News Summary
William Tate IV has been appointed as the new president of Rutgers University after his tenure at Louisiana State University. He will officially take over on July 1, leading one of the largest universities in the U.S. Tate’s past includes historic achievements at LSU, with a focus on growth in research funding as well as navigating controversies during his leadership. His appointment comes after the resignation of former President Jonathan Holloway and signals Rutgers’ commitment to evolving within the higher education landscape.
New Brunswick, NJ – William Tate IV, currently serving as the president of Louisiana State University (LSU), has been appointed as the new president of Rutgers University. The decision, announced on Monday by the university’s governing board, will see Tate officially take over on July 1, following his final day at LSU on June 30.
Tate will lead Rutgers, one of the largest universities in the United States, which enrolls over 69,000 students across its three campuses in New Brunswick-Piscataway, Newark, and Camden, New Jersey. The selection comes after the departure of former President Jonathan Holloway, who resigned in September, prompting the search for Tate’s replacement.
The Rutgers Board of Governors and Board of Trustees unanimously confirmed Tate’s appointment during their meeting on Saturday. In his role at LSU, Tate made history as the first Black president and chancellor of the institution, a position he has held since 2021.
Before his tenure at LSU, Tate worked as the provost at the University of South Carolina, where he was instrumental in overseeing academic affairs across 13 schools and colleges, which included two medical institutions. His departure from LSU is part of a broader trend, with four high-ranking officials leaving the university this year, including the former General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer.
During his presidency at LSU, Tate implemented several initiatives that led to significant growth in research funding, which surged from less than $300 million in the 2020-21 academic year to over $500 million projected for 2023-24. However, Tate’s time at LSU was not without controversy. He faced criticism regarding his handling of race and gender issues, particularly after the disbanding of a committee that was assessing the names of 13 buildings associated with contentious historical figures.
Additionally, Tate was tasked with reforming the university’s response to a Title IX-related scandal but encountered backlash concerning his restructuring of various offices focused on civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Various incidents during his tenure raised concerns about his public commentary on sensitive topics, including social media posts that sparked debate.
Prior to his roles at LSU and the University of South Carolina, Tate had academic positions at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His selection as president aligns with Rutgers’ goal of finding a leader dedicated to evolving the university’s values and vision in light of ongoing challenges in higher education.
Tate expressed enthusiasm about the community atmosphere at Rutgers and highlighted the potential for success in athletics as part of his new role. His annual salary at Rutgers is set at $1.1 million.
This transition comes at a time when higher education institutions face a complicated landscape, including ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and political pressures affecting academic freedom and governance. Following Tate’s exit from LSU, Matt Lee, the university’s Vice President for Agriculture, will serve as the interim president while the institution navigates this leadership change.
The discussions and critiques surrounding Tate’s presidency reflect broader themes within academic leadership across the nation, underscoring the complexities involved in managing and guiding major universities into the future.
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- LA Illuminator
- Wikipedia: W. B. Tate IV
- NorthJersey.com
- Google Search: William Tate Rutgers
- New Jersey Monitor
- Google Scholar: William Tate
- Business Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rutgers University
- The Advocate
- Google News: LSU president William Tate
