Special to The Leader

 

David. A. Jones, co-founder of Gopher Industrial Inc., addressed the graduates at the Lamar State College – Orange commencement ceremony held August 12^th at the Lutcher Theater.

Born in Houston and raised in East Texas, Jones began his college career at Ranger Jr. College and continued his education at Stephen F. Austin University. He is past chairman for the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, served on the Executive State Board for the Texas Association of Business representing Small Business, and is currently serving his 10th year on the LCM School Board, where he served as President for two years. Jones also serves on the United Way Board, Foundation for Southeast Texas Board, Lamar State College – Orange Foundation and the Stark Foundation Advisory Board. Named the Small Business Person of the Year by the United States Small Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce in 2009, Jones is also a member of the Orange Rotary Club.

 David has been married to Tammy Jones for 25 years and they have three children. Whitney and Kyndal are both graduates of LCM and students at Lamar University, and son Dalan is entering his senior year at LCM. All three have also attended Lamar State College – Orange. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church of Orange.

Four graduates of Lamar State College-Orange graduated with the designation of summa cum laude, with “highest honors.” Summa cum laude designation includes those students with grade point averages of 3.8 to 4.0. The students with this designation were Lisha Joy Ellis, Bridge City; Amanda Rose Ashby, Orange; Lylyan Nga Tran, Port Arthur; and Kai Lyn Thompson of Orange.

Magna cum laude, or “high honors” designation, is awarded to graduates who earn GPAs of 3.65 to 3.79. The three students receiving this recognition were Lora Marie Rutherford, Orange; Katelyn Marie Welty and Brianna Jean Burkett of Buna.

Six students graduated cum laude, or with “honors” designation, with GPAs of 3.50 to 3.64. The students with this honor were Bethany Ann Butler, Orange; Amber Michelle Okun, Vidor; Lloyd Alson Dubose, Newton; Isaac Thomas Wright, Vidor; Christie Michelle Gaskill, Orange; and Corina Raelene Champeaux of Vidor.

Please join us in congratulating all of our graduates on their academic accomplishments. Graduates are listed below according to hometown and degree earned:

 

Associate of Arts Degree:

Orange: Regina Nicole Frazier, Christie Michelle Gaskill, Ricci Michelle Shoemaker, and Danielle Jean Self Sneed, liberal arts; Sherry Leigh Collins Gauthier and Sandra Quaid Latiolais, teaching 1.

 

Associate of Applied Science:

Bridge City: Kimberly Brooke Campbell, process operating technology.

Orange: Ashton Dakota Como, process operating technology.

 

Certificate of Completion:

Bridge City: Alexis Paige James, pharmacy technology; Lisha Joy Ellis, Brandi Michelle Fowler Lovelace, Chelsea Gee Mills, Ashley Grace LaFleur Ply, Jessica Nicole Westlund and Kara Marie Willingham, vocational nursing.

Deweyville: Naomi Blessing Rountree Williams, vocational nursing.

Orange: LaShonda Char’dae Anderson, Kia Jarnáe Carter, Ashley Maisie DeLeon, Tristan Sterling Green

Madison Claire Kay, Burnesha A. Powell, Nakabrien Zykia Reese, Alexis Sue Smith, Kai Lyn Thompson, Lauren Ashleigh Nicole Walter, dental assisting. Savannah Lee Borel, medical office assistant; Amanda Rose Ashby, Arlissa Elaine Carnahan Beaumont, Brandy Noel Gentz Bickham, Sherman Joseph Bland, Meagan Elizabeth Burns, Bethany Ann Butler, Shaquita LaShon Gant, Katherine Long Minchew, Corrie Lynn Nunez, Carrie D. Waldrep Poole, Landon G. Procella, Lora Marie Rutherford, Tania Maria Laguna Webb, Aubrey Elyse Hale Welch, and Caitlin Margaret Ziller, vocational nursing.

Vidor: Jodee Alyse Ballard and Lauren Haley Chamberlain, dental assisting; Wayne Julius Martindale, instrumentation; Brigit L. Mudd Ard, Darlin Gayle Brucia, Corina Raelene Lummus Champeaux, Emmaly Illene Simmons Grantham, Kayla Lorraine Odom, Amber Michelle Okun, Taylor Nicole Stinnett, and Isaac Thomas Wright, vocational nursing.

Vinton, LA: Teri Lynn Adams Walter, dental assisting.

 

Institutional Award:

Orange: Savannah Lee Borel, medical office receptionist.