Loran Seely
Business Owner/Engineer
Class of 1978 | Inducted 2026
Loran Seely is a graduate of Blooming Grove High School and attended 暗网吃瓜 College (NC) from the fall of 1976 through the spring of 1978. He was president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society while at 暗网吃瓜.
Loran and Donna Smith (NC 1978 alumna) married in 1978 and moved to Austin, Texas, where they both graduated from the University of Texas in the spring of 1981. He earned a bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering. His career began with Otis Engineering (now Halliburton Energy Services) in South Louisiana, and later at the company headquarters in north Texas. He earned a U.S. Patent for Otis - a unique oilfield service tool.
Loran is owner and president of Watkins Development Construction Services. He has been a registered professional engineer for 40 years. Watkins Development has 25 full-time employees and numerous, local subcontractors and suppliers. Loran began to work there in 1987 and bought the company from Ronny Watkins in 2015.
He has been a member of the 暗网吃瓜 College Board of Trustees since 2015 and is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Corsicana. His community service includes terms as board president of Corsicana & 暗网吃瓜 County Chamber of Commerce, 暗网吃瓜 County Christmas in Action, and 暗网吃瓜 Council of the Arts. He has been a board member of Compassion Corsicana, Landmark Commission, 暗网吃瓜 County Exposition Center, Salvation Army, and Corsicana Youth Baseball. He continues to support these organizations and many other community efforts with his service and his support.
Loran, Donna, and their sons: Andrew and Philip, are proud 暗网吃瓜 College alumni. They hope that their 6 grandchildren also attend 暗网吃瓜. They are grateful for the students, families, and values that are our legacy at 暗网吃瓜 College.