By Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech has a new leader, at least for the next couple of months.
The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors named Dr. Dickie Crawford acting president of Louisiana Tech on Thursday, effective immediately, as the university continues its search for a permanent replacement for retiring President Jim Henderson.
Crawford, a longtime Tech administrator and former Bulldog basketball player, currently serves as the university’s senior vice president for student advancement and chief operating officer.
In an interview with the Lincoln Parish Journal on Thursday, Crawford said his primary responsibility during the transition will be to provide stability and prepare the university for its next president.
“My job just during these next couple of months is just to keep the university going in the right direction and work with our leadership team, which we have a wonderful leadership team,” Crawford said. “Just set the stage for the next president to come in, to have a university ready to keep it moving.”
Crawford takes over as Henderson begins a leave of absence leading up to his previously announced retirement at the end of the calendar year. Earlier this week, Henderson sent an email to faculty and staff informing them he was taking a leave of absence for the remainder of the calendar year.
One of the challenges Crawford will face during his brief tenure involves the university’s financial situation, including existing hiring freezes and concerns expressed by the UL System Board about the financial health of its institutions.
Crawford acknowledged that some areas of Louisiana Tech have operated under hiring freezes for more than 18 months and indicated that hiring decisions across the university will face increased scrutiny.
“We’ve been having positions frozen for really over a year and a half now in certain areas,” Crawford said. “Certain areas have carried more of that burden than others, but I think now the expectation is that all areas of the university have to really look at that very carefully as it relates to hiring during this time with our liquidity challenges.”
Crawford said the concerns extend beyond Louisiana Tech and include financial issues facing other universities within the UL System.
“The University of Louisiana System Board has communicated very clearly their concerns, not just with Louisiana Tech, but all the universities, regarding financial health, and especially in regards to metrics like cash on hand and liquidity,” Crawford said.
Crawford said universities are being asked to exercise financial restraint and communicate with system leadership regarding potential hiring decisions. He said he will work closely with Lisa Bradley and other university administrators over the next two months to analyze the financial situation and help prepare information for the incoming president.
Crawford has served the university in numerous leadership positions throughout his career, including roles in student life and student advancement. He was named vice president for student advancement in 2021 before moving into his current senior leadership position.
Meanwhile, the search for Henderson’s permanent replacement continues.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 6, with the Presidential Search Committee scheduled to meet Nov. 13 to select semifinalists.
On-campus interviews are scheduled for Nov. 16-17, followed by finalist interviews and consideration by the full UL System Board of Supervisors during a special meeting Nov. 19.
