BATON ROUGE, La. —  The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors today named Dr. Richard “Dickie” Crawford Acting President of Louisiana Tech University, effective October 22.

Crawford currently serves as Louisiana Tech’s Senior Vice President for Student Advancement and Chief Operating Officer. A Louisiana Tech alumnus and former Bulldog basketball player, he has served the University in a number of leadership roles throughout his career, including in student life and student advancement. He was appointed Vice President for Student Advancement in 2021 before assuming his current senior leadership role.

“Dr. Crawford knows Louisiana Tech, understands its people, and has spent his career serving the University,” said Dr. Rick Gallot, University of Louisiana System President and CEO. “His institutional knowledge and commitment to the Tech community will provide continuity as the University moves through this leadership transition and the search for its next president.”

Crawford assumes the acting role as President Jim Henderson begins a leave of absence through his previously announced retirement at the end of the calendar year.

The search for Louisiana Tech’s next president remains underway. Applicant materials will be accepted through November 6, with the Presidential Search Committee scheduled to meet November 13 to select semifinalists. On-campus interviews will take place November 16 and 17, followed by finalist interviews and consideration by the full Board of Supervisors during a Special Board Meeting on November 19.

Additional information about the search is available on the Louisiana Tech University Presidential Search webpage.