UL Presidential Selection Process

[CajunNation]

_ Been a while since I've read a post on here that made as little sense as this one!

Thanks, Doc, for giving us a computer science program that is one of the best in the country... an accounting program that is one of the strongest in the south... an engineering school that is as strong as anything this state has to offer... and probably the best nursing program in the state and one of the best in the south. And I could go on! _

We ALL know how this man has hindered growth of athletics at this university.

Now, as far as academics are concerned, I have a good friend who works for the university, when the E-Mail announcing doc's resignation came across the computers in his office, they cheered.

I'll let you try and figure out why.

[Just1More]

_ I can definitely see the benefits of having someone from the inside, or at least someone from the area, take over as pres. if for no other reason but because we aren't just some school in the midwest or something. there is a lot to love about this area and the people from here tend to have a lot of pride about where they come from. but, this is also the birthplace of the good ol' boy system and, while having some new-age, progressive, younger candidate would probably fail in having an immediate sense of pride in representing his home, it would be a certain fresh breeze sweeping through the campus and would definitely do us some good. _

All true. The day is finally here. Now what do we do? Many don't want an insider, but haven't clearly weighed the risks of an outsider. Just because you are tired of the brunette you are with, doesn't mean all blondes are better.

I wonder if there is an alum that has built up the necessary credentials outside of the Louisiana system, that might both have his heart in the right place, and his head?

[Zeebart21]

All true. The day is finally here. Now what do we do? Many don't want an insider, but haven't clearly weighed the risks of an outsider. Just because you are tired of the brunette you are with, doesn't mean all blondes are better.

I wonder if there is an alum that has built up the necessary credentials outside of the Louisiana system, that might both have his heart in the right place, and his head?

We want the most qualified person available. If that is a local then fine. But in this state, known for the good ol boy cr.Ap....a local guy scares the livin ***** outta me. Especially with some of the bozos still left in power in Martin Hall.

Z.

[Zeebart21]

We ALL know how this man has hindered growth of athletics at this university.

Now, as far as academics are concerned, I have a good friend who works for the university, when the E-Mail announcing doc's resignation came across the computers in his office, they cheered.

I'll let you try and figure out why.

I have a close, close, close relative that works for the university. I can tell you there were no tears shed when the announcement was made.

Z.

[Kal]

UL may now finally have a chance! _

YAHOOOOOO!

[CRAWFISH61]

_ We ALL know how this man has hindered growth of athletics at this university.

Now, as far as academics are concerned, I have a good friend who works for the university, when the E-Mail announcing doc's resignation came across the computers in his office, they cheered.

I'll let you try and figure out why. _

Doc's job was not to be beloved figure or make people feel good. His job was to develop a quality university with below adequate funding from the state. People act like he is in his office with a huge pile of money and not giving any away. Let's see what the next President can do with funding below the southern average, continual interference from the state, and many people in this city and region not wanting this university to advance. He has done a remarkable job with the resources at his disposal in a state that has little appreciaton for quality education. Does he has his faults? Yes. But you cannot deny his dedication or love for this university. If you ever managed people on a tight budget see how much love you get from your employees.

[NewsCopy]

In the past three decades, UL President Ray Authement has spent his life developing a regional college into a nationally respected research institution. Through the years, there have been rumors Authement would retire, but he would brush them off, saying there still was too much for him to do before he let go. His decision finally came Friday when he announced it was time for him to "relinquish the presidency of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as soon as the board can arrange a smooth transition from this presidency to the next." The search will begin soon for his replacement, and Authement will continue to serve as president until a replacement is found. Authement offered his support to the board during the transition process. Authement came to the university as a professor in 1957. In 1973, Authement was tapped to become acting president and was named president in 1974. For the next 33 years, Authement's effect on the university, community and state would be immeasurable. He is the longest serving public university president in the country. The rest of the story Claire Taylor

[NewsCopy]

Ray Authement was a man of foresight when it came to the role of a university to spur economic development. Authement's decision to grow the university's computer science program is the reason why Lafayette is poised as one of the state's technology centers, said Gregg Gothreaux, executive director of the Lafayette Economic Develop-ment Authority. "When I moved to Lafayette in 1986, his legend of economic development was well established because he had created this computer science program that had become one of the leaders in the world," Gothreaux said. "Oil and gas technologies seemed to rise out of Lafayette, and I think a lot of it had to do with the university and its focus." The rest of the story Marsha Sills msills@theadvertiser.com

[RCAJUN90]

As a UL sports fan it certainly doesn't sadden me. But, as an alumnus, and as a lover of all that UL, there is something there, maybe not sadness, maybe not happiness, but something. A UL under Authement is the only UL i know.

"You don't know what you got until you lose it"
John Lennon

The unknown is always scary. Authement certainly left the university in better shape than he found it. If the K-Sippers are right he held back the sports programs so we should thanks Dr. Authement for the truly impressive job he did with the university and hope we get someone great that recognizes the value of a vibrant sports program to a university.

[NewsCopy]

"You have served as our 'dean' both as a leader for our system office and presidents. You've also been a friend - the best friend higher education has had. Thank you for giving us your life." - UL System President Sally Clausen's comments to Authement after his announcement "Dr. Ray Authement has given visionary leadership and service to the University of Louisiana, to the Lafayette community, and to the tens of thousands of graduates who are leaders across Louisiana and the world. The university has thrived under his direction, growing from a small regional college to one with internationally acclaimed programs." - Gov. Kathleen Blanco "I can unequivocally say that everyone in the ULL family can be justifiably proud of the accomplishments of this fine university under Dr. Ray Authement's leadership," - Richard D'Aquin, who was Lafayette's member on the state board of education and who recommended Authement for the job. D'Aquin currently sits on the Louisiana Board of Regents. "Dr. Authement has had a long and distinguished record of service not only for the university, but the community." - Joseph Savoie, commissioner of higher education The rest of the cmments

[ChanceEncounter]

John T. Landry

[NewsCopy]

Although he announced his retirement Friday, UL President Ray Authement could remain in his post for the next year. "When I became president there was a whole year - I was acting president for the full 12 months," Authement said in an interview with The Advertiser last week about rumors of a pending retirement. "The trend across the country is a year's notice at this time." Authement became acting president of the university in 1973. For the past decade, there's been talk of his possible retirement. Names bandied about as possible candidates include the state's higher education commissioner, Joseph Savoie, who served as UL's vice president of university advancement for 18 years; and Steve Landry, UL's vice president of academic affairs since 2000. Savoie left UL in 1996 to take his current job as leader of the state's postsecondary institutions. The rest of the story Marsha Sills msills@theadvertiser.com