Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO) Introduction and Unique Programs

Introduction

Lamar State College-Orange first held its classes in an old elementary-school building, back in the year 1969. It has since expanded to include various degree programs and majors, including the popular African and women’s literature programs. After a fire destroyed its original home, the college moved to its current location and began to offer two-year associate’s degrees. Since 1995, Lamar State has been a proud member of the Texas State University System, and students benefit from agreements allowing them easy transfer access to four-year schools in the partnership.

Information Summary

Ranks 168th in Texas and 2885th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	52.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,170
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	59% / 38%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,350

Unique Programs

Lamar State College offers several special program options to broaden its base of students; these include co-enrollment programs and Tech-Prep.

Co-enrollment/dual-credit programs are intended to assist high school students gain a college-level preparatory education, often beginning in their junior year. Students pay (often reduced) college costs, and receive college transcripts. They can then transfer the credits they have earned to any public college of university in Texas, and usually to other schools as well.

The Tech-Prep program is designed to educate high school students in skills and areas they will find necessary or useful in seeking gainful employment when they have graduated. Tech-Prep is a mutually beneficial agreement between local community leaders, secondary schools, area businesses, post secondary institutions, parents, and students.

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Financial Aid

Various types of financial aid packages are available to students at Lamar State College; these include Federal loans and grants, work-study options, and scholarships. Pell grants and Stafford loans, both federally-funded are available to needy students, while work-study positions allow students to defray the costs of attendance by becoming gainfully employed in on- or off-campus positions.

The Skills Development Fund is a special kind of aid offered by Lamar, which finances tailored job-training packages for positions in local businesses, thus interacting with and supporting the local economy, as well as assisting their own graduates to find gainful employment.

Several community-specific grants are available through Lamar State, including the Texas Public Education Grant and the Towards Excellence Access and Success Grant. The former is financial-need based, with priority given to students who do not qualify for the Pell Grant. The latter is also need-based, and also focuses on the curriculum pursued by the student in high school.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4847th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Texas.

Students

Student life at Lamar State is a vibrant mix of recreational activities, organizations, and athletics. Groups available on campus range in theme from religious to academic to professional to activity-based. Two popular clubs include the Teachers of Tomorrow and the Criminal Justice Society. The Teachers of Tomorrow meets to allow for the interaction between current educators, and students interested in pursuing teaching as their chosen career field. Students learn relevant information and topics, and share tips and experiences with a supportive and interested community. The Criminal Justice Society welcomes students interested in the fields of forensics, police and prison guard work, crime investigations, victim witness coordination, law, and parole or probation officer. Degrees and certificates in the criminal justice field are perpetually useful in modern society, and students come together in this group to discuss and support each other in their criminal justice pursuits.

The Student Center at Lamar State is a place where students can congregate and relax, watch a movie, eat, grab a coffee, and partake in recreational activities. It is a vibrant student hub on campus.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The following sports can be found here:

Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Basketball
Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Racquetball
Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Volleyball

Local Community

Orange features numerous cultural attractions and historical landmarks, including the W.H. Stark House, the First Presbyterian Church on Green Avenue, and the Stark Museum of Art. Residents of the city form a close-knit group and enjoy such monuments as these, along with the many visitors who come to Orange each year.

The W.H. Stark House honors the early lumber baron business of the town, while the Stark Museum houses notable Western works from the 1800s and 1900s, including some by Thomas Moran, Paul Kane, and Albert Bierstadt.

The First Presbyterian Church is exemplary for its classic Greek Revival architecture and its opalescent glass dome, the only one of which exists in the United States.

Famous Americans who have called Orange, Texas, home have included National Football League stars Tody Smith, Bum Phillips, and Kevin Smith, actors Bubba Smith and Kay Panabaker, and artistic talents Chad Shelton and Tom Windham.

The city, which is located along the Sabine River’s Louisiana border and a Gulf of Mexico port, was home to approximately 18,000 people in 2000.

Lamar State College-Orange