Lamar University president, James Simmons, recently announced the dedication of the Elvis Mason Conference Room in the John Gray Center on the Lamar campus. Mason began his association with Lamar University in 1956 as a freshman and immediately emerged as a campus leader, serving as freshman class president and eventually serving as student body president.
“As student body president, he led the charge to name the newest building on campus for long-time Lamar president, Dr. F.L. McDonald,” said President Simmons. “It was at his request and through his leadership of the students of Lamar that McDonald Gym got its name.”
Mason graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and was active in Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi Honor Society. Lamar honored Mason in 1974 as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and presented him with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1982. He also served from 1975-1981 as a member of the Lamar University System Board of Regents. He had a successful career in Beaumont and Dallas in the banking industry and was the founder and managing partner of the Mason Best Company. The Lamar graduate has also been involved in many community and civic organizations including the Dallas Citizens’ Council and Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
“I have been inspired by the faculty, students and environment at Lamar University for almost 50 years. President Simmons has done a magnificent job of leading Lamar to a new level of excellence,” said Mason. “The impact Lamar has had on the entire Southeast Texas region for so many years is tremendous. We’re very blessed to have such a fine institution right here in our own backyard.”
One of the many individuals who had a profound impact on Mason was former Lamar president, John Gray. Through his admiration for Gray and his leadership, he secured legislative support and the bulk of the funding to establish the John Gray Center according to Simmons.
“It is true when you undertake a lot of major projects, like the John Gray Center, one person gets an undue amount of credit and that is simply a fact. A lot of people joined hands to make this possible,” Mason said of Simmons’ remarks. “There is virtually nothing in my life since becoming an adult and joining Lamar University as a student that has not been intertwined with Lamar University in one way or another.”
The John Gray Institute was originally a privately funded, non-profit research center and labor-management think tank. At one time, it served as a neutral location for labor-management negotiation sessions. The Center also housed the administrative offices for the Lamar University System from 1983 until 1995 when Lamar University became a member of The Texas State University System.
The newly-established Elvis Mason Conference Room, formerly known to many as the Map Room because of its large mural of the Gulf Coast region, is a place of decision, learning and growth at Lamar University. It provides a venue for important meetings, news conferences and as a gathering place for community, alumni, and campus groups.
“Today, with appreciation and in recognition of our affection and esteem for Elvis, we are designating this room the Elvis Mason Conference Room,” President Simmons said during his address. “I know John Gray would be very proud that Elvis Mason’s name joins his in this special facility.”
