Lone Star College-Montgomery Receives $1.5 Million Art Endowment and Iconic Artwork to Inspire Future Generations
Lone Star College-Montgomery is turning a page in its artistic and academic journey, thanks to a transformative $1.5 million Nathaniel Emerson Endowment and the donation of six original works of art. The gifts, made possible through the generosity of Jeffrey Kass, M.D., and Holli and Shaheen Ladhani, are poised to uplift the college’s Fine Arts program and redefine student experiences for years to come.
Created in memory of former LSC-Montgomery student Nathaniel Emerson, the endowment reflects the lasting impression the campus made on his life. Though Emerson did not major in art, his deep appreciation for the creative environment led him to include Lone Star College in his will—ensuring that future students could pursue their own academic and artistic dreams with greater support.
“We are deeply grateful for the support the endowment and artwork will provide to Lone Star College-Montgomery,” said Dr. De’ Reese Reid-Hart, 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."
Among the six donated pieces now part of the LSC-Montgomery collection are rare 20th-century works from European modernist masters:
- 1955 Joan Miró lithograph, Maternité (donated by Dr. Jeffrey Kass)
- 1950 Marc Chagall lithograph, Adam and Eve (donated by Dr. Jeffrey Kass)
- Evening in December, London 2012 Olympics, and two untitled contemporary pieces (donated by Holli and Shaheen Ladhani)
The artwork will not only grace the campus visually but also become vital components of classroom instruction, community engagement, and creative exploration.
“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 Dr. Michael Walsh, Dean of 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."
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The endowment’s funding will support a wide range of initiatives in the LSC-Montgomery Fine Arts program—from equipment upgrades and interactive workshops to professional speaker series and new learning avenues in digital art, 3D design, illustration, curation, and career development.
“Studying art doesn't just benefit artists, but all those who wish to be better professionals, citizens or individuals,” noted Darren Longman, art history and humanities professor at LSC-Montgomery.
These contributions highlight the vital role of the Lone Star College Foundation, which fosters relationships with community members and organizations to ensure students have access to the best educational resources. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has awarded over $26 million in scholarships and nearly $13 million in program and emergency support. Its mission centers on breaking financial barriers for students across the Lone Star College System.
“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, executive director of the LSC Foundation. “Their support makes it possible for our students to have exposure to cutting-edge resources, helping them earn a well-rounded education.”
Part of the Lone Star College System, LSC-Montgomery serves a growing student population in Montgomery County with high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and workforce training programs. With over 90,000 students enrolled across the system each semester, Lone Star College is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and continues to be recognized as a top place to work in higher education.
Within its Fine Arts program, LSC-Montgomery offers students foundational training in studio art and art history while preparing them for diverse career paths in illustration, graphic design, industrial design, and museum curation. The college encourages individual expression and aesthetic growth through access to inspiring environments and now, with the help of the Emerson Endowment and the newly gifted artwork, a deeper connection to the transformative power of art.
As students walk past masterworks by Miró and Chagall, or attend lectures made possible by this historic endowment, they are reminded that their journey is supported by a community that believes in the arts—and in them.
To learn more about giving opportunities, visit LoneStar.edu/Giving.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.