The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Texas State University System, the one that includes Lamar State College Orange and the others in Beaumont and Orange, is getting an injection of Southeast Texas.

Orange native Stephen Lee and former Orange County Republican Party Chairperson Sheila Faske have been appointed to six-year terms on the nine-person board that oversees operations of seven universities and colleges.

"I'm super excited to start a new chapter in my life," Faske said.

"This is a great honor," said Lee, President and CEO of First Financial Bank-Southeast Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the appointments July 7.

The TSU System consists of Sam Houston State, Texas State, Sul Ross State, Lamar University, LSCO, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar Institute of Technology.

Board members meet four times a year.

Lee graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont.

"But I have been active not only with Lamar University, but also Lamar State College Orange, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar Institute of Technology forever," he said.

"I recognize their importance to our region, their importance to our economy."

Faske, Mayor Pro-Tem of Rose City and owner of American Office Liquidators in Beaumont, is a graduate of LIT. She is a member of the Beaumont Founders Lions Club and the Orange, Beaumont and Port Arthur Chambers of Commerce.

Lee serves as a director for the Baptist Hospital System Foundation Board, and Lamar State College Orange Foundation Board and the 100 Club of Southeast Texas Board. He's a former president of the Kiwanis Club of Orange.

David Montagne, general manager for the Sabine River Authority, came off the TSUS board this year after serving multiple terms.