Junior League of Beaumont establishes the Julie Richardson Procter Scholarship at Lamar University

The Junior League of Beaumont established the Julie Richardson Procter Scholarship endowment at Lamar University in August 2019 with a gift of $71, 767.96. The scholarship was established to honor Julie’s legacy

by rewarding a student who epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism and giving back to the community. The scholarship is open to full-time students of all majors, undergraduate and graduate levels who maintain a 3.0 G.P.A.

Julie Richardson Procter served as president of the Junior League of Beaumont from 2002-2003. She lost a courageous battle to ovarian cancer on April 30, 2011. She was a beloved civic volunteer and accomplished attorney. As an active member of the Beaumont community, Julie believed in giving back to others and served on various boards and committees including Buckner’s Auxiliary, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Lamar University Friends of the Arts, Neches River Festival, Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program Board and was a past president of the Junior League of Beaumont.  She was also active with her church, Westgate Church of Christ.

Julie was a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. degree in Business Administration and a B.A. in Art History.  In addition to her undergraduate degrees, she obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University. While in college, Julie was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. After graduation from law school, Julie obtained a federal district clerkship with the Honorable Judge A. Hall of Marshall, Texas. Following her clerkship, Julie started her legal career with Beran Shelmire Architects in Dallas, and then later returned to Beaumont where she worked as a partner for the law firm of Strong, Pipkin, Nelson & Bissell LLP.

“Julie gave unselfishly of her time and talents during her lifetime for the betterment of others. While she was an accomplished attorney, she balanced her career with her devotion to volunteering. No volunteer job was too hard to tackle, and her optimistic attitude and dedication inspired others to enlist in worthy endeavors,” said Suzanne Wolfrom, Junior League of Beaumont sustainer who chaired the scholarship committee.

“Julie did so many things for others that hardly anyone knew about. Just one example is that she made hundreds of sandwiches in her kitchen to take to volunteers working relief efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Rita in 2005. Her heart was so big,” said Patti McSpadden, co-chair of the scholarship committee.

The Junior League of Beaumont established a scholarship endowment in 2012 in Julie’s memory for young women seeking higher education who have demonstrated a passion for volunteering for the betterment of others. The Junior League of Beaumont maintained and administered the scholarship until the remaining balance was gifted to Lamar University in 2019.

The Junior League of Beaumont is a 501 (c) 3 organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

For information about establishing an endowed scholarship, contact the Lamar University Foundation at (409) 880-2117.