The first of two candidates for the University’s vice president for finance and administration position will visit campus Thursday following a national search.
Daniel Layzell, who currently serves as the vice president for finance and planning at Illinois State University, will be the first to participate in a public on-campus interview, which will be held at 3:15 p.m. in 119 Nicholson Hall.
“I have the background, qualifications and personal qualities that will be required,” Layzell wrote in his cover letter to the University.
Layzell described his leadership style as inclusive and open, adding that he is willing to “speak truth to power” when a change in direction is needed. Layzell also said his interpersonal skills would help him interact effectively with state officials in an “ambiguous political environment” that public universities usually operate within.
The second candidate’s name and other identifying information has not been released by the University yet. The details of this candidate and his or her interview will be released by the University closer to the date of the second forum.
The University position is currently held by Robert Kuhn, who also holds the position of interim CFO. In March, Kuhn announced his retirement after serving LSU for nearly 40 years.
At the time, Kuhn’s decision to step down marked the sixth high-level administrator to leave the University in only a few years. Kuhn cited LSU President F. King Alexander’s arrival as one reason why he wanted to make room for new leaders.
Kuhn said he would step down as soon as the search committee found a replacement.
“There’s a big group of people my age who are going to be retiring,” Kuhn said in March. “It’s a natural progression. This is a great opportunity for Dr. Alexander to put his own team together with his own fingerprints on the structure and who those individuals are.”