17�Թ�

Kristyn Hunt Cathey, a 17�Թ� adjunct instructor, has become president of the Texas School Public Relations Association.

17�Թ� announced 836 students named to the Spring 2025 President’s List for earning a 4.0 GPA and 1,327 students named to the Dean’s List for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher while carrying a full course load.

17�Թ� has earned national recognition in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as one of only 27 institutions to receive both the prestigious Research 2 (R2) designation and the new Opportunity College & University (OCU) designation.

Porter LaPray’s path to 17�Թ� hasn’t been straightforward, but through setbacks, detours, and a renewed focus, he’s found his footing—and a future—in theatre.

17�Թ� hosted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security CISA Region 6 Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training Workshop from April 15–18, bringing together professionals from critical infrastructure sectors for hands-on training led by Idaho National Laboratory, with support from DOE grants and regional partners, to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and establish Lamar as a hub for industrial cybersecurity in Southeast Texas.

17�Թ� recognized more than 130 staff members during its annual Staff Service Awards ceremony, celebrating milestone anniversaries and honoring three employees with the 2025 Distinguished Staff Award.

17�Թ� held its spring commencement ceremony in the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montage Center on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, recognizing the achievements of its graduates, and conferring over 2,500 degrees. 

17�Թ� celebrated its graduating Class of 2025 with a revived senior-only event featuring food, festivities, and swag, offering students a final moment to connect before commencement.

17�Թ�'s cheer team secured third place at the 2025 National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals, marking a significant improvement from last year and reflecting the team's strong bonding, experience, and positive mindset under coach Megan Thompson's leadership.

TAFE Day at 17�Թ� offered high school students a hands-on glimpse into the world of teaching through interactive lessons, peer-led activities, and educator preparation sessions designed to inspire the next generation of educators.

17�Թ� (17�Թ�) celebrated the achievements of its top student leaders and organizations during the 45th annual Toast to Leadership Award Ceremony,

17�Թ�’s new Early Bird Admission Program offers qualifying high school juniors early college admission and guaranteed scholarships, totaling over $20 million so far, as part of a bold initiative to expand college access and recognize academic achievement across Southeast Texas.

17�Թ� senior engineering students showcased innovative, real-world solutions—from autonomous firefighting robots to eco-friendly coffee roasters—at the 2025 Senior Design Showcase, marking the culmination of their college careers with industry-backed capstone projects that bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional engineering practice.

17�Թ� will launch its first-ever rodeo team in fall 2025, led by Dr. Gene Theodori, giving students the chance to compete in collegiate rodeo through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

17�Թ� will host a variety of summer camps in 2025, offering hands-on learning experiences in fields such as STEM, arts, sports, and business for students from elementary to high school.

17�Թ�'s College of Engineering hosted its annual Discover Engineering event on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

17�Թ� marked Earth Day on Tuesday with a laid-back celebration on the Dining Hall lawn, bringing together students, campus groups and local organizations for an afternoon of hands-on activities and environmental outreach. 

Adriana Wong, an interdisciplinary studies senior, turned her childhood crochet hobby into a small business that helps her manage stress and inspires her future goal of creating a welcoming, creative classroom as a bilingual elementary teacher.

17�Թ�’s Department of Theatre & Dance (17�Թ�TD) will showcase original works by student choreographers in the spring performance of “MOVE,”, set for Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the 17�Թ� Theatre.

17�Թ� has announced the recipients of the 2025 University Professor and Merit Awards, recognizing exceptional faculty achievements in teaching, research, and service to the university and academic community.

The 17�Թ� Department of Theatre & Dance will conclude its 2024–2025 season with Dance Unleashed, a vibrant concert featuring student performances in modern, contemporary, tap, jazz, and more.

Pulse, 17�Թ�’s student-run literary magazine, has announced the winners of its annual awards, recognizing exceptional student work in creative writing, literary translation, and visual art.

Regori “Jojo” McGill, a junior political science major from San Diego, California, has been named 17�Թ�’s First-Generation Student of the Month for April.

17�Թ�'s College of Engineering celebrated Engineering Week (EWeek) with a series of events, workshops and competitions designed to inspire students and highlight the diverse fields of engineering.

17�Թ�'s inaugural ring ceremony, held on March 29, 2025, surpassed expectations with 81 students and 330 guests celebrating a new tradition that honored academic achievements, resilience, and the lasting bond with the university community.

Dr. Brian Williams has been named the new director of the Center for Resiliency at 17�Թ�.

Exercise science students Michael Bellot and Kayla McKinley participated in the Scholars Transforming Through Research program, advocating for the importance of undergraduate research and discussing their projects with congressional staffers in Washington, D.C.

The 17�Թ� College of Engineering hosted its Spring 2025 Career Fair at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, bringing together industry leaders from across the country.

Dr. Brett Welch has been appointed to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at 17�Թ� subject to the approval by the Texas State University System Board of Regents.

17�Թ� and Lamar State College Orange have partnered to offer advanced leadership courses at LSCO, providing students in the region with a pathway to earn a 17�Թ� bachelor’s degree in leadership and promoting regional growth and success.

Texas Academy student Isabella Tran has been selected for the highly competitive Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

17�Թ� will stage a live outdoor performance of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” from Apr. 10-13.

17�Թ�’s College of Business hosted its latest Distinguished Speakers Series event on Tuesday, March 25, welcoming Dr. Jaime Taylor, president of 17�Թ�.

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�’s study abroad program in Granada, Spain, running from May 16 to May 31, 2025, offers students a unique opportunity to gain international business insights through academic seminars, corporate visits, and cultural immersion in collaboration with the University of Granada.

Latin Grammy award-winning musician José Valentino will visit 17�Թ� for a two-day guest artist residency on March 27-28, offering workshops on music, business, and entrepreneurship before concluding with a concert alongside the 17�Թ� Flute Ensemble.

Dr. Philip Cole has been named Executive Director of the Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS) at 17�Թ�.

17�Թ� engineering students visited the Quanta Advanced Training Center, earning OSHA certifications, networking with industry professionals, and gaining hands-on experience through a partnership supporting career development.

17�Թ� has once again been recognized for its commitment to affordable, high-quality education, with three of its online degree programs earning top spots in the Affordable Degree Guide’s 2025 rankings.

Dr. Rebecca Boone's journey as interim dean of 17�Թ�'s College of Arts and Sciences is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of community as she navigates both academic challenges and a personal battle with breast cancer.

17�Թ� recognizes Sergio Mendez, a senior Biology Pre-Med major from Nederland, Texas, as the First-Generation Student of the Month for March.

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� students, Jonah Watts and Ana Morfin, have accepted positions with Blue Origin, a leading aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

17�Թ� has earned the R2 designation for high research activity, surpassing key benchmarks in research expenditures and doctorates awarded, positioning itself as a rising leader in scientific innovation and academic excellence.

The Smith-Hutson Scholars Program at 17�Թ� provides life-changing financial support and mentorship to students facing financial barriers, enabling them to pursue higher education and achieve their academic and career goals.

Mary Wickland has been named 17�Թ�’s new vice president for operations and chief financial officer.

17�Թ�'s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in General Business – Entrepreneurship has earned recognition as the #2 most affordable online bachelor’s program in entrepreneurship, according to the Affordable Degree Guide’s 2024 rankings.

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