The Big Event community service day will be Saturday, April 2 starting with registration and check-ins at 8:30 a.m. in the A5 Montagne Center parking lot hosted by New Student Leadership and Programs.
“The Big Event is the biggest student-run one-day project where LU students can come together to say thank you to southeast Texas through community service,” Brandie VanZanden, director of the NSLP said.
Students participating are assigned to teams with other volunteers to help any one of the various projects in the community such as the Beaumont Children’s Museum, The Art Studio, Inc. and other nonprofits within the community.
Students can still register at www.lamar.edu/bigevent. The event is open to all Lamar alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
Volunteers need to be dressed appropriate to the organization they are registered for — some groups may cleaning and performing physical work. Teams will be dismissed with their team to their assigned project around 9 a.m. where they will stay until around 1 p.m, VanZanden said.
Registered volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and breakfast while supplies last.
Those who have not registered and want to be part of the event can still show up to volunteer however they may not receive any items like the free t-shirts.
“Our Lamar University event is modeled after The Big Event created by Texas A&M in 1982,” Emily Robinson, Student Director for the Big Event said. “The Big Event started in Spring of 2017 and takes place every Spring Semester.”
VanZanden wanted to bring more service events to students and brought the Big Event to Lamar in 2017, Robinson said.
“The event is a chance to meet other people and see the ways they give back to the community by listening to stories and seeing their projects help those in need,” she said. “We have been very successful every year– we are always hoping to have more students and volunteers so we can help more project sites.”
The Big Event is planned by volunteers within the committee of students and this will be the 6th annual event.
“The Big Event is a great way for students to give back to the community, have fun and gain volunteer hours,” Robinson said.
A group of student volunteers pose for a picture during the Big Event in a previous semester.
In March, the Wesley Foundation will hold several events to promote student engagement and offer opportunities for Christian outreach.
In honor of the last day of Mardi Gras, March 1, the Wesley will give away free King Cake slices from 10 a.m. to noon or for as long as supplies last.
If a student finds a plastic baby inside their slice, they will win a mask that lights up.
“The cake is made in a circle to represent the three kings and usually there is a plastic baby inside, which represents Christ,” Reverend Amy Walker, campus director and minister for Wesley, said.
Students help bag snack packs so that each week on Friday, 200 or so snack packs could be handed out to students on campus. Wesley partnered with St. Mark’s Episocopal Church for the event.
On March 2, the Wesley will host a Walk by Ashes event, 11 a.m to 1 p.m., in recognition of the beginning of Lent.
“People who want to participate can come in and I’ll do the imposition of the ashes, which is a cross on the forehead with palm branches that were burned from last year,” Walker said.
There will also be Stations of the Cross set up, which will offer various hands-on activities, an opportunity to meditate, and content to read.
Students will also be able to participate in events, Walker said. In the past, the interactive activities included play-dough, building things and tying knots, and prayer.
“(Lent) is a reminder of our fragility, that we are incredibly fragile, and how much we lean on God,” Walker said. “This is the timeframe where we’re leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection, so this is the time when we prepare.”
The Wesley will host a Bible study afterward at 2 p.m in the chapel.
On March 4, the Wesley will host Funky Friday from 7-9 p.m. The event will feature a silent disco, outdoor games like 9 Squares and washers, a student-run photo booth, a movie, board games, a concession stand offering chips, nachos, popcorn, and candy, all for under $3, Walker said.
The movie has yet to be decided.
Reverend Amy Walker and Trevor Guidry, English major stand in front of the Wesley building dressed in costumes to help spread mirth and make others smile.
From March 14-17, the Wesley will participate in a mission trip to Camp Bucker in Burnet, in partnership with Buckner Children’s Home.
“It’s just a beautiful experience,” Walker said. “We are going up there and working at camp for four days and just be whatever they need us to be.”
Buckner Children’s Home works with kids in adoption and foster care. In the past, Wesley Center volunteers have offered worship and crafts, served food, watched or played with the children to give their parents a break, took part in various activities like archery, fishing, zip lining, and more, Walker said.
A group of students help dump out water and ice from a canoe at camp Buckner during one of the previous semesters.
Students may sign up at the Wesley Center to volunteer for the trip. Students will need waivers and a background check by Buckner. The free trip is open to all Lamar students who will live in a cabin style area.
