2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 46
BY SENATORS MIZELL, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BERNARD, BOUDREAUX, BOUIE,
CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK, CORTEZ, DUPLESSIS,
FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HENRY, HENSGENS, KLEINPETER,
LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS,
ROBERT MILLS, MORRIS, PEACOCK, POPE, PRICE, REESE,
SMITH, STINE, TALBOT, WHITE AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Dr. John L. Crain, President of Southeastern Louisiana
University, on the occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, Dr. John L. Crain has served as the 14th President of Southeastern
Louisiana University since his appointment to the position on February 17, 2009, by the
Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System; prior to his appointment,
Dr. Crain served as the interim president beginning in July of 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain previously served as Southeastern's Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs, a position he held for seven years; and
WHEREAS, his prior experience at Southeastern includes head of the Department
of Accounting, chair of the Council of Department Heads, president of the Faculty Senate,
director of the Small Business Development Center, and 13 years as a full-time member of
the accounting faculty; and
WHEREAS, a native of Franklinton, Louisiana, Dr. Crain was the valedictorian of
the 1978 graduating class of Franklinton High School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from
Southeastern in 1981, attained Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status in 1983, earned a
Master of Business Administration from Southeastern in 1984, and received his doctoral
degree in accountancy from the University of Mississippi in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain's scholarly accomplishments include publication of more than
50 refereed journal articles and numerous presentations at academic conferences; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, he was the recipient of Southeastern's highest faculty award,
the President's Award for Excellence in Research; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as president, several new and remodeled academic and
student residential buildings were completed, including a brand new student union; several
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new academic programs, academic assistance, and campus life activities were introduced;
multiple online programs were initiated; Lion athletics witnessed competitive successes by
numerous teams, as well as strong academic achievements by student athletes; and the
Southeastern Foundation expanded significantly as private fundraising gained prominence
in the face of public financial shortages; and
WHEREAS, also during his tenure, nearly 31,800 degrees were awarded; the six-year
graduation rate increased from 28.6% in 2008 to 43.8% in 2022; minority enrollment
increased from just over 20% in 2008 to over 30% in 2021; the honors program grew 292%,
and an official Honors College was launched in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain also served as a member of the Louisiana Blue Ribbon
Commission on Educational Excellence, the Louisiana Board of Regents Master Plan
National Advisory Panel Workgroup on Retention and Completion, and chair of the
Accounting Education Issues Committee of the Society of Louisiana CPAs; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain is a member of various professional, civic, and academic
organizations, currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a member of the Executive
Committee of the North Shore Business Council, a member of the board of North Oaks
Foundation, and as an advisory member of the Board of GNO, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain is a member of the Committee of 100 for Economic
Development, the Hammond Rotary Club, and he has previously served on the Boards of the
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and the Louisiana Children's Discovery
Museum.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Dr. John L. Crain, President of Southeastern
Louisiana University on the occasion of his retirement and offers heartfelt wishes for success
in all his future endeavors and health and happiness in the years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Dr. John L. Crain.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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