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Lamar State College Orange (LSCO), under the leadership of President Dr. Thomas Johnson, is carving out a distinctive story in education and community development. Reflecting on the advancements and opportunities at LSCO, Johnson expressed excitement about the growth of the institution – which will offer an even larger footprint with the addition of the Student Success Center.
“Our school is growing and, the last time I checked, the only thing they aren’t making more of is land,” he shared with a sense of pride, pointing to several projects under development on campus such as the Academic Building, with construction commencing last March, and Gatemouth Plaza, completed a year or two ago.
LSCO’s newest addition, Student Success Center, will commence groundbreaking activities on Feb. 13 at the site of the historic 1914 First Baptist Church. Donated by the Stark Foundation, the property will host a 6,000-square-foot building, becoming a one-stop-shop for student registration, advising and financial aid.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to take a piece of historic Orange and repurpose it for the community,” Johnson shared, highlighting the integration of history and progress in the college’s vision.
Johnson’s history began in nearby Port Arthur, just 20 miles from Orange, where he was among the first generation in his family to attend college; he attributes his success to the transformative power of education.
“My father, who passed away just a couple years ago, had 13 brothers and sisters. They were sharecroppers picking cotton, and that man could barely read and write; but, before he passed, he got to see his little boy become a college president – this is a great country!
“I grew up in a log cabin that my father built and we had very little money, but education was my way out of poverty. A two-year school changed my life. They said, ‘I don’t care that you’re country or poor if you got the want to.’ Kids like me, thanks to World War II veterans like my father, had the opportunity to grow up and have a better life.”
Johnson hopes that the students served by LSCO grow a better future for themselves, as well. “I am passionate about this school because our vision is short and simple: ‘A place where hope meets opportunity,’ and, we want to provide that hope for our people,” Johnson emphasized. “Our mission here at LSCO is to transform lives.”
Through continued enrollment growth, breaking graduation records semester after semester, LSCO’s president is certain that student transformation is assured.
“When I got here, we had about 2,300 students,” he shared. “Last fall, we had about 3,100.”
LSCO has maintained momentum, even while other institutions declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of downsizing during quarantine and supply shortages worldwide, LSCO made strides to keep up with the needs of the workforce by, for example, adding a truck driving school when logistics was a huge concern.
“We added forklift driving, truck driving, court reporting, electromechanical technology, construction management, logistics which connects to the maritime program, and as well as the CDL program,” said LSCO Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Wendy Elmore added.
Under Elmore’s lead, LSCO has embraced innovative educational approaches such as an 8-week semester model, hybrid flex classes, hands-on programs and industry partnerships offering internships. Collaborations with Cloeren Industries and the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) provide real-world experiences for students. Cloeren Industries’ model, initiated in 2022, covers tuition costs and offers students apprenticeships that lead to employment upon graduation. The FAME program, involving interviews with local employers and a five-semester curriculum, integrates classroom learning with paid hands-on experience.
“Commencement is without a doubt my favorite event at Lamar State College Orange,” President Johnson confided. LSCO stands out for its diverse student body, with 82% being firstgeneration college students. Johnson emphasized the college’s commitment to meeting students where they are. “Each and every one of these students has accomplished something incredible. I’m forever grateful that I get to play a small part in such a momentous occasion in their lives.”