Allstate. I currently own and operate a local boat repair service in the Clear Lake area with my husband. Clear Lake Powerboat Service, Inc. This allows me to fulfill my love of the water, boating, fishing and Scuba diving. I owe my success to the solid foundation Lamar University provided me. LU changed my life!’