BEAUMONT, Texas, Sept. 11 -- Lamar University issued the following news release:
The story of Lamar University's College of Engineering begins long before there was a college: with a region transformed by industry and a mission formed by that change.
The story begins with a region marked by industrial change.
When Capt. Anthony F. Lucas struck oil at Spindletop on Jan. 10, 1901, Beaumont changed almost overnight. The Lucas Gusher launched the Texas oil boom, drawing hundreds of companies to Southeast Texas and establishing the region as one of the nation's leading centers for energy, refining and manufacturing. As industry expanded, so did the need for the people who would design its facilities, improve its processes and solve increasing...