Dedicating Lamar University's First New Academic Building in 40 Years

Page project team members recently had the pleasure of helping client Lamar University dedicate their first new academic building on campus in 40 years. The 43,000-square-foot, three story classically-designed Wayne A. Reaud Building now serves as the new “front door” for Lamar University along the formerly underutilized southern boundary of the campus, providing the first impression for many first-time visitors and prospective students.

The new building, which Page designed, houses the Honors College, which has grown to an enrollment of over 400 students. It also provides administrative space for Information Technology, Executive Administration, as well as a large community event space. Lamar alumnus and major donor Wayne A. Reaud, for whom the building is named, told the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper, “Lamar really gave me an opportunity that a poor kid like me would not normally have. Without it being here, I may not have gone to college.”

The design team worked closely with senior administrators at both Lamar University as well as at the Texas State University System level, university facilities staff, major donor, end user groups (including department heads), the construction-manager-at-risk and program manager to meet the client’s goals. A comparative analysis of a renovation to a previously existing building against a new facility showed that the university would benefit more from a highly efficient structure in terms of both energy and function.

Congratulations to the people at Lamar University who provided support for the project and to the rest of the team: 

• Spaw Glass, Construction Manager at Risk
• Matrix, Structural Engineering
• Fitz and Shipman, Civil Engineering
• 4b Technology, IT, Security and AV Design
• Halford Busby, Cost Management
• Hill International, Program Management
• Coleman & Associates, Landscape and Irrigation Design
• Kinzelman Art, Interior Artwork Consulting
• The Decorating Depot, Antiques and Specialty Furnishings
• The late Jesus Moroles, Granite Sculptures

The dedication was covered in the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper. To read the article, click here.