2016 LSCPA Report to the Community 1 | Page 7

Jason Laday wins state talent contest Colton Weisbrod breaks school records, named All-American Sophomore Colton Weisbrod broke school records en route to the school’s first-ever NJCAA AllAmerican First Team selection. He was also named National Player of the Week during the year. Weisbrod set school records for Points in a Season (685), Points in Conference (391), Rebounds in a Season (346), Rebounds in Conference (213), Double-Digit Games in a Season (31), Per-Game Scoring Average (21.4 points per game), and Double-Double Games (22). His best scoring performance came against Houston Community College on Nov. 11, 2015 with 39 points, while his best Region 14 showing came against Lee College in the L regional tournament when he scored 36. He was named to the Region 14 All-Tournament Team. Port Arthur’s Jason Laday has dedicated his life to dance and in his heart, he knew he wasn’t second best. The problem was he just couldn’t prove it … until now. The Lamar State College Port Arthur Drama major won first place in a statewide talent competition during the recent Texas Educational Theatre Association convention in Houston. It’s the first time Laday has won first in any competition. “Winning awards isn’t really how I want to define myself,” Laday said. “But I had all these second place awards and nothing to really say I am as good as I think I am. I guess this is some validation for the hard work I’ve put into becoming as good a dancer as I can be.” STUDENT SUCCESS HOME AWAY FROM HOME Student residence hall opens for Fall 2016 Semester After years of planning and work, the construction of a student residence hall at Lamar State College Port Arthur became reality. The Port Arthur City Council and Jefferson County Commissioners approved tax abatements on the project and the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation provided a $1 million grant and $1 million no-interest loan, allowing The Itex Group, LLC, to go forward with construction in late Spring 2016. The Jefferson County Commissioners Court approved a tax abatement for five years at 100 percent for $3.9 million during a meeting on Tuesday, February 16. City Council in Port Arthur, likewise, approved a tax abatement for $17,700 over 10 years. The abatements were the final hurdles needing to be crossed for the project to go forward. “Lamar State College Port Arthur has long been considered a ‘commuter campus’ but now that’s changing,” LSCPA President Dr. Betty Reynard said. “Having student housing on campus brings the college into a new era. We will be able to serve students from, really, anywhere, who are looking to take advantage of our academic and technical program offerings.” 2015-2016 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY PAGE|237 6 | REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 2015-2016