Dr. Tom Johnson, president of Lamar State College Orange, requested $1.5 million for the Texas State University System Polk County Center when he testified before the Senate Committee on Finance in Austin Feb. 6.
“Lamar State College Orange is an open enrollment two-year state college. We focus on skills, crafts and trades, as well as those who see academic transfer. We believe in the talent-strong Texas. More than two-thirds of our students are first-generation students just like me – a poor kid from Southeast Texas, first-generation, went to Sam Houston State University and have been blessed, going from poverty to a college president,” Johnson said.
“Our enrollment is growing. Both our credit and non-credit programs are growing exponentially. One of the things we did is look at our curriculum and we cut out excessive classes that weren’t needed for a certificate or a degree, to try to get what those folks need so we can get them in and get them graduated.
“I want to begin my thanking the generous funding of the past session. We appreciate the formula funding from the past session which reduced our reliance on tuition in an effort to make higher education more affordable and accessible to our students. This session, we humbly ask for additional dollar per contact hour to maintain our affordability,” Johnson said.
“Additionally, we’re asking for $1.5 million program funding for the development of technical and vocational training programs at our Livingston site which is in Polk County. These funds will allow us to provide adult students seeking post-secondary opportunities – or many of them need reskilling – for relevant, high-demand, high-wage careers in these rural areas.
“Simply put, Lamar State College Orange is dedicated to training carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, pipefitters, welders and we are always looking at what next that we need to develop so people can go right to work because we all know that a college education will not only transform a poor kid’s life, but their entire family. I’m grateful to be here for past and present support and will be happy to answer any questions you may have,” Johnson said.
Senator Joan Huffman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, spoke first.
“I really like your mission and what you do because you really answer a need that the state has. We love higher education and everything we’ve heard today. Everything’s fabulous but if we don’t have these types of workers to work in our economy, we won’t continue growing,” Huffman said.
Polk County’s own state senator, Robert Nichols, agreed.
“You hit it on the nail head. The three two-year colleges that just testified, all three are putting skilled workers to work. I can’t even keep up with how many billions of dollars of construction are going on down there, but it is an economic amazing thing and part of what’s making the Texas economy explode,” Nichols said.
“The three two-year schools work very closely together,” Johnson said.
“I’m convinced, Robert,” Huffman said.
“You got it sold. You need to quit selling it,” Nichols said to Johnson.
Senator Pete Flores also agreed.
“Thank you so much for what you do. We have an extreme shortage of skilled workers and everything you’ve listed here we’re having to import right now. We need more facilities like yours, not only in Southeast Texas but all over the state to grow programs like this. I’ve heard the other component that’s very important here is getting instructors who are experienced that can go and instruct,” Flores said.
“You hit the nail on the head,” Johnson said. “We’re growing as we can, but that’s always a thing because you want your instructors to know what they’re doing and to be compassionate to our students because so many of them, this is the first time they’ve ever been to higher education. We’re always, always looking for new professors and trying to say please bring your expertise.”
