Schools

On Friday, April 4, 2025, Dr. Thomas Johnson, President of Lamar State College Orange, was honored with the prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) during the PTK Catalyst 2025 convention in Kansas City, Missouri. This award recognizes college presidents who have demonstrated outstanding support for student success initiatives, leading to enhanced pathways for completion, transfer, and employment. Recipients are nominated by students and are selected based on their active interest in supporting high-achieving students and fostering student leadership on campus.​

“Dr. Johnson’s unwavering commitment to our students’ success has transformed LSCO into a nurturing environment where academic excellence and leadership thrive,” said Dr. Wendy Elmore, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “This recognition by Phi Theta Kappa is a testament to his dedication and the positive impact he has made on our campus community.”​

The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is PTK’s most prestigious honor for community college presidents. It is named after Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, the longest-serving Chair of PTK’s Board of Directors and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington. To be eligible, college presidents and CEOs must have served in their role for at least five years and can receive the award only once in their careers. Dr. Johnson was among 14 college administrators nationwide to receive this honor in 2025.​

Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, LSCO has implemented various initiatives to enhance student success, including programs focused on academic support, leadership development, and career readiness. His dedication to creating a supportive and enriching educational environment has garnered recognition within and beyond the LSCO community.​

“Dr. Johnson has been the unwavering champion, the steadfast encourager, and the unconditional supporter of Phi Theta Kappa,” said Jessica Williams, PTK Advisor & Faculty Senate President. “We are forever grateful for the dedication, guidance, and belief he has shown in us and our journey with these amazing students.”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, founded in 1918, is the premier honor society recognizing students’ academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The PTK Catalyst annual convention serves as a platform to celebrate student and institutional accomplishments and to provide professional development opportunities for members and advisors.

The Orangefield Independent School District (OISD) Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Ronald Risinger to fill a vacant board position following Jude Graffagnino’s resignation earlier this year. Instead of calling a special election, the board appointed Dr. Risinger, who will serve the remainder of the unexpired term until the next election in November 2024.

Dr. Risinger is no stranger to the Orangefield ISD community. He previously served two terms on the school board and recently led the facility steering committee, which assessed the district’s buildings and facilities. His experience, leadership, and dedication to the district make him a valuable addition to the board.

The board also expressed appreciation to all community members who inquired about the vacancy and engaged with board members throughout the selection process.

For more information about Orangefield ISD and upcoming school board meetings, visit www.orangefieldisd.com.

Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO) is expanding its maritime program with the addition of a 39-foot training vessel. The new vessel, T.V. Margie, will provide students with enhanced hands-on learning experiences and serve as a key resource for maritime operations training, reinforcing LSCO’s commitment to workforce development in the growing maritime industry.

Funded through the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education Grant, the T.V. Margie includes a barge for on-the-water training, allowing students to develop essential skills in safe maritime operations. The vessel is named in honor of President Thomas Johnson’s mother, reflecting LSCO’s dedication to both educational excellence and community heritage.

LSCO’s maritime program offers U.S. Coast Guard and Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping-approved courses, catering to individuals entering the industry as well as those seeking recertification. As maritime job demand rises—with the Texas Workforce Commission projecting a 14% increase statewide and similar national growth, according to the Department of Labor—LSCO’s program ensures students are well-prepared for careers in the field.

The college’s maritime training facility features Transas Simulators, allowing mariners to practice vessel operations across Texas, Louisiana, and beyond. Positioned between Houston and New Orleans, LSCO provides a cost-effective alternative to other maritime training centers while maintaining high-quality education and industry-aligned certifications.

For more information about LSCO’s maritime program, visit www.lsco.edu.

Orangefield Independent School District (ISD) Board Member Marc Wernig has officially resigned following his arrest for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) on February 14, 2025. His resignation was submitted on Monday, February 26, 2025, just hours before the school board was scheduled to censure him during its regular meeting.

Board President Laura Clark confirmed Wernig’s resignation, noting that the censure, a formal statement of disapproval, was intended as a public reprimand rather than a step toward removal from office.

Wernig, 55, has served on the Orangefield ISD Board of Trustees since 2014, representing Place 4. A 1988 graduate of Orangefield High School, he was previously arrested for DWI in 2023 and was still out on bond for that offense at the time of his latest arrest.

The Orangefield ISD Board of Trustees is set to meet in early March to determine a replacement to serve the remainder of Wernig’s term.

Texas State University System (TSUS) Chancellor Brian McCall has appointed Dr. Wendy Elmore as the next president of Lamar State College Orange (LSCO), pending approval of the Board of Regents. Dr. Elmore, currently executive vice president and provost of LSCO, would succeed President Tom Johnson, who announced he will retire at the end of the current academic year. With the board’s consent at its May 2025 meeting and after the state-required waiting period, Elmore would begin her new role as president on June 1.

Dr. Elmore has served as LSCO’s chief academic officer since April 2020, where she has played a key role in efforts to expand degree and credential offerings, enhance the quality of instructional programs, and open new academic centers in Lumberton and Livingston.

“Dr. Elmore has played an integral role in virtually every major college initiative since 2020,” said Chancellor McCall. “As we look to build upon the successes achieved during President Johnson’s tenure, we are fortunate to have a strong leader in place with an intimate understanding of LSCO and the communities it serves, ensuring the college maintains forward momentum.”

Before arriving at LSCO, Dr. Elmore served as vice president of instruction and chief academic officer, associate vice president of academic affairs, director of distance learning, and director of testing at Trinity Valley Community College. She previously worked as a counselor, district assessment coordinator, and math teacher at Elkhart Independent School District.

Elmore earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

She has served on several boards and committees, including the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, the American Technical Educator Association Board, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Dual Credit and Academic Institutions Formula Advisory Committee.

Dr. Elmore will succeed Dr. Tom Johnson, who has served as president of LSCO since 2018. During Johnson’s tenure the college has experienced unprecedented growth, as enrollment increased more than 50% between 2018 and 2024. Johnson’s major accomplishments include initiating a 10-year Campus Master Plan, guiding the college through a 10-year reaccreditation process, adding new facilities and enhancing existing buildings, and opening new academic centers in Lumberton and Livingston.