LSU presidential search committee narrows down candidates

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — LSU presidential search committee members met Thursday afternoon as they continue their search for a new university system leader.

The committee discussed process updates, the selection of individuals to interview, and next steps in the search.

A revised timeline of the search determined that interviews with applicants would be conducted on Oct. 29 at the Foundation Building on campus. Three finalists would be selected during this meeting for recommendation to the LSU Board of Supervisors. After finalists are chosen, a series of meetings with stakeholders will be planned.

Who is being considered to be LSU's next president? Candidates include:

• Matt Lee, LSU Interim President
• Robert Robbins, Former President of the University of Arizona
• Julius Fridriksson, Vice President of Research at the University of South Carolina
• Wade Rousse, President of McNeese State University
• Giovanni Piedimonte, Vice President of Research at Tulane University

"I think that's very important that you are able to bring everybody to the table on all levels of university governance to be able to, you know, we talk about being a team, making sure that this is a team that wins," said LSU Student Body President LaVar Henderson.

The LSU system has eight campuses across the state. The search profile states that the university seeks a new president who can lead the charge in positioning LSU as one of the nation's top public research universities.

Former President William F. Tate IV stepped down from the role after four years in May to take a job to lead Rutgers University. He touted a Scholarship First Agenda that puts LSU on a path to increasing research activity.

Latest News