In 1955, Lamar Neal taught his first class at Mississippi State as a graduate assistant and now, after more than 55 years in higher education, the Meridian native says he will be content to end his career at his alma mater.
Lamar went on to earn a law degree that would ultimately lead him to Bridgewater College in Pennsylvania, where he retired as a political science professor and director of pre-law studies in 1999. He returned home to Meridian, where he now serves as a lecturer at MSU-Meridian.
Along the way, Lamar said he has had the opportunity to enjoy many professional experiences that cast a long shadow in his memory. Among them are being the first director of the Mississippi State University Center in Jackson, now the Universities Center of Mississippi, and working on the first congressional campaign for congressman and MSU alumnus G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.
"I started my teaching career at Mississippi State, and everywhere I have been, it has always been a huge part of my life," Lamar said. "After 55 years, it is an honor to still be here. No one could have had a better beginning or ending to their career than I have had."