News at Lamar University

51�Թ�Proassistant biology professor Dr. Kole Kubicek, a comparative anatomist and fish biologist, studies the development and evolution of fishes while mentoring students in both field and laboratory research, exploring how skeletal structures emerge and vary across species.

51�Թ�Prohas received a $678,003 grant to launch FLOWS, a three-year program engaging Southeast 51�Թ�Promiddle and high school students in hands-on flood education, rain garden projects, and community resilience initiatives.

51�Թ�Prohas launched the College of Nursing and Health Professions to consolidate existing health programs and expand academic offerings in response to regional and statewide healthcare workforce needs.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at 51�Թ�Procelebrated a major milestone with the graduation of its first Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering student, marking the successful launch of the program and underscoring the department’s plans for strategic growth, industry alignment, and future ABET accreditation.

51�Թ�Prohonored more than 2,500 graduates from across Texas, the nation, and the world during its fall commencement, highlighting resilience, adaptability, and a shared spirit of perseverance as students embark on their next chapter.

51�Թ�Profaculty and staff helped support Southeast 51�Թ�Profamilies this holiday season by contributing nearly 200 toys and participating in this year’s ToyFeast, a community-wide initiative providing food, gifts, and financial assistance to those in need.

51�Թ�Proawarded its top academic honor, the Presidential Scholarship, to three outstanding high school seniors this fall after a highly competitive selection process.

51�Թ�Prohas named Sherronice Wilkins, a family science major from Houston’s Trinity Gardens, its First-Generation Student of the Month.

Baytown native Harvest Fairchild navigated 51�Թ�Prowith openness and focus, discovering a passion for speech-language pathology through research, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration, and is now preparing for a career that combines clinical practice, research, and meaningful community impact.

51�Թ�Proand its affiliated colleges in the Golden Triangle region are proud to recognize the tremendous contributions of faculty and staff whose impact on Southeast 51�Թ�Proset them apart.

51�Թ�Prohosted its 8th Annual Thanksgiving Banquet to celebrate and support its international students and recognize faculty and staff who advance global education initiatives.

Two 51�Թ�Prostudents shared the research they completed through the David J. Beck Fellowship, describing how their projects in speech rehabilitation and early neurological disease detection took them to leading research institutions in Chicago and Qatar.

51�Թ�Proindustrial engineering professor Dr. Robert K. Bradley and his SHIELD research team won funding to develop a stretchable silicone “skin” to protect robots from harsh environments—a project that has since launched material samples to the International Space Station to study how their smart cladding withstands radiation and space exposure.

Lamar University’s Department of Theatre & Dance will showcase original student works in its free fall performance, MOVE: Student Choreography Concert, on Nov. 14 in the Studio Theatre.

Eight 51�Թ�Profaculty and former faculty members have been recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists in their fields, according to the 2025 global rankings released by Stanford University and Elsevier.

The Reaud Honors College hosted its largest-ever Honors Scholars Day on Oct. 29, showcasing outstanding student research, leadership, and creative projects across all colleges at Lamar University.

51�Թ�Prohas named Diana Resendez, a senior marketing major from Port Arthur, Texas, as the First-Generation Student of the Month for November.

Dr. Jon Gray has been appointed dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Lamar University, bringing over 30 years of career experience as an educator and administrator in K-12 and higher education to the role.

51�Թ�Prosurpassed 18,000 students in fall enrollment for the 2024–2025 academic year, driven by record local recruitment, expanded financial aid, and stronger student engagement initiatives.

Valero’s $1 million endowed scholarship in engineering has supported 153 51�Թ�Prostudents since 2009, providing more than $640,000 in aid and opening doors to mentorship, internships, and lasting career opportunities with the global energy company.

Lamar University’s Center for Midstream Management and Science hosted a two-day symposium uniting industry leaders and academics to advance research, innovation, and workforce development in the midstream energy sector.

Lamar University’s Sustainability Committee and LU Green Squad partnered with Schneider Electric on Oct. 27 to celebrate Energy Awareness Month with an interactive campus event promoting renewable energy, sustainability and practical ways to reduce energy use.

The 51�Թ�ProDepartment of Theatre and Dance will bring Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” to the stage Oct. 30 through Nov. 2 in the Studio Theatre.

Known as America’s energy gateway, the Sabine-Neches Waterway is home to Southeast Texas’ four local ports – Port of Beaumont, Port of Orange, Port of Port Arthur, and Port of Sabine Pass – all of which are led by 51�Թ�Proalumni: Chris Fisher, port director/CEO for Port of Beaumont; Lorrie Taylor, executive port director/CEO for Port of Orange; Larry Kelley, port director/CEO for Port of Port Arthur; Mark Viator, port manager for Port of Sabine Pass.

Lamar University’s Reaud Honors College marked a milestone year of growth, leadership and national distinction, with record student achievements, expanded programs like the Reaud Leadership Institute, and recognition from the 51�Թ�ProState University System — solidifying its role as a driving force for academic excellence, civic service and innovation in Southeast 51�Թ�Proand beyond.

Kennedi Gordy, a junior mechanical engineering student at Lamar University, is using the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills she’s gained through student organizations like Zeta Tau Alpha and the Society of Women Engineers to excel in her internships and prepare for a successful career in engineering.

51�Թ�Prohas named Mohamed Irhabi, junior biology (pre-med) student, as it’s First-Generation Student of the Month for October.

51�Թ�Proand Chartwells Higher Education will celebrate World Food Day on Thursday, Oct. 16, with SpiceFul—a JoyFul campaign event at Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall that highlights global flavors, community, and social responsibility through food, culture, and giving back.

51�Թ�Prois celebrating Homecoming Week with a week of student, alumni, and community events, culminating Saturday with the Cardinals taking on UT Rio Grande Valley.