Lamar University honors 8 with Plummer Awards
Lamar University honored 8 students with the Plummer Award, recognizing them as the top male and female graduates in Lamar’s December 2015 graduating class. Lamar University President Kenneth Evans presented the awards during commencement ceremonies Dec. 11 and 12 in the Montagne Center. Plummer Awards honor the late Otho Plummer, who was chairman emeritus of the Lamar board of regents and a longtime board member.
Maisie Sue Benoit, a graduate of Osceola High School in Osceola, Missouri earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is the daughter of Dale Moore and Sue Bullock and the spouse of David Benoit. Benoit is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and was president of Kappa Delta Pi—Sigma Beta Chapter. She earned the Beaumont Association of Retired Teachers scholarship, a Lamar University Undergraduate Research Grant, and was on the President’s List. She served as a senator in the Lamar Student Government Association for the College of Education and Human Development, a student representative on the Student Services Fees Committee, the Advisory Search Committee for the search for a new dean of the College of Education and Human Development. She is an event sponsor for ARC of Beaumont. Her hobbies include traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading and antique shopping. Future plans are to continue her education at Lamar University toward a Master of Education in Special Education, with a concentration in Autism Studies, eventually teaching at the collegiate level.
Ciara Jordan Guilhas, a graduate of Hamshire-Fannett High School in Hamshire, earned the Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She is the daughter of Tammy and Gary Guilhas. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and has earned placement on the President’s List every semester while at Lamar University. Her hobbies include working as a part-time coach at Hamshire-Fannett Middle School, running, lifting, yoga and reading. Future plans are to work both as a speech-language pathologist and head coach in education.
Casey Lynn Myers, a graduate of Little Cypress Mauriceville High School, earned the Bachelor of Arts in English. She is the daughter of Tonya and Everett Myers and the spouse of Isaiah Blanchard. Myers is a member of the Honors Program and Tennis Team. She earned a Mirabeau Scholarship, the Rowe Analytical Essay Award and was on the President’s List each semester. Her hobbies include reading (especially movie trivia), knitting, playing tennis, dancing and experimenting with cooking. Future plans are to pursue a master’s and doctorate degree. She would like to teach at the university level or work for a publishing company. She would also like to publish books of poetry.
Tayler Jeannene Saumell, a graduate of Port Neches Groves High School, earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is the daughter of Tammy and Omar Saumell. Saumell is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. She earned the Elmer G. Rode Academic Scholarship, Eber Ephlin Scholarship, Alpha Omicron Chapter of ADK Scholarship, Lamar Early Access Program Scholarship, Student Teacher of the Year nominee and was on the President’s List each semester. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, going to PNG football games, traveling, teaching at church, and praising God. Future plans on teaching in the area, preferably in the Port Neches Groves School District, with her own classroom.
Lauren Michelle Schuldt, a graduate of West Brook High School earned the Bachelor of Arts in English. She is the daughter of Kelly and Chris Schuldt. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta (international English honor society), Reaud Honors College, and Alpha Lamba Delta – Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the Lamar University Ambassadors. She earned a Mirabeau Scholarship, Kenneth “Rock” Clinton British Studies Program Scholarship, Lamar University Study Abroad Scholarship. She was on the President’s List each semester and had a paper accepted to be published in the 2016 Sigma Tau Delta Review. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, travelling and embarking on impromptu adventures. Future plans are to pursue a doctorate degree in English Literature.
Cathy Wayman, a graduate of Granger High School in West Valley City, Utah, earned the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is the daughter of Roene and Robert Olson and the spouse of Jim Wayman. She enjoys travelling around the world.
Eusevio Antonio Saldivar, a graduate of Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisc., earned the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He is the son of Myrna and Juan Saldivar. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. His hobbies include reading science fiction and fantasy, travelling, spending time with family, playing games of chess and other card strategies games. Future plans are to pursue a master’s degree and a law degree. He plans to work where he can contribute to the well-being of society specifically targeting the mental and health problems that manifest in the form of crime and drug abuse.
Brandon Paul Stacey, a graduate of Little Cypress Mauriceville High School, earned the Bachelor of Science in Communication. He is the son of Evelyn Barker and Robert Stacey and the husband of Courtney Stacey. He earned the Janice Trammell Scholarship in Communication and was on the President’s List each semester. His hobbies are reading, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and new baby. Future plans are to continue his education at Lamar University toward a master’s in business concentrating on organizational leadership. Later plans include a doctorate in philosophy which is an area of interest and was his minor.
