Changing Names

I think the Texas State Board of Regents is making a poor trade. They seem ready to change the name of the Montagne Center to that of a credit union in exchange for a one-time gift of 3.6 million dollars.

The reason the Center exists is because Bob Montagne of Orange, Texas clearly saw the value of a higher education degree, even though he didn’t own one. Also, a first-class center added value to a university. Bob Montagne was a member of the Lamar Board of Regents and always on the lookout for ways to benefit our university here in Southeast Texas. Bob discovered along the way that when the Legislature had repealed the state property tax, there was a 15-million-dollar fund left over and unappropriated. He quickly began efforts to get all or part of the money for Lamar. He used his political skills to promote a new facility such as our basketball arena and along with several others in the area we were successful. Having people who have played such a role in making Lamar what it is today, to me is of a greater value than a one-time gift to the University, even though a large one. Bob Montagne’s contribution to making Lamar such a fine institution is lasting so should the honor that accompanied his efforts.

If we start selling names around our university, where would we stop? Maybe we could look forward to attending “Musk Technical Institute” instead of Lamar University.