LSU System President William Jenkins was named as a finalist for the University of Florida president vacancy Tuesday afternoon.
Jenkins was informed that he was one of three finalist in the running to become UF’s next president. The other two finalist are Richard Herman, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and James Bernard Machen, president of the University of Utah.
Jenkins interviewed yesterday with the UF search committee for an hour and 15 minutes. He said most of the topics discussed were items he was knowledgeable with.
“I felt very comfortable during the conversations with [the search committee],” Jenkins said.
As a finalist, Jenkins will interview with the UF Board of Trustees Wednesday as well as participate in three question-and-answer forums. The forums are intended to give faculty members, deans, vice presidents, students, alumni and community members a chance to ask the finalists various questions.
The decision to apply for the UF presidency was one that Jenkins and his wife agonized over for a couple of weeks.
“I have been very happy with the progress we have made at LSU,” Jenkins said. “This was just an opportunity that arose that attracted my wife and I.”
There were several factors that led Jenkins to apply with UF.
“They are a really powerful national research university,” Jenkins said. “They have a powerful commitment to their constituents and the position also provided an opportunity for me to interact more on campus with students.”
Chancellor Mark Emmert understands the attraction Jenkins has toward UF.
“He brings some assets that are very good for their University,” Emmert said. “But at the end of the day I hope he is still our president.”
The UF Board of Trustees will make the decision on the school’s next president this afternoon at 6 p.m.
Roger Ogden, LSU Board of Supervisors chairman, said the fact that UF, a top 20 research school, is interested in Jenkins should be perceived as an honor to the University.
Ogden said it is flattering that prestigious universities around the country are attempting to lure LSU’s leaders.
Jenkins is not the only LSU official to interview at another University. Chancellor Mark Emmert interviewed with the University of South Carolina for a job as its system president. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dan Fogel left for the University of Vermont last year as its president.
If Jenkins receives the UF presidency, the Board of Supervisors will be in charge of selecting and interviewing new candidates to replace Jenkins.
But Ogden said he is not ready to play the guessing game of who will be the next president.
“It is premature to try and project what-ifs,” Ogden said. “We are just going to have to wait and see what happens.”
This Saturday LSU will play Florida at Tiger Stadium, but Jenkins said no matter what happens this week he will be pulling for the Tigers.
“I am an LSU person,” Jenkins said. “Depending on how this should unfold would not change who I am overnight.”