The LSU Board of Supervisors has named McNeese State University President Wade Rousse as the next president of LSU.
One of the other finalists, Alabama provost Jim Dalton has been named LSU’s Executive Vice President.
Rousse made it clear during the interview process, he felt for LSU to become a better academic and research institution, there needed to be a president overseeing the system and the Baton Rouge campus needed a chancellor.
“Throughout the process, I’ve been able to articulate a vision that I think can be used to elevate the way we educate Louisiana,” Rousse said.
The vote to hire Rousse was 12 to 1. LSU Board of Supervisors member Laurie Lipsey Aronson casted the lone no vote.
LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard announced Rousse as the next president after the board spent about three hours in executive session.
“The board is confident that Dr. Rousse possesses the energy, insight, and integrity to guide LSU through this defining chapter in its history,” Ballard said.
In 2012, the roles of the LSU System President and Baton Rouge campus chancellor were combined. They’ve been separated again. Dalton has been Alabama’s provost since 2020 and has a background in pharmacy and developing prescription drugs. He’s excited about his move from Tuscaloosa to Baton Rouge.
“I cannot imagine a more perfect partnership with Dr. Rousse, him looking at the presidential role at the system office, me taking on leadership of the Baton Rouge campus, the Ag Center, the two Health Science Centers and Pennington Biomedical Research Center,” Dalton said.