New alma mater instills pride in Lone Star College System community

HOUSTON, TX -- Lone Star College System now has an official alma mater that celebrates tradition and fosters school spirit among past, present and future students and employees.

A team of employees from several LSCS campuses collaborated ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year to bring the project to life. The anthem, which will be performed at graduation ceremonies and athletic events moving forward, premiered at the annual Convocation in August, where Mario K. Castillo, J.D., LSCS chancellor, awarded the team the inaugural One LSC Award:

• Lee Ann Nutt, Ed.D., LSC-Tomball president
• Christopher Mandia, LSC-CyFair English professor
• Michael Johnson, DMA, LSC-Kingwood director of bands and assistant professor of music
• Reese Burgan, LSC-Montgomery director of bands and department chair of music and dance
• Mark Marratto, DMA, LSC-Montgomery professor of music and director of choral activities
• Yu-Hsuan Yang, DMA, LSC-Montgomery piano accompanist
• Benjamin Choate, former LSC-Montgomery technical director
• Brendan Martinez, LSC-Montgomery technical director

“It was a really seamless collaboration, working toward a common goal,” said Christopher Mandia, an LSC-CyFair English professor who wrote the lyrics. “I think it embodies our One LSC philosophy because we all came together from different campuses but understood that we’re all part of a larger unit. Everybody was on the same team.”

The team sought feedback from faculty and students to ensure the lyrics were universally relevant. Mandia used those key phrases and images as a starting point to steer him in the right direction, and he also workshopped the song with his creative writing students.

Once the lyrics were finalized, the rest of the pieces fell into place quickly.

“As soon as I read the lyrics, it felt right. I could instantly hear the rhythms and the melody in my head all at once,” said Michael Johnson, DMA, LSC-Kingwood assistant professor of music and director of bands, who composed the music. “I ran home that afternoon and wrote it all out in a few hours, and we pretty much went right into recording from there. I’ve never had that happen as a composer—to go from a draft right into performing.”

From the writing to the recording process, students also had input throughout. Choir students were selected from multiple campuses to perform the official recording.

“I really appreciate the way the song accurately depicts the challenges and successes of everyone throughout the system, regardless of their campus,” Johnson said.

Lone Star College System offers a comprehensive music program that prepares students for music careers. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Associate-of-Arts-Music.