LSU is set to pick its 29th president today from a field of three: a Louisiana university president with a business background and two out-of-state candidates with lengthy academic records at large research institutions.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is to choose among Wade Rousse, the president of McNeese State University, who some close to the search say has the inside track; James Dalton, the executive vice president and provost of the University of Alabama; and Dr. Robert Robbins, a former president of the University of Arizona.

The three men have presented different visions of LSU’s future.

Rousse has emphasized his significant business background, saying he aims to court companies to help fund research and institute metrics for success across the system.

“This leader needs to be

See Full Page