“You’re going to be outdoors a lot, so you should bring sunscreen, good walking shoes, mosquito spray, sunglasses, hats, and students will have to dress appropriately since they will be around children.” Walker said.
Walker said she hopes that these events will offer an opportunity for students to be less lonely, make friends, and have a safe place to be a part of something and be themselves.
For more information, visit the Wesley Foundation near Combs Hall, or follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheWesleyLU, or email wesleylamar@gmail.com, or by phone at (409)-728-7473.
The resident assistants at Monroe Hall took a different approach to Valentine’s Day this year for students by creating the Cut Your Ex Out event to help students relieve stress, get free food, have fun and socialize at the same time.
RA Michaela Layman, Orange senior, said they created the event to promote social interaction, to let dorm residents get to know one another better, and to have a positive experience during the week of Valentine’s.
“Valentine’s Day is a very, very popular event and I know not everyone has a Valentine’s,” Layman said. “We wanted to give students an outlet, so we thought we could celebrate releasing our stressors in our lives, like school or homework, instead of thinking about the downsides of Valentine’s Day.”
Students were invited to bring something to shred, such as old homework, a picture of exes, and other items.
The free food included fruit, vegetables and boneless wings.
“I enjoyed the event and it was a great time to get out of my room and hang out with my fellow peers,” Laquasha Batson, Jasper junior, said, “I think that the activity has definitely helped me destress, you know, from studying and life, and it felt pretty good.”
Psychology major Destiny John, Dallas senior, said she wished she’d brought something to shred.
“I initially just came here for the food, and I don’t have nobody’s picture to cut up, but I feel like it would help me if I did,” she said, “I might try to get some of my homework, though, since I read we could bring that.”
The Lady Cards volleyball began the 2021 season in August under the cloud of the continuing pandemic as a new member in the Western Athletic Conference.
As the team winds down their season, the players and head coach Jordan Lay reflect on their efforts.
“This season has come with a bunch of challenges for us that we didn’t see coming, from random injuries and things like that,” Lay said. “But that is just part of any athletics program.”
Notable players, such as junior Malaysia Murdock. She was noted as a formidable force near the net early on in the season and for hitting .384 and averaging 2.5 kills per set at one point.
“I think Malaysia Murdock, our junior middle, has had an outstanding year,” Lay said. “She’s been really solid for us all year long and with her experience, she has definitely delivered.”
After a few matches into the season, the Lady Cardinals had a strong open victory against Prairie View A&M and then suffered losses against Oral Roberts, Lousiana-Monroe,and UL-Monroe to name a few.
The team is 4-19 overall and 0-9 in conference. However, as the end of the season approaches, Lay said he hopes that the team will qualify for the WAC tournament, which will take place from Nov 18-20.
Despite the losses the team faced throughout most of the season, there were still some wins that the team scored. In the match against Eastern Kentucky in the Mississippi Invitational, the Lady Cardinals were victorious. The victory against Eastern Kentucky was considered a highlight moment for the team and so far, one of the toughest and biggest wins Lay said.
The team’s final home games at MacDonald Gym are against Abilene Christian on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. and Tarleton State Nov. 13. at 6:30 p.m.
“I think volleyball is a tremendous sport to watch and be part of and we just want to thank all the fans who came out and supported (us),” Lay said. “You know, we look forward to representing Lamar at it’s very best.”
Lamar students can freely attend matches and they can also be viewed on the WAC Digital Network at www.wacdigitalnetwork.com/
The Multicultural Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Montagne Arena tailgate lot from 2:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. Admission is free.
There will be various activities, performances, food, and many other surprises that can be experienced by any interested LU students and community members.
Associate Vice president and Dean of Students Hector Flores is organizing the event, as well as various student groups and the Cardinal Activities Board.
“Previous multicultural events have been held at other places at LU, but this one includes community organizations, and it is open to the public as a way for LU to interact with the community,” Flores said.
Visitors can expect fun, excitement, the chance to meet various student organizations, or the opportunity to experience new things. Other activities include bull riding and a bounce house.
“The event has grown to include community organizations such as food vendors, music performers, student presenters, and a car show, “Flores said. “It allows us to have a safe and amazing time together.”
The LU Multicultural Festival was created from a vision from student organizations that wished to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Some of the student organizations involved include Black Influencers Organization, Pakistani Student Association, Indian Student Association, Black Student Association, African Student Association, Bangladesh Student Association, LU Hispanic Society, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Honor Student Association, LGBTQ+ Students of Lamar, Mag Pies Bakery, and much more.
