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Two �鶹ӳ�� students earned first place in the SWIVEL Challenge at RowdyHacks XII, a 24-hour hackathon held Oct. 3-4 in San Antonio, for developing an artificial intelligence-powered tool designed to detect and interrupt phone scams in real time.

�鶹ӳ��’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “The Wonder in Alice: A Version of Alice in Wonderland,” written and directed by Kate Brennan, Oct. 22 through Nov. 1 at the University Theatre.

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) has welcomed 45 new students to the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program for the 2026-27 academic year, marking the largest incoming cohort in the university's history as the program celebrates 15 years of partnership with LU.

�鶹ӳ��’s College of Business hosted the inaugural Southeast Texas Energy Day celebration Friday, Oct. 9, at the LU Welcome Center, bringing together university leadership, local officials and industry representatives to recognize the region’s contributions to the energy industry and its role in shaping the sector’s future.

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) and its affiliated Texas State University System institutions in Southeast Texas have announced the 2026 recipients of the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award, recognizing four faculty and staff members whose service extends beyond their campuses and into the communities they serve.

�鶹ӳ��’s Red Day 2026 raised $289,750, marking a record-breaking year for the university’s annual day of giving.

�鶹ӳ�� Assistant Professor of Computer Science Tauhidul Alam received a $199,839 NSF award to develop autonomous robotic systems for more efficient monitoring of changing aquatic environments.

�鶹ӳ��’s Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music will host a monthlong lineup of free October performances featuring faculty, student ensembles, guest artists, jazz and opera.

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) sophomore Brittanny J. Sherman has been named First-Generation Student of the Month for October 2026.

�鶹ӳ�� will serve as the annual host of Southeast Texas Energy Day, recognizing the region’s historic energy leadership while highlighting LU’s new DBA in Energy Management and growing role in shaping the industry’s future.

�鶹ӳ�� welcomed its largest freshman class in university history for summer and fall 2026, with enrollment increasing 12% amid expanded recruitment efforts, streamlined admissions processes and growing interest from students across Texas.

�鶹ӳ�� Associate Provost Dr. Gene Theodori has been selected for the 2026-27 Becoming a Provost Academy, a yearlong national leadership development program preparing academic administrators for senior leadership roles in higher education.

�鶹ӳ�� has introduced a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science with two academic tracks designed to prepare students for careers in clinical laboratories, biomedical research and other healthcare-related fields.

�鶹ӳ�� has been nationally recognized for the second consecutive year as one of the best colleges to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program.

�鶹ӳ��’s Cardinal Jazz Orchestra will celebrate the swing era with a free concert Sept. 22 featuring big band classics, Beaumont jazz history and performances by LU students and faculty.

The Cardinal Brass Quintet, �鶹ӳ��’s faculty brass ensemble, released its debut album, “Hope Over Troubled Waters,” Friday through Centaur Records.

�鶹ӳ�� chemical engineering student Layali Abusaleh is stepping into a regional leadership role as Southwest regional chair for the AIChE Executive Student Committee for 2026-27.

�鶹ӳ��’s College of Engineering has spent 75 years evolving alongside Southeast Texas industry while remaining committed to providing accessible, hands-on engineering education that prepares students to meet the region’s changing workforce and technological needs.

�鶹ӳ��’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present Tim Blake Nelson’s “Eye of God,” directed by Caitlin Parker, Sept. 10-20 in the Studio Theatre. 

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) has named Manan Sinora, a junior civil engineering major from Wylie, Texas, as its September 2026 First-Generation Student of the Month. 

Get “RED-Y for Launch” as �鶹ӳ�� (LU) hosts the sixth annual Red Day virtual giving campaign on Thursday, Sept. 17 and Friday, Sept. 18.

Four �鶹ӳ�� members have been selected for 2026 Texas State University System Regents’ Awards recognizing excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and service.

�鶹ӳ�� students kicked off the 2026 football season with a Friday pep rally and student organization showcase before Saturday’s home opener against Abilene Christian.

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) alumni, students and employees are among the Southeast Texas professionals recognized through the 40 Under 40 program, highlighting the contributions of LU graduates and members of the university community across the region.

�鶹ӳ�� and Valero celebrated the opening of the new Valero Reaction Lab, a $500,000 investment that gives engineering students hands-on experience with industry technology and processes.

The �鶹ӳ�� College of Business officially celebrated the launch of its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Energy Management program on Saturday, Aug. 15, welcoming the inaugural Class of 2029.

