Distinguished
Lecture Series: RJ Mitte
RJ Mitte, known for his work on the television series “Breaking Bad” and “Switched at
Birth”, was the keynote speaker at the LSCPA
Distinguished Lecture Series in March 2016.
Mitte played Walt Jr., the son of the cancerstricken science teacher-turned-drug manufacturer Walter White (played by Bryan
Cranston) on the Emmy-winning AMC drama
Breaking Bad. Like his character on the show,
Mitte has cerebral palsy,
although his is a milder form of the disability.
In 2014, Mitte began a recurring role on the
Peabody Award-winning ABC Family drama,
Switched at Birth, as Campbell, a pre-med
college student paralyzed by a snowboarding
accident who works at the free clinic.
GULF
COAST
G AL A
Ronnie Milsap, one of the most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 80s, was the headline
act for the 13th Annual Gulf Coast Gala at LSCPA in April 2016.
The Gala was developed in 2004 to benefit cultural and visual arts at the Museum of the Gulf Coast, and to
provide support for the college’s “Discovery” youth program, Alumni Fund, athletic scholarships, musical
and theatrical productions and a variety of special projects, such as Lamar State’s July 4 celebration and
the Regional Citizen Bee.
THE COMMUNITY
LSCPA adds three
to administration
Amanda Smith named
Rogers Community
Service Award winner
During the past year,
the LSCPA administration has seen
three new additions
to its roster.
Amanda Smith, director of Cosmetology at LSCPA, proves that her
field of expertise involves far more
than a clip and cut. It involves a big
heart as well.
Smith has dedicated herself and her
Cosmetology program to the betterAmanda Smith
ment of the community. For her efforts, she was named the 2015 Ben and Julie Rogers Community
Service Award winner. The annual award recognizes exemplary
effort in community service by one faculty or staff member at
Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State
College-Orange and Lamar State College Port Arthur.
Many of Smith’s contributions to the community came with the
help of her students in the LSCPA Cosmetology program. Among
those were manicures for residents of Oak Grove Nursing Home
and Port Arthur Community Retirement Home.
The group also donated Christmas toys to the Kiwanis Club, Blue
Santa and The United Board of Missions, while cutting hair at
Nederland Stadium for Relay for Life, Nederland High School’s
Back-To-School Cut-a-Thon to give free haircuts as well as accompanying LSC-O to its Back-To-School Cut-a-Thon to give
free cuts.
Smith implemented the “Be the Match Registry” at LSCPA Cosmetology with a representative of that group speaking to students about becoming a bone marrow donor. Smith, in fact, has
registered herself to be added to the bone marrow registry. Another service organization, “Cut It Out,” was introduced to
LSCPA Cosmetology students via Amanda’s interaction. This
group helps students identify physical abuse and how to direct
customers in trouble to those who can help.
Other organizations benefiting from Amanda’s help are the Baptist Student Ministry, American Cancer Society, Southeast Texas
Food Bank, Port City Rescue Mission and The Garth House.
Amanda works with area schools, serving twice as a judge for
Skills USA annual competitions at Taylor Career Technical
School.
Joining the staff
were Dean of Student Services Dr.
Deborrah Hebert
and Dean of Technical Programs Sheila
Trahan. J. Mark
Knowles, who has
been with LSCPA
since the early
1990s, was promoted to Director of
Institutional Effectiveness.
Deborrah Hebert
Mark Knowles
Dr. Hebert supervises Admissions,
Advising, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid and
Student Activities.
In his capacity,
Sheila Trahan
Knowles collects information and
data from national, state and campus
sources for analysis and evaluation.
He then reports the results to campus
administrators, staff and faculty to facilitate better decision-making opportunities.
Trahan works with the many technical
programs on campus, helping to coordinate continued growth and success.
Among those programs are Process
Technology, Instrumentation, Cosmetology, Automotive Technology, Office Administration, Graphic Design,
Accounting, Medical Coding Specialist, and Software Developer.
2015-2016
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