Search committee officials said they expect to fill the system president post “possibly by the end of the spring semester” – in time for current System President William Jenkins to step down as planned.
“We’d like to think it will be soon, but we’re going to search until we find the best person for the job,” said Laura Leach, search committee chair and Board of Supervisors member.
There are currently five official applicants: former Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale Walter Wendeler, current LSU Agricultural Center Chancellor Bill Richardson, Florida Atlantic University Vice President for Research Larry Lemanski, Assistant Dean of the Chicago State University College of Non-Traditional, Adult and Continuing Education Warren Jones and Argosy University business professor Terrance Hitchcock.
The current applicant pool only reflects the candidates who have officially filed an application with the University. Many candidates wait until later to apply because applications to a state university are public record.
“We’re looking for the best person we can find. LSU deserves the best,” Leach said. “There’s a lot of competition out there.”
The system hired William R. Funk of the Dallas-based consulting firm Korn/Ferry International in November to aid in the search. Since hiring Funk at their Nov. 1 meeting, which is the only time the search committee has convened with a quorum, the search has been conducted primarily by Funk’s private firm.
“He’s been very helpful,” Leach said.
Funk could not be reached for comment.
The search began a year ago when LSU System President William Jenkins, named to his post in 1999, announced plans to retire in Feb. 2008. Plans to start a new search were announced by the System Board of Supervisors Chairman Bernard Boudreax the next day.
A few months later, Boudreax stepped down from the board citing negative media attention following allegations of a relationship between him and a rumored candidate, University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen. A new search committee headed by the new Board of Supervisors Chairman Rodrick West was later formed.
The LSU system has an annual budget of $3 billion and encompasses 11 institutions, including the University, the Law Center, the Agricultural Center, four other academic campuses, two medical schools and 10 public hospitals.
—–Contact Sarah Yokubaitis [email protected]