History

Our Program History

The Medical Laboratory Science Program went through many name changes and degree changes. Degrees were awarded as a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology with a major in Biology in 1973. In 1974, the degree was changed to a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions with a major in Medical Technology. In 1976, it became a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology with a major in Medical Technology. In 1994, it changed to a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science with a major in Clinical Laboratory Science. In 2023, it underwent its final change to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science with a major in Medical Laboratory Science.

For the first thirteen years of the program, students completed their senior year of coursework in Temple, Texas, at the Allied Health Education Building in the Olin E. Teague Veterans Administration Center, and their clinical education at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Scott and White Clinic, and Kings Daughters Hospital. In 1988 the laboratory, faculty, and staff were relocated to San Marcos. Now students complete their courses on campus and their clinical education at affiliates in Central Texas. The program has graduated over 400 students with the first three in 1973.

The Medical Laboratory Science Program has been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences since 1975. The program received a ten-year renewal of accreditation and will submit its next self-study and have a NAACLS site visit in 2029.

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)  5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

The first faculty member hired for the MLS Program was Dave Falleur, in 1974. In 1975, two more faculty were added to the program, Dr. Lou Caruana, and Philip Kostroun. Both Dr. Caruana and Philip Kostroun are retired: Dr. Caruana as Professor Emeritus and Philip Kostroun as Associate Professor. Dr. Rodney E. Rohde joined the faculty in the Spring of 2002 to replace Dr. Caruana. Margaret Young, M.D., Ph.D., served as Medical Advisor for the program since 1988. In the Fall of 2008, the program welcomed two new faculty members, Thomas Patterson and Dr. Gerald Redwine, who became tenured Associate Professors. Professor Patterson retired in 2022 and Dr. Redwine retired in 2023.The MLS Program continued to grow, in Spring 2014 the Program added Joanna Ellis, Assistant Clinical Professor. Professor Ellis became an Associate Clinical Professor and received her Ph.D. in 2024. In 2023, Autumn Vela joined the program as an Assistant Clinical Professor.  Also in 2023, Dr Adeyemi A. Olanrewaju started as a tenure track Assistant Professor. In the fall of 2024, Assistant Clinical Professor Nathalie Austin replaced Professor Ellis.  We have also had several wonderful adjunct faculty teach in our program over the years.