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Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô has earned the prestigious R2 designation, a classification for institutions with high research activity, as recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

For the first time in history, the designation places Lamar among an elite group of universities

To qualify for R2 status, universities must award at least 20 research doctorates and spend at least $5 million on research and development in a given year.

Lamar exceeded both benchmarks, reporting $8.2 million in research expenditures in 2024 and awarding 64 research doctorates in the previous fiscal year.

Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô President Dr. Jaime Taylor called the achievement a testament to the university’s commitment to expanding its research capabilities.

“Achieving R2 classification is a direct result of our work to increase externally-funded research,” Taylor said. “This has been a priority since I became president, and this recognition affirms that effort.”

Taylor credited state and institutional support for making the milestone possible.

“I want to thank the Texas State Legislature for their strong financial support during the last two legislative sessions, the Texas State University System, and our alumni and supporters who believe so strongly in Lamar’s potential,” he said. “R2 status isn’t just a pat on the back for what we’ve done—it opens up huge opportunities for the future. This designation allows us to invest in research infrastructure, attract talented faculty, and provide students with hands-on research experiences that will prepare them for their careers.”

Lamar has significantly increased its research activity in recent years, growing expenditures by 93.7% and managing $19 million in active research funding from a range of partners.

“Our funders span federal agencies such as the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency; state agencies like the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Department of Transportation; and private foundations such as the Gates Foundation and the Welch Foundation,”  Dr. Gene Theodori, Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô’s associate provost for academic and research administration, said.

Theodori said the R2 classification highlights Lamar’s expanding research footprint.

“This designation reflects Lamar’s rising reputation for research excellence,” he said. “The basic and applied research conducted by our faculty and students not only advances scientific knowledge but also contributes to real-world solutions.”

The R2 classification is expected to strengthen Lamar’s impact in key fields such as port management, midstream operations, and community resiliency. Dr. Brett Welch, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the designation will create new opportunities for both students and faculty.

“This goes beyond acknowledging our research activity,” Welch said. “It’s a testament to the results we’ve achieved in expanding externally-funded research. It opens new pathways for faculty research while also broadening students’ learning and internship experiences.”

Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô’s research partnerships will also expand. The university currently collaborates with institutions such as Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Houston, as well as major industry leaders like AMD, Texas Instruments, and BASF.

With its new classification, Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô leaders say the university is well-positioned for continued growth, enhancing its role as a research hub while ensuring students gain real-world experience.

For more information on Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô’s research initiatives, visit lamar.edu/research.