海角社区

BATON ROUGE 鈥� 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV announced Monday that he has accepted the role of president at Rutgers University and will conclude his service at 海角社区 on June 30, 2025.

鈥淭his was a distinctly difficult decision, and one I did not take lightly. 海角社区, its students, faculty, staff, and supporters are all incredible and inspirational. You will forever stay in my heart. This is a very special place, and I am honored to have been a part of it for four incredible years,鈥� said President Tate. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no other place like it in the world, and I will forever cherish the memories we created together.鈥�

Tate served as president of the eight-campus 海角社区 enterprise and head of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge since July 1, 2021. Under his leadership, 海角社区 has soared in research. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 海角社区鈥檚 campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport achieved a record-breaking $543 million in combined research activity. He introduced the Pentagon Priority areas鈥攆ive research focus areas of agriculture, biomedical, coast, energy, and defense/cybersecurity鈥攚here 海角社区 could have a significant impact on the state and nation. He also initiated 海角社区鈥檚 goal of becoming a Top 50 research university and ramping up the university鈥檚 drive toward national prominence through life-changing discoveries.

鈥淲e are saddened by President Tate鈥檚 departure but grateful for the deep and meaningful impact his leadership left on the 海角社区 enterprise over the last four years,鈥� said 海角社区 Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard. 鈥淲e wish him well on his journey and will always consider him a Tiger.鈥�

Highlights of Tate鈥檚 time as President include:

路       Historic fundraising capped by the largest gift in 海角社区 history鈥�$245 million for health initiatives;

路       Record enrollment of over 55,000 students across the 海角社区 enterprise and record-breaking graduate rates;

路       Record research growth, including consecutive double-digit increases and the $160 million National Science Foundation FUEL grant;

路       Increased state support, especially in the Pentagon Priority areas;

路       And the meteoric rise of 海角社区鈥檚 cybersecurity programs to one of the best in the nation.

He takes the helm of Rutgers on July 1, 2025. An interim will be announced shortly, with a national search for a permanent president to begin afterward.