Lamar opens new academic year with convocation

Lamar University kicked off the new academic year with a convocation for faculty and staff.
Lamar University kicked off the new academic year with a convocation for faculty and staff. | File photo

Lamar University began its new academic year with a reception and convocation for its faculty and staff on Aug. 17 and classes began Monday.

Lamar President Kenneth Evans gave a speech to faculty and staff at the event, which took place in Montagne Center Arena, in his fourth “state of the university” address. 

In attendance among the faculty and staff were 202 new full- and part-time staff members and 97 new faculty members. His speech included an overview of multiple aspects of the university, which included expectations of adding a substantial number of new students and record-setting enrollments.

“In short, an extensive and totally revamped effort to recruit students particularly in the Houston, Central Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas have yielded what we anticipate to be an almost 200 net new student increase in first time freshmen and about 100 net new transfer students,” Evans said. “Undergraduates who live on or near campus are statistically more likely to graduate within six years. In addition to positive retention, in residence students contribute to campus life, volunteer for projects and committees, populate student government and much more.”