Students, faculty and alumni of the Southern University System aredisplaying different reactions to the decision of Leon Tarver II to step downas system president.
Tarver announced Feb. 18 that his last day, after eight years, aspresident would be June 30. He will serve as a distinguished professor ofpublic administration at Southern University’s Nelson Mandela School of PublicPolicy and Urban Affairs.
“Dr. Tarver’s actions are very surprising and unusual,” said Rory Gray,vice president of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the SU Alumni Federation. “Ithought he did a good job while he was president. It is good that he is giving back to the school, becausesome people leave and never look back.”
Rita Singleton, an SUBR English professor, believes that Tarver’s tenurewas beneficial to the university and as a professor he could contribute more.
“Given that the university is prospering under his administration,”Singleton said. “Why would he want to return to the classroom? I would thinkthat he would want to receive the accolades that come along with prosperity andcontinue to plan for future prosperity.”
For many in the Southern community, the resignation was unexpected.Southern alumna Anita Turner said that she was shocked at his resignation, butshe thought his actions were admirable, because good professors are alwaysneeded.
Some students on the SUBR campus said that Tarver’s presence as aprofessor would be more beneficial, making him more visible. Some have saidthat his dedication to Southern displays his sincerity. Since he is not simply leaving theuniversity, many say that he has good intentions.
“I feel that President Tarver’s resignation is more good than it isbad,” said Monique Johnson, a freshman sociology major from Baton Rouge. “I believe there is a great demand forteachers in Louisiana. However, Ido pray that his duration as a teacher has more structure and honesty than histime as president.”
Eddie Crawford, a Southern alumnus, said that Tarver’s decision to stepdown was beneficial to Tarver’s interest.
“I am surprised by President Tarver’s resignation,” Crawford said.”However, I support his decision because it was probably made in his bestinterest. He is a great individual and a great leader who has taken theuniversity through some very difficult times.”
