About 100 people gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $6.6 million Advanced Technology Center on the Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) campus in Beaumont on April 15.
The center is 15,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet of expansion added to an existing warehouse.
According to Hannah LeTulle, director of Communications and Marketing, construction on the new facility began in February 2024 as the expansion of a warehouse.
“Since then, it has transformed into a state-of-the-art educational facility,” said LeTulle.
President Dr. Sidney E. Valentine, Ph.D., stated the new center marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for LIT in the community.
“We can continue to expand opportunities for education, innovation and workforce development,” he said.
Valentine noted the facility has technical labs and multipurpose industrial training spaces that are specifically designed to replicate industry environments.
He recognized Chancellor Brian McCall, of the Texas State University System (TSUS), who has been instrumental in securing funding for the project.
“The support we received from our system is the reason the Lamar Institute of Technology has been able to grow and develop to the extent that we have over the last several years,” Valentine said. “Those achievements are a reflection of Chancellor McCall and his team and his dedicated team at the Texas State University System.”
Valentine expressed his appreciation to the Texas Legislature for helping make the project happen and for their continued support of higher education.
He added the total project cost of the Advanced Technology Center was $6.6 million, which was made possible through a combination of funding sources; $2.6 million from the college’s Higher Education Funds and $4 million from special appropriations allocated during the 88th Legislative Session in June 2023.
“This support helps to ensure that our students have access to the best facilities, equipment and technology available,” said Valentine. “Although he is not present today, I want to extend a special thanks to State Rep. Dade Phelan. He has continued as a continued supporter of the advancement of Southeast Texas and we have seen this in his passion for supporting education.”
McCall stated LIT saw an 11% increase over the past year in student attendance.
“That just doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work from the great team. It’s a well-run institution,” he said. “But the most important thing happening here is with young men and women, who come here to change their lives, who want to be pipefitters or electricians or welders, because when they become pipefitters, electricians or welders, with just about 10 years on the job, they can loan money to the Ph.D.s who are graduating from across the street. Families are being changed here ... Good things will continue to happen.”
Valentine said, since McCall and his team have been in place since 2010, they have contributed to $81 million across nine different projects in the system.
According to Dr. Angela J. Hill, provost and vice president of Instruction, the new center is a “hand zone” facility.
“At LIT, we believe that the best way to learn is by doing. In the advanced technology center, students will have the opportunity to work with the same equipment and technology that they will encounter in their careers, giving them a distinct advantage as they step into the workforce,” she said.
Hill noted the programs housed in this new facility are a direct response to industry needs, feedback from partners, and input from advisory committees.
The new programs include megatronics, plumbing, electrical technology, engineering technology, as well as varied engineering technicians programs, such as electronics, computer, electro mechanical and robotics in automation.
“By aligning our curriculum with these emerging trends and developing innovative facilities, like the Advanced Technology Center, we know that our students will be equipped with the skills and experience that employers are looking for it,” said Hill.
She added the instructional space was intentionally designed with flexible lab areas and mobile equipment that can be shared across various engineering programs and technical disciplines, encouraging student collaboration and efficient use of resources for specialized training.
Attending the ceremony were McCall, TSUS Regent Shelia Faske of Rose City, TSUS Vice Chancellors Sean Cunningham, Daniel Harper and John Hyatt; Lamar State College Orange President Dr. Tom Johnson, Lamar State College Port Arthur President Dr. Betty Renyard and Lamar University President Dr. Jaime Taylor.
Also in attendance were Blake Hopper, representing Congressman Randy Webber; Matt Murphy, representing U.S. Senator Ted Cruz; and Jennifer Harris, representing State Sen. Robert Nichols, along with faculty and staff from LIT.
— Dannie Oliveaux
