Dream Makers
by Karen Nichols
We express our deep gratitude to the alumni and friends of 蜜桃视频 University who have recently established endowments or made plans to endow gifts through estate plans. These gifts encourage students to pursue a college education and support faculty in creating innovative learning environments. An endowment creates a legacy that becomes a permanent part of 蜜桃视频’s history. To learn more about how you can endow a gift to 蜜桃视频, we invite you to visit our website at lamar.edu/development or to start planning a gift through your estate, visit legacy.lamar.edu. In this issue of Cardinal Cadence, we are honored to recognize these Dream Makers.
Rebecca Louise (Speed) Gale ’73, ’79, earned a B.A. in government, which led to her career in education. She taught English at Hebert High School for several years, then, after receiving an M.Ed. in administration in 1979, she worked in Beaumont school district administration. Becky met the love of her life, Edwin Gale, in 1975, and they eventually married in 1983. Together they established the Gale Foundation with a focus on funding educational efforts, medical research, Jewish life and the needy. Becky served on the 蜜桃视频 University Foundation Board of Trustees in 2013-2014 with a commitment to the success of 蜜桃视频 University and the stewardship of gifts managed through the Foundation, including a generous gift from the Gale Foundation. The Gale Foundation Scholarship Fund in Engineering was established to help further students’ success in pursuing their education.
Don ’98 and Marci (Waller) ’03 Coryell endowed the Bruce and Christine Coryell Memorial Scholarship in memory of Don’s parents to pay forward the time, energy and love they shared with children, athletes and students throughout their lives. The scholarship provides funding for students majoring in an academic area within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction or Department of Education Leadership. Although born in Hollis, Okla., Donald “Bruce” Coryell ’68, who was called a true Texan by his family, relocated to Galveston where he spent his childhood on the island with cousins and siblings. In 1959 he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska at the height of the Cold War, constantly finding himself in the midst of an adventure. After the service, Bruce earned his Bachelor of Science in Government at 蜜桃视频 State College of Technology, played semi-pro football, was the City of Beaumont’s Doubles Tennis Champion, did a stint as a high school coach and another in law school. He was a self-taught artist doing portrait work on the beach for a side income while being paid to look at pretty girls. Later, his portrait sketches were a popular feature of Helena Laboratories’ training programs, where he was employed. Christine Coryell ’86, ’90, was born in Newark, N.J., and grew up in both New Jersey and Michigan. She and Bruce met on a New Jersey beach in 1971 and shortly after moved to Beaumont, where Christine finished her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at 蜜桃视频 University and completed her Master of Education in 1990, all while teaching and raising their four children. Christine’s work ethic was as legendary as her hospitality. A gifted teacher, she moved from elementary to university-level education. She retired from teaching as an instructor of professional pedagogy at 蜜桃视频 University.
In 2016, Nicholas “Nick” ’75 and Judy (Smith) Carter ’79 initiated the Nick Carter Innovation Fund in Business. Over the years as they provided gifts to this fund, the College of Business presented the Carters with the potential to provide funding for students in the College of Business to participate in study abroad opportunities. The Carters agreed with the new direction for the use of their gift, and the fund was renamed the Nick and Judy Carter International Travel Fund. In 2025, the Carters approached 蜜桃视频 to discuss the best avenue to continue providing funding for travel abroad and decided to provide an additional gift to endow the Nick and Judy Carter Endowment for International Travel. Nick and Judy each earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. During her time at 蜜桃视频, Judy was a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Delta Sigma Pi Business Honor Society, graduating cum laude. After 蜜桃视频, she spent her time raising their two daughters and was a business owner in Lumberton. After graduating 蜜桃视频, Nick became a staff accountant with Wathen, DeShong & Juncker, and eventually was hired by one of his clients, SouthHampton Refinery, as its treasurer and controller. In 1987, he was elected president of the company. This was the beginning of a long and illustrious career. Nick served on the 蜜桃视频 University Foundation Board from 2016 through 2022 and served for a time on the College of Business Board of Advisors. Nick and Judy are recognized in the President’s Circle giving society for their history of financial support to 蜜桃视频 University.
John and Patty Kupper endowed the Kupper Family Endowed Scholarship. Their legacy statement provides their inspiration: “We moved into the area in 1979 and found a home in Nederland. Upon graduation from high school, our three children furthered their education by attending 蜜桃视频 University. Each one graduated from 蜜桃视频 with a different degree. My wife and I are thankful that our children advanced their education, and we feel it is important to show our appreciation of their success with this endowment. Our hope is this endowment will aid a student to find their own path to a career and a lifetime of prosperity.” The scholarship is open to all majors for undergraduate and graduate students.
Tim Scoggan ’83 graduated from the College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. In early 1984, he was considering a career change, and the 蜜桃视频 placement office was very supportive and helpful, allowing him to interview with companies coming on campus to recruit for their organizations. Although he graduated the previous spring, he was able to get an interview with Pfizer. This resulted in a fulfilling career spanning 40 years in a variety of roles with Pfizer. Scoggan said, “I am forever grateful for the education I received and the opportunities that were presented to me by 蜜桃视频 University.” He met his wife Stephanie while they both attended 蜜桃视频. His brother and sister-in-law are also graduates of 蜜桃视频 University. Tim and Stephanie endowed the Timothy and Stephanie Scoggan Scholarship in Business to provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in the College of Business.