LSC-University Park and Luby's Restaurant Corp. collaborative brings the community to the classroom and the classroom to life

HOUSTON, TX -- Lone Star College-University Park's (LSC-University Park) Drama Department helps kick off the holiday season by presenting the classical tale of 'A Christmas Carol' for patrons at a local Houston Luby's on Dec. 1.

The holiday performance art event is just one of LSC-University Park and Luby's joint integrated learning opportunities planned for this academic year. LSC-University Park's Division of Arts & Humanities is taking a lead role in the new community collaborative.

'Lone Star College-University Park is the community's college. Participation in educational and cultural activities connects people. This collaboration allows us to share our arts and academic programs and actively engage our students with community members,' said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president. 'We are excited about our partnership with Luby's and the opportunities it brings to promote prosperity and enrich the lives of our students and our community.'

LSC-University Park's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Department also shares in the collaborative effort. The department hosted its annual ESOL Thanksgiving luncheon at the college last week, introducing students to a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Luby's provided the food for the event.

This spring, the ESOL department will help host a series of 'Talk Time' events at Luby's. ESOL programs help students learn about their world by experiencing it. The 'Talk Time' events aim to help students and community members develop the language and skills needed to be successful global citizens and leaders.

'A Christmas Carol' takes place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Luby's located at 22422 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070. The cast, under William Grayson's direction, is comprised of students, faculty, and community members. Klein Collins High School freshman Sara Tatar plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for this production of Charles Dickens' timeless holiday tale.

The performance is free and open to the public. Luby's will provide free water, tea, and coffee for event patrons, and food will be available for purchase. 'A Christmas Carol' is being presented as a 1940s-style radio play with live foley sound f/x. In the fall of 2020, during the pandemic, the drama department presented 'A Christmas Carol' as a virtual radio play.

Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. Under its founding president, Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. The college's competent and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.

Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters, LSC-University Park's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy.

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.

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