New LSU president says he’s ready for challenges

LSU System President-elect F. King Alexander says he’s prepared to work with university and community leaders to usher LSU through “a very difficult and challenging time in American higher education.” Alexander, who was selected today by a unanimous vote of the LSU Board of Supervisors, is expected to take office on or before July 1. Alexander says he intends to work with faculty, staff, students, alumni and government officials to “make sure that we’ve got the strongest LSU possible in the decades to come.” Alexander also will be the chancellor of the flagship Baton Rouge campus, holding the title of President of LSU, pending compliance with accreditation standards. Alexander has said higher education leaders have a “moral obligation” to improve graduation rates, and that this goal can be accomplished without watering down standards. Kevin Cope, president of LSU’s faculty senate, has criticized the selection of Alexander, claiming he does not have adequate experience to lead a major research university. “The lack of credentials still remains as a fact,” Cope said after the board vote. “On the other hand, we don’t know what the potential might be.” Alexander has been president of California State University Long Beach since 2005 and says he will remain in that role through June. Alexander says his experience at CSULB has prepared him to lead LSU. Before serving in California, he led Murray State University in Kentucky. He was born in Louisville, Ky., and raised in Gainesville, Fla. —April Castro