LSC-Montgomery President  Dr. Austin Lane, center, poses with 2011 graduates after they received their degrees at the May commencement exercises. More than 4,700 students were eligible to receive their degree or certification from LSCS this spring.

 (May 20, 2011) – The largest number of students in the history of Lone Star College System were conferred with their associate degrees or certificates during 2011 commencement ceremonies.

As part of a system-wide strategy to encourage students to complete their associate degrees, 4,728 students were eligible to receive a degree or certificate this year, which represents almost a 33 percent increase over the 3,600 students who graduated last year. Commencement exercises for each of the five colleges were held May 12 and 13 at numerous venues throughout the system.

“This monumental increase in the number of graduates is indicative of our commitment to creating a completion culture for all students,” said Dr. Richard Carpenter, LSCS chancellor.

As a national leader in community college innovations and learning outcomes, LSCS was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Education to host a national summit on community college completion and transfer strategies. The summit was held at LSC-University Park in March.

With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for spring 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.