ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 216
BY REPRESENTATIVES FREIBERG, ADAMS, BACALA, GARY CARTER, ROBBY
CARTER, CORMIER, COX, DAVIS, DUPLESSIS, EDMONDS, EDMONSTON,
FREEMAN, GAROFALO, HODGES, ILLG, JENKINS, LARVADAIN,
MARCELLE, MCKNIGHT, MCMAHEN, GREGORY MILLER, MOORE,
NELSON, SCHAMERHORN, SEAB AUGH, AND THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., for his service as interim president of Louisiana State
University.
WHEREAS, Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., began his academic career at LSU as a law
professor in 1986, progressed to serving as dean of law at the University of Tennessee, then
as president of Colby Sawyer College, returning home in 2016 to serve as dean of the LSU
Paul M. Hebert Law Center; and
WHEREAS, in late 2019, the LSU Board of Supervisors was in need of an interim
president to serve for a short period while the board began a search for a permanent
president, and Mr. Galligan readily accepted the challenge; and
WHEREAS, expectations of a bright and prosperous 2020 were set when the LSU
Tigers won the national football championship during Mr. Galligan’s first month in office;
and
WHEREAS, following the emergence and rapid global spread of the COVID-19
virus, Mr. Galligan led the university into a virtual learning environment on March 12, 2020,
that, while undesirable, was necessary to protect the health of the students, faculty, and
community; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership and collaborative direction, the many campuses of
LSU were leading the fight against COVID-19 by producing health workers faster,
conducting clinical trials on treatments and therapies, and creating personal protective
equipment; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Galligan guided the university toward the initiation of a utility
infrastructure overhaul that had been needed for years but had been deferred due to cost; and
WHEREAS, during his time as president, LSU saw its graduation and retention rates
rise to record levels; and
WHEREAS, LSU also faced allegations of Title IX errors, which came to light in
November 2020, and Mr. Galligan committed to an open and transparent process of
reviewing the cases and improving the Title IX operations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Galligan earnestly provided valuable information to the Senate
Select Committee on Women and Children for an extended period of time, earning the
respect of the committee members and legislators; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Galligan's period as interim president was originally expected to
be three to six months but expanded to an eighteen-month term of service that encompassed
some of the biggest challenges the institution has ever faced; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Mr. Galligan's exceptional level of leadership,
commitment, and personal sacrifice, the LSU Board of Supervisors retroactively removed
the interim from his title, making him president of LSU effective January 2020; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Galligan capably navigated the eight-campus LSU family through
multiple crises, and his leadership enabled the university to endure the COVID-19 pandemic,
develop its outdated policies and procedures, and emerge ready to return to normal activities;
and
WHEREAS, Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., faced a seeming insurmountable degree of
hardships during his brief tenure as Louisiana State University's president, but he faced these
challenges with poise; he is most deserving of recognition for his service.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., for his service as
interim president of Louisiana State University; does hereby express its sincere gratitude to
Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., for agreeing to serve as president during unprecedented times and
providing outstanding leadership to the university; and does hereby extend sincere hopes that
he enjoy continued success as he moves on to another venture in life.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Thomas C. Galligan, Jr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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