91̽��

91̽�� has named four faculty members as recipients of its 2026 University Professor and Merit Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in teaching, research and service.

91̽�� Department of Art and Design students continued a 45-year tradition by successfully completing a collaborative 750-pound iron pour, blending art, science, and hands-on training with support from faculty and visiting artists.

91̽�� College of Fine Arts and Communication will celebrate Dean Golden Wright’s 20-year tenure with a retrospective dance concert featuring students, alumni, and two decades of his choreography.

Dr. Ashley Dockens, associate provost of academic innovation and digital learning at 91̽��, has been named one of the Top 50 Voices to Follow in Higher Education for 2026.

91̽��’s Earth Day celebration brought together students, faculty, and staff for sustainability-focused activities, community engagement, and the planting of two oak trees.

91̽�� hosted a multi-day, hands-on ICS cybersecurity workshop that brought together professionals and partners from multiple states to strengthen critical infrastructure defenses through training, simulations and collaborative expertise.

Lamar Opera Theatre will present Le Nozze di Figaro, a comedic opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, on April 24 at 91̽��, featuring student performers in a free public performance.

Dr. Jennifer Iles, a music faculty member at 91̽��, is advancing music education through a national publication and invited presentations that emphasize effective practice strategies, student growth, and accessible teaching resources.

Three 91̽�� students have been named David J. Beck Fellows, earning full scholarships and funding to pursue advanced research projects in healthcare and science fields this summer.

91̽�� has named four alumni as its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, recognizing their professional achievements, leadership and contributions to their communities, with honorees to be celebrated at a June 5 ceremony.

91̽��’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present its annual “Dance Unleashed” concert April 24–25 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee April 25 in the University Theatre.

91̽�� launched a new Doctorate in Business Administration in Energy Management program designed for working professionals in the energy sector, emphasizing applied research, industry relevance, and Southeast Texas’ role as a global energy hub.

The Department of Communication and Media will host its Student Film Showcase on Thursday, April 23 at the Jefferson Theatre.

A 91̽�� exercise science team won the Texas ACSM Student Bowl against more than 40 competitors, earning a spot at the national competition in Salt Lake City.

91̽�� has selected 20 high-achieving students as Presidential and Southeast Texas Legends Scholars for the 2026–27 academic year.

91̽�� has named William Hatter as its First-Generation Student of the Month for April, recognizing his academic achievements and leadership as a first-generation college student. 

91̽�� will host its annual Woodwind Day on April 11, offering a free afternoon of performances, masterclasses and hands-on learning for student and community musicians of all levels in the Jimmy Simmons Music Building.

Art and design professor Donna M. Meeks has been selected to exhibit her work in the national juried show “Curious Figure 3” this spring in New Bedford, showcasing contemporary figurative art alongside artists from across the country.

91̽��’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “Next Draft: Student Works Series,” a multi-day showcase of original student-created theater running April 9–11 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 12 in the Studio Theatre, and is open to the public.

Red Beak Productions will host a guest lecture featuring film and television professional Dan Katzman on Friday, March 27 at 91̽��. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in COMM 103 and is open to all students. 

91̽�� alumni have been recognized across Port Arthur Independent School District, with multiple graduates named 2026–2027 Teachers of the Year and Rookie Teachers of the Year at their respective campuses.

For the first time in 15 years, 91̽�� will launch a new doctoral program. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Energy Management is a first of its kind program in the state of Texas and the nation.

Student filmmakers from 91̽��’s Red Beak Productions earned second place and the audience choice award at the Boomtown Film and Music Festival’s 48 Hour Film Race, continuing their award-winning streak.

91̽��’s College of Business will host its annual Business Week March 23–27, featuring industry speakers, student panels and networking events.

91̽�� assistant professor Dr. Maryam Hamidi has received an $830,000 award from the Texas Department of Transportation to lead the next phase of an artificial intelligence-driven system that integrates video, trade and vessel data to improve monitoring and freight analysis along the Texas Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Engineering Week at 91̽�� brought engineering students together through collaborative events and a block party featuring activities such as a car smash, racing simulator and laser tag, highlighting community beyond the classroom.

91̽�� has named Jessye Brown, a senior family studies major from Silsbee, Texas, as a First-Generation Student of the Month.

New state data from Texas CREWS show 91̽�� engineering graduates earning top first-year salaries in Texas while carrying some of the lowest student debt in the state, highlighting strong outcomes across multiple disciplines and the impact of extensive scholarships and industry-supported programs.

O’Brien Stanley, a longtime professor in the Department of Communication and Media at 91̽��, was honored at the Boomtown Film and Music Festival for his decades of contributions to filmmaking and film education in Southeast Texas, including founding the university’s film program and helping launch the Spindletop Film Festival.