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An illustration of Andy Coughlan, elected to serve as the 2022-23 president of the Press Club of Southeast Texas
Andy Coughlan of Beaumont has been elected to serve as the 2022-23 president of the Press Club of Southeast Texas. Coughlan teaches journalism at Lamar University where he is adviser to the student newspaper, The University Press.
Other Press Club elected officers include Jennifer Johnson, The Examiner, vice president for finance; Stephan Malick, Lamar University, secretary; and John Rollins, United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County, vice president for public relations. Completing officer terms are Angel San Juan, KFDM, vice president of programs; Guiseppe Barranco, Port of Beaumont, vice president of development; and Gerry Dickert, Lamar State College Port Arthur, vice president of membership.
Elected to serve two-year terms on the board of directors are Kaitlin Bain, Beaumont Enterprise; Debbie Bridgeman, Beaumont ISD; Nakisha Burns, ExxonMobil; Scott Eslinger, 12News; and Brooke Morrow, Reaud House.
Tish Cornell with CommonCents Credit Union and Tom Taschinger of Beaumont Enterprise were named to unexpired one-year terms. As immediate past president, Kristi Dodd of The Examiner will serve as an ex-officio board member. Completing board terms are Allie Payne, Entergy; Fernando Ramirez, Otra Hispanic Media; and Monique Batson, Port Arthur News.
Andy Coughlan is a native of Brighton, England, and has lived in Southeast Texas for nearly 40 years. Coughlan teaches journalism at Lamar University where he is adviser to the University Press, the student newspaper. He is also an award-winning journalist and published a monthly arts magazine for 18 years.
He started drawing political cartoons for the Port Arthur News in 1989, and since 1995 has published a regular Sunday cartoon in the Beaumont Enterprise. He also contributes weekly to the Beaumont Enterprise as an arts writer.
In his spare time, Coughlan is an artist with six solo exhibitions to his credit, and has exhibited in many drawing, painting and photography shows. He also acts, directs and writes plays. With his writing partner, Catalina Castillón, he published a book of translated plays from the Spanish Golden Age and is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
Throughout its 52-year history, the Press Club of Southeast Texas has united print and broadcast media with public relations professionals toward the common goal of excellence in communication. In addition to serving as a forum for issues, events and ideas, the Press Club supports scholarships, community education and freedom of information.
Membership in the organization is open to journalists and public relations professionals in Jefferson, Hardin, Orange, Liberty, Chambers, Jasper, Tyler, Polk and Newton counties.
The Press Club Memorial scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding Lamar University communication students, supported primarily by proceeds from the club’s annual Newsmaker of the Year/Excellence in the Media banquet. The 2022 event is scheduled for June. For additional information, visit the Press Club website, pressclubofsoutheasttexas.org.