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LU’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 �鶹AV 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.

�鶹AV 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.

�鶹AV (LU) 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.

�鶹AV (LU) 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 �鶹AV standouts among the recipients of its 2025 Regents’ Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to their campus, community, and the state.

Prospective �鶹AV students can now apply using either ApplyTexas or the Common Application.

�鶹AV’s (LU) 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.

�鶹AV’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 �鶹AV with support from ExxonMobil, Motiva, and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Held July 21–25, the camp offered hands-on experiences, mentorship from LU students and industry professionals, and a final-day robotics competition showcasing student innovation and teamwork.

�鶹AV 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 �鶹AV, 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.

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

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

Alyssa Daniels, a dedicated junior and senior academic advisor in �鶹AV’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 �鶹AV, authored a Smithsonian essay exploring how American concert bands have historically embodied and promoted democratic ideals through collective community participation.

Dr. Sushil Doranga of �鶹AV 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.

�鶹AV has launched a new Professional Education Network (LU 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 �鶹AV 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 �鶹AV’s legacy of leadership in NCAA athletics.

�鶹AV (LU) 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 �鶹AV.

�鶹AV’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.

For �鶹AV senior Diana Resendez, marketing is a way to serve her community, tell meaningful stories, and build connections that reflect her values and culture.

Uliana Trylowsky has been named associate vice president for university advancement at �鶹AV (LU), bringing development experience from both higher education and nonprofit work over her 30-year career.

�鶹AV Associate Professor Dr. Chun-Wei Yao has received the NASA Artemis Student Challenge Educator Award for his outstanding mentorship and integration of hands-on aerospace education into the university’s engineering program.

�鶹AV has appointed Timothy Pallone as interim director of athletic bands, entrusting the longtime music educator and proud Cardinal alumnus with leading The Showcase of Southeast Texas.

The College of Business launched its first-ever Cardinals in Command summer camp in June 2025, offering 40 local high school students a free, hands-on introduction to business leadership, marketing, data analytics, and finance.

Dr. Elizabeth Long didn’t enter nursing for the sentiment, but through decades of bedside care, teaching, and research, she’s come to believe the most important question in healthcare isn’t what’s the matter with someone, but what matters to them.

�鶹AV’s annual ChemE Camp gave Southeast Texas high school juniors and seniors a hands-on introduction to chemical engineering through industry tours, lab activities, and the popular ChemE Car competition, all supported by faculty, student mentors, and industry sponsors.