Dr. WILLIAM JENKINS (photo courtesy of LSU)
Remembrances and tributes are pouring in for former LSU System president, Dr. William Jenkins who passed away last week. Former head of the LSU Foundation, Stephen Moret spoke with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana and remembered not only the leadership and mentorship of Dr. Jenkins but the man whom he said was the same caring man in private as he was in public.
“I’ve never ever got to work for someone that made me feel more cared for, than I did for him. And I know that so many other people felt the same way,” Moret said.
Dr. Jenkins served as LSU President twice. He also served as dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. And when he served as Chancellor of LSU, Moret says Dr. Jenkins took over at a time when there had been a loss of confidence in the university.
“And one of the most important roles that he played, at that time, was to restore trust in LSU. And, to some extent, he did that almost single-handedly because there was so much trust in him,” Moret said.
Dr. Jenkins is credited with shaping LSU for decades. He’s been called a “consummate Tiger.” Moret says he had a deep love for LSU and expressed deep care for everyone who made up the university, from star professors to students and those who kept the university going.
“He understood the profound importance of LSU to Louisiana, and the critical role that it plays, not only in education and research, helping position institution for the future,” Moret noted.
Dr. Jenkins was 88 years old.
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