Lone Star College is celebrating 50 years of providing quality educational opportunities to more than 2 million students.
Lone Star College is celebrating 50 years of providing quality, affordable, and competitive educational opportunities to families in the greater north Houston area.
W.W. Thorne, superintendent of Aldine Independent School District, worked with community leaders in 1972 to establish a community college to serve area students. Through his determination and leadership, residents in the Aldine, Spring, and Humble ISDs voted to form a Union Junior College District. A seven-member board established the North Harris County College (NHCC).
“The story of Lone Star College is one of the leaders in the community who possessed extraordinary vision and dedication that live to this day. Over the past 50 years, the college has witnessed remarkable growth in enrollment and student success,” said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC Chancellor. “I am very proud of the work done by our faculty and staff who continue to strive toward making sure we continue to offer world-class education one student at a time.”
In 1975, NHCC opened its first campus, LSC-North Harris, and named Thorne President. When LSC-Kingwood opened Aug. 27, 1984, as the second college, it was referred to as the “East Campus.” Lester Burks was the first president, and the college managed 50 employees, served 1,130 students, and opened four buildings. In 38 years, LSC-Kingwood has had four additional presidents, added six buildings, employs 845 people and educates more than 11,000 students. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, sixth President, LSC-Kingwood continues to provide exceptional academic options, resource and services.
“LSC and LSC-Kingwood have implemented programs that align with the needs of our communities. For 50 years, we have helped families achieve their educational goals, leading to brighter futures, a skilled workforce and better communities,” said Gonzalez
Lone Star College opened six more campuses, two university centers, and 10 satellite centers serving 11 school districts. Additionally, LSC has helped more than 2 million students earn nearly 29 million credit hours. View LSC’s historical timeline at LoneStar.edu/50Years/ or visit the banners inside LSC-Kingwood’s Student Conference Center.
Register now for credit classes online through myLoneStar. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends in traditional, online and hybrid formats. For more information or to register online, visit LoneStar.edu/Registration. For general information LSC-Kingwood, call 281.312.1600 or visit LoneStar.edu/Kingwood.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.