By Malcolm Butler
Current University of Louisiana System President Dr. Jim Henderson stood on the stage at Howard Auditorium for 90 minutes Thursday afternoon, talking about his vision for Louisiana Tech University and answering questions from faculty, staff, students and community members.
Henderson, who is completing his seventh year in his current role within the ULS, will be interviewed by the 16-member Board of Directors from the system on October 25th for the president opening at Tech.
And while the campus population is highly invested in the decision of who will follow in the footsteps of the retiring Les Guice, so are community members around Ruston.
Corre Stegall, who spent almost three decades of her career at Louisiana Tech, including serving as the Vice President of University Advancement prior to her retirement, said she feels Dr. Henderson would be a perfect fit in Ruston.
“We have a unique culture at Tech,” said Stegall. “It’s hard, really hard, to come in and deal with things without understanding the culture of what Tech is. We are a uniquity. We just are.
“We have been criticized (in the past) for having people who are only Tech people. I think having a little bit of an outside exposure would be beneficial. It’s not like Dr. Henderson isn’t a Tech guy because he has known all about Louisiana Tech his entire life.”
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker has worked tirelessly with the current Tech administration since he was voted into office to strengthen the relationship and close the gap between the city and the University. Walker feels that Henderson understands and appreciates the value that relationship brings to the area.
“I think he understands that better than most people because he’s seen it from the outside,” said Walker. “I know he understands that it is so very important for us to have that really close University-city relationship.
“We have a very unique situation here. I think he understands that and I think he will continue that. I’m just really excited about the possibility of him coming to Tech if that happens.”
Kyle McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Argent Financial Group, said finding the right person to serve as the next Tech president is crucial. He believes Henderson would be a strong success to Guice.
“I think it’s vitally important,” said McDonald. “Tech and Grambling State are the bedrock of our economic activity and even our social life. And I think having the right person at the helm like we have had in my generation — the last three Tech presidents — have been great. I think Dr. Henderson would follow that lead.
“I think he has the administrative skills that it takes to run a university, having served as president of two campuses and then the UL System. I think that’s as important of a skill as anything that we could ask of a president.”
Bill Hogan, President and CEO of Century Next Bank, was in attendance during Thursday’s open forum at Howard Auditorium. He also has strong feelings about Dr. Henderson’s resume and ability to possibly lead Louisiana Tech University into the future.
“I was just so impressed with his ability to navigate tough waters at the helm of the system,” said Hogan. “I have friends who are board members who say great things about Jim. I’m just so impressed with him and his ability to delegate, inspire and navigate through tough waters. And I think he is a brilliant guy.
“He’s so full of passion for our University and he realizes what a rock-solid foundation we have. I think he’s ready to take us to a new level. It is our future. And we’ve come to a good spot. We can propel ourselves on a different trajectory going forward with some things that are in the works and things that he will do with his leadership.”
Hogan said he feels Dr. Henderson will continue what his predecessors have begun and has the makeup to further the University’s vision and mission.
“I am a huge Les Guice fan,” said Hogan. “I am a huge fan of Dan Reneau. I am so thankful for all they have done. But I think we can take it to another level and do some wonderful things quickly, not way down the road.
“I think with Jim’s leadership and his understanding of funding sources and alternative ways to make things work, we can move ahead and engage the staff and the faculty and the students to be part of the solution.”
