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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 17�Թ� alumni: 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.

17�Թ�’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 Texas State University System — solidifying its role as a driving force for academic excellence, civic service and innovation in Southeast Texas and beyond.

Kennedi Gordy, a junior mechanical engineering student at 17�Թ�, 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.

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

17�Թ� and 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.

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

17�Թ� will host a grand opening for its new Starbucks on Oct. 14, marking a major step in the ongoing transformation of the Mary and John Gray Library into a modern, student-centered space.

17�Թ� senior Landon Paulino is pursuing his passion for electrical and aerospace engineering with hopes of one day helping advance human civilization beyond Earth.

17�Թ�’s College of Engineering hosted its annual Fall Career Fair, connecting students with employers from across the region to explore internships and career opportunities.

Dr. Rebecca Boone has been appointed dean of the 17�Թ� (17�Թ�) College of Arts and Sciences. She brings nearly three decades of higher education work experience to the role.

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�’s fifth annual Red Day virtual campaign raised more than $110,000 this year, surpassing the university’s donor goals and bringing together alumni and students in support of the university.

17�Թ�'s “Show Us Your Red” tradition encourages students to wear red every Friday to build school spirit, foster community pride, and strengthen campus involvement through giveaways and events organized by the Center for Career and Professional Development.

Driven by a competitive spirit and a passion for service, 17�Թ� pre-med student Mohamed Irhabi has leveraged academics, research, and leadership opportunities—especially through the Reaud Honors College—to prepare for a future in medicine.

17�Թ�'s College of Engineering proudly announces that all five of its engineering programs have been reaccredited by ABET for the maximum period of six years, extending through 2031.

17�Թ� launched its first-ever Study Abroad Week with a campus reception showcasing programs, alumni projects, and faculty leaders while highlighting the life-changing impact of international experiences for students.

17�Թ�’s Center for Midstream Management and Science(CMMS) will host the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) 35th Annual Professional Development Conference on Oct. 9 in the Setzer Center Ballroom. 

The 17�Թ� Department of Theatre & Dance will open its first production of the semester with “Ugly Lies the Bone,” written by Lindsey Ferrentino and directed by assistant professor Alan Brincks.

17�Թ� has been nationally recognized as one of the best colleges to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For program.

The College of Education and Human Development has launched a new undergraduate ambassador program with 14 students representing all three of its departments: curriculum and instruction, health and kinesiology and nutrition, and hospitality and human services.

The Reaud Honors College at 17�Թ� (17�Թ�) is proud to announce that Dr. Shannon Jordan, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, has been named associate dean.

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.

Dr. Johnny O’Connor has been appointed dean of the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) at 17�Թ�, following his service as interim dean since 2024.

17�Թ� (17�Թ�) has teamed up with United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County and Beaumont ISD to sponsor and support book vending machines for several local elementary campuses, part of a literacy initiative aimed at rewarding students with free books they can take home.

Texas Academy's Red Robotics team received a $12,000 donation from Valero, enabling them to expand, upgrade equipment, and compete in more events, following their impressive performance at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

17�Թ� students participated in Taylor-ed Tuesday, a hands-on professional development event where campus leaders and staff helped them build confidence and career readiness by learning how to style ties, bow ties, and scarves with polish and professionalism.

Drake Rothenberger, an environmental science senior from Nederland, has been recognized as 17�Թ�’s September First-Generation Student of the Month.

17�Թ�’s Green Squad, a revitalized student-led organization, is fostering sustainability on campus and in the community through recycling drives, gardening, and partnerships that engage students and Southeast Texas residents alike.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

17�Թ� President Jaime Taylor recently joined the 17�Թ� Moment podcast to reflect on a standout 2024–25 academic year.

Alyssa Daniels, a dedicated junior and senior academic advisor in 17�Թ�’s College of Business and a doctoral student in Educational Leadership, is committed to student success and advancing in higher education through continuous learning, leadership, and mentorship.

Dr. Bryan Proksch, a music history professor at 17�Թ�, authored a Smithsonian essay exploring how American concert bands have historically embodied and promoted democratic ideals through collective community participation.

Dr. Sushil Doranga of 17�Թ� has received nearly $200,000 from the NSF to develop a novel nonlinear dynamic modeling framework aimed at improving the reliability and lifespan prediction of chip packaging structures using base excitation techniques.

17�Թ� has launched a new Professional Education Network (17�Թ� PEN) program for fall of 2025, offering non-degree seeking individuals an opportunity to enroll in a free course, for credit, to enhance professional development and career skills.

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� (17�Թ�) proudly announces Ayesha Khankhail as the First-Generation Student of the Month for July.

Dedicated to helping students grow as thinkers and individuals, Dr. Adam Nemmers combines a passion for literature with a deep commitment to mentorship, campus engagement, and fostering critical thought at 17�Թ�.

17�Թ�’s free five-day STEM camp offered Southeast Texas middle and high school students a hands-on college experience through coding, robotics, psychology, and team-building activities, aiming to spark interest in STEM and future college pathways.