LSCO’s Stephanie Jones Receives Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award
October 7, 2026
Lamar State College Orange is proud to announce that Stephanie Jones, Executive Assistant to the President, has been named LSCO’s 2026 recipient of the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award, recognizing more than 25 years of service to the College and an enduring commitment to the Orange community. An event was held on October 7, 2026 on the Lamar University campus to recognize Jones' service.
Established in 1979, the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award recognizes faculty and staff across the Lamar institutions who make a meaningful impact throughout the Golden Triangle through volunteerism and community service. Each year, recipients are selected from Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar State College Orange.
Jones has served LSCO for more than 25 years, advancing through multiple positions before assuming her current role as Executive Assistant to the President. Throughout her career, she has become known as a trusted advisor, problem solver and ambassador for the College, consistently demonstrating a commitment to students, employees and the community.
“Stephanie is a significant reason Lamar State College Orange is such a special place for our students, employees and community,” said LSCO President Dr. Wendy Elmore. “She has a remarkable ability to see where she is needed and simply step in to help. She never seeks recognition for what she does. She serves because she genuinely cares about people and wants to make a difference.”
That spirit of service extends well beyond Jones’ professional responsibilities. She is a bi-weekly volunteer with OCARC and supports the organization’s special events, including its Valentine and Christmas celebrations. She has volunteered with the annual Back to School Orange County event, assisted with food drives and fundraising activities, and regularly supports students experiencing difficult circumstances.
Jones is also an active supporter of the LSCO Gator Food Pantry, which provides food and other resources to students experiencing food insecurity.
Her service is closely connected to LSCO’s mission of expanding educational opportunities throughout Southeast Texas. As Administrator to the LSCO Foundation, Jones supports scholarships, donor engagement and fundraising initiatives that create opportunities for students. She also volunteers with the Foundation’s annual Boot Scootin’ fundraiser and helps foster relationships among the College, donors and community partners.
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, participated on SACSCOC accreditation teams and served as an on-site visit liaison. She has also supported numerous College and community fundraising initiatives throughout her career.
Her influence can be seen across many of LSCO’s most significant programs and events. From commencement ceremonies and scholarship celebrations to donor events, community engagement activities and special institutional projects, Jones frequently works behind the scenes to bring people together and ensure their success.
Colleagues and community members describe Jones as trustworthy, empathetic, diplomatic and fair, with a quiet leadership style that has earned the respect of faculty, staff, students and community partners. For many visitors and community members, she is also one of their first points of contact with Lamar State College Orange.
“At LSCO, service is one of our core values, and Stephanie embodies that value every day,” Elmore said. “For more than 25 years, she has given generously of her time and talents while helping others succeed. The impact she has made on this College and our community is extraordinary, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized with this honor.”
The Lamar State College Orange community congratulates Stephanie Jones on receiving the 2026 Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award and celebrates her decades of service, leadership and dedication to helping others.