A Message From the
chancellor LSU 2015 In the last edition of the magazine, I wrote to you about the many changes taking place at LSU. I hope you have continued to follow the news about the reorganization of LSU, which we are now referring to as “LSU 2015.” Across the United States today, higher education is being challenged as never before by the changing demands and needs of students, technology-driven innovation, and a growing affordability crisis. LSU must adapt to meet these challenges, and it will take everyone associated with LSU to make this process a success. In the last months of 2012, I held “town hall” forums at each of the LSU System campuses around the state to hear the suggestions and opinions of all our LSU constituents. I have brought that information back to the LSU Board of Supervisors, and the board has set up a Transition Advisory Team and several subcommittees to continue evaluating the best way to reshape the LSU System. Students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders are heavily involved in this historic process that will create a more efficient and more competitive LSU for the 21st century. As matters progress, I will continue to keep you informed about LSU 2015. For continued updates on the realignment of LSU, I invite you to visit www.lsu.edu/LSU2015. You will also be hearing more about new online degree programs that LSU will offer. Technology is having a tectonic impact on higher education, and LSU is taking the necessary steps to be a leader in online education. A remarkable number of traditional and non-traditional students are already taking classes via the Internet, and we must make online degree programs a part of the LSU experience. In this edition of LSU Alumni Magazine you can also read about LSU’s efforts as a leader in coastal research. LSU already has a long and distinguished history in coastal science, but our impact on the coast is about to become even more significant. The LSU Coastal Studies Institute is expanding its mission to bring more support for researchers from different disciplines, produce more trained scientists, and create more collaboration among schools and departments. We already have more than 200 faculty working on more than 450 research projects impacting the coast, but our renewed commitment will bring even more LSU talent to the table, uniting the state and nation around the cause of addressing Louisiana’s coastal needs. To stay informed about LSU’s research efforts and impact on the coast, please visit www.lsu.edu/coast. Much is happening at your university, and I hope you will help us spread the word about the many changes that are setting the stage for LSU to be a leader in the 21st century.
William L. Jenkins, Interim LSU Chancellor
LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013
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