By Linda Elissalde
Lamar University was born as South Park Junior College in 1923 with 125 students. In 1932 it became Lamar Junior College to honor “Father of Texas Education” Mirabeau B. Lamar. Lamar State College of Technology, the first junior college in Texas to become a state supported four-year institution, occurred in 1951. Gilbert Rhodes Smartt, professor of mathematics, composed the school’s alma mater to celebrate Lamar becoming a senior college. His lyrics end with, “To us, you’ll always be Our Glorious Lamar”. In 1971 it officially became Lamar University.
I was recently honored to visit an education class at my alma mater. I have returned for events in the John and Mary Gray Library, but this would be my first chance to sit in a class room since 1963. I watched students moving around as I waited in my car. Some were on scooters. Some on roller skates. Many used phones as they walked. I observed a lovely young student walking. I entered the Education Building to be cheerfully greeted by my assumed lovely young student who is Stewardship Coordinator Kristin Robinson. Kristin served as my guide.
First stop was Math Methods taught by Associate Professor and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Freddie Titus. Classrooms look very different from my time at Lamar. The delightful Dr. Titus welcomed me, introduced me to his students and provided me excellent informative handouts. He is a magnificent teacher and very supportive of his pupils. What happened was pure delight to an old school teacher. Both groups’ presentations were clearly outstanding. I learned a lot watching, listening and participating in end of term projects. Texas education is in safe hands with these young folk.
The second stop was lunch. Kristin and I were joined by Associate Dean for the College of Education and Human Development Dr. Jill Killough and Major Gifts Officer Jordan Williams. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for Lamar and its future made for lively questions and answers. Meanwhile we dined on 5 star food prepared by the chef from Beaumont’s Riverside Grille. Associate Vice President for University Advancement Uliana Trylowsky came by as we were finishing our superb desert. This wonderful informative and delicious meeting had to eventually end. Charming Kristin escorted me back to the Education building.
Visiting Math Methods class, listening to administrators plans for the future and watching students zooming around a beautiful campus created in me such joy and hope for our future. From that little class of 125 in 1923 has grown this magnificent university of over 18,000 with 2025 record breaking enrollments.
