Moffett named President Emeritus of Southeastern Louisiana University
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: August 22, 2012
HAMMOND - The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System today named Randy
Moffett President Emeritus of Southeastern Louisiana University. Moffett worked in
a variety of positions at Southeastern for 32 years including president from 2001-2008
before becoming president of the UL System. He is retiring in September after 41 years
in higher education.
"Thank you for this honor. Education in my opinion is the noblest profession
as it gives you the opportunity to shape the lives of those coming behind you. I truly
believe you can only be as successful as the team of people you have around you, so
by honoring me you are recognizing the people I have been fortunate to work with during
my years at Southeastern," said Moffett.
An emeritus position is one of the highest academic honors awarded to professors
and administrators usually on the occasion of their retirement. While campus presidents
can bestow an emeritus title to a university employee, a president emeritus title
must be approved by the UL System Board.
Current Southeastern President John Crain made the recommendation.
"Dr. Moffett's distinguished service as President of Southeastern for seven years
as the capstone of his long career at the university qualifies him for this honor.
In truth, during the course of his presidency at Southeastern, Dr. Moffett led the
institution to what many consider the pinnacle of its achievement, recognition and
reputation," said Crain.
Building on a strong foundation established at Southeastern over previous administrations,
Moffett was known as one who pushed for excellence in all areas, urging faculty to
raise the bar for their students and themselves and encouraging the campus community
to embrace a strong service-oriented mentality. At Southeastern, he oversaw the change
of the institution from an open-admissions university to one with selective admissions,
which were increased several times over succeeding years without a major impact on
enrollment.
Major events during his presidency included handling the crisis associated with
Hurricane Katrina, which saw Southeastern become a home for more than 1,600 misplaced
New Orleans area college students; the approval of Southeastern's first doctoral program,
a doctorate in educational leadership; the development of the university's Southeast
Louisiana Business Center, a model of cooperation between the university, economic
development agencies and other organizations to encourage business growth; and strong
cultural outreach into the community, including the opening of Southeastern's Columbia
Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond.
During his tenure at Southeastern, the university restored football to its athletics
program, initiated a $52 million residence hall replacement project, and renovated
Strawberry Stadium with the addition of a parking garage and new press box and hospitality
suites.
Prior to serving as Southeastern's president, Moffett held the positions of provost
and vice president for academic affairs, vice president for planning, research and
development, dean and professor of the College of Education, and director of Continuing
Education and Special Activities.
A native of Jonesboro, Moffett began his career as a high school classroom teacher
in the Jackson Parish School System and worked at Northwestern State University as
both Director of High School Relations and Assistant Director of External Affairs.
He earned degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern, and Louisiana
State University.
Moffett has been married to Dr. Barbara Moffett for over 40 years. They have
three children and five grandchildren.