As College of Agriculture Dean Kenneth Koonce and College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Gaines Foster announced their plans to step down from their positions this week, colleagues praised the deans’ service and dedication to providing stability for their colleges amid budgetary challenges and administration changes.
In light of the deans’ service, Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins said they are two of many faculty members who have chosen to step down during this window of administrative and LSU System changes.
“Everyone has their own reasons for seeking different opportunities, and we have a number of faculty and administrators approaching retirement age,” Jenkins said. “We understand that LSU is going through a transition period at the moment, and I am confident we will attract tremendous talent for our future.”
Koonce, who wants to retire after more than 46 years at the University and 16 as dean, said he hasn’t determined exactly when he will leave, although he plans to remain in the position until at least the beginning of the fall semester. There are no plans for a search to replace him now, he said.
“There’s always a reluctance to leave a position that you really love and have it in your heart to make it a success,” Koonce said. “It’s very difficult to make that decision, but it’s time. At my age you realize you’re getting older and that it’s time to move on.”
Koonce said he plans to retire in Baton Rouge and wants to continue to be involved and work with University programs, moving them forward any way he can.
College of Agriculture Assistant Dean Jacqueline Mallet, one of Koonce’s colleagues, said she was not aware of his plans to leave before Wednesday.
“For someone who has worked so hard for the University for 46 years, there is no way I could be upset with his decision,” Mallet said. “I’m sure things will fall into place.”
Mallet, who worked with Koonce for 16 years, said he was an admirable dean and a pleasure to work with.
Foster said he wants to step down from his position as dean to return to work as a history professor and historian, but he plans to remain in his position until June 30, 2014. Retirement is many years away, he said.
After spending about a year as the interim dean, Foster filled the position permanently in January 2011.
When he agreed to be the College of Humanities and Social Sciences dean, Foster said he didn’t expect the position to develop into something more, but he decided to take the offer despite his desire to return to teaching.
Foster said he remained in the position to provide stability for the college as the University experienced so many other administrative changes; namely, the search for a new provost.
“My first instinct has always been to be a history professor,” Foster said. “I miss teaching and doing my research. This decision is more about the pull of being a historian than the push of the job as dean. It’s purely a personal decision.”
There is no search process for Foster’s replacement now, although Foster said he expects the provost’s office to appoint a search committee by the end of the semester and begin bringing in serious candidates in spring 2014.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Associate Dean Malcolm Richardson said Foster told him and some other colleagues his plan to step down.
“We’re sad to see him go because he’s a first-rate dean,” Richardson said. “I’m just glad he’s staying for another year to give time for a good transition and search process.”
Richardson said Foster’s leadership deserves high praise for his service as dean despite budgetary challenges that hit hard, especially in the college’s foreign language departments.
“Dean Foster has done remarkably well not only in handling the immediate issues but in keeping morale high and keeping the trust of the faculty through all this,” Richardson said.
