Wade Rousse has been appointed as the new President of Louisiana State University (LSU) by the university’s Board of Supervisors during a meeting held on Tuesday. Rousse, currently serving as president at McNeese State University, steps into the role previously held by William F. Tate IV, who left LSU to join Rutgers University this past summer. Matt Lee has been acting as the interim president since then.
Expressing enthusiasm for his new position, Rousse stated, “I am so excited to serve in this role,” highlighting his strategic vision for the university’s future. A key element of his plan is the direct oversight of LSU Athletics, which positions him to have significant influence in the selection of a new football coach and athletic director following the departures of Brian Kelly and Scott Woodward.
The Board also announced that James T. Dalton, one of the finalists for the presidency, has been appointed as the Executive Vice President and Provost of LSU and will take on responsibilities akin to that of a chancellor for the main Baton Rouge campus. Dalton previously held the position of Executive Vice President at the University of Alabama.
Another contender for the presidency, Robert Robbins, the former president of the University of Arizona, did not secure the position.
An introductory news conference for Rousse is scheduled to take place at the LSU Foundation building, marking an important transition for the university as it moves forward under new leadership. This decision reflects not only a commitment to enhance LSU’s stature in higher education but also aims to strengthen its athletic programs during a transformative period.