Mark Ellison, director of emerging technology in the governor's office of Economic Development and Tourism, received a crash course in Lamar's efforts, including its hydrogen fuel-cell research for the Department of Defense; developing composite materials for use in industrial construction; and advances in air-quality modeling applicable to eventual compliance with the federal Clean Air Act.

Jack Hopper, associate provost for research and dean of the College of Engineering where these efforts are centered, told Ellison of Lamar's focus on economic development.

Phil Drayer, a 1967 Lamar electrical engineering graduate who is chairman of Hopper's College of Engineering Advisory Council and also a member of the governor's emerging technology fund board, told the panel and Ellison that Lamar is poised to drive economic growth in the region. "The state should pay attention to what's going on here," said Drayer, president and chief executive of Kalydus Asset Advisors LP, based in Dallas, a technology investment firm.

Hopper said The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce also had commissioned an independent study that came to a similar conclusion that identified Lamar as a "prime driver for research that could result in development of business and industry."

Hopper continued quoting from that chamber report: "Research at Lamar is the key to Beaumont's industrial future."

And Hopper said to Ellison, "If you take anything away from this meeting, that's it."

Earlier last week, another representative from Perry's office visited Lamar to talk about a biofuels initiative.

A variety of interests spanning industry, agriculture, investors, academics and chamber leaders attended.

Ted Wilson, director of the Texas A&M University Agriculture and Research Center west of Beaumont said in that meeting that Southeast Texas enjoys advantages in agriculture, industry and transportation the rest of the state lacks.

Don Cotten, Lamar University's director of the Office of Research, which pursues grants to support all of its efforts, told Ellison, "You've got folks here who know how to make a difference and want to do it." Cotten said the university's research infrastructure already enjoys industry's support with partnerships, plus faculty support, intellectual property, and technology transfer.

Ellison was particularly interested in the intellectual property aspect because customers, as he put it, would like to see a catalog of what the university's research has produced.

"The job's not done until a new product or service is in the hands of consumers," he said.

He also urged Lamar to consider providing a tenure track for faculty who have succeeded in commercializing their academic work, which would help to attract other top talent.

"If you're disposed to patenting an idea as opposed to publishing a paper, it helps recruitment," Ellison said.

Ellison also talked about the convergence of capital, technology and talent.

"You need all three to come together," he said. "A university is central to that point."

He said the governor's emerging technology fund's litmus test is whether a university's research helps "make us more or less competitive globally."