Louisiana.edu Presidential Search Leads to Dr. Ramesh Kolluru

[CajunNation]

Since well before the creation of TOPS, those who did everything right in school, but could not afford school on their own, were taken care of by the Pell Grant program. TOPS was designed to help those who did things right in HS, without regard to financial need, though it DID help middle class kids whose parents barely made enough money to be ineligible for Pell Grants.

End result? Today, it's even more unaffordable to send my daughters to college.

Total mission failure.

[MarlinMan3]

Awarding pell grants to athletes on full scholarship based solely on need without deducting the scholarship itself in the formula is a mistake and one reason itnis leading to funding shortfalls for others.

Although i have noticed at d2 and d3 schools the athletes still apply for pell, i wonder if school "takes" that money and then only funds the remainder of the scholarship from athletics department funds. Not sure if any d1 schools do this or can do this?

[VObserver]

Awarding pell grants to athletes on full scholarship based solely on need without deducting the scholarship itself in the formula is a mistake and one reason itnis leading to funding shortfalls for others.

Although i have noticed at d2 and d3 schools the athletes still apply for pell, i wonder if school "takes" that money and then only funds the remainder of the scholarship from athletics department funds. Not sure if any d1 schools do this or can do this?

Scholarships received are deleted from payments from the Pell Grant program. Since most D1 schools now give full cost of attendance athletic scholarships, athletes on full scholarship are not eligible for Pell Grants. Though athletes on partial scholarship are eligible for Pell, the value of their partial is not duplicated by Pell.

[ColaCajun]

Seems a slam dunk for RK. Only concern seems slim pickings for competition. Possibly the constant droning by local media regarding budget issues didn’t help.

I thought it was a slam dunk for RK at first too. On paper, he’s the safe and logical choice. What he’s done on the research side is impressive. Helping UL achieve R1 status and grow research expenditures is a major accomplishment. He also lays out enrollment goals in his materials, so it’s not like he’s ignoring growth entirely. Maintaining R1 absolutely has to stay a priority.

But after reading through all three CVs this weekend, I’m not as firmly on that train as I was. Being a great VP for Research and being the right university president aren’t always the same thing. RK’s materials are heavy on research, economic development, and fiscal stewardship and that’s all important. What I didn’t see emphasized much was brand positioning, external visibility, alumni activation, or athletics as a strategic driver. It felt more operational and internally focused. Ludwick, on the other hand, specifically calls athletics a “unifying cultural force” and an ambassador for the university. He talks about doubling undergraduate enrollment and raising over $660 million in support. Whether you love him or not, that language signals someone thinking about engagement, fundraising, visibility, and institutional growth, not just management.

And this is where Texas State comes into play. We’re literally watching them go from a Sun Belt bottom feeder to a Pac-12 invite. Yes, they have more money and resources, but they also have a university president who has publicly advocated for athletics and openly tied it to university growth, culture, and visibility. They’re about to hit R1 status too. That’s not an either/or model, that’s a both/and model. It’s been mentioned several times, myself included, about how much we envy them and their university leadership.

To me, that’s the type of leadership UL needs right now. T-Joe elevated this university beyond what many of us ever thought possible. The next phase isn’t just protecting what we built, it’s about taking it to the next level. Hiring RK would very much feel like a “Martin Hall decision”: continuity, internal promotion, stability. That’s not inherently bad. But it does reinforce the perception of the same internal circle continuing to elevate from within.

I’ve been doing my best to keep up with it all and it’s clear that RK is the front runner. I’m not only confident that he’ll get the job, but I’m probably more confident that the “ole boys club” that we’ve complained so much about will remain the same. I don’t know him personally and from what I’ve read on social, newspapers, on this forum and through the grapevine, RK seems like a really nice guy who loves UL, but I don’t think that’s enough. If RK remains in a key research leadership role, UL doesn’t lose that R1 engine. In that case, bringing in someone who more aggressively leans into branding, enrollment growth, alumni engagement, and athletics visibility might actually give us the best balance. I’m hiring Ludwick and keeping RK in a valuable role. Having both at UL is better than only having one.

[Boomer]

I thought it was a slam dunk for RK at first too. On paper, he’s the safe and logical choice. What he’s done on the research side is impressive. Helping UL achieve R1 status and grow research expenditures is a major accomplishment. He also lays out enrollment goals in his materials, so it’s not like he’s ignoring growth entirely. Maintaining R1 absolutely has to stay a priority.

