Henderson to talk Tech president hopes on campus Thursday

Just a few days before he will interview for the job of Louisiana Tech University president, current University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson will be in Ruston Thursday to make a presentation to the campus community.

Henderson will hold a public forum at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Howard Auditorium on Tech campus.

The UL System Board of Supervisors is slated to interview Henderson for the job Oct. 25. The board spent three hours in a private session last week before suspending its usual procedures for a president search and inviting Henderson as the only candidate to interview.

It’s that dispensing of the usual process that makes today’s meeting with Henderson on campus especially crucial, Tech University Senate President Louis Reis said.

“Normally we have a bunch of folks apply, we narrow it down to finalists, the finalists would come to campus and present,” Reis said. “None of those things are occurring this time.”

Shortly after the board’s decision, Reis and Henderson agreed it would be best for Henderson to make a presentation on campus, even though the rules suspension means he doesn’t have to.

“I appreciate Dr. Reis’ invitation to visit with faculty and staff,” Henderson said. “I have interacted with LA Tech’s faculty and staff often during my seven years as system president and recognize their devotion to the university’s success.”

The event is intended to help all stakeholder groups get a better feel for the unique situation so they can provide feedback to the UL System.

“It’s to try to have that voice for the community, for Louisiana Tech to still be part of the process,” Reis said. “Get to know the individual, and also get to know his vision for the university so we can provide feedback to the board. We know him as the system president, but who is he as an individual and what can he offer to Louisiana Tech is the question on everyone’s mind.”

Current Tech President Les Guice is retiring at the end of the calendar year.

A former president of Northwestern State University, Henderson will present information about himself and his vision for Tech before opening up a town-hall style Q&A with attendees this afternoon.

The event is open to students, faculty and the general public.

“(Today) will allow for a deeper conversation about this unique circumstance and my interest in leading Tech into its next era of excellence,” Henderson said. “Open conversations are an integral part of my approach to leadership. I will also have the opportunity to sit down with students and other constituencies to better understand their needs and challenges.”

Henderson will conduct private meetings with the University Senate — a group of representatives of the faculty and staff — and the Student Government Association, where members of both groups can ask more specific questions, Reis said.

Reis said the faculty senate believes today’s meeting is a step toward restoring faith in the selection process.

“The senate isn’t upset that Dr. Henderson is a candidate — it’s more the process that everyone is confused and maybe even upset about,” he said. “The process that was ultimately selected to do this very unusual scenario, I think was odd. But it is what it is, and this presentation is there to restore a little bit of the normality we’d otherwise see.”