LSCO Christens New Training Vessel, T.V. Margie
March 7, 2025
Orange, TX – Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) proudly dedicated its newest training vessel, the T.V. Margie, during a special ceremony on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The state-of-the-art mobile barge simulator will provide hands-on training for students preparing for careers in the maritime industry, reinforcing LSCO’s commitment to workforce education.
The T.V. Margie was made possible through a $500,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education (TRUE) Grant awarded in 2023. This U.S. Coast Guard-approved training unit will be used across the state, ensuring that students have access to high-quality maritime education in their own communities.
“The T.V. Margie represents a major step forward in providing real-world, industry-relevant training for our students,” said LSCO President Dr. Thomas Johnson. “This vessel will not only prepare students for in-demand maritime careers but will also carry forward the legacy of my mother, Margie Louella Johnson, whose resilience, hard work, and determination continue to inspire us all.”
The vessel is named in honor of Margie Louella Johnson (1924–2016), mother of LSCO President Dr. Thomas Johnson. A Rosie the Riveter during World War II, Margie Johnson played a crucial role in the war effort, working in industrial production at a time when women were stepping into critical workforce positions. She was a lifelong resident of Indian Springs, Texas, the owner of the Johnson Rock Shop, and was married to her husband, Otis, for 71 years.
In keeping with maritime tradition, the event included a blessing of the vessel led
by Father Sinclair Oubre, followed by the breaking of a bottle over the bow, officially
christening the T.V. Margie.
With this new addition to its maritime training program, LSCO continues to expand
its offerings, equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the growing
maritime industry.
For more information about LSCO’s maritime training programs, visit www.lsco.edu.