LSU President F. King Alexander has been named the next president of Oregon State University.
The appointment comes after reports that Alexander was in the running for the position. An announcement was made on Friday by the OSU Board of Trustees.
According to the Advocate, Alexander was named the winner of a six-month selection process on Friday. Alexander was one of four finalists interviewed last month by 26 members of a search committee at a resort near Silverton, Oregon.
Louisiana State University says that his appointment is effective July 1, 2020, at which time he will replace Ed Ray who is stepping down after 17 years as president of Oregon State University.
“This was a very difficult decision for me given my fondness for LSU and the tremendous progress we’re making here,” said Alexander. “It’s been a privilege to be part of such an important and iconic university system. I’m proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished, including setting records for enrollment in size, diversity and academic achievement. Shenette and I, along with our family, thank LSU and Baton Rouge for making our many years here so memorable.”
Thomas Galligan, dean of LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center and former president of Colby-Sawyer College, has been appointed interim president while the LSU Board of Supervisors conducts a national search for Alexander’s replacement.
Alexander’s last day as president will be Dec. 31. He will return to a faculty role to conduct research and write, as well as work closely with the Board of Supervisors and the administration on an orderly transition until March 31, 2020.
“On behalf of the LSU Board of Supervisors, I’d like to thank King for his outstanding leadership at LSU and his untiring advocacy for public higher education,” said Mary Werner, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “He has accomplished a great amount during his time as president, but I fully understand his desire to seek new challenges and am elated he can carry on his mission at another internationally recognized land-grant institution.”
Prior to joining LSU in 2013, Alexander served for seven years as president of California State University – Long Beach. During that time, the university grew to 36,000 students and achieved its highest graduation rate and largest graduation classes. He also served as president of Murray State University in Kentucky from 2001 to 2005.
