Lamar University recognized for volunteer service at Southeast Texas Food Bank

Lamar University has been recognized by the Southeast Texas Food Bank for contributing over 250 volunteer hours for 2025.  Students from the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing contributed more volunteer hours than any other Lamar student organization during the past year, demonstrating the school's commitment to service and community engagement.

Representatives from LU's College of Nursing and Health Professions accepted the Southeast Texas Food Bank's Volunteer Appreciation Recognition Award during a small gathering on July 29 at the organization's Beaumont headquarters. The honor recognizes the nursing program's consistent volunteer service, with students dedicating hundreds of hours to sorting donations, preparing senior food boxes, assembling school supply kits and supporting hunger relief efforts throughout Southeast Texas.

Volunteer service is built into the nursing curriculum through practicum experiences that allow students to apply classroom knowledge while serving local organizations.

"They get to choose where they feel like that might be their niche," Becky Seymour, community-based service-learning coordinator for the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing said. "They benefit from being able to go out and use all of the things they've learned and help others in the community. That's what nursing is all about: community work."

Seymour said those experiences also help students develop a lifelong commitment to civic engagement.

"It helps to instill the desire to give back to the community and to be participants in meeting civic needs," she said.

Dr. Gina Hale, associate dean for nursing affairs and chair of the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, said the recognition reflects both the dedication of Lamar University nursing students and the value of partnerships that provide meaningful service opportunities.

"We're very excited to be recognized for all the service hours that our students have devoted to volunteering at the Southeast Texas Food Bank," Hale said. "We're proud of our students, and we're really grateful for the welcoming place that Southeast Texas Food Bank provides for our students. Experiences like these allow our students to apply what they've learned in the classroom while developing the compassion, professionalism and commitment to community that define the nursing profession."

Mary Simon, volunteer and food drive coordinator for the Southeast Texas Food Bank, said LU nursing students have earned a reputation as dependable volunteers who consistently arrive ready to serve.

"When I tell you they were consistent, religiously, with coming out ready to work, they did a phenomenal, phenomenal job," Simon said. "It didn't matter what the task was. They were on board."

Simon said the food bank has built lasting relationships with many LU nursing students, some of whom continue volunteering after graduation.

"We stay in contact," Simon said. "They let me know when they pass their tests, they send me pictures from where they are working, and some have even come back to help after they graduated."

The Southeast Texas Food Bank relies on volunteers to support programs including food sorting, senior nutrition initiatives, school supply distribution and emergency response efforts. According to food bank officials, volunteers contribute between 70,000 and 75,000 hours during a typical year.

Simon said Lamar University students' willingness to serve has made a lasting impact on both the food bank and the community.

"Good citizenship, good professionalism — y'all just have good people," Simon said.