�鶹ӳ�� has announced the students who earned recognition on the President’s List and Dean’s List for Summer 2026, honoring undergraduate students for outstanding academic achievement.

�鶹ӳ�� graduate (LU) Steven Sedtal has been awarded an $8,500 fellowship from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi to pursue a law degree at George Washington University.

�鶹ӳ�� senior Ryan Servantes has been selected for the USDA’s Saul T. Wilson, Jr. Internship Program, earning paid professional experience and financial support for veterinary school while committing to at least five years of service with the USDA after graduation.

�鶹ӳ�� has named a wing of the Galloway Business Building in honor of Myrna ('67) and Milton Dunnam, recognizing their longtime support of the university and commitment to providing opportunities for College of Business students.

�鶹ӳ�� has named senior ZaMorria Terrell as its First-Generation Student of the Month for August 2026, recognizing her academic achievement and perseverance as a first-gen student.

�鶹ӳ�� civil engineering students showcased their skills at the ASCE Student Symposium through Steel Bridge and Timber-Strong competitions, gaining hands-on experience in design, construction, teamwork and professional development.

�鶹ӳ�� nursing students were recognized by the Southeast Texas Food Bank for contributing more than 250 volunteer hours in 2025, supporting hunger relief efforts while gaining hands-on service experience.

Held July 20-24 and July 27-31, the Center for Resiliency STEM camp welcomed incoming sixth- through 10th-grade students to campus for an immersive week of hands-on learning designed to spark curiosity and build confidence in STEM fields.

�鶹ӳ�� celebrated the achievements of more than 900 graduates during its spring commencement ceremony Friday, July 31 at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.

Judge John Stevens and his wife, Marcia, donated a rare original Frank Trost photograph of the 1901 Lucas Gusher to �鶹ӳ��'s Spindletop Boomtown Museum, preserving a pivotal piece of Southeast Texas and energy industry history for future generations.

�鶹ӳ�� historian David Robles researches overlooked stories of Chicana/o activism in South Texas, bringing award-winning scholarship and a passion for student mentorship to the classroom.

A student-produced short film written by �鶹ӳ�� student Heather Harmon and directed by Adam Baeza has been accepted into three film festivals, highlighting the filmmakers' emerging talent and the university's growing film production program.

Driven by a commitment to amplifying overlooked voices, Dr. Margot Gage's research, teaching, and advocacy examine how society shapes health and well-being, from health disparities and veterans' recognition to advancing the nation's understanding of long COVID.

�鶹ӳ�� has named kinesiology senior Karen Damien the July First-Generation Student of the Month, recognizing her dedication to higher education and the example she hopes to set for her family.

Six �鶹ӳ�� (LU) graduates have been recognized among Nederland Independent School District’s 2026-27 Teachers of the Year honorees, highlighting the university’s impact on educator preparation across Southeast Texas.

�鶹ӳ��'s Cybersecurity and Robotics Adventure Summer Camp introduced middle and high school students to cybersecurity, robotics and artificial intelligence through hands-on STEM activities and collaborative learning experiences.

�鶹ӳ�� has announced over 1,500 students who earned recognition on the President’s List and Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester, honoring undergraduate students for exceptional academic achievement.

�鶹ӳ��'s Nancy Evans Reading Center served approximately 1,367 students and distributed more than 7,500 literacy resources through expanded partnerships with five Southeast Texas school districts during the 2026 school year.

Three �鶹ӳ�� (LU) alumni have been recognized as Teachers of the Year for the 2026-27 academic year in Vidor Independent School District, highlighting the university’s continued impact on education across Southeast Texas. 

�鶹ӳ�� (LU) received the 2026 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Ethical AI Leadership, recognizing the university's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence responsibly across academics, technology, cybersecurity and institutional governance.

The Dishman Art Museum is featuring two summer exhibitions that celebrate �鶹ӳ�� alumni and the broader campus artistic community through works exploring creativity, resilience and belonging.

�鶹ӳ�� is launching a new Bachelor of Applied History program that blends traditional history coursework with communication training, GIS certification, and required internships to prepare students for careers in museums, media, government, and industry.

�鶹ӳ�� and its affiliated media outlets earned recognition across journalism, broadcasting, digital media, marketing and public relations categories at the 2026 Press Club of Southeast Texas Excellence in Media Awards Gala on Friday, June 12.