17�Թ�

17�Թ� is proud to welcome its latest cohort of Alumni Advisory Board members, who will serve three-year terms in support of the university and the Office of Alumni Affairs.

17�Թ� (17�Թ�) will host the fifth annual Red Day virtual giving campaign on Sept. 18 and 19. The university will “Raise The RED” in celebration of this special fundraising event which aims to inspire 17�Թ� Cardinals, alumni and the community to come together to raise essential funds to support current and future students.

Eighteen 17�Թ� alumni and employees are among the young professionals nominated this year for Southeast Texas’ prestigious 40 Under 40 recognition, honoring outstanding individuals for academic achievement, professional success, and community involvement.

17�Թ� MBA graduate and civil engineer Courtney Kelly turned her experience evacuating during Hurricane Katrina into the award-winning children’s book series The Celeste Collection, using storytelling to inspire resilience and future leaders in coastal protection.

The Texas State University System (TSUS) Foundation has named two 17�Թ� standouts among the recipients of its 2025 Regents’ Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to their campus, community, and the state.

Kenyon Spears, a former 17�Թ� basketball standout, assistant coach, and 2001 graduate, has been named director of athletics at Newman University, bringing more than 20 years of coaching and administrative experience to the role while proudly continuing Lamar’s legacy of leadership in NCAA athletics.

17�Թ� has appointed Timothy Pallone as interim director of athletic bands, entrusting the longtime music educator and proud Cardinal alumnus with leading The Showcase of Southeast Texas.

Twelve 17�Թ� alumni were recognized among the 2025 Reaud Excellence in Education Award winners for their exceptional commitment to student success and educational leadership across Southeast Texas.

17�Թ� will recognize five exceptional graduates at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards on Friday, Apr. 4 at the Setzer Student Center’s Live Oak Ballroom.

17�Թ� broke ground on the Teri and Glen Morgan Baseball Complex, an 8,500-square-foot facility set to transform the baseball program with state-of-the-art amenities.

17�Թ�'s Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education continues to lead in Deaf education, with its alumni and students holding key positions on the ACE-DHH board, reflecting the program's excellence and national impact.

Serkan Varol, 17�Թ� Ph.D. industrial engineering alumni, was a finalist for the Tech Educator of the Year 2024 at TechX Awards

Orlando Alvarez, Chairman and President of bp America, returned to 17�Թ� to share insights on the energy transition, climate challenges, and his journey from a first-generation college student to a leader in the energy industry as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

Dr. George E. McLaughlin, Jr., a former chancellor of 17�Թ� and a leader in higher education for over 50 years, passed away at 91.