Lamar State College Orange Celebrates Retirement of President Emeritus Dr. Thomas Johnson

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Orange, TX – Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) honored President Emeritus Dr. Thomas Johnson at a retirement celebration on Thursday, August 21, reflecting on his seven years of transformative leadership and service to the college and community.

The event, held in the Shahan Event Center on the LSCO campus, brought together faculty, staff, community leaders, and dignitaries to recognize Dr. Johnson’s legacy. Among those offering remarks were Orange Mayor Larry Spears, Commissioner Johnny Trahan, LSCO President Dr. Wendy Elmore, Lamar University President Dr. Jaime Taylor, and Texas State University System Foundation Board Member and Former Regent David Montagne.

Attendees enjoyed food, refreshments, and a lighthearted tribute, as each guest received a commemorative bobblehead of Dr. Johnson. LSCO Staff Senate President Cindy Wyles and Faculty Senate President Jessica Williams also presented special gifts on behalf of employees.

President Elmore praised Dr. Johnson for reshaping LSCO into a place where “hope does meet opportunity,” noting, “Dr. Johnson’s legacy is not just written in numbers or in bricks and mortar; rather, it’s written in lives—of first-generation students, working parents, and the faculty and staff he inspired every day.”

Lamar University President Dr. Jaime Taylor reflected on Johnson’s personal impact, sharing, “Tom embodied what it means to lead with grace. He celebrated his faculty, encouraged his staff, and bragged constantly about his students. Honestly, no one cheers louder for LSCO than Tom Johnson.”

During Johnson’s tenure, LSCO experienced record enrollment growth, expanded campuses into Lumberton and Livingston, launched more than 30 new academic and workforce programs, opened the 55,000-square-foot Academic Building, and completed the historic restoration of the Student Success Center. His leadership also brought national recognition, including the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction from Phi Theta Kappa and induction into the Texas Hall of Honor for Presidents.

Dr. Johnson was officially named President Emeritus by the Texas State University System earlier this year, cementing his enduring influence on the college and community.