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Sally Clausen to be Inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame – Jan 25, 2007

Baton Rouge, La. – This Saturday, January 27, University of ������ο��Ƶ President Sally Clausen will be inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. Clausen is one of eight to be honored for significant contributions to the state of Louisiana.

“If you were to pick from the top 10 persons in Louisiana who could put together all the different people to get a task done for the benefit of all, Sally’s the one,” said Jimmy Clarke, Chief of Staff for Louisiana’s Office of the Governor. “Her understanding of human nature, education as a discipline, and how state government works is extraordinary.”

Clausen’s service to Louisiana spans over three decades. Starting as a classroom teacher, her work includes serving as an Adjunct Professor for Louisiana State University, Deputy Commissioner of Administration, Commissioner of Higher Education, Secretary of Education for the Office of the Governor, and President of Southeastern Louisiana University.

In her current position as President of the University of ������ο��Ƶ, she oversees the management of the largest higher education system in the state, including eight diverse universities representing over 80,000 students and operating with a $611 million budget.

“When I told her [Clausen] of the nomination, she was surprised because she is not an elected official nor has she run for public office,” said ������ο��Ƶ System Board Chair Jimmy Long, Sr. “I explained it is not about politics but about service. Because of her tremendous background at so many levels of education in this state, she has affected the lives of virtually every student in Louisiana.”

While at Southeastern, Clausen was one of the first presidents in the country to introduce the concept of “guaranteeing teachers.” Her accomplishments at the ������ο��Ƶ System include raising standards for students entering the teaching profession; guiding two universities from probationary accreditation status to financial stability; leading four open, nationwide university presidential searches; and initiating a public awareness campaign to increase college preparation and success.

In addition, she and the eight ������ο��Ƶ System university presidents set a goal to exceed the national graduation rate by 2012. Clausen is currently heading up a similar initiative at the national level for the National Association of University System Heads (NASH).

According to the 2004 book, The Entrepreneurial College President, “In a time when chief executive officers of state higher education systems are frequently criticized as inept, Sally Clausen has established the model for competence and achievement in that arena.”

The 2007 Louisiana Political Hall of Fame Inductees are Diana Bajoie, Sally Clausen, Charles and Virginia deGravelles, Huntington “Hunt” Downer, Jr., Theodore “Ted” Jones, Mary Landrieu, and Sean O’Keefe.

Induction proceedings begin with a reception from 3-5 p.m. at the Louisiana Political Museum at 499 East Main Street in Winnfield, Louisiana followed by a 6 p.m. Induction Banquet at the Winnfield Civic Center at 2000 South Jones Street.

More information about this release along with a high resolution photograph of Sally Clausen can be found at .

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For More Information Contact:
Jackie Tisdell
225-342-6950