LSCO, once an extension, opens in Lumberton

More than half a century ago, the Orange Chamber of Commerce reached out to officials at the old Lamar Tech to see if the college could open "extension" classes in Orange.

Those leaders back in 1969 would have never predicted that the campus they started now is starting its own "extension" college in another town.

On Wednesday, October 18, Lamar State College Orange will have a grand opening of a new campus in Lumberton. A ribbon-cutting and open house at 3 p.m. will introduce the public to what in today's jargon is called the "satellite campus" at 344 Main Street in Lumberton.

Classes will begin in Lumberton for the spring semester, though LSCO has not announced which classes will be offered.

The new Lumberton campus was designed in an existing building that was gutted and renovated to accommodate the college courses. The 3,000 square foot building has two all-purpose classrooms plus a reception area. In addition, there is office space for the support staff.

The satellite campus is on two acres, in case that site, too needs expanding.

The Lumberton campus is another LSCO expansion under the leadership of President Dr. Tom Johnson, who likes to brag that LSCO is one of the fastest growing colleges in Texas.

He, with the help of the state legislature and private industry has been growing LSCO to help train students to meet the needs of local business and industry. Those needs include a variety of healthcare studies.

LSCO also has academic classes that will transfer to a four-year university so that local students can save money by taking courses close to home. The college also works with local high schools for some students to earn dual credits.

Dr. Johnson, when announcing the Lumberton project, said campus leaders noticed that 10 percent of the members of a recent graduating class came from Lumberton and Hardin County. Traveling from Lumberton to Orange can take more than 30 minutes each way.

LSCO leaders decided to bring some classes to the students there. All the Lumberton classes will be accredited.