The LSU Board of Supervisors is currently in executive session to choose the next president of Louisiana State University — and McNeese State University President Wade Rousse is in the running.
Rousse is one of three finalists for the LSU presidency. The other finalists are James Dalton, provost at the University of Alabama, and Robert Robbins, former president of the University of Arizona.
Rousse said the LSU role aligns with his goal of advancing higher education in Louisiana. In a previous statement to the American Press, he noted McNeese’s recent successes have drawn statewide attention and support for his candidacy.
Interviews with the finalists began last Thursday and continued through the week.
The LSU Board of Supervisors met today to make a final decision. Before entering the executive session, a public comment period was held. Several LSU students took it as an opportunity to express their opposition to Rousse, with several condemning his ties to Gov. Jeff Landry and the state Legislature.
Ethan Elmer, speaker of the LSU student senate, said he conducted a small survey to determine student priorities. The survey, which was initially distributed on Friday, had 124 participants. The survey results found that students found campus infrastructure, strategic vision, DEI protections and campus safety most important.
Based on the survey, he also concluded that “students generally do want to see this president overly connected to the state Legislature and state governor.”
Student Ryan Spalt expressed discontent with the presidential search process, stating that “without student accountability,” the committee will pick a “Jeff Landry lapdog.” He continued by explaining his belief that Landry’s interests are in opposition to the students, citing Landry’s interest in privatized education, the deployment of the National Guard to “neighborhoods of Black and brown people,” and the “infringement upon religious freedom” on campuses.
“I had a suspicion this would be a process that had little to no student input, and just like everything else, would be controlled by Gov. Jeff Landry. … But what’s worse, it’s not just that students had no say in the process, but that you were actively hostile towards us,” he said. “The decision today will come back to bite you in the ass. The students will reject any MAGA president you choose, especially Wade Rousse, and we are not going anywhere.”
LSU student Weston Davis stated his opposition to Rousse stems from concerns over McNeese’s enrollment numbers, “dependence on oil and gas industry,” and interest in the incorporation of artificial intelligence into university curriculum.
Rousse provided a brief statement before the committee entered executive session. He called the opportunity the “honor” of his life.
“I hope throughout the process I’ve been able to articulate a vision that I think can be used to elevate the way we educate Louisiana.”
Rousse became McNeese’s eighth president in December 2024 after serving as a professor, dean of the Burton College of Business, and executive vice president.
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