Lamar University names engineering department after longtime professor Dr. Victor Zaloom

Lamar University has formally named its Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in honor of longtime faculty member Dr. Victor A. Zaloom, recognizing more than four decades of leadership, mentorship and philanthropy.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved the naming during a November 2025 meeting. The announcement was celebrated during a ceremony Friday, Jan. 23, in the Cherry Engineering Building on Lamar’s campus.

Zaloom joined Lamar University in 1981 and has served in numerous roles, including professor, department chair, director and interim dean. He chaired the Industrial Engineering Department and later the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department for more than 30 years.

“Naming the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department is a great honor and it means so much to me because of the people who helped me throughout my life and my career,” Zaloom said. “My career has been a dream come true.”

Zaloom credited early mentors for inspiring his leadership path and said his connection to the department never faded, even while serving in higher administrative roles.

“I had Department Chairs who served as wonderful mentors for me,” he said. “I decided to follow in their footsteps. I had other higher management appointments at Lamar, but my heart always remained in the department.”

Lamar University President Dr. Jaime Taylor said Zaloom’s influence extends far beyond the classroom.

“Dr. Zaloom has played an integral role in shaping programs and supporting students in the College of Engineering over the last four decades,” Taylor said. “He embodies the commitment and leadership that we strive to attain here at Lamar University.”

Zaloom’s financial contributions have also left a lasting mark. When he arrived at Lamar, the department had no established scholarships. Today, scholarship funding connected to his efforts exceeds $1 million, supporting students in both the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the College of Business through multiple endowments.

“This landmark recognition underscores the lasting impact that Dr. Zaloom has created for current and future generations of students at LU,” Taylor said. “He has truly built a legacy here.”

Zaloom expressed confidence in the department’s future leadership and growth.

“I am so pleased that this administration has chosen the current department’s leadership, and I am sure the Department will continue to thrive,” he said. “I’m so happy to be part of the faculty of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department and to have my name attached to it.”

For more information on establishing an endowment at Lamar University, visit https://www.lamar.edu/advancement/foundation/.