LU President Says University Poised for Continued Growth

NEWS RELEASE FROM LAMAR UNIVERSITY

            As he approaches the 10^th anniversary of his term in office, Lamar University President James Simmons is celebrating successes and looking to the future.

            "Together, we have accomplished great things," he told faculty and staff gathered Wednesday (Aug. 20, 2008) for Lamar's annual convocation to mark the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.

            "We began this journey with a real sense of community. That was the theme of my presidency when I began," he said. "That community has really helped us move forward to meet great challenges and I think we have delivered on those promises. We still have great challenges. We have great opportunities ahead of us. But, together, we will continue on the path to a stronger, more vibrant and more vital university. And our students will be the beneficiaries."

            The convocation attracted more than 500 faculty and staff to the University Theatre for Simmons' annual "state-of-the-university" address and the introduction of new faculty and staff.

            "We have great momentum," Simmons said. "We are poised to take some giant steps forward, but we can only do that together."

            In the last 10 years, enrollment has increased from 8,100 students to almost 14,000 students, he said, thanks in part to master's students enrolled through a partnership with Higher Education Holdings (HEH). "Excluding these enrollments, though, we're at a healthy campus enrollment of 10,500," he said. "This fall will mark the largest enrollment in our history by several thousand students."

            The number of students taking full-time course loads has increased to 70 percent, from 63 percent 10 years ago. The number of freshmen entering college for the first time has increased from 1,000 to more than 1,400. Ten years ago, graduate students numbered 760. Today, the College of Graduate Studies enrolls 4,700 students - 1,200 on campus and 3,500 through the HEH partnership.

            Lamar's campus has become one of the most diverse in the state, Simmons said, with 30 percent of students from under-represented ethnic groups. Last year, he said, the Wall Street Journal ranked Lamar as one of the 100 most diverse campuses in the United States.                         

            Lamar is also reaching out geographically in its recruiting and outreach efforts, with the  Lamar's Lumberton site proving "extremely successful."  Meanwhile, LU has seen a 20 percent increase in students with SAT scores above 1,200.

            The university has added many programs, including five new bachelor's-degree programs, three new master's programs and three new doctoral degrees, including the first Ph.D. Lamar has created three new academic chairs, while two academic departments have been named for donors. Named scholarships have increased from 230 in 1998 to 420 today, a 78 percent increase.

            Combined endowments in the university and the Lamar University Foundation have almost tripled, from $22 million to more than $65 million today. Externally funded research has increased from less than $4 million to $8 million.

            "In 1998, we began with a theme of ‘Building Strength Through Community,' and we've seen that played out in many ways," Simmons said.  "All around town, there is a resurgence of pride in Lamar University."

            After bringing the Office of Alumni Affairs into the university, Lamar has grown its alumni database from 18,000 to more than 61,000, with alumni from every county in Texas, every state in the union and many foreign countries. Simmons also cited the award-winning university magazine, a new online alumni community and increased community participation in advisory boards, councils and activities across campus as "more Cardinals give of their time, talent and treasure."

            Lamar's "Investing in the Future" campaign is well on its way toward its ambitious goal of $100 million, with more than $51 million raised to date. That amount includes two $5 million gifts - from Sheila and Walter Umphrey and Phil and Karen Drayer -  "and many, many other major gifts from other individuals who have a real passion for our university."  In October, Lamar will launch a new phase of the campaign, in which Lamar employees and retirees will be asked to add their support.

            Looking to the future and the state legislative session that begins in January, Simmons said Lamar University has requested more funding from Texas Legislature than ever before. "At the top of our list are funds for a new science building (biology), the renovation of other buildings (such as Maes), the replacing of our physical plant and many other projects," he said.

            Campus improvements are currently continuing with work to upgrade Rolfe Christopher Drive, to renovate the Music Building, to create space for the Ph.D. program in chemical engineering and to renovate Cardinal Stadium and the Higgins Field House.                

            Lamar plans to begin construction of Cardinal Village V in 2009 for occupancy in 2010.

            "In the past decade, we've done much to improve our campus, from grounds to facilities, both for quality of life and our ability to deliver quality instruction," Simmons said.

            New and renovated facilities include Cardinal Villages I, II, III and IV, the Dining Hall, the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center/McDonald Gym and six academic buildings.

 Renovations continue this fall with the Music Building.

            The university is also is moving forward toward reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. A key element in this process will be the university's Quality Enhancement Plan for improving the success of freshmen.

            "This program will focus on ensuring that all Lamar freshmen experience classes that actively involve them in learning through discussion, technology and group activity," Simmons said. "Engaging our freshmen in this process of critical thinking and learning will become a keystone piece in the progress of this university toward high-quality, innovative education, using technology and best teaching practices for 21^st-century students."

            Lamar has added private funding for Mirabeau Scholarships for academically gifted students, which has grown from 15 to more than 40 this fall. The new David J. Beck Fellowship will be awarded for the first time this year.

            In the area of distance education, Simmons said, "Continuing to develop courses and programs to meet the needs of the 21-st century learner will be a major part of the future of higher education, not only at Lamar, but across the country. We must be prepared to develop and deliver courses across the curriculum if we are to continue to serve our students."

            Lamar is seeing significant growth in these courses, Simmons said, driven not only by the high price of gasoline, but also fueled by the growing acceptance of this delivery method as an effective way to provide quality education.