University celebrates successes, pursues opportunities and prepares for challenges

The face of Lamar University is changing – with increases in the number of full-time students, in graduation rates and in the on-campus collegiate population. 

Likewise, the university is opening newly renovated, state-of-the-art buildings – and will continue to do so – while the strides in distance and online learning and the addition of major scholarships and new degrees further enhance academic excellence at Lamar.

These are among the successes President James Simmons cited as he addressed faculty and staff attending the convocation marking the start of the 2007-2008 academic year.

“Today, I want to discuss some challenges, some opportunities and some accomplishments that we can celebrate,” Simmons told an audience of more than 500 gathered in the University Theatre for his annual “state-of-the-university” speech and the introduction of new faculty and staff members.

“But the most important role, the effort that will have the greatest role in our success, is your own – your interaction with students, how you help them, teach them, guide them and nurture their growth,” he said.

“Our students come to us with aspirations – a desire to learn and grow. How well we engage them in learning will set the stage for their achievement. I am proud of Lamar University for doing that very well. As I say every year, I expect your best effort, and I promise you my best effort.”

Among the accomplishments Simmons cited:

* The number of full-time students has increased from 4,800 in fiscal year 2000 to more than 7,000 this fall.

* The six-year graduation rate is up 30 percent from 2000.

* More than 2,200 students live in campus residence halls, compared to 600 in 2000. The 500 additional beds in Phase 4 of Cardinal Village, completed this month, filled quickly. Private housing near campus brings the total to about 3,500.

The Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center in April, and the Communication Building has new quarters in the former dining hall. Additions to the Music Building and Lucas Engineering Building are upcoming, and a planned Biology Building will mark the first construction of a new academic structure since the 1970s.

For the ninth consecutive year, Lamar will provide pay raises for faculty and staff.

“We are ever-mindful of the need to recruit and retain qualified – and especially high-ability students,” Simmons said.

To this end, the university has added scholarships, including the Mirabeau Scholars program, David J. Beck Fellowships and the Beaumont Foundation of America-Southeast Texas Legends Scholarships, to name a few. Successful fund-raising efforts also have contributed to endowed chairs, named departments and other areas.

Lamar has enhanced the Honors Program and added new fall open houses that target high-ability students. It has opened new centers in Lumberton and Baytown and aggressively moved into new student markets, with the hiring of Houston area and international recruiters.

In addition, the university has continued to expand distance learning programs, tapping into the community college pipeline while expanding Lamar’s geographic reach. Enrollment in online classes is up 100 percent from last year.

Through a partnership with Higher Education Holdings, Lamar will to provide teachers across the state with the opportunity to earn master’s degrees, with about 500 new students expected with the inaugural cohort in October.

The Center for Academic Success, scheduled to open next spring, will consolidate a variety of retention programs.

Simmons also pointed to new bachelor’s-degree programs in American Sign Language and construction management, as well as the first doctoral graduates in educational leadership, audiology and the first Ph.D.’s in chemical engineering.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration is greatly enhancing research funding and research opportunities, Simmons said.

Turning to athletics, Simmons said, “The men’s golf team gave us a thrilling ride last year” with a third-place tie in the NCAA national tournament – the highest finish for any sports team in Lamar history. The cross-country track team won its third straight conference championship. Women’s soccer kicked off its first season with an exhibition game Saturday.

In preparing for the first day of classes Thursday (Aug. 23), Lamar recognizes the effects of Hurricane Rita linger on campus. “We must continue our efforts to rebuild enrollment to pre-hurricane numbers,” Simmons said.

“Locally, we have fewer high school graduates and more workplace opportunities,” he said, “but that trend will reverse in the near future.”

Other challenges include the beginning of the reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Simmons said. Lamar, like other SACS institutions, must engage in continuous improvement and documentation, especially in student learning. SACS also requires a distinctive program of quality enhancement. In addition, Lamar’s 10-year NCAA reaffirmation will begin this fall.

And, Simmons said, “We will continue strategic planning to ensure Lamar’s improvement.”

Implementation of  Lamar’s Banner system, when completed, will provide real-time, easily accessible information needed to run the campus efficiently. The system is on schedule, he said, with financial and human resources portions due to launch in September.