The Louisiana State University (LSU) Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint current Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander as the President-Chancellor of the LSU system.
This will mark yet another major change for the CSU system, which saw former Chancellor Charles Reed replaced last year by Chancellor Timothy White and has seen the replacement of 12 of the 23 CSU campus presidents since 2011 alone.
In a message sent out to CSULB faculty, staff, students, and alumni, Alexander expressed his move as one with “mixed emotions” since “for the last seven and one-half years we have made a great deal of progress together in moving CSULB forward despite the unpredictability of our state budgets and many other challenges we have faced.”
His incoming tenure followed what is easily recognized as one of CSULB’s most popular presidency, that of Robert Maxson from 1994 to 2006. It seemed Alexander was poised to take on such an influential role himself, as he was admired by both students–he was recognized twice with the Robert Maxson President of the Year Award from the California State Student Association–and CSULB faculty alike–his tenure oversaw the building of the $110 million Hall of Science, the $70 million Student Recreation Center, and an entirely new School of Nursing building, whose program now carries a doctorate degree.
Rumors circulated last year that he would take on the CSU as chancellor himself and many, including the Post, were taken aback by the seemingly out-of-nowhere choice of Chancellor White. However, Alexander is quick to point out that the LSU, like California, holds the same struggle–making it seem, at least through his eyes, that the LSU position was molded for his talent.
“The challenges facing LSU are similar to those in California and elsewhere,” he said in a release. “Universities throughout the nation are struggling to serve more students while managing declining state revenues. At the same time, leaders in the field of higher education know the burden is on us to demonstrate that the public’s money is well spent.”
“We also know,” he added, “it’s time to begin the process of modernizing our institutions so we may accommodate the next generation of tech savvy students who are in the elementary and secondary pipeline and soon will be seeking college degrees.”
Alexander will continue to act as CSULB president until June.
Read more:
- LSU Faculty Senate Votes ”No-Confidence” In Board, Questions Alexander Recommendation
- CSULB President Alexander to Possibly Oversee LSU System
- Better Days Ahead, Part 3: President F. King Alexander, CSULB
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