EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is the second in a series of stories about the Graduate School dean candidates. To read the first article, click here.The final candidate running for the Graduate School dean is planning to attract more international students but is unsure of how thick his skin is for the job. Patrick Hesp, final candidate and Geography and Anthropology Department Chair, spoke Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Dodson Auditorium to approximately 50 listeners. One element of the Graduate School that Hesp will focus on is the Web site.”Obama has proved that the use of Internet and social networking systems are effective through his campaign,” Hesp said.Having the Web site available to read in different languages is important to attract foreign students, Hesp said.The enrollment of international students has decreased since 1993, while enrollment from in-state and out-of-state students has increased, Hesp said.”We’ve traditionally ignored our Latin American neighbors over the past 20 years when those countries used to love LSU previous to that time,” Hesp said. He answered many questions after giving his speech on goals as dean, including giving an uncertain response when asked if his skin was thick enough for the job.”I’ll be honest with you — I don’t know,” Hesp said.Hesp mentioned other initiatives including investing in recruitment, reaching out to donors and external funding, encouraging faculty to apply for grants and improving graduate school mentoring. Ryan Orgera, vice president of the Graduate Student Association, said GSA saw each candidate as having diverse visions for the college. “Dr. Hesp clearly has a more global understanding of academia having working in multiple nations whereas [interim director] Dr. [David] Constant understands LSU’s norms, having worked here for 26 years,” Orgera said.GSA will ultimately support the candidate who is most concerned with graduate student well-being, Orgera said.The search committee that selected the two finalists consists of six graduate school professors and the president of the International Student Association. The Search Committee has posted an online assessment for any graduate student and faculty to fill out on the two candidates. Those results will be sent to Provost Astrid Merget, who will make the final decision.No date is set for the announcement.
 
 
 
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