For the duration of the event there will be time for introductions, a DJ, bands, and dancing groups.
“Please visit the student tent to make the most of your experience at the multicultural festival!” Flores said. At the center of the event space, student organizations have tents and will offer crafts, information, and can discuss culturally significant topics with any attendees.
While there will be some free giveaways by student groups, items such as food may not be free and vendors will charge.
“Students and staff should go to the festival to show support for the various student organizations working hard to put the event together,” Flores said. “I’m excited to be part of something that celebrates our unique cultures and experiences.”
In addition to encouraging people to attend, Flores said visitors can take whatever voluntary precautions they feel are best for their personal health situation against COVID.
The Fanfest tailgate event will be the focus of Homecoming activities Nov. 13, from Noon – 4 p.m. at the A-5 parking lot next to the Montagne Center.
The Homecoming parade was cancelled so that Fanfest would have more resources poured into the event, associate director of programming and events Canaan Daniels said. He hopes thatthe shifted focus will raise attendance and make the event more exciting.
Fanfest is free for students and the general public to attend.
“Homecoming is an opportunity to bring back the alumni and engage with our local community with who we are as Lamar and the spirit of Cardinal Nation,” Director for the office of community relations Teresa Simpson said. “Fanfest is a component of the overall Homecoming Lamar experience, particularly tailgating.”
Some of the contributors participating in Fanfest include ExxonMobil, a Southeast Texas museum, the southeast Texas food bank, Jason’s Deli, Sub Zero, the Spindletop Shop center, Harvest of Lost Souls, Chick-fil-la, and several others. The Humane Society will also be there with kittens and puppies for attendees to interact with.
Vendors will contribute to Fanfest with their own activities, games, merchandise, food that can be purchased, or they may offer more information for anyone who would want to get more involved with the community.
“We’ll have live entertainment, some other attractions such as food, a live band called Champagne Room, games, music, you name it,” Daniels said. “We’ll have it all at Fanfest.”
Some of the activities that are planned to be there include carnival rides, tailgating, the chance to try custom craft beer, a food drive, and much more.
“It’s gonna be a really exciting time and I hope everyone comes out,” Daniels said. “Get tickets to the game, come and hang out.”
Tickets for the game can be purchased on the Lamar website on the Homecoming Fanfest page. The Homecoming game will start right after Fanfest, at 4 p.m. at the Provost Umphrey Stadium and Lamar will play against Jacksonville State.
Cardinal NEST will also play a role in this year’s Fanfest as part of an outreach initiative.
“One of our biggest events, our initiative for the last couple years has really helped promote and create a college-going culture for our local students,” Simpson said. “We have just over 12,000 invitations that will be sent out to local school districts.”
Elementary, junior high, and high schools are included in the outreach initiative to engage younger community members.
“We want younger local students to experience Cardinal Nation early so that they have Lamar on their radar really early on in their educational experience,” she said.
The Office of Alumni Affairs will also be part of Fanfest and there will be a tent for visitors to get out of the elements or socialize.
Patrick Pessink is one of the few students pursuing a Geology major at Lamar.
He is currently a freshman who is from Kileen, Texas.
“I took a geology class in high school and it was the most interesting class I took,” Pessink says.
His initial interest for Geology stemmed from a high school Geology class. Mrs. Morin, the high school teacher for the Geology course taught the content in such a memorable way that left a lasting impact on him.
“I was a Christian and she was able to mix the two, which is very strange because Geology talks about evolution,” he said. “It was so cool to see how she was able to mix two worlds that don’t collide and connect them.”
Although the science and theories of evolution would have conflicted with his beliefs, he still found a way to accept both and nurture a passion for Geology.
Pessink also has a great interest in minerals and rocks.
“Oh, I love minerals,” He says, “when you get close to them and see all the details, it’s so impressive and beautiful.”
He likes to collect them when he can and has visited a few places that sell or display various mineral samples, such as a geology convention in Conroe, Texas once. One of his favorite kinds of minerals is Malachite.
“I really like rocks, and that was one of the main reasons I took Geology,” he says. “I’m still trying to keep that spirit going.”
One of Pessink’s goals with his major is to be an exploration geologist and to go out in the field, especially on untouched lands or areas.
