The search for the University’s next chancellor ended Thursday night when the LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire former NASA administrator and New Orleans native Sean O’Keefe to fill the position.
Board of Supervisors chairman Stewart Slack said it is appropriate the replacement for former University Chancellor Mark Emmert — who left in May to lead his alma mater, the University of Washington — is a Louisiana native.
Several board members voiced initial concern over O’Keefe’s lack of a terminal degree, but said their reservations subsided when they met O’Keefe in person. Slack said O’Keefe’s leadership experience, including his work at NASA and as Secretary of the Navy, became a major factor in the decision.
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco was present at the meeting after returning from a healthcare conference in New Orleans. Blanco said it took “thoughtful courage” on the board’s part to choose what she referred to as a non-traditional candidate for the job.
Blanco said she looks forward to a close working relationship with O’Keefe, and hopes the University will benefit from the new chancellor’s ties to Capitol Hill.
“I’m sure his experience with dealing with Washington will give him the upper hand, LSU Student Government President and Board of Supervisors Student Member Brad Golson said after the meeting.
Golson said his confidence in O’Keefe was solidified after the candidate’s meeting with student leaders Wednesday afternoon. In the meeting, leaders from various campus organizations discuss issues with the candidate such as the University’s Flagship Agenda and how O’Keefe would deal with student issues.
LSU System President William Jenkins said details of O’Keefe’s compensation package are yet to be finalized and he was not sure exactly when O’Keefe’s next visit to campus would occur.
O’Keefe cannot begin his work as chancellor until President George W. Bush nominates his replacement at NASA and the U.S. Senate confirms the nomination, a process O’Keefe said he hopes will be speedy.