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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.

17�Թ� (17�Թ�) kicked off the 2025-26 school year with President Jaime Taylor’s convocation address on Monday, Aug. 18 in the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.

17�Թ� (17�Թ�) officials cut the ribbon on the school’s new intramural field on Monday, Aug. 18, marking the completion of a project designed to enhance student life and provide year-round recreational opportunities.

Prospective 17�Թ� students can now apply using either ApplyTexas or the Common Application.

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.

17�Թ�’s (17�Թ�) Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS) is launching a new partnership with the Houston-based Gas Certification Institute (GCI) to deliver specialized training in natural gas and liquid measurement, aimed at bolstering workforce development in Southeast Texas.

17�Թ�’s Department of Theatre and Dance will launch its 2025–26 season in September with a diverse mix of productions, including classic satire, contemporary drama, and original student work. The season features six shows running through April, with performances in both theatre and dance.

High school students from across Southeast Texas explored robotics, coding, and real-world engineering during Project Engineer, a free STEM camp hosted by 17�Թ� with support from ExxonMobil, Motiva, and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Held July 21–25, the camp offered hands-on experiences, mentorship from 17�Թ� students and industry professionals, and a final-day robotics competition showcasing student innovation and teamwork.

17�Թ� has named Shirlesia Sanders its First-Generation Student of the Month for August 2025, recognizing the senior business management major for her dedication, resilience, and leadership on campus.

Jacqueline Salmeron, a fifth-year chemical engineering student at 17�Թ�, has turned early curiosity sparked in high school into a standout college career marked by five internships, leadership in AIChE, and a passion for mentoring the next generation of engineers.

17�Թ� awarded degrees to 689 graduates during its summer commencement ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, recognizing students from across the globe.