BATON ROUGE, La. (KPLC) – McNeese State University President Wade Rousse has been named the next president of Louisiana State University despite student opposition.
University officials are set to speak at 3 p.m. We will livestream that press conference in this story.
Rousse was named among five finalists for the top job on Oct. 23. He advanced to the top three after in-person interviews.
James Dalton, provost at the University of Alabama, was selected as executive vice president.
“This is truly the honor of my life,” Rousse said following his selection. “I am so excited to serve in this role.”
Former LSU President William Tate left the university in May for a role as president of Rutgers University in New Jersey. The presidential search committee hired a Baton Rouge firm to guide its search for the next leader of the state’s biggest university.
Rousse has been outspoken during the selection process about his background in business and how he hopes to utilize that skill set to bring more funding for research at LSU.
The vote to hire Rousse was 12-1, with LSU Board of Supervisors member Laurie Lipsey Aronson casting the lone vote against the hire.
Students expressed concerns during public comment periods throughout the search process about Rousse’s qualifications and the belief that he was hand-picked by Gov. Jeff Landry to lead the university.
LSU students express opposition to Wade Rousse as university president
Some of the students who spoke also voiced concerns about safety on campus, expressing disapproval of LSU police arresting students after a protest broke out during public comment at a presidential search committee meeting last month.
Rousse’s selection comes less than a year after he became president of McNeese. Rousse was sworn in as the eighth president of the university on Dec. 7, 2024, after former president Daryl Burckel stepped down from the role.
Rousse attended McNeese and played football for the Cowboys before continuing his education at the University of New Orleans and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He returned to McNeese in 2019 and served as a professor, dean of the Burton College of Business and executive vice president before being named president.
McNeese officials released the following statement:
Under Dr. Wade Rousse’s leadership, McNeese State University experienced remarkable growth and renewed energy. Enrollment increased, and the McNeese and Southwest Louisiana communities were uplifted by his contagious enthusiasm and commitment to student success. His presence was felt across campus, and he made every student feel seen and valued.
As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to building on this momentum. The McNeese family and community can continue to be proud and excited as we work to attract more students, expand opportunities and strengthen career outcomes after graduation. Together, we will continue our journey to become the best regional university in Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
“On behalf of the McNeese community, we are extremely proud of Dr. Rousse’s accomplishment. He has given his all to our institution for the last six years and deserves an opportunity to flourish at a higher level. I have no doubt he will have monumental success in his new role just as he has had at McNeese. I also have no doubt that McNeese will continue its momentum that we have seen for the last year and a half. Our success has been rooted in a quality culture and the cohesion that exists on our campus, unlike most others. I believe McNeese will maintain its ability to thrive because of our resilient student body, our dedicated faculty and staff, and our faithful contingency of community supporters and donors. I am excited about our future, which I expect to include the ability to partner with Dr. Rousse and his future team at LSU to propel the higher education landscape in Southwest Louisiana and the state as a whole. The “Ride for the Brand” is not over…it will continue and be as strong, if not stronger than we have seen recently. Geaux Pokes,” said Dr. Kedrick A. Nicholas, Senior Vice President.
“McNeese is, and will remain, laser-focused on our enduring mission and vision: to deliver a life-changing higher educational experience and to be the premier regional university for all of Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Today, our work is more focused and quantifiable than ever. Our efforts towards recruitment, retention and job placement are yielding immediate and tangible results. Regardless of any change at the top, we will stay the course. This commitment is essential for the long-term health of our university and, more importantly, for the success of our students and the citizens who rely on us,” said Dr. Michael Buckles, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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