But after reading through all three CVs this weekend, I’m not as firmly on that train as I was. Being a great VP for Research and being the right university president aren’t always the same thing. RK’s materials are heavy on research, economic development, and fiscal stewardship and that’s all important. What I didn’t see emphasized much was brand positioning, external visibility, alumni activation, or athletics as a strategic driver. It felt more operational and internally focused. Ludwick, on the other hand, specifically calls athletics a “unifying cultural force” and an ambassador for the university. He talks about doubling undergraduate enrollment and raising over $660 million in support. Whether you love him or not, that language signals someone thinking about engagement, fundraising, visibility, and institutional growth, not just management.

And this is where Texas State comes into play. We’re literally watching them go from a Sun Belt bottom feeder to a Pac-12 invite. Yes, they have more money and resources, but they also have a university president who has publicly advocated for athletics and openly tied it to university growth, culture, and visibility. They’re about to hit R1 status too. That’s not an either/or model, that’s a both/and model. It’s been mentioned several times, myself included, about how much we envy them and their university leadership.

To me, that’s the type of leadership UL needs right now. T-Joe elevated this university beyond what many of us ever thought possible. The next phase isn’t just protecting what we built, it’s about taking it to the next level. Hiring RK would very much feel like a “Martin Hall decision”: continuity, internal promotion, stability. That’s not inherently bad. But it does reinforce the perception of the same internal circle continuing to elevate from within.

I’ve been doing my best to keep up with it all and it’s clear that RK is the front runner. I’m not only confident that he’ll get the job, but I’m probably more confident that the “ole boys club” that we’ve complained so much about will remain the same. I don’t know him personally and from what I’ve read on social, newspapers, on this forum and through the grapevine, RK seems like a really nice guy who loves UL, but I don’t think that’s enough. If RK remains in a key research leadership role, UL doesn’t lose that R1 engine. In that case, bringing in someone who more aggressively leans into branding, enrollment growth, alumni engagement, and athletics visibility might actually give us the best balance. I’m hiring Ludwick and keeping RK in a valuable role. Having both at UL is better than only having one.

[Boomer]

…..Think I like RK (this name might catch on)……28k enrollment goal and how to get there……this is a key…..academic status is certainly there….like how he mingles with folks to try to land job…..think he knows what not to and what to do in the job……think he will continue to do T Joes’ good stuff and get the budget back in-line!

[ColaCajun]

…..Think I like RK (this name might catch on)……28k enrollment goal and how to get there……this is a key…..academic status is certainly there….like how he mingles with folks to try to land job…..think he knows what not to and what to do in the job……think he will continue to do T Joes’ good stuff and get the budget back in-line!

I think those are all fair points. The 28k enrollment goal is definitely important, and I agree that getting the budget back in line and maintaining academic status are non-negotiables. RK clearly understands the internal workings of UL, and there’s value in that continuity.

And just to be clear, I don’t dislike RK at all. Before I read through all three CVs, he was actually my number one choice. On paper, he felt like the obvious pick. What he’s done on the research side is impressive, and R1 has to stay protected.

Where I struggle a bit is this: setting an enrollment goal and having the external strategy to reach it are two different things. He states the 28k goal and ties it to academic strength, workforce alignment, and strategic planning, which all make sense. But I didn’t see a detailed outward-facing recruitment or brand strategy outlined. Growing to 28k isn’t just about internal alignment. It’s about brand visibility, market positioning, alumni engagement, and yes, athletics as a front porch to the university. That’s the piece I didn’t see emphasized as much.

I don’t doubt that RK would continue a lot of the good things T-Joe started. The question for me is whether this moment calls for continuity or acceleration. The presidency requires more than knowing what to do internally. It requires being the visible advocate for the university externally, with donors, alumni, legislators, and prospective students.

If RK gets it, I’ll support him. I just think this decision is bigger than internal stability alone.

[ZoomZoom]

The right outsider for a short intense time works. Terry Don Phillips got the athletic department moving and left. USL failed to capitalize.

Same could be said for Maggard. But he should have left when they moved him to MH.


I think RK is too vested to leave should he not be picked. Could be a win-win.

[NewsCopy]

Dr. Ramesh Kolluru named sole finalist for UL president

Full Story
KLFY
Lillianna Badeaux

[Boomer]

Dr. Ramesh Kolluru named sole finalist for UL president

Full Story
KLFY
Lillianna Badeaux

…… well alright, our guy is RK ….. come on now …. UL is on its way ... Let’s help …. IDEAS TO INCREASE UL Enrollment …… HOW TO GET $ into BUDGET/?? …… How to KEEP R-1 ….. ATHLETICS ADVANCEMENT….. HOW TO GET THE ACADIANA AREA TO BE UL …… OUR TEAM/?? ….. let’s Geaux CAJUNS1!!