After two days of interviews with eight semifinalists, the LSU Presidential Search Committee reportedly met for three hours behind closed doors for three hours before on Tuesday night announcing its three finalists to replace former LSU President-Chancellor F. King Alexander.
One of those finalists is Jim Henderson, former Northwestern State University President and current President of the University of Louisiana which oversees both Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University in Lincoln Parish.
Droegemeier was the director for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for part of President Donald Trump’s term while Tate is the provost at the University of South Carolina.
Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who was interviewed Monday, did not make the cut for finalists. LSU Interim President Tom Galligan on April 20 withdrew from the permanent presidential search.
LSU has been searching for a new permanent president since Alexander announced in late 2019 that he was taking a similar post leading Oregon State University.
The search committee has indicated it is hoping to deliver to the LSU Board of Supervisors a recommendation by Friday.
I can’t believe there is anyone better! HE’S THE REAL DEAL!
“Droegemeier was the director for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for part of President Donald Trump’s term while Tate is the provost at the University of South Carolina.” What is the full name of these two finalists?
Dr. Jim Henderson would be a monster hire for the LSU System. Jim is talented and has worked with the Legislature for years and understands budgetary issues and higher education in Louisiana. While LSU has received some well deserved negative press recently, the Flagship University system for Louisiana is very healthy and poised for exponential growth in the near future. With Jim Henderson at the helm of the LSU System, higher education can be the economic engine that propels Louisiana forward. Louisiana needs a leader like Jim Henderson, who understands the symbiotic relationships between public/private entities and how they can generate literally thousands of jobs for Louisiana residents.
As a proud LSU Alum, I remain hopeful that LSU will be wise and select Jim Henderson as our next President. In my view, that would be a monumental win for not only LSU, but for all of Louisiana.
I totally agree.
Whomever gets the job has a monumental task of getting LSU back on track, it may take years.