Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson will retire at the end of the year, ending a long career in Louisiana higher education.
Henderson announced his retirement Friday, citing declining health.
“Over the past several months, I have made passing reference to many of you about a decline in my health. That deterioration has continued, and while there is not an immediate threat to my mortality, there is a noticeable progression,” Henderson said in the email.
Henderson became Louisiana Tech’s 15th president in January 2024. Before taking the position, he served as president of the University of Louisiana System and his alma mater, Northwestern State University.
Louisiana Illuminator higher education reporter Piper Hutchinson says Henderson has earned widespread respect throughout his career.
“Jim Henderson is an incredibly good natured person, who is almost universally respected at the state capitol and in higher education,” Hutchinson said.
During Henderson’s tenure at Louisiana Tech, the university saw enrollment growth, including record freshman classes and the highest retention rate in the University of Louisiana System.
Henderson also oversaw Louisiana Tech’s transition into the Sun Belt Conference.
Hutchinson says another significant accomplishment has been the university’s success in securing federal funding for research.
Tech has obtained $38 million in federal appropriations to advance research in biomedical engineering, micro-manufacturing, cyber engineering and forest products.
“They made great strides in improving their research spending in adding more federal grants at a time where there’s actually been cuts to federal research funding to most universities,” Hutchinson said.
The search for Henderson’s successor could draw interest from several candidates.
Hutchinson expects Gov. Jeff Landry to have a significant role in the selection process.
Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent Cade Brumley has emerged as a potential candidate.
Brumley, however, says his focus remains on pre-K through 12th-grade education and what he describes as historic progress in Louisiana schools.
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