Lamar University President Jaime Taylor presented the 2022 Convocation address, Aug. 16, in the Montagne Center. A host of administration officials and deans joined Taylor, as well as Provost Dann Brown and athletic director Jeff O’Malley.
As the school approaches its centenary in September 2023, Taylor said the school has a once-in-a-century opportunity to reflect on its history and measure its impact since the school’s first days as junior college.
“Are we the same institution?’ he asked. “Well, yes and no. Back then our mission was very narrowly focused on technology education, and while our engineering programs are absolutely central to our identity today, we are also a very well-rounded university that is grounded in the liberal arts.
“But make no mistake, the kernel of our broader mission was already embedded in the work of Beaumont city leaders back in 1920s. They recognized that fostering strategic thinking and entrepreneurial risk taking through education was crucial to building a strong and healthy community over the long term.”
Taylor said the evolution of Lamar University is a story of constant adaption and re-formation, with new students, staff, technologies and social changes.
“This continual process of integration teaches us all how to adapt, which is why each new member of the student body, staff, faculty is so important to our ability to innovate on the fly,” he said. “Institutions that don't innovate, often find it difficult to keep the promises that they've made to their students. …That's why higher education has a prime directive to stay on the cutting edge of research and innovation.”
Taylor spoke about his leadership philosophy.
“I think there's probably a general expectation that university presidents are supposed to lead the university so that others may follow,” he said. “But I want you to know, I do not what I see myself is more of a university coach. I am not here to lead you. I'm here to support you. And I think one way I can provide significant support is to create the conditions for you to work more strategically. It's not about increasing your level of activity. It's about improving results.”
Taylor said the university had received an annual equity adjustment to correct a long-standing structural appropriations imbalance. This brought LU’s budget for general operations more in line with its peer institutions.
“Now that we're on a more level playing field, we're in a position to think strategically about how to allocate our resources and how to leverage what we have to further increase our resources through enrollment increases, improvements in students’ persistence and completion, federal grants, state grants, research dollars, and alumni and donor development.”
Taylor announced that as a result, the university will issue a one-time meritorious payment to employees who are eligible of three percent, with minimum and maximum payments ranging from $1,200 to $3,500. Payments will be made in November in time for the holidays.
The 2022-23 school year is a counting year for funding, and Taylor said the administration will be watching fall and spring enrollments closely. This will determine if a salary increase will be possible for fall 2023.
Taylor’s closing remarks were a call to action to remember that Lamar’s mission is “education for the good of our region, our state, our nation, and even our planet.”
“Every employee in Lamar University does work that matters,” he said. “And every employee should be given the opportunity to connect the dots between their work and the impact on prospective students, current students and alumni.
“If we keep our students at the very center of our work, we will find renewed focus and inspiration to move forward every single day.”