LPJ Staff Report
Dr. Jim Henderson, president of Louisiana Tech, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the calendar year.
In an email sent out to faculty and staff this morning, Henderson announced his plan to focus on his health in upcoming months.
“Over the past several months, I have made passing reference to many of you about a decline in my health,” he wrote. “That deterioration has continued, and while there is not an immediate threat to my mortality, there is a noticeable progression.
“It is with utmost sadness that I share my intention to retire at the end of the calendar year. Serving as Louisiana Tech’s president the past three years has been the joy of my career. Returning to a college campus and engaging with faculty, staff, and students was exactly as I predicted–energizing and indescribably rewarding. What I could never have predicted was the warmth Tonia and I received not only from each of you but from the Ruston community at large and the broader Tech Family.”
Henderson’s short tenure at Tech has already been marked with accomplishments, including three consecutive years of revenue-generating enrollment growth including record-breaking freshman classes and the highest retention rate in the UL System. Under his leadership, Tech also announced the Radiance Technologies Microchip facility to be built in Ruston by Bulldog Microchips, a subsidiary of the Louisiana Tech Foundation. The project will result in 150 new jobs to Ruston by 2032. Additionally, $38 million in federal appropriations with defense partners was secured to advance research in areas including biomedical engineering, micromanufacturing, cyber engineering, and forest products.
Henderson also worked closely with the City of Ruston and state on a utilities infrastructure project to be completed in 2028 that will replace antiquated steam generation and modernize failing infrastructure throughout campus while realizing $1.6 million saving annually.
This is a developing story.
