Center for Resiliency

The Gulf Coast Community Resilience Conference

Thursday, March 26th, 2026 | Beaumont, Texas

Resilience Through History

About Our Event

The “Resilience through History” Conference brings together academic researchers and community to highlight and celebrate the resilient spirit of SETX. By studying and sharing the history of resilience, we aim to inform development and innovation, gain understanding of our communities, and connect with each other at present.

Registration Is Open!

This event is designed for all of us — neighbors, leaders, educators, nonprofits, faith communities, responders, students, and residents who cares about the strength of Southeast Texas.

Hosted By

Theme
Resilience Through History

Date
Thursday, March 26th, 2026

Time
Check In At 8:30AM

Category
Event

Conference Location
Setzer Student Center
4405 Jimmy Simmons Blvd
Beaumont, TX 77705

Attire
Business Casual

Contact
Cfr@lamar.edu

Add To Calendar

Parking and Directions

Conference parking in Parking Lot C-1 is Free.
Clear signage will be posted on the day of the event and walking directions to the Setzer Student Center will be provided prior to the conference to ensure smooth arrival.

Interactive Campus Map

Meals Provided By
Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts

In an effort to provide an educational experience meals have been prepared by the ��Ƶ University Nutrition, Hospitality and Human Services Program.

Conference Accommodations

Host Hotel

2355 I-10 South

Beaumont, TX 77705

Booking Contact

Paige Dugas (409) 617-0604

A special group rate of $89 per night has been secured for conference speakers, panelists and attendees. This rate includes a daily breakfast.

We encourage you to reserve early as rooms are limited.

Agenda

Schedule Events for Thursday, March 26th, 2026
Thursday, March 26, 2026 Location Setzer Live Oak Ballroom \| All Events
Start Time	End Time	Event	Speaker	Institution
8:30 AM	8:55 AM	Registration & Breakfast Breakfast Burritos Fresh Fruit/Assorted Muffins Provided By Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
8:55 AM	09:00 AM	Welcome	Dr. Brian Williams	Exec. Director\| Center for Resiliency
09:00 AM	10:15 AM	Research Session 1 From Surviving To Thriving: Early Patterns of Resiliency From The Eighteenth-Century USA	Rebecca Boone\| Professor & Dean of Arts and Science, ��Ƶ Univ. Presents "Real Lives in the Eighteenth Century: Survival and Endurance in Difficult Times” Fior Daliso García Lara \| Asst. Professor, Univ. of TX El Paso Presents “Rivers, Seasons, and Survival: Indigenous Resilience in 18th-Century Southeast Texas” Brittny Bratcher-Rasmus \|Asst. Professor, ��Ƶ Univ. and Amanda Divin \|Assoc. Professor, ��Ƶ Univ. Presents “Before the Pandemic: The Evolution of Public Health Resilience in Southeast Texas” Chair/Respondent\| Jimmy Bryan, Professor & Department Chair of History, ��Ƶ Univ.
10:15 AM	10:30 AM	AM Break \| Fruit, Muffins, Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Hot Tea, & Water
10:30 AM	11:45 AM	Research Session 2 Learning From History: Evolving Patterns Of Resiliency In Rural Texas And Beyond	Jean Lonie Dudley \|Asst.Professor & Co-Director of the Center for Rural Resilience, Tarleton State Univ. Presents “Cultivating Resilience: The Evolution of Disaster Responses in Agricultural Communities of Central Texas" Meggan Franks \|Asst.Professor, Louisiana State Univ. and Monica Farris\|Research Professor, Univ. of New Orleans Presents “Codes, Costs, and Compliance: A Post Katrina History of Resilient Building Policy in Louisiana, with Implications for Southeast Texas” Chair/Respondent\| Tom Sowers, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, ��Ƶ Univ.
11:45 AM	01:15 AM	Lunch Vegetarian Enchiladas,Mesquite-Smoked Beef Brisket,Grilled Chicken Thighs,Baked Chedder Grits,Green Beans and Roll Provided By Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
11:45 AM	01:15 PM	Lunch Address President Taylor Welcome Dr. Gene Theodori	Key Note Speaker Don E. Albrecht	Presents \| Community Resilience and Sports
11:45 AM	01:15 PM	Debut of the Resilience Digital Collection (Vol. 1)	Nina Gjoçi, Ph.D. and Team	Honoring the sacrifices and successes made by ordinary people, communities, organizations, local and state governments, and documenting our region’s history
1:15 PM	2:15 PM	Community Resiliency Panel
2:15 PM	2:30 PM	Break Grab and Go Desserts\| Mini Chocolate Pies, Praline Cookies, Lemon-Blueberry Bars Provided By Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
2:30 PM	03:30 PM	Smart Storm Intro, Tributes and Acknowledgements

Please continue to check this page for updates as event gets closer. Schedule is subject to change.

������Ƶ