Former LSU System President Allen Copping, who is credited with advancing LSU’s medical schools and playing a major role in the opening of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, died at his home Thursday following a long-term illness.
Copping, 84, was appointed System president in 1985 and served the University for 14 years, according to an LSU System news release.
One of Copping’s most notable contributions was securing a $125 million donation from C.B. “Doc” Pennington that funded the establishment of the research center named after Pennington.
Copping met with the Baton Rouge oil tycoon in 1985 to discuss a donation, resulting in Pennington’s promise to donate, the release said.
Copping also received credit for assisting the LSU Medical Center’s development into a state leader in medical education, and he worked to open the LSU Hospital in Shreveport, the University’s first teaching hospital.
Before his tenure at the University, Copping served in the U.S. Navy for five years and later owned a private dental practice after receiving a dental degree from Loyola University in his hometown of New Orleans.
He served as dean of both Loyola’s dentistry school and the LSU School of Dentistry before he was named the chancellor of the LSU Medical Center.
Copping served as System President until retiring in March 1999. His contributions to the University have been commemorated through the Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Awards that recognize faculty at the University’s medical centers.
“Allen Copping’s contributions to the history of the Louisiana State University System and this state are remarkable,” LSU System President John Lombardi said in the release. “Dr. Copping’s legacy will remain as a permanently enduring testimony to the exceptional leadership that defines America’s best academic institutions.”
Copping is survived by three children who currently reside in New Orleans. His wife Betty died in 2010.
Funeral arrangements are not yet complete.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]