(AUSTIN) – Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall today named Lonnie L. Howard, Ph.D., sole finalist in the Lamar Institute of Technology presidential search. Dr. Howard, currently president/CEO of Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, WA, was selected from a field of nearly 40 candidates following a national search.
"Dr. Howard brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education to LIT, but he also brings a wealth of life experience—as a first-generation college student and the beneficiary of a technical college education—that make him an outstanding fit for the institution,” said Chancellor McCall. “I want to thank Regent Bill Scott and members of the presidential search committee for their time and effort, which resulted in a successful search.”
Dr. Howard, whose appointment must be confirmed by the TSUS Board of Regents, is expected to assume the presidency prior to the fall 2016 semester. By law, a candidate for president of a public college or university in Texas must remain the sole finalist for 21 days before a governing board can confirm the appointment. Howard will succeed LIT President Paul Szuch, who is retiring after 10 years of service to the institution.
"I’m humbled by this opportunity and by the trust placed in me by the search committee and Chancellor McCall,” said Dr. Howard. “LIT is an important educational asset in southeast Texas. I’m excited about the opportunity to build on the positive changes that Dr. Szuch achieved during his tenure so that LIT can offer more students the kind of life-changing opportunities I experienced as a student.”
Since 2013, Dr. Howard has been president/CEO of Clover Park Technical College, the largest technical college in Washington State, with an enrollment of more than 7,300 students. He previously served as executive director of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Houston System. He has held teaching and research positions at several institutions, and served with distinction in the U.S. Army.
A first-generation college student, his life story demonstrates the value of technical education and the important mission of two year colleges. He has earned five college degrees: an associate of applied science in welding, an associate of general studies, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed postdoctoral training at Penn State and Harvard universities.
Lamar Institute of Technology, located Beaumont, is a member of the Texas State University System, which comprises eight institutions from the Big Bend Region to the Gulf Coast. The Texas State University System is the oldest university system in Texas with enrollment approaching 83,000 students.