Freddie Titus
Vice President for Strategic Initiative and Community Relations
B.S. in Mathematics, Class of 1983, B.S. in Industrial Engineering, Class of 1986
Began working at Lamar University in 1993
Interviewed by Jenee Webb on 03/10/2023
‘My aunt, Mahalia B. Lewis, taught in the Nursing Department here at Lamar University in the 70s. And as a high school student, I remember coming up to Lamar with my aunt. I remember one time I went to the library, now the business building. Back in those days, I was really interested in music. I thought I was going to be a music major. And I found some books on jazz music that sparked my interest. And that was the beginning for me here at Lamar. And a year later, I graduated from high school and was headed really to the University of Houston. But I ended up coming to Lamar University on a Full Ride Engineering scholarship. And I have been Lamar Proud ever since then. And I have a degree in Mathematics and Industrial Engineering from the University. So as a student, I worked in the student union at the information desk and the Math Department, I worked as a Math tutor in the Developmental Mathematics Lab and so when I graduated with my Mathematics degree, I was invited back to Lamar to teach Developmental Math for one semester. And believe it or not, 38 years later, I'm still waiting for that one semester to end. Wow.’
‘Lamar has provided me with a top-notch, second-to-none, academic and co-curricular education. I started out teaching. So as a student, I was very active in student organizations, and I was just really floored by how much I learned about leadership through those different organizations, Psalm 150 Gospel Choir, being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and working with BSA, the Black Student Association, I gained a lot. I was also a part of MSP, the Master Society of Black Engineers, and I was a part of the Chemical Engineering Society back then as well. So, participating in those organizations helped build my leadership capacity. I started out teaching as a teaching assistant, then I moved to an adjunct instructor position, then to an instructor position, then to assistant professor of teacher education, to a tenured associate professor of teach education, and now serving as the Interim Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations. So, Lamar put me on a growth plan. And boy, I tell you, I'm still growing, even at this time period. So, to me, learning is lifelong. Indeed, Lamar has provided space and opportunity for me to grow as a professional in higher education. So, my journey here at Lamar has been amazing. And I appreciate all the support this Lamar community has provided me and the empowerment as well. Last thing I probably would say is I had and still do have some really great role models. I also stand on the shoulders of some really great trailblazers that paved the way that I now travel. People like Dr. Richard Price, Dr. Lula Henry, Dr. Oney Fitzpatrick, Dr. Madelyn D. Hunt, President Jimmy Simmons, Dr. Jack Harper in Chemical Engineering, Ms. Jackie Chapman, who was in the student center when I was a student, poured tremendously into who I am today.
‘I just want to thank you for this opportunity to share a little of my Lamar transcending history. I'm committed to transcending the spirit of excellence this community has imparted. I'm committed to celebrating our diversity, inclusion, to make our campus, rather, an inclusive community. And I'm also excited to serve on Lamar University's 16th President, Dr. Jamie Taylor’s, Executive Board.’
‘Lamar has provided me with a top-notch, second-to-none, academic and co-curricular education. I started out teaching. So as a student, I was very active in student organizations, and I was just really floored by how much I learned about leadership through those different organizations, Psalm 150 Gospel Choir, being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and working with BSA, the Black Student Association, I gained a lot. I was also a part of MSP, the Master Society of Black Engineers, and I was a part of the Chemical Engineering Society back then as well. So, participating in those organizations helped build my leadership capacity. I started out teaching as a teaching assistant, then I moved to an adjunct instructor position, then to an instructor position, then to assistant professor of teacher education, to a tenured associate professor of teach education, and now serving as the Interim Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations. So, Lamar put me on a growth plan. And boy, I tell you, I'm still growing, even at this time period. So, to me, learning is lifelong. Indeed, Lamar has provided space and opportunity for me to grow as a professional in higher education. So, my journey here at Lamar has been amazing. And I appreciate all the support this Lamar community has provided me and the empowerment as well. Last thing I probably would say is I had and still do have some really great role models. I also stand on the shoulders of some really great trailblazers that paved the way that I now travel. People like Dr. Richard Price, Dr. Lula Henry, Dr. Oney Fitzpatrick, Dr. Madelyn D. Hunt, President Jimmy Simmons, Dr. Jack Harper in Chemical Engineering, Ms. Jackie Chapman, who was in the student center when I was a student, poured tremendously into who I am today.
‘I just want to thank you for this opportunity to share a little of my Lamar transcending history. I'm committed to transcending the spirit of excellence this community has imparted. I'm committed to celebrating our diversity, inclusion, to make our campus, rather, an inclusive community. And I'm also excited to serve on Lamar University's 16th President, Dr. Jamie Taylor’s, Executive Board.’