O'Keefe Named LSU's New Chancellor
LSU aimed for the moon -- and got it. Resigned NASA chief Sean O'Keefe is LSU's 7th chancellor. WAFB's Marie Centanni was at the Board of Supervisor's meeting where O'Keefe was unanimously voted in.
Already sporting a Tiger stripe tie, O'Keefe addressed LSU's Board of Supervisors Thursday evening and accepted the post as chancellor. "I am delighted to be the 7th chancellor of Louisiana State University, thank you very, very much," said O'Keefe.
O'Keefe, a New Orleans native, saw this as an opportunity to continue in public service, return to an academic community, and to return home to Louisiana. "It is a rare occasion in which three opportunities are presented on the same occasion, and I thank you all for that great honor," said O'Keefe.
That rare opportunity was in question, however. O'Keefe's lack of a doctoral degree was brought up again and again, and while he was a non-traditional candidate for chancellor, he was the clear favorite. "It has turned out that one finalist emerged as the very clear choice of everybody involved in the process," said LSU System President William Jenkins.
Many faculty members were worried that professors, department heads and deans would be wary of a leader lacking a terminal degree. "I said you know, Sean, if you can get through the faculty, your toughest critics, I think you're going to be an easy sell to the LSU community," said LSU board member Rod West.
Governor Blanco even weighed in on the issue. "The faculty was my first concern, as I said. Once I understood that the search committee members who were faculty members saw the potential there and agreed LSU should take this step in this way, I was very thrilled about it," said Gov. Blanco.
Both the search committee and the LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved O'Keefe for the job, saying he brings too much to the table to pass up.
Meanwhile, all that remains is for President Jenkins and O'Keefe to work out the details of his salary. O'Keefe won't take the job immediately, he's got to wait for President Bush to nominate and the Senate to confirm his replacement at NASA. He expects to make the move in February, and looks forward to being in Louisiana in time for Mardi Gras.
Also watch 9 News This Morning for a live interview with Sean O'Keefe via satellite from NASA.
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