N.M., LSU vie for Martin

• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 20, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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New Mexico officials as high as Gov. Bill Richardson say they are urging LSU’s lone chancellor finalist, who is in Baton Rouge today, to stay at New Mexico State University.

NMSU President Michael V. Martin will meet with LSU’s chancellor search committee at 10 a.m. today on campus and then have a series of private meetings before a public forum at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The search committee will meet again Friday to decide if it will recommend Martin for chancellor.

NMSU Board of Regents Chairman Bob Gallagher said Martin first informed him about the LSU possibility near the beginning of the year. That is around when former LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe resigned on Jan. 15 after losing the support of LSU System President John Lombardi and much of the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Martin said Friday he was initially contacted about the job in November by Lombardi, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News in New Mexico.

LSU waited until February to appoint its chancellor search committee, which on Thursday named Martin as the sole finalist for the job.

“Plain and simple, we’re doing virtually everything we can to convince Dr. Martin to stay,” Gallagher said, declining to say what enticements are being offered.

Before Martin became president of New Mexico State in 2004, he was hired by Lombardi in 1998 as the University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

Lombardi was the Florida president at the time.

Gallagher said Martin has a “mentor relationship” with Lombardi that is a strong pull for him to LSU.

“I think we have a lot of things to offer,” Gallagher said. “But there’s no doubt we’re fighting an uphill battle.”

Gallagher said he is hoping the intervention from Richardson and others will help. Gallagher said Martin is a visionary leader and a great communicator.

“Gov. Richardson has encouraged President Martin to finish the job he started at New Mexico State University,” said Gilbert Gallegos, Richardson’s communications director. “NMSU has benefited tremendously from the stability of a president who is committed to improving academic achievement and tying it to economic development in New Mexico.”