LU, a century in the making

Situated just a few yards from its original location 100 years later, Lamar University’s humble beginnings sparked in 1923 when Beaumont welcomed the then-named South Park Junior College with a whopping 125 students enrolled its first fall semester. Today, LU rolls out the red carpet for thousands of scholars every semester – attracting burgeoning leaders of the future from both near and far.

As the university celebrates its centennial year, staff, alumni, current and future students – and a total Southeast Texas community that has woven the local institution into the fabric of its very being – reflect on the last century, and look forward to what’s to come in the next.

“Lamar University has proudly served the Southeast Texas community for 100 years by producing career-ready graduates who sustain and flourish in our economy,” LU CentennialFest chairman Dr. Golden Wright said. “We are ready for the next 100.”

CentennialFest, a 100th anniversary celebration set for Sunday, Sept. 17, is billed as a family friendly, communitywide birthday celebration for LU’s historic centennial year. The event will also double as a reason to showcase decades of alumni, students and staff of the educational institution.

The party starts at 4 p.m., kicking off in the Plummer Lawn and spanning through the quad to the Shelia Umphrey Recreational Sports Center.

“We are thrilled to host the Southeast Texas community right here on our campus,” Wright said. “The opportunity to share in celebrating this tremendous occasion with everyone is an honor.”

Guests can expect food trucks, a beer garden, live music by local musicians Still Cruisin’, and presentation of LU’s birthday proclamation in the university quad, the hub of campus activity.

“CentennialFest is a great opportunity for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community to join together in celebrating,” Wright added. “There will be lots of activities for children, interactive opportunities with student athletics, and various other entertainment.”

The family fest portion of the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. inside of the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, featuring kids activities, bounce houses, a dunking booth and free refreshments.

In advance of CentennialFest, LU stakeholders will have the opportunity to support the institution that supports higher education in Southeast Texas by taking part in the third annual “Red Day,” a virtual giving campaign on Sept. 14 and 15.

“Red Day is a time to showcase the power of philanthropy at LU, and the incredible difference our community makes when we rally behind our students,” Lauren Wilson, development coordinator with Lamar University Advancement, said. “With this being the university’s centennial anniversary, we’re rolling out the red carpet for the most special Red Day yet.”

The promotion traditionally runs for 24 hours, but this year Red Day will be active for 1,923 minutes – Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. through Sept. 15 at 5:03 p.m. – in honor of LU’s founding year.

“100 years is a huge milestone for LU, and we aim to honor that this year by spotlighting more of our students, campus and programs,” Wilson said. “We’re not only expanding our giving window from 24 hours to 1,923 minutes, but we’re adding even more competitions, prizes and content from around campus than ever before.”

Donors are encouraged to choose where their support is given – a favorite academic college, LU Athletics or endowments such as the LU Forever Fund, which supports the university’s greatest needs. The LU Foundation will sponsor the “Red Day Top 3,” where the respective academic colleges will compete to win cash prizes by surpassing their own number of donors from last year by the highest percentage.

Last year, LU raised more than double the amount as the first Red Day, with a total of $341,482 generously contributed by donors from around the world. This year, the university aims to make that impact even greater, with a goal of reaching 500 total donors and increasing the amount raised.

“We hope that our Cardinals, friends and families will join us in rolling out the red carpet for this special event by tuning in, giving to support our students, and helping us surpass our goals as we embark on another extraordinary century at LU,” Wilson said.

LU’s 16th president, Dr. Jaime R. Taylor, currently watches over the institution’s diverse population of faculty, staff, and students with a mission to create a campus culture committed to student engagement and success. Over the course of LU’s 100-year history, the campus has evolved in more than enrollment numbers – striving to be more versatile, focused on humanities and sciences, with a continued emphasis on practical applications.

“As we look toward our second century, now is the time to tap into our strengths and find ways to multiply their impact for the future,” the LU community beckons. “With each new strategic investment in research, academic programs, and internships and cooperative education, we extend the influence of Southeast Texas across the entire state and nation. We will need to think creatively about emerging economies to ensure our graduates are the trailblazers of the next century.”

Be a part of the story of LU. Share at www.lamar.edu/forms/centennial/cen- tennial-share-your-story.html. For additional information about LU CentennialFest, visit www.lamar.edu/centennialfest. For additional information about LU Red Day, visit www.lamar.edu/redday.