The University’s Presidential Search Committee nominated Fieldon King Alexander, president of California State University Long Beach, as the lone top choice for the position of LSU System president and chancellor at the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday afternoon.
The surprise announcement came after news leaked Monday morning that the presidential search committee narrowed the candidate field from more than 30 finalists to one person who visited campus over the weekend. Alexander’s name was announced at the afternoon meeting, despite rumors that the new system president would be someone from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration or someone with a previous history at the University.
“Our goal was to find a candidate that understands the traditions and practices of higher learning, but also embraces the changing market place and is willing to lead our great university through those changes,” said Presidential Search Committee Chairman and Board of Supervisors member Blake Chatelain. “Alexander has a deep understanding of higher education, but he also has a vision for the future. He’s the right man for the job right now.”
Though Alexander has not officially been approved by the Board of Supervisors as the University’s next leader, he said he would be honored to join the University.
“This is an exciting period at a difficult time for higher education. LSU is positioned better than many public universities in the United States to lead the Land Grant mission into the next 50 years,” Alexander said in a statement. “LSU has developed a great reputation due to the work of its faculty and staff and the quality of its students, and I would be honored to be part of that cohesive team as it moves into the future.”
Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins said he is optimistic about Alexander’s nomination, especially after the reports at the meeting Monday.
“I believe we have a very good presidential nominee,” Jenkins said. “We’re in a time of change, and he is well aware of the changing dynamic in higher education right now.”
Before serving at CSU Long Beach, Alexander was president of Murray State University from 2001 to 2006. He has also held positions at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; University of Wisconsin, Madison; and University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“Alexander’s leadership and accomplishments at CSU Long Beach make him a stand-out candidate for LSU,” Chatelain said. “He emerged as our leading candidate, and there was no room to wait on a decision we were sure about.”
The Committee had two in-person meetings and numerous phone interviews with Alexander before recommending him to the Board, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Hank Danos.
“I just met him yesterday, and his credentials, capabilities and strengths are excellent, and our interactions were very, very good,” Jenkins said. “He was very interested and very enthusiastic. He is clearly very excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
Chatelain said Alexander is highly regarded by faculty and students at CSU Long Beach and will visit the University later this week to meet with the LSU community.
Although the Board did not take action after receiving the Committee’s recommendation at the meeting Monday, Chatelain said the Board will begin the next steps of the hiring process at a special Board of Supervisors meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Chatelain said Alexander will finish the semester in California and should begin his LSU presidential duties by June.
“He’s had experience with significant changes and challenges,” Chatelain said. “His outlook on the changes we face is that they’re very achievable.”
Under Alexander’s leadership at CSU Long Beach, the university saw improvements in graduation rates, fundraising and research. Alexander also oversaw a reorganization of the university’s institutional advancement and public relations office.
These skills and experiences make Alexander the ideal person to lead LSU forward, Danos said.
“I’m confident he can manage well and take us through our redesign well. He’ll guide LSU through the challenges that lie ahead very successfully,” Jenkins added.
SSA Consultant Christel Slaughter, who is guiding the LSU System through the reorganization process to improve efficiency, said the naming of the top candidate gives the process renewed energy.
“Now that we have somebody in mind, it makes it very real,” Slaughter said. “We have someone who has been dealing with a state that is struggling economically. To know that he’s had to deal with that and is still considered a top president who is respected by peers and faculty and students is great. I’m so pleased.”
Alexander’s been through challenges similar to what LSU is currently facing. He has the academic background and understands the need for the transition because he’s been through it, Slaughter said.
“Dr. King Alexander is a young and dynamic leader with valuable experience,” said CSU Long Beach University Chancellor Emeritus Charles Reed in a news release. “He is a winner for LSU and the people of Louisiana.”
“Alexander has a deep understanding of higher education, but he also has a vision for the future. He’s the right man for the job right now.”
