By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

After a school year that started off with Tropical Storm Harvey and continued with not one but two snow events in Southeast Texas, many Lamar graduates will see their hard work pay off.

Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar University are holding their graduation commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday.

 

Lamar State College Port Arthur

Lamar Port Arthur’s Spring 2018 Commencement will see 116 degrees and 49 certificates awarded. During last year’s commencement, these numbers were 101 and 79, respectively.

In Lamar’s academic programs, students earned 59 associate of arts degrees. In its technical programs, students earned 57 associate of applied science degrees and 49 certificates of completion.

These numbers see a slight uptick for degrees compared to last year but a decline in certificates awarded. In 2017, students earned 46 associate of arts degrees, 55 associate of applied science degrees and 79 certificates.

“If anything can be said of the people of Port Arthur and Mid-Jefferson County, it is that they are survivors,” president Betty Reynard said. “In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and a winter weather delay to the start of the Spring 2018 semester, our students continued to pursue their dreams of attaining a degree or certificate at Lamar State College Port Arthur.”

Reynard pointed to the increase of degrees being awarded as compared to last year’s numbers. This year sees about 15 more degrees awarded to graduates.

“That speaks to the tenacity of our students and their families,” she said. “They recognize the importance of higher education and even with the setbacks we’ve faced in the past year, they worked hard to reach their goals.”

Reynard expressed her gratitude for faculty and staff, many of whom were displaced by Harvey but continued working and serving their students anyway.

“We take great pride in what we do here every day,” Reynard said. “And the results of that dedication by our faculty and staff can be seen in our graduation rates and the continued growth in student population for this campus.”

Lamar State College Port Arthur’s Spring 2018 Commencement occurred at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center. The keynote speaker was Mark Skobel, vice president and general manager of Valero Port Arthur Refinery.

Skobel holds a bachelor of science in industrial education and a master’s of science in occupational education. He has worked in the industrial field for more than 40 years.

 

Lamar University

Lamar University’s Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremony sees a marked increase in student graduations. Last year, total student graduations numbered 1,416; this year, graduations reached 1,831.

“As always, I am proud and excited for all of our graduates and their futures,” President Kenneth Evans said. “But this year I am particularly honored to present our graduating class due to their resilience and resolve in spite of the devastating effect of Hurricane Harvey.”

Lamar’s College of Arts & Sciences Commencement Ceremony was at 7 p.m. Friday in the Montagne Center. There were 539 graduates compared to 405 graduates from last year.

“Lamar University and the College of Arts & Sciences provide a superior education based on our enthusiastic and experienced faculty, leading to the development of marketable skills that allow our graduates to integrate the community, not only as a workforce, but as team leaders that will help shape the society of tomorrow,” Paul Bernazzani, acting dean of arts and sciences, said.

The commencement speaker was James Bell, a retired program manager at United Launch Alliance.

Bell is a Lamar graduate, where he earned both an associate of applied science degree in drafting technology and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. ULA has served customers like the Department of Defense, NASA and the United States Air Force.

Lamar’s College of Engineering Commencement Ceremony will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Montagne Center. There are 267 graduates compared to 117 graduates from last year.

“This ceremony has three purposes,” Srinivas Palanki, dean of engineering, said. “First is to formally celebrate your achievement. Second is to thank those who supported and helped you along the way. And finally is to begin the next phase of your life where you will set new goals and pursue them with the same or even higher levels of dedication.”

The commencement speaker is Kathleen Jackson, a member of the Texas Water Development Board.

Jackson holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. She has served on multiple boards including Lower Neches Valley Authority, Texas Water Conservation Association and Sabine and Neches Rivers Bay and Estuary Environmental Flows Assessment Program Stakeholders Committee.

Lamar’s College of Business Commencement Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Montagne Center. There are 148 graduates compared to 103 graduates from last year.

“Lamar University offers our students a superior business curriculum and a well-rounded core of arts and sciences in a College of Business that is committed to being an integral part of the business community,” Enrique Venta, dean of business, said.

Venta is the commencement speaker.

He holds a bachelor of science in industrial engineering and a doctorate and master’s in management science and economics. Venta has published or presented more than 50 chapters, monographs and articles.

Lamar’s College of Fine Arts & Communication Commencement Ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Montagne Center. There are 122 graduates compared to 77 graduates from last year.

“I am very proud of the diversity in our college, not only in terms of human diversity, but also disciplinary diversity,” Derina Holtzhausen, dean of fine arts and communication, said. “From art, music, theatre and dance, to communication, deaf studies and deaf education, and speech and hearing sciences, the ultimate aim of all these programs is to make our lives better and improve our communities and our society.”

The commencement speaker is James Simmons, president emeritus of Lamar University.

Simmons holds a bachelor of science in music, as well as a master’s and doctorate. He is a longtime educator and has served with Lamar University in one capacity or other for almost 50 years.

Lamar’s College of Education & Human Development Commencement Ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Montagne Center. There are 755 graduates compared to 714 graduates from last year.

“This is a time for us to recognize and honor our graduates for their hard work and achievements,” Robert Spina, dean of education and human development, said. “It is also a time to express appreciation to those who have encouraged and helped support our students who are graduating today.”

The commencement speaker is John Hayek, chief academic affairs officer for Texas State University System.

Hayek holds a bachelor of science in economics, a master’s in sports administration and a doctorate in higher education. He has held various leadership positions on different councils as well as worked with several public-private partnerships.