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Today the Board of Supervisors for the University of ������ο��Ƶ voted to interview Dr. Jim Henderson for the Louisiana Tech University presidency. Henderson has served as president and CEO of the University of ������ο��Ƶ for nearly seven years.

“Louisiana Tech is an exceptional institution with global impact. My family’s relationship with Tech began more than 80 years ago, in 1941, when my Dad signed to play football for Joe Aillet and continues today as my youngest son just entered his sophomore year,” Henderson said. “It is an honor to be considered as President Guice’s successor and I would relish working with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to lead Tech into its next era of excellence.”

During the meeting, the Board met in executive session and discussed its typical hiring process and identified several challenges associated with its sitting System president participating in a traditional search.

“As a Board, we recognize choosing the chief executives for our nine member institutions as our most critical work. That process, guided by System bylaws and rules as well as Louisiana statute, never envisioned a System president participating,” Board Chair Elizabeth Pierre said. “When Dr. Henderson expressed his interest in this role, the Board felt it necessary to explore all available options for this particular circumstance. We look forward to hearing from faculty, staff, and students relative to the action we ultimately take.”

Last month, Dr. Les Guice announced his intention to retire from Louisiana Tech at the end of the year.

“It has been my honor to serve the Tech community for more than 45 years, 10 of those as president, and seven of those under the leadership of Dr. Henderson,” Guice said. “I appreciate the Board’s thoughtfulness and am confident in Jim’s ability to lead this institution I hold so dear.”

With a population just over 22,000, Louisiana Tech is vital to the Ruston community.

“I have known Jim for many years and am excited at the prospect of welcoming him to Ruston to lead Louisiana Tech,” Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker said. “Louisiana Tech is the economic driver for our city and we look forward to working with its next leader to continue the close relationship between Tech and the City of Ruston.”

The Board of Supervisors will interview Henderson at a special meeting on Oct. 25. Stakeholders can keep up with the search and provide feedback at www.������ο��ƵSystem.edu/LaTechPresidentialSearch. A recording of today’s special Board meeting is available .