McNeese State University President Dr. Wade Rousse has been named one of the top finalists in Louisiana State University’s search for its next president.

Rousse’s name was one of six listed Thursday after the LSU Presidential Search Committee released its list of candidates who have the support to become the next LSU president.

“As I said yesterday, my love for McNeese runs deep, and although we don’t know what’s going to happen with the search, I want to assure you that I remain focused on advancing our McNeese through our primary objectives of recruitment, retention and the job placement of our students,” Rousse said Friday in his weekly email to McNeese faculty, staff and students.

Interviews are scheduled to start at the end of October, with the search committee set to meet Oct. 29 to interview candidates and select three finalists to fill the vacancy left when William Tate IV left June 30 to serve as president of Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Matt Lee, former vice president of agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture at LSU, stepped in as interim president. Lee is one of the applicants for the permanent post along with Rousse, University of South Carolina Vice President of Research Julius Fridriksson, former University of Arizona President Robert Robbins and Tulane Vice President of Research Giovanni Piedimonte.

The committee said a sixth applicant, whose name was kept private, can interview if they disclose their name publicly.

Rousse was sworn in as McNeese’s eighth president on Dec. 7, 2024, although he served as president shortly after he was announced as the new president in April 2024. He has served as part of McNeese’s leadership since 2019. Before his role as president, Rousse served as dean of the College of Business, vice president of University Advancement, and Executive Vice President.

Rousse told KPLC the role at LSU would provide a way for him to have an even greater impact on higher education in Louisiana.