On his eighth official day on the job, Chancellor Sean O’Keefe spoke to members of the Greek community, saying he plans to learn more about the Flagship Agenda and the Master Plan and to keep lines of communication open with student leaders.
At yesterday’s Leadership Scholarship Breakfast for Greek Leaders, O’Keefe discussed his vision for the University and his thoughts on its progress so far, saying he is “very impressed” with the number of student leaders at the University.
“Community leadership at LSU is very much alive,” O’Keefe said. “You have all been living that.”
O’Keefe expressed high hopes for the future of the University.
“We are right on the edge of hitting the next level at LSU,” O’Keefe said. “Greeks are helping to lead the way.”
After his opening remarks, O’Keefe opened the floor for questions. Students’ questions ranged from his personal goals to his knowledge of the Master Plan.
O’Keefe said he was not as familiar with the Flagship Agenda and the Master Plan as he would like to be. He promised to examine the plan more closely.
O’Keefe said he is proud to be a part of not only the University, but Baton Rouge as well.
He said the leadership in the city and the state is exceptional and described Mayor-President Kip Holden as “the proverbial Energizer Bunny.” He said Gov. Kathleen Blanco is a capable leader who genuinely cares about the University.
Though O’Keefe’s overall assessment of the University is positive, he said there is always room for improvement.
O’Keefe did not mention many specific improvements, but he said he knew faculty, staff and students always need more resources, and he hopes to address that issue as chancellor.
O’Keefe congratulated the Greek system on its above-average academic record.
As of last semester, the GPA for fraternity members was 2.831. Undergraduate men at the University had an overall average 2.795 GPA. The average sorority GPA was 3.124, compared to an undergraduate women average of 3.009.
Isaac Netters, the University’s multicultural program coordinator, asked O’Keefe about the top items on his agenda.
O’Keefe said he wants to spend the rest of the semester listening and learning about issues affecting the University and the Baton Rouge community.
He also said he wants to become more familiar with the Flagship Agenda and to make every effort to advance it.
“This institution is going to blow everybody’s mind,” O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe said he will examine the faculty at the University and hire more tenure-track professors.
He also said he wants to help each student take advantage of technological opportunities to further his education on campus.
“In the near future, I want to build on some things that are already there,” O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe said his long-term goals also include expanding research opportunities for students.
Winston Skinner, a political science freshman, said he enjoyed O’Keefe’s speech.
“I thought he was very well-spoken,” Skinner said. “I was especially impressed with his depth of knowledge of the Flagship Agenda.
Craig Guidry, an agricultural business freshman, said he thought O’Keefe had an impressive grasp of the Master Plan.
“He had a lot of insight, especially considering that this is only his eighth day,” Guidry said. “He knows his stuff.”
Catherine Harper, a biological sciences junior, said she was impressed by O’Keefe’s enthusiasm.
“He seems to really care about the school,” Harper said.