Dr. Thomas A. Johnson was named President Emeritus following the unanimous adoption of a resolution by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System (TSUS) during its quarterly board meeting Thursday.
Johnson has served as president of Lamar State College Orange since 2018 and earlier this year announced his retirement effective at the end of this academic year.
Lamar State College Orange has experienced unprecedented growth during Johnson’s tenure, with enrollment increasing more than 50% between 2018 and 2024. His major accomplishments include initiating a 10-year campus master plan which he all but completed in seven years; guiding the college through a 10-year reaccreditation process; adding new facilities and enhancing existing buildings; and increasing the school’s footprint by opening new academic centers in Livingston and Lumberton.
“Great things are happening at Lamar State College Orange primarily because of the leadership of Dr. Tom Johnson and the team he put together. I’m sorry that Tom has chosen to leave us, but am so grateful that Tom has given us seven good years of service that have transformed that college into a much better, more dynamic, institution,” TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall said.
“Tom Johnson is a great president, a good human being, a great man and has become a good friend. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed professionally. I want to thank him for his exceptional service to the students, faculty and staff of Lamar State College Orange,” McCall said.
Johnson said he was deeply surprised and humbled by the distinguished honor.
“Thank you. This is the highest honor I’ve had in my entire life – to serve as the president for the people in the Orange community. I have a wonderful team and all those stats are because I was smart enough to hire good people, give them what they need, and stay out of their way so I could watch the magic happen,” Johnson said.
A 1981 graduate of Livingston High School, Johnson holds five degrees and retired from the Houston Police Department prior to entering the field of higher education as his second career.
McCall appointed Dr. Wendy Elmore earlier this year to succeed Johnson as the next president of LSCO, pending approval of the Board of Regents, which unanimously approved the decision Thursday.
Elmore currently serves as executive vice president and provost of LSCO and will begin her new role as president on June 1. She has served as LSCO’s chief academic officer since April 2020, where she has played a key role in efforts to expand degree and credential offerings, enhance the quality of instructional programs, and open the new academic centers in Livingston and Lumberton.
