News Release

Board of Regents Chairman Appoints Advisory Committee for LU Presidential Search

(BEAUMONT) - Texas State University System Board of Regents Chairman Bill Scott has appointed a 23-member advisory committee to assist in the search for the next president of Lamar University. Members of the advisory search committee are:

• Bill Scott, Regent (Committee Co-Chair), Texas State University System
• David Montagne, Regent (Committee Co-Chair), Texas State University System
• Duke Austin, Regent, Texas State University System
• Alan Tinsley, Regent, Texas State University System
• Jeremy Alltop, LU Vice President for Finance and Operations, CFO
• Katrina Brent, Ph.D., LU Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
• Dann Brown, Ph.D., LU Associate Provost
• Hector Flores, Ph.D., LU Chief of Police
• Jennifer Fowler, Ph.D., LU Associate Professor Mathematics, Faculty Senate President
• Monica Harn, Ph.D., LU Professor and Chair, Audiology, Fine Arts and Communication
• Kyle Hayes, City Manager, Beaumont, Texas
• Bob Jones, Professional Engineer, LU Alum
• Helen Lou, Ph.D., LU Professor, Chemical Engineering
• Vicki McNeil, Ph.D., LU Vice President of Student Engagement
• Anita Riddle, Ph.D., Exxon Mobil Manager Global Procurement, LU Alum
• Don Shaver, Investor, LU Alum
• Ronnie Smith, President of Upstream Engineering, LU Alum
• Bob Spina, Ph.D., LU Dean of Education
• Henry Strait, Retired LU Alum
• Helene Thill, LU Associate Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator
• Freddie Titus,  Ph.D. LU Associate Professor and Chair, Teacher Education
• Tiffany Tran, LU Student, College Senator
• Henry Venta, Ph.D., LU Professor, Management & Marketing

Starting this month and continuing through May 2021, the Advisory Search Committee, comprising faculty, staff, a student, and community representatives, will work with an executive search firm, Anthem Executive, to draft a presidential profile and conduct a national search.

The committee will identify a small number of exceptionally qualified candidates to recommend to Chancellor Brian McCall for his review and consideration. The chancellor will recommend a sole finalist to be considered by the TSUS Board of Regents.

State law requires a 21-day waiting period between the public announcement of the sole finalist and Board approval. During this waiting period, the sole finalist will be introduced to LU faculty, staff, students, community members, and other key stakeholders, adhering to necessary travel, meeting, and social distancing guidelines.

Current LU President Kenneth Evans, who announced his retirement last month after eight years at the university, will continue to serve as president until his successor arrives on campus, likely this summer.