BEAUMONT — Medieval castles and garden grandeur, lords and ladies, knights in shining armor, pomp and pageantry … All of this and more awaits patrons to Le Grand Bal 2008 — “Renaissance of the Arts” — a gala evening of art, fine dining, dancing and entertainment, Saturday, March 29, at Lamar University, with the Lamar Friends of the Arts as its hosts.

Gay and Bill Scott of Nederland are honorees.

Now in its 34th year, Le Grand Bal is the major annual fund-raiser that benefits the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Activities include a reception and silent art auction from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Dishman Art Museum, with a gourmet buffet, dancing and entertainment from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Montagne Center. Guests will dance to the music of Beaumont’s Night & Day Orchestra, under the direction of Wayne Dyess, and Eclipse, a nine-piece dance band from Houston.

The black-tie event honors Gay and Bill Scott of Nederland for their longtime support of Lamar University, the arts and the community, with Beverly and Carl Parker of Port Arthur serving as chairs.

 “My heart is in education,” said Beverly Parker, who served on the faculty of Lamar State College-Port Arthur for 38 years, including many years as chair of the Department of Liberal Arts. “Le Grand Bal is a wonderful way – and a fun way – to make financial support available to students. We sometimes forget just what a struggle it is to go to school – to get tuition together and buy books. All of that is why we support Le Grand Bal.”

During more than three decades in the Texas Legislature – the Senate and the House of Representatives – Carl Parker was one of Lamar’s most important advocates. His tenure included service as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and membership on the Legislative Budget Board. He is the only legislator ever to be elected to serve as speaker pro tem of the House and president pro tem of the Senate. The Parker Building on the Lamar University campus is named in his honor.

Honorees Gay and Bill Scott are both Lamar graduates, with Bill well known as a successful businessman and community supporter and Gay as a tireless volunteer for efforts ranging from the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to Catholic Charities, St. Anne School and Birthright.

Bill has a number of ventures to his credit and now is chairman and chief executive officer of TGS Development. He and his brother, Dick, have been involved in family businesses since the 1970s — Beverly Parker calls the brothers “business geniuses.” Bill serves on Lamar University’s Campaign Cabinet, on the Lamar College of Business Board of Advisors and recently was elected president of the Three Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“Gay and Bill have wonderful hearts,” Beverly Parker said. “They don’t want to talk about all the good things they do. But they do a lot for Lamar. They help the community, not only financially, but through all sorts of civic endeavors.”

 Funds generated by the Bal enable the Friends of the Arts to support scholarships and educational enhancements such as master classes, visiting artists and trips to clinics and workshops that expand learning opportunities for students and add to faculty members’ academic credentials. These funds provide faculty enrichment and enable students to expand their horizons. Guest lecturers and artists-in-residence become catalysts for inspiring students’ imaginations.

Beyond the vital support it provides, Beverly Parker said, Le Grand Bal provides a golden opportunity for Southeast Texans to get together and perhaps acquire new artistic treasures.