Lamar University Names Building After Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan

The newly renamed Dade Phelan Building honors his contributions to the school and Southeast Texas region.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Lamar University recently hosted a naming ceremony to honor former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan for his advocacy and support for higher education in Southeast Texas. The building formerly known as the Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship was renamed the Dade Phelan Building to acknowledge his contributions to securing millions in funding for the university and helping reduce tuition costs for students.

Why it matters

As the first speaker of the Texas House from Southeast Texas in over 170 years, Phelan's strong support for Lamar University and other higher education institutions in the region has been credited with driving growth and expansion of educational opportunities in the Golden Triangle area.

The details

During his time as Speaker, Phelan helped Lamar University and Lamar State College secure millions in funding to support disaster mitigation, reduce tuitions, expand health programs, and advance energy initiatives. He also played a key role in implementing parity funding in the state budget during the 2021-23 legislative sessions, which allowed Lamar to improve student resources and strengthen the university's long-term financial stability.

  • The Dade Phelan Building was officially dedicated on February 14, 2026.
  • Phelan served as Speaker of the Texas House from 2021 to 2023.

The players

Dade Phelan

Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives who was a strong advocate for higher education in Southeast Texas.

Jaime Taylor

President of Lamar University, which renamed a building to honor Phelan's contributions.

Brian McCall

Chancellor of the Texas State University System, who praised Phelan for creating new conversations about the needs of Southeast Texas.

Roy West

Mayor of Beaumont, who attended the naming ceremony to celebrate Phelan's impact.

Jeff Branick

Jefferson County Judge, who also attended the ceremony honoring Phelan.

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What they’re saying

“Dade created space for conversations that didn't exist before about what's happening in Southeast Texas. We honor this good man for what he did for us, but we honor him also for just being a good man.”

— Brian McCall, Chancellor of the Texas State University System (beaumontenterprise.com)

“No community will prosper without more educated young people in the neighborhood and in local businesses. When I first got elected, all I cared about was making those changes in Southeast Texas.”

— Dade Phelan (beaumontenterprise.com)

“The critical support ensures that Lamar University's current and future students have access to the same resources, the same support, the same high quality programs as students anywhere in the state of Texas.”

— Jaime Taylor, President of Lamar University (beaumontenterprise.com)

What’s next

Lamar University plans to hold an annual event to celebrate the legacy of Dade Phelan and his contributions to higher education in Southeast Texas.

The takeaway

Phelan's unwavering support for Lamar University and other institutions in the Golden Triangle region has left a lasting impact, ensuring students have access to high-quality educational resources and programs that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.