The search for LSU’s next president has been narrowed down to three finalists

LSU’s presidential search committee on Wednesday afternoon narrowed its group of candidates for the university’s top position down to three finalists.

The remaining candidates are:

• James Dalton, executive vice president and provost at the University of Alabama.

• Robert Robbins, an academic leader and cardiac surgeon who served as president of the University of Arizona from 2017 to 2024.

• Wade Rousse, president of McNeese State University.

Dalton joined the candidate pool at the last minute. His candidacy was announced shortly before semifinalist interviews with the search committee began Wednesday morning.

The other previously named semifinalists, LSU interim President Matt Lee and Giovanni Piedimonte, are now out of the running.

Lee, who previously served as dean of LSU’s College of Agriculture, has been steering the ship since former LSU President William Tate IV left the university to serve as president of Rutgers University in May. Piedimonte is vice president of research at Tulane University and a professor of pediatrics.

The three remaining candidates will advance to on-campus town hall-style interviews with faculty, students and community leaders Thursday, Friday and Monday. The LSU Board of Supervisors will call a special session to select the new president Tuesday.