William Lane, Interim dean of the E.J. Ourso College of Business, said he remains confident fundraising for the new business college facility will be successful regardless of the recent resignation of former chancellor Sean O’Keefe. Since O’Keefe’s Feb. 1 resignation, the Bollinger Family of Bollinger Shipyard Inc., and David Voelker of Frantzen/Voelker Investments, have postponed donations to the University. Both donors told The Daily Reveille in January they will hold their donations until they better understand the new chancellor’s goals and plans. The University is working hard to raise the money needed for the new business college facility, Lane said in an e-mail. He said he is convinced the donations will come, and the new building is necessary to help make the already nationally recognized program even more competitive. “This project is of great importance to the University and thus the state continues to have the full support of President Lombardi and Chancellor [William] Jenkins,” Lane said. William Bowdon, president and CEO of the LSU Foundation, said the postponed donations are an immediate concern, but the University has been working to make sure the money is raised for the business college. The University received $30 million in state funds to help pay for the new facility. The business college has to raise matching funds by March 31 in order to receive the initial $30 million. Currently, $13 million have been raised. Bowdon said the deadline is not a problem for now. “The deadline is important but not a major issue at this point,” Bowdon said. Bunnie Cannon, assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Institutional Advancement, coordinates fundraising efforts concerning gifts and donations for the University. Cannon said she is optimistic the funds will still be raised thanks to the support of other businesses throughout the state and nation. “There are a lot of people in the business community,” Cannon said. “They’re not going to let it fail.” Karen Deville, director for the business college’s Office of Advancement, said she has been busy traveling and working “to raise money for the new building.” Deville said University officials are willing to help ensure the business college gets the financial attention needed. “The [LSU System] President and the chancellor are happy to make calls on behalf of the college of business,” Deville said. Deville said the college has seen Katrina, a dean leave and now a chancellor leave. She said the college maintained top-ranked programs despite such setbacks. The new facility will house the business college and free up space in Patrick F. Taylor Hall for the College of Engineering. Deville said the fact that the new facility will help two colleges expand is the reason it is important for the University to raise the money. “I am confident that everyone, our volunteers, the [LSU System] President, the LSU Foundation, the chancellor — everyone — will work hard to raise the money,” Deville said.
—-Contact Sean Griffin at [email protected]