Lamar University’s (LU) motto of “Texas roots, infinite possibilities” has never been more appropriate, and its role never more important than in today’s constantly evolving, technology-driven economy.
More than a commuter school, Lamar University is a four-year university located in Beaumont with 11,000 students, world-renowned programs in several disciplines, and Division I athletics. Students from Southeast Texas and beyond are drawn to LU’s small class sizes, distinguished faculty, and the high plateau of scholarship that has become the standard under President Dr. Jimmy Simmons.

With its close proximity to the core of the nation’s petroleum and chemical industries, it’s little wonder LU has established itself as a global leader in engineering. Chemical & Engineering News ranked Lamar University first in the nation for the number of master’s-level chemical engineers, topping those of the Illinois Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lamar now offers a PhD in Chemical Engineering and is determined to soon offer doctoral programs in all specialties of the Engineering Department.

The quality of Lamar’s research and scholarship programs have gained the assistance of such agencies as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Education Agency, Houston Endowment, Meadows Foundation, Educational Advancement Foundation, and others.

Perhaps lesser known is Lamar’s vanguard role in advancing programs for the deaf and hearing impaired. The Department of Deaf Education offers a Master’s Degree in American Sign Language, a clinical program in speech language pathology, and a doctoral degree in audiology. With the care and attention paid to this discipline, LU’s diverse student body features more hearing impaired students that any other four-year university that does not have specific designation as a specialty school.

The university’s six academic colleges and nine research centers contribute to the growth and development of Southeast Texas through programs that provide special benefits to small businesses and dedication to continuing education for area educators.

Lamar University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers assistance to small businesses, no matter if you are just starting out, experiencing your first growing pains, or wanting to graduate your business to the next level. SBDC has innovative programs and one-on-one counseling to assist clients in attracting customers, developing strategies, and increasing sales and profitability.

Lamar University also offers a competitive, affordable night MBA program that many of the area’s young professionals find attractive.

LU is taking distance education into the 21st-century across a range of disciplines. For just one-third the cost of a traditional program, LU offers an online Master’s Degree program for teachers as part of an academic partnership with several area school districts. They also offer a large portion of their nationally-recognized undergraduate nursing, pre-med, and pre-pharmacy programs online.

But what is a university without sports? The nation’s third-ranked golf team practices on the campus’ full-size driving range and the surrounding area’s 20 golf courses. Baseball and track are perennial conference powers, and basketball in the 10,000-seat Montagne Center is a fixture in the community.

Then there’s the return of football . . .

Absent since 1989, Lamar University football will resume play in 2010 in the NCAA’s Division I Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), and has already scheduled a rivalry renewal game with former Southland Conference foe McNeese State during its inaugural season.

“The return of football helps a lot of ways,” says Brian Sattler of LU Public Relations, “It helps in the public perception of the university and with our role in the community, and I expect it to help increase attendance. Football not only brings the athletes, it brings students involved in ancillary activities like band, cheer, pep squads, and all those students who want to be part of the spectacle of college football.”

Head Coach Ray Woodard has already begun recruiting his new team that will hit the field in 2009, one season before they will play any games. “Our situation poses a great opportunity for players to get a jump on their academics. We are going to have a beautiful new field house going up, Cardinal Stadium is getting completely renovated, and with all the local football talent we offer a program accessible to walk-ons. The future is bright for Lamar football.”

With Lamar State College locations in Port Arthur and Orange, a top notch education is never far away.

From engineering energy to innovative education, from pharmacy to football, Lamar University is RICH with possibilities.
 
Located near Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) gives options to those not interested in a four-year degree, focusing on innovative education, training and career development for tomorrow’s workers. The institute works hand-in-hand with area industry and business to educate and train future employees for a variety of positions in Southeast Texas.

LIT President Paul Szuch explains, “Our current programs reflect the community needs.” He says, “The big thing right now is one and two-year certificates.”

With $15-20 billion in industrial expansion entering the economy and a skilled workforce in high demand, employers can’t wait to fill their ranks with LIT grads. “They are looking for short-term training – we take that 16-week class and concentrate it into six weeks,” he explains.

“We are reaching out to the high schools. We are working with local school districts, including the Beaumont Independent School District to provide industrial technical programs for students while they are still in high school, so when they get out, they will have entry-level skills for employment.”

With a huge project underway with the Associated General Contractors as local industry looks for people to build their facilities, people are needed to build the new hospitals, schools, businesses and plants coming to the area.

LIT provides a curriculum consisting of more than 50 degree and certificate programs covering a wide range of career and technical educational opportunities. The institute has positioned itself to have premier programs in process operating, instrumentation and computer technologies.

Beyond heavy industry, LIT offers excellent Allied Health Programs, highlighted by the Dental Hygiene program and a number of medical imaging and health care degrees. The institute’s police and fire academies, truck driving academy, and homeland security degree program with an optional course of study in crime scene investigation, are all growing programs.

Ongoing courses offer hands-on training coupled with General Education courses in 27 Associate of Applied Science Degree programs; 26 certificate programs; and programs in Workforce Training, Adult and Continuing Education.

But not everyone needs to return to school to enter the workforce, and Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas is dedicated to offering short-term training and job search and placement assistance for potential new members of the workforce. In response to the increasing demand put on our workforce, Workforce Solutions is launching its Industry Cluster Initiative that establishes Industry Cluster Steering Committees with private sector leadership whose purpose is to –

• Provide job counseling for local residents needing / wanting jobs or desiring better jobs.
• Prepare to provide employment for veterans reentering civilian workforce.
• Encourage more recruitment and training of the emerging immigrant population.
• Focus on youth retention for area jobs.
• Develop methods of maintaining employment or redeployment of the aging / retired talent force.
• Promote continuing education and the concept of multi-skilled workers.

With multiple locations in the greater Beaumont area, including one downtown, Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas can be reached at (877) 834-JOBS or visit www.setworks.org.

The area Independent School Districts are some of the highest rated school districts in Texas, boasting numersou Exemplary schools and many Recognized schools according to the Texas Education Agency. Thanks in large part to the advocacy efforts led by the Greater Beaumont Chamber, in 2007 voters approved a $388 million bond referendum to build nine new BISD elementary schools, new auditoriums, a natatorium, a new athletic facility, and a host of improvements to further boost student achievement in the classroom and beyond.

Standardized testing scores continue to rise and graduation and achievement rates surpass most urban school districts. BISD also employs a police department and the latest technology dedicated to the safety and security of Southeast Texas’ most valuable resource – our children.

Additional focus and strategies are being placed on math and science skills. Knowing the crucial role technology plays in the education of today’s youth, the district makes sure all students on every campus have the latest computer technology in their classrooms. In a three-year rotation, all new computers are installed in each classroom. They now have integrated systems dedicated to helping teachers maximize instructional time, and they include security technologies to help ensure the safety of all students. 

For specifc school information, click HERE