The Louisiana House of Representatives passed an official resolution Tuesday commending outgoing LSU President William Tate IV for his leadership of the university for the past four years. The Senate passed an identical resolution Thursday.

Tate, who was hired as the university’s president in 2021, accepted a job as the president of Rutgers last month.

“Be it resolved that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Dr. William F. Tate IV, for his extraordinary accomplishments, courageous leadership, and steadfast dedication to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Louisiana State University community,” the resolution read.

The House resolution (HR 307) was sponsored by Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge. It was signed by Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice.

The identical Senate resolution (SR 142) was sponsored by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette and signed on the final day of the legislative session.

“I greatly appreciate the warm greetings and well wishes offered by House membership and staff at the state capital,” Tate said in a LinkedIn post regarding the resolution.

Under Tate, LSU adopted goals to become a top-50 research university in the nation and gain accreditation by the Association of American Universities. The university also spent over $540 million on research in the 2023-24 school year, the most in its history.

Tate was the first Black president in LSU’s history, as well as the first of any SEC university.

Tate’s final day as LSU president was May 31, but he hasn’t started at Rutgers yet. LSU named Matt Lee, formerly the vice president of agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, as the interim.

The current legislative session ends Thursday.