“I want to do that because I love exploring things and that was one of my goals,” he says. “ You know, goals change every now and then and you kind of flip-flop on things, but the main thing is I’m trying to keep my mindset on that.”
Pessink has considered pursuing another major, such as Psychology, but decided to stick with Geology for now.
“One of the hardest things is learning all the theories and remembering all the concepts,” he says. “But it’s interesting at the same time and that’s why I like it so much.”
Aside from Pessink himself, there is only one other Geology major at Lamar that he is aware of.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Pessink says. “There’s plenty to explore in this world and we’ll just have to take it one step at a time.”
Freshman Patrick Pessink observes a sample of Malachite as he sits outside at the back of the Setzer Center during a sunny afternoon on Oct. 13. Malachite is one of his favorite minerals that he owns.
As part of the Week of Welcome, the event Late Night at the Set was held at the Student Setzer Center on August 27, from 7p.m – 11p.m.
Most of the activities and games were all located within the main hallway of the Setzer Center, with games such as checkers, a table giving away free items such as phone cases, an area to paint, and more.
“We have karaoke, you can get some picture frames and paint them or customize them, we have laser tag, and there’s also a bunch of different places to take pictures,” Cardinal Orientation leader Jonah Smith said.
“I’ll be honest, this blew out my expectations. I didn’t think it was going to be this fun, just because this building is a lot less versatile, and it doesn’t have as much to do but we have a lot to do here today and it’s a lot of fun. I’m very happy with how it turned out,” Smith added with over the course of the event, at least 310 people attended.
Amidst COVID, Smith maintains a positive outlook towards this year’s events and the turnout.
“We have amazing turnout to every single event, so many people coming into a lot of fun. The turnout this year is just a million times greater than what we had last year and the years before. I think it’s going amazing,” he said.
Although COVID is still prevalent, several students share a collective enthusiasm for the return of in-person events and social gatherings on campus.
“I’ve had a blast. I got to play laser tag, me and my friend played Connect Four a lot. I know there is a risk of getting it (COVID), but honestly I’m glad that we can finally have events like this,” senior Reagan Lee said.
Freshman Morgan Burril, another student attendee, also favored the event.
“I think it helps a lot with getting to meet new people and really getting to know campus,” she said.
At one point during the event, orientation leaders led students as they went up to do karaoke in front of a crowd and a projection screen. When Burril had done some karaoke, she said, “everyone was really hyping each other up and it was really fun.”
“I think it’s good to be in person and feels great because we have been inside for so long. I just make sure to wear my mask at every event and that I’m vaccinated, so that makes me feel a lot safer,” Burril said.
Freshman Kamori Randall, friend of Burril, also attended the event. “I got to meet a lot of different people. It was pretty cool. I got a phone case out of it. I just think it’s a really good social event just to get to know people,” she said.
Randall shared the desire to return to campus events due to COVID.
“I was actually really happy to come to any events because of COVID. It’s still kind of going on, but I feel that if you maintain your distance with people, you should be okay. It’s all kind of up to you,” Randall said.
A group of students around gather around a gambling table with two dealers on the night of Aug 27.
Student Health Center Assistant Director Nancy “Danette” Dover shared information about the current Lamar vaccine and COVID testing situation in an interview Friday, Sep. 24.
For any students who wish to obtain their own vaccine or have a COVID test done, they can schedule an appointment with the SHC on the Lamar website or they can call the SHC number.
“Once you get a vaccine, that information has to be put into a Texas state site and is tracked,” Dover said. “We give you your vaccine card which lists the days of your vaccine, what vaccine you got, and the lot number.”
COVID vaccines may be taken by all Lamar students, faculty, and staff and are free of charge. However, the general public outside of Lamar may not receive the same services from the SHC, mainly due to them not being in the banner system.
The SHC also offers COVID testing which can be done with two methods. The polymerase chain reaction test, or PCR, and the rapid antigen test are both done through nasal swabs on each side of the nose, Dover said. The SHC does not currently do saliva COVID tests. Compared to the PCR test, the rapid antigen test produced results in about 15 minutes, rather than with PCR test which may sometimes take three or four days. As of this moment, COVID testing is not offered to Lamar faculty or staff. For students, COVID testing can be offered free of charge.
“We will keep doing the vaccine for as long as it is needed,” Dover said. “It all really depends on what COVID does and I do not see testing going away.”
For the foreseeable future, the SHC will continue to offer COVID vaccines and testing she.
