If you are attending in person, we ask that you usethis link to make a reservation by February 16, 2026.
Dr. Jaime R. Taylor is the 16th president of Lamar University, which serves more than 17,000 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Before his appointment in July 2021, Taylor served as Marshall University's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Signature achievements during his time at Marshall include the development of a fixed-wing aviation program and the doubling of university-wide research expenditures, the latter leading to a new Carnegie classification for Marshall as an R2 research institution.
Prior to his work at Marshall, Taylor spent a significant portion of his career at Austin Peay State University, where he served two years as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, eight years as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and eight years as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Taylor is an award-winning teacher of physics and was honored as an Austin Peay State University Outstanding Alumni.
Taylor received his Ph.D. and M.S. in engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute, his B.S. in physics and mathematics from Austin Peay State University and an A.A.S. in industrial engineering technology from Nashville State Technical Institute. He also spent four years as a NASA Faculty Fellow working on applications of soft computing.
Invocation
Jeannette Fresne
Associate Dean of College of Fine Arts & Communication
Lamar University
Pledges
John Lee
Director
Lamar University Small Business Development Center
Introduction of
Guests
John Rollins
Associate Director-Community Relations & Public Affairs
Lamar University
Introduction of
Speaker
Juan Zabala
Vice President for University Advancement
Lamar University
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
The Rotary Club of Beaumont is pleased to announce its scholarship to be awarded to two high school students graduating in 2026 as well as one scholarship to Lamar Institute of Technology for a non traditional student.
The application must be completed by all students wishing to be considered for a Rotary Club of Beaumont Scholarship. The Scholarship Committee will review all applications and recommend to the Board those two students whose academic success, leadership potential, and community service activities demonstrate a commitment to “Service Above Self.”
Specific requirements can be found on the application which is available through the link below.
Thank you to each Rotarian and volunteer for helping us assemble 150 layettes bags. Your help was greatly appreciated. They are ready to be shipped to Honduras to where new mothers and expecting mothers can be better prepared with materials for motherhood. This yearly project always has a great impact.
Rotarians, may attend using a regular meal ticket or a $20 meal ticket if they plan to eat.
Non-Rotarians may purchase meal tickets for $30.
Reserved sponsored tables are available for individuals and organizations wishing to support the event.
Click HERE to purchase a Non Rotarian meal or to purchase a Sponsorship table.
Bruce Walker
February 16
Paul Eddy
February 17
Gigi Mazzola
February 20
Sheree Pierce
February 22
Larry Beaulieu
Feb. 16, 1983
43 years
Floyd McSapdden
Feb. 16, 1983
43 years
Carol Fernandez
Feb. 16, 2011
15 years
Azim Keramati
Feb. 19, 1986
40 years
Victor Zaloom
Feb. 17, 1999
27 years
Chad Blanchard
Feb. 20, 2002
24 years
Robert Hickman
Feb. 19, 2003
23 years
Ty Coudrain
Feb. 21, 218
8 years
Roy West
Feb. 20, 2024
2 years
Ruby Leday
Feb. 19, 2025
1 year
Andrea Brown
Feb. 19, 2025
1 year
February 11, 2026
Rotary Has Heart
Program Review: Josh Davis
President Uliana Trylowsky called the meeting to order and introduced the members serving at the head table: Bruce Walker, who delivered the invocation; Chad Blanchard, who led the pledges; and Kate Carroll, who introduced the guests.
The club announced that scholarship applications are now available on the Rotary Club of Beaumont website. Applications for the traditional scholarship must be submitted by March 2, 2026, while the nontraditional scholarship deadline is April 8, 2026.
The Four Way Harmonies performed for the club, entertaining members and adding a festive touch to the gathering.
Several upcoming events were shared, including International Women’s Day on March 11, featuring guest speaker Lori Ryerkerk. Additionally, Debbie Bridgeman from the Spindeltop Rotary Club announced their annual Roast event, which this year will roast Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens. The Roast, scheduled for March 31 at the MCM Elegante Hotel, will benefit the Southeast Texas Food Bank.
During the meeting, Tim Sudela presented Alan Hefty with a Paul Harris Fellow plus five award, recognizing his dedication and service to Rotary.
The club spent the remainder of the meeting working on various projects to help local nonprofits as part of Rotary Has Heart. Members were encouraged to participate in assembling layettes at the Rotary Office on Thursday, February 12.
