William Tate IV Leaves LSU to Lead Rutgers University

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — William F. Tate IV, the current president of Louisiana State University (LSU), has been appointed as the new president of Rutgers University, effective July 1, 2025. The announcement was made by the Rutgers Board of Governors on Monday.

Tate, who has served as president of LSU since 2021, made history as the university’s first Black president. He expressed his deep appreciation for LSU in a statement, saying, “This was a distinctly difficult decision, and one I did not take lightly. LSU, its students, faculty, staff, and supporters are all incredible and inspirational.”

The transition comes after Jonathan Holloway, the outgoing president of Rutgers, announced his intention to step down last September after five years in the role. Rutgers, which has more than 69,000 students across its three campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, is a major public research university in New Jersey.

In his former role as provost at the University of South Carolina, Tate oversaw multiple academic disciplines and medical schools. He aims to enhance campus life and athletics at Rutgers and has a vision for the university to be recognized among the nation’s top 50 research institutions.

LSU reported record research activity during Tate’s tenure, reaching $543 million in the 2023-2024 academic year. He introduced initiatives focused on key research areas including agriculture and cybersecurity.

Scott Ballard, chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, expressed gratitude for Tate’s leadership, stating, “We are saddened by President Tate’s departure but grateful for the deep and meaningful impact his leadership left on the LSU enterprise.” LSU plans to name an interim president soon and will begin a national search for a permanent replacement.