“Taking a vaccine is a personal (choice) and even though I encourage people to do that, that is a decision you have to make on your own,” She said, “Regardless of that decision, the decision needs to be respected.”
At the Student Health Center, or SHC, there are currently two types of COVID vaccines being offered, which are Moderna and Pfizer. Dover said that both Moderna and Pfizer are the same type of vaccines and the main differences between the two deal with how they are prepared, such as how Pfizer needs to be mixed, while Moderna is already in the vial. With Moderna, after the first shot, the person may need to wait about four weeks before getting the second shot. With Pfizer, after the first shot, the person may only need to wait about three weeks before getting the second shot.
“Once Pfizer got their FDA approval, we saw a large interest in Pfizer and I think a lot of people were waiting for that,” she said. Both Moderna and Pzifer have seen positive responses.
Students can ask medical personnel at the SHC about any questions they may have related to the testing and vaccines offered there.
“I suggest, research and educating yourself about the vaccine,” she said. “On social media, there is a lot of false information.”
For students who live in the dorms and test positive, they can then self-report, and afterwards they are encouraged to tell their resident advisor, or RA. Arrangements can be made for food to be delivered, and they are encouraged to self isolate. If the student has a roommate, they are encouraged to inform their roommate and isolate as best as they can in the same environment.
“If done the right way and you keep everything clean, wash your hands, sanitize, wear a mask, you can keep other people from getting sick.” Dover said, “It can be done.”
Shared spaces such as the common area or bathrooms can be sanitized and cleaned after every use or daily, depending on the circumstances.
“Our nurses will go and check up on these people, not only about how they’re doing but also (to check on) their symptoms,” she said.
The nurses ask to make sure the student that tested positive has everything they need from drinks, food, and so on. Medical staff at the SHC may also offer other resources and information related to COVID for the patients.
Most patients are given Vitamin C and D, zinc, to aid the immune system. For patients who have asthma, they can be given inhalers. However, each COVID case may differ, depending on the person and their medical history. In the future, the SHC may also begin to offer COVID booster shots.
“If you’re going to be around a big group of people and if you’re concerned, wear a mask,” Dover said, “You cannot get away from good hand washing and sanitizer.”
For more information, call the SHC at 409-880-8466
Held by the Department of Theatre & Dance, The Book Club play will now be held on Oct. 10th, at 2 p.m.
The play is directed by Ashley Galan and written by Karen Zacharias. The story of the play focuses on books, book lovers, life, and friends.
Ticket prices range from about $7-15 dollars.
“I love the Book Club Play. I think it tackles some serious issues in relatable and humorous ways, and it also features a variety of personality types, so it’s fun to see how all of the character interact with one another,” Senior student and stage manager of the play Katelynn Haynes said, “I’m also a reader, so it’s been fun for me to see some new interpretations of books I’ve either already read or been exposed to, as well as given me an opportunity to expand my reading list!”
Work on the play began at the end of last semester.
Students who participate in the play typically do so for extra credit and if they excel or show interest in a particular area, then the professors who assign them their jobs make it a point to give the students an opportunity to gain as much experience as possible, Haynes said.
“As the stage manager, it’s my job to run all of our rehearsals and shows, as well as maintain communication between all of our cast, crew, and designers,” she said, “I’m the one telling everyone what to do and when to do it; every light, sound, and projection change happens when I call it.”
Haynes’ job also deals with keeping track of everyone involved with the play, making quick decisions such as deciding where props should be, creating a specifically made script as she follows along with the actors movements through a method called blocking, and generally taking care of everyone else.
“No one outside of the theatre world knows “stage manager” is even a job, but you can’t do a play without one,” she said.
The Book Club Play is Hayne’s first time stage managing.
“I can honestly say it’s been an absolute dream to work with this cast and crew and this show is almost entirely student-driven, so to see everyone show up ready to work and communicate and make art together has been very inspiring,” Haynes said. “I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
In preparation for the presentation night, rehearsals are being held every Thursday and Tuesday night. For Haynes, that also means that she must get to the theatre early, unlock the space and set it up, get the time sheets sorted, and then take detailed notes of everything that happensduring that time.
“I think everyone who has a chance to come see this show should absolutely do so and we’ve put so much time and hard work into this production and want to share our craft with anyone and everyone who can see it,” she said, “If for no other reason, it’ll be a fun way to spend two hours of your weekend.
Ambour Leal 