Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award recipients announced for 2026

Lamar University (LU) and its affiliated Texas State University System institutions in Southeast Texas have announced the 2026 recipients of the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award, recognizing four faculty and staff members whose service extends beyond their campuses and into the communities they serve.

This year's recipients are Dr. Judson P. LaGrone of Lamar University, Hannah LeTulle of Lamar Institute of Technology, Stephanie Jones of Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) and Maurice Abelman of Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA).

Established nearly 50 years ago by Julie and Ben Rogers, the award was created to recognize faculty and staff members who dedicate their time and talents to serving Southeast Texas. Through the Lamar University Foundation and the continued support of Regina Rogers, the endowment has expanded to recognize an individual from each of the four regional institutions with a $1,000 award.

LU President Jaime Taylor said the recipients demonstrate the lasting influence community service can have beyond any single organization.

"The four individuals we are recognizing today embody that spirit," Taylor said. "They don't just serve. They lead others into service."

Lamar University - Dr. Judson P. LaGrone

LaGrone has built a record of service centered on health care, nursing education, mentorship and community outreach throughout Southeast Texas.

His community involvement includes helping lead a $30 million capital campaign to expand health services for underserved residents and supporting the American Cancer Society's Southeast Texas Cattle Baron's Ball, which has raised more than $1.2 million for cancer patients in the region.

LaGrone also works closely with young people through nursing education, agricultural programs and Scouting. He mentors nursing students in professionalism, ethics and leadership; supports Southeast Texas 4-H and FFA students through livestock programs; mentors Scouts; and assists with fundraising for scholarships and educational opportunities.

At Lamar University, LaGrone founded the Dishman School of Nursing chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing and has helped connect students with volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits and schools. Through health education and outreach, he has worked to strengthen ties between the university and communities across Southeast Texas.

His service has also extended to disaster response. During Hurricane Harvey, LaGrone spent three days conducting boat rescues for residents stranded by flooding and has remained involved in disaster preparedness and hurricane recovery efforts.

LaGrone's work has earned several honors, including the 2026 American Cancer Society Shining Star Award, the 2025 Texas A&M 12 Under 12 Award, the 2024 Young Alumnus Award from East Texas Baptist University and recognition as a 2024 Southeast Texas 40 Under 40 honoree. He also helped Lamar University earn recognition among the 2025 AAMN Best Schools for Men in Nursing.

Lamar State College Orange - Stephanie Jones

Jones has served Lamar State College Orange for more than 25 years, advancing through several positions before becoming executive assistant to the president. Throughout her career, she has supported students, employees and community members while becoming a familiar connection between the college and Orange County.

Jones' volunteer work includes supporting the annual Back to School Orange County event, area food drives and fundraising activities. She also regularly assists students experiencing difficult circumstances and supports the LSCO Gator Food Pantry, which provides resources to students facing food insecurity.

Her community involvement extends to OCARC, where she volunteers every other week and assists with special events, including Valentine's Day and Christmas celebrations.

Jones also serves as administrator to the LSCO Foundation, supporting scholarships, fundraising and donor engagement. She volunteers with the foundation's annual Boot Scootin' fundraiser and helps foster relationships that expand educational opportunities for students throughout Southeast Texas.

On campus, Jones has served as vice president and secretary of the President's Staff Advisory Committee, contributed to the Catastrophic Sick Leave Pool Committee and assisted with accreditation reviews, college events, commencement ceremonies, scholarship celebrations, donor programs and other institutional initiatives.

Her more than two decades at LSCO have made her a trusted resource for students, employees, donors and community members and a frequent first point of contact for those engaging with the college.

Lamar Institute of Technology - Hannah LeTulle

LeTulle, director of communications and marketing at Lamar Institute of Technology, has used her role in communications and community engagement to strengthen partnerships between LIT and organizations throughout Southeast Texas.

Her work helped establish LIT's partnership with the ROAR Reading initiative at Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary School, creating opportunities for employees to support young students through literacy and one-on-one engagement.

LeTulle also coordinated an LIT volunteer route with Nutrition & Services for Seniors' Meals on Wheels program. In addition to organizing the partnership, she personally volunteers each week to deliver meals to area seniors.

Her community involvement includes volunteering with Legacy Community Health's back-to-school and holiday events and serving with organizations including the Enterprise Empty Stocking Fund, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Beaumont ISD Career and Technical Education Advisory Council, ExxonMobil Beaumont Community Advisory Panel, Rotary Club of Beaumont and Southeast Texas Young Professionals Organization.

Through those efforts, LeTulle has focused not only on volunteering herself but also on connecting colleagues, organizations and resources to create additional opportunities for community involvement.

Lamar State College Port Arthur - Maurice Abelman

Abelman is a multidisciplinary artist, muralist, educator and graphic designer whose work has helped shape the visual landscape of Southeast Texas.

Based in Beaumont, Abelman has painted more than 60 large-scale murals across the region, transforming public spaces into works that reflect local culture, history and community identity.

He serves as coordinator of graphic design and a tenured instructor at Lamar State College Port Arthur, where he mentors students preparing to enter creative industries. His teaching spans branding, digital imaging and experiential design, with an emphasis on helping students develop strong conceptual skills while adapting to changes in the design industry.

Outside the classroom, Abelman's professional work includes branding, logo development, advertising campaigns, packaging design, environmental graphics and public art. His work combines artistic expression with practical communication for businesses, institutions and community initiatives.

Central to Abelman's approach is the belief that art should be accessible and connected to the people and places it represents. Through public art and design education, he has helped create recognizable visual landmarks across Southeast Texas while encouraging emerging artists and designers to develop their own creative voices.

The Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award reflects the Rogers family's longstanding commitment to philanthropy and service in Southeast Texas. In addition to establishing the award, the family's community involvement has supported initiatives in education, health care, youth development and disaster recovery.

The 2026 recipients continue that tradition through work that connects their respective campuses with the communities they serve.