Lamar State College Orange leaders celebrated a campus centerpiece with a ribbon cutting Wednesday for the Academic Building.
Construction began in April of 2023 on the $38 million facility. This boasts eight advanced lab spaces, eight flexible classrooms, two computer labs, faculty and information technology office spaces and multiple common areas for students.
“Students will engage with ideas, solve real world problems and prepare for futures today we can only dream of,” Provost Dr. Wendy Elmore said.
“This remarkable facility demonstrates our commitment and investment to the Orange County community and to each of our students, their families and their futures. The investment today will pay dividends by opening the doors to creativity, progress and a lifetime of learning for all who are represented.”
College President Dr. Tom Johnon said “This journey is just beginning, and we’re creating a legacy of growth in order to meet the mission we have at Lamar State College Orange, which is quite simple: Transforming Lives.”
Orange County Judge John Gothia said the campus has changed over the years, especially when he was a student in the early 1980s.
“It changed for the better,” he said. “I look forward to getting to see more out of it. It’s fantastic. It’s great for Orange County, and I congratulate all of you for this new facility that we get to enjoy now.”
FEATURES
The first-floor plan includes the administrative office suites, anatomy and physiology laboratories, two classrooms, a large classroom with an operable partition, a computer laboratory, flexible laboratories and preparation spaces and building support spaces.
The second floor includes additional classrooms and computer laboratories, geology, microbiology, biology, physics and chemistry laboratories with associated preparation rooms, faculty resource areas, the Information Technology Services department suite, building support spaces and a medical privacy room.
Both floors feature large student gathering and lobby spaces, as well as men’s and women’s restrooms. The front lobby space will be viewable via the second floor from an open concept mezzanine.
The second floor opens to an approximately 730 square feet terrace, providing spectacular views along Gatemouth Plaza. The building includes a glass stair tower visible from both directions of Green Avenue, showcasing how the future of LSCO is bright orange, school officials said.
LAMAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Also on Wednesday, Lamar Institute of Technology leaders and supporters celebrated a game-changing addition to its campus.
President Dr. Sidney E. Valentine said the Workforce and Allied Health Training Center represents a significant investment into our region’s workforce.
“Texas really puts its money and its time where its mouth is when it comes to higher education,” Valentine said. “They really believe in it, and we are proud to be a part of it. This ceremony is a monument to this occasion as we open the doors to the new home of our pharmacy tech program, nursing program and our workforce and continuing education department.”
Attendees toured the building and saw innovative simulation labs, ICU units, home health simulation labs, a full-scale pharmacy and an area for our industry partners to offer workforce training.
According to Valentine, each space was designed with intention, so students leave LIT with hands-on experiences, putting them a step ahead when beginning the job search.
Provost Dr. Angela Hill said the college is celebrating a new era of opportunity for students, faculty and community.
“This state-of-the-art facility stands as an example of LIT’s dedication to providing high quality education,” she said. “It represents our commitment to meeting the growing needs of healthcare professionals and workforce and continuing education.”
The three-story, 51,000 square feet building is more than just classrooms and lab spaces, Hill said.
“It is a beacon of opportunity and a hub of learning and innovation,” she added. “We are looking forward to filling the hallways and classrooms with students we know will be inspired, challenged and, most importantly, prepared to join the workforce.”
