2020 Gumbo Final - Book - Page 94
Interim President Galligan
Story: Katherine Manuel and Anna Jones
Photo: Ben Caplan
Design: Chloe Bryars
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Though he is enjoying the position, Galligan
has no plans to apply for the official role
hen Interim President Thomas Galligan isn’t
running marathons with his daughter, Sarah,
or spending time with his wife and other two
children, he enjoys traveling the European
countryside.For the next few months, Galligan
will have a lot less free time.
“Somebody [LSU Board of Supervisors Chair
Mary Werner] came to see me and asked if I
would be interested [in the role of University
interim president],” Galligan said. “I was like,
‘woah.’ I didn’t expect it.” Galligan was asked to
step in for former University President F. King
Alexander, who left LSU after nearly seven
years to serve as president of Oregon State
University. Alexander announced his departure
on Dec. 13 and officially stepped down on Dec.
31, though he will remain at the University in a
research capacity until March.
Galligan describes his role as interim president
as the University’s chief officer. Galligan aids
in planning for campuses across the state and
determines where the resources come from for
those plans. With the legislative session about
to begin, he plans to spend time at the state
capitol talking to legislators and administrators.
Galligan’s position may be temporary, but he
has a vision for the University’s future: stability
and progress. While these two themes appear
to contradict each other, Galligan said stability
for the University will be continuing an upward
slope of progress. “I’ve been here 15 and a half
years over two hitches, and at no time in my 15
and a half years at LSU have we been stronger
than we are right now,” Galligan said.
Galligan said any LSU president should
prioritize student experience, safety,
quality of research, government relations,
communication, state and federal support and
private philanthropy, topics he plans to focus
on himself.
Galligan said he approaches the job with
enthusiasm, excitement and opportunity. He
hopes to see progress in the recruitment of
more students across all LSU campuses, as
well as coordination and collaboration across
all campuses.
Galligan praised his predecessor, Alexander,
for attracting diverse freshman classes and
driving the Fierce for the Future initiative. He
said Alexander led the University through the
state’s slashing of its higher education budget
during Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration and
to a new philosophy on admissions that helped
the University work to its full capacity.
Though he will continue the programs and
plans that Alexander initiated, Galligan plans
to put his own “inflection” on those programs.
During his first few days in the new role,
Galligan was tasked with the discussion of
canceling classes on Jan. 13-14 for the National
Championship game. Many students praised
the decision and Galligan, but he said it was
the Board of Supervisors that chose to cancel
classes.
“He explained that the Board of Supervisors
hoped to allow for as many students as
possible to enjoy both Gov. John Bel Edwards’
inauguration on that Monday and the National
Championship later that night. The board also
worried about students who drove to New
Orleans for the game and wanted to ensure
their safety and prevent them from being
rushed to get home.
Though he disagreed with the board, he said it
was a great example of how the board works
with the University’s president. We really had
a good, professional conversation about it,”
Galligan said. “Reasonable minds can disagree.
They’re the Board, so they win.”
“Today, LSU is home to students of every
race, ethnicity, and nationality. We are diverse,
inclusive, and welcoming to all,” Galligan
wrote in the email. “That wonderful reality is a
testament to Dr. King – his actions, his words,
and his ultimate sacrifice.”
Though he is enjoying the position, Galligan
has no plans to apply for the official role. He
hopes to return to the Law School after his
time as interim president ends.“I really am a
teacher,” Galligan said. “I got into this because I
love to teach.”
As for a permanent president, LSU Media