Cokie Roberts, NPR and ABC journalist, has the “ideal traits” to lead the University, according to a group of alumni.
The group’s Facebook description says Roberts has a “reputation for being fair and independent,” while “news reports continue to suggest that LSU’s leadership is less-than-independent from the state’s governor.” The group has more than 60 members, according to Facebook.
Kyle Alagood, University alumnus, is behind the movement, and said it began when he and other alumni began talking about the turnover in administration at the University.
Current Chancellor Mike Martin will be leaving for Colorado State in August, and former LSU System President John Lombardi was fired in April.
“There seems to nationally be issues with leadership at universities and overseers,” Alagood said.
He drew a comparison to the ongoing Penn State child abuse scandal, while not saying the University is headed in that severe of a direction.
“[The scandal] is indicative of a problem among universities like LSU, where there are large personalities,” he said. “You need a larger personality on top…so if a problem occurs, you have someone who can actually do something about it. Penn State couldn’t.”
His main reasons for wanting Roberts as a University leader is her “independent clout” – her disconnect from the University, though she is a Louisiana native.
“[She’s] someone who is recognized as a leader, removed from the political process and removed from the state, but still with a tie to it,” he said.
Roberts was born in New Orleans, and her parents – Hale and Lindy Boggs – were from New Orleans and were members of Congress.
Alagood also said there is a lack of women in leadership roles at the University and in the LSU System.
Only one of the 18 system board members is a woman. The group, though, hasn’t heard from Roberts directly yet. Alagood said, “the time isn’t right,” and they want to raise awareness first. But he has e-mailed her.
The message to Roberts says it is “imperative that the new leader or leaders be prominent Louisianans with experience and reputations beyond the state’s borders. We implore you to consider submitting your name as Louisiana State University’s next chancellor or system president.”
There’s been no response yet, but that isn’t a problem, according to Alagood.
“Right now, we just want to make sure the people making this decision are listening to the alumni,” he said. “Awareness is important.”
 
____ Contact Taylor Balkom at [email protected]