Any truth in that or just wishful thinking?
Yes he is one of the finalist for the job he wants the job but members of the board are against him because he does not have a doctorate degree but I expect TC to take care of that by next weekend at the board retreat in New Orleans.
Rutledge said budget cuts to colleges and the formation of a Postsecondary Education Review Commission to study the future of higher education in Louisiana make it imperative that Southern find a permanent replacement soon.
“There are rough waters ahead,†he said.
Some points of contention up for discussion at the retreat could be the criteria for the job, which Southern released this week only after the first search committee meeting.
The presidential criteria include an “earned doctorate,†a “commitment to fundraising,†a “sustained record of productivity in teaching, research and service,†and a strong record of “financial management expertise.â€
Requiring a doctoral degree is often a divisive issue. Rutledge was quick to note that the criteria are in draft form only and subject to many changes before receiving full board approval.
Southern Board Chairman Tony Clayton, of Port Allen, already opposes requiring a doctorate for the job.
Nominees for the interim presidency who do not have earned doctorates include retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré and James Joseph, a former U.S. ambassador to South Africa.
Clayton was publicly in the Honoré camp. “We’re looking for leaders,†Clayton said, noting that software giant and multibillionaire Bill Gates dropped out of college.