LSCO President testifies at Texas Capitol

AUSTIN, TX - Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) President Dr. Tom Johnson testified this week before the Texas Senate Finance Committee. President Johnson shared the wonderful progress the college has made over the past year and sought additional funding for the next biennium.

“At Lamar State College Orange, we’re dedicated to the goals of a Talent-Strong Texas,” President Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson shared with the Committee that three-fourths of LSCO graduates are first-generation, “just like [him].” He also shared that LSCO’s enrollment grew last Fall by approximately 12%. He thanked the Legislature for providing funds to purchase a generator, for the increased tuition formula rate that has allowed LSCO to reduce tuition by 50%, and for funds for a new academic building – all requests that were granted in the previous Legislative session.

Dr. Johnson then requested a modest tuition formula increase to maintain reduced tuition rates for students, funds to develop a technical training initiative, and funds for disaster mitigation.

After his testimony, Senators asked Dr. Johnson about the success of LSCO’s Commercial Driver’s License program, where classes begin each Monday, about LSCO’s nursing programs, and about teacher training initiatives that prepare teachers to work in rural areas.

Senator Robert Nichols, whose district includes Lamar State College Orange, complimented Dr. Johnson on how LSCO is meeting needs throughout Southeast Texas.