Did you know that of the 42,641 students who enrolled in college in Texas in 2004 only 14,864 graduated with a post-secondary credential as of 2009. That is a staggering loss of 27,777 students. Stemming the attrition rate at higher education institutions is consistently ranked in the top five when it comes to issues of concern for colleges and universities. Is there one solution to this complex problem? Of course not and that is why it is so important for everyone to become involved. Retention is everyone's concern here at LU. We will begin the conversation about this topic at a Lunch and Learn on Monday, October 25. You can register for the event now by sending an email to cpmumbach@lamar.edu or by calling the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement at x7553. The session, which will be held in the private dining room of the Dining Hall, will be facilitated by Drs. Oney Fitzpatrick and Sherri Shoefstall. To prepare to participate, we are suggesting the following material: How important are the first weeks of college? The long term effects of initial college experiences; Help Students Achieve; Promoting Student Retention: Lessons Learned from the United States; and, College Student Retention-Defining Student Retention, A Profile of Successful Institutions and Students, Theories of Student Departure. As mentioned above, this Lunch and Learn is a precursor for the retention workshop to be held on November 15. The conversation is richer when we have a diversity of voices.