Lone Star College-Montgomery receives $1.5 million art endowment and artwork

CONROE, TX -- Lone Star College Foundation’s relationships with community members and organizations enable students to have access to the latest educational resources. Through those partnerships, the LSC-Montgomery Fine Arts program received a $1.5 million Nathaniel Emerson Endowment and six donated art pieces courtesy of Jeffrey Kass, M.D., and Holli and Shaheen Ladhani.

“Lone Star College Foundation is thrilled to work with individuals who are passionate about helping our students succeed in their future careers,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSC Foundation executive director. “Their support makes it possible for our students to have exposure to cutting-edge resources, helping them earn a well-rounded education.”

The Nathaniel Emerson Endowment was created on behalf of Emerson, a former art student at LSC-Montgomery, who left the campus in his will. Although he did not major in art, he loved his experience and wanted to help future students achieve their academic and career goals. The six art pieces donated by Kass and the Ladhanis include:

• Jeffrey Kass: 1955 Joan Miro lithograph, Maternite and 1950 Marc Chagall lithograph, Adam and Eve; and
• Holli and Shaheen Ladhani: Evening in December, London 2012 Olympics and two untitled pieces.

“We are deeply grateful for the support the endowment and artwork will provide to Lone Star College-Montgomery,” said De’ Reese Reid-Hart, Ed.D., LSC-Montgomery president. “Significant endowments and donations have a powerful and lasting impact on the student experience. They make scholarships possible, support professors in the classroom, fuel innovative learning opportunities and ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed, both today and for generations to come."

At LSC-Montgomery, the endowment and donated art pieces will help establish new avenues for learning, including the necessary training and facilities related to illustration, digital mediums, 3D design, curation, research and career planning. The campus will use the funds to add more state-of-the-art equipment, workshop events and professional speaker series.

“Studying art doesn't just benefit artists, but all those who wish to be better professionals, citizens or individuals,” said Darren Longman, LSC-Montgomery art history and humanities professor.

LSC-Montgomery teaches that art can help people process the world, express themselves and connect with others. It is a tool for storytelling, healing and transformation. The campus believes generous donations from community members like Emerson and the Ladhanis will continue to provide students with the training and resources needed to help them pursue a successful art career.

"Art enriches our campus and community, inspiring students to discover their voices and share the beauty of the human experience. It challenges us to dig deeper into our feelings, compelling us to grow and improve,” said Michael Walsh, Ed.D., LSC-Montgomery dean, Creative Arts and Education. “Financial support like the Nathaniel Emerson Endowment ensures future artists have the resources to learn, create, and thrive. Donations of art beautify our campus and create an environment that sparks imagination and cultivates a shared sense of connection."

The Lone Star College System Fine Arts program offers students foundational knowledge in art history and studio art. Additionally, students learn to develop individual expression and aesthetic judgment, preparing them for various careers such as illustrator, graphic artist, industrial designer or curator. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Fine-Arts-AA-General-Studies.