Rutgers names LSU’s William F. Tate IV as its 22nd President
William F. Tate IV will become Rutgers University's 22nd president on July 1, 2025. (Photo courtesy Rutgers University)
The Rutgers Board of Governors announced today that William F. Tate IV will be the next University president, replacing Jonathon Holloway, who served in the post for the last five years.
Tate – a renowned social scientist who has been the president of the Louisiana State University system since May of 2021 – was appointed at a joint meeting of the Rutgers Board of Trustees, which advised on the selection, and Board of Governors, whicl also appointed him as a University Professor and a Distinguished Professor.
His first day on the job will by July 1, 2025.
At LSU, Tate oversaw a university system with more than 55,000 students, including 12,000 grad students and 2,000 professionals in its health centers. He also has spent time in the administrations at the University of South Carolina, and Washington University in St. Louis.
“I am honored to join the Rutgers family, where the Rutgers Edge is more than a concept. It is reflected in a history of leading with outstanding research, clinical excellence, insightful pedagogy, innovative partnerships and storied athletic feats,” Tate said in a University-released statement. “Together, we have an opportunity to align our efforts and push to greater levels of impact. We can compete and win at new heights if we work together.”
“Dr. Tate has enthusiasm for creating excellence in academics, research, and clinical care,” said Board of Trustees Chair Amy Mansue. “Rutgers will continue to excel under Dr. Tate’s leadership, in service both to New Jersey and to our nation. We welcome this next era in our great history.”
A 20-member presidential search committee led the process of seeking a replacement for Holloway, who announced back in September he’d step down at the end of the year due to a number of factors, including the toll it took on him and his family. Difficult moments included a faculty strike in the Spring of 2023, criticism over the handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, and most recently, the sudden resignation last August of Athletic Director Pat Hobbs in the wake of an internal investigation into his conduct.
However, Holloway also had big successes, including that the 2025-2026 academic year will feature the school’s largest class in its history. A record $970 million in grants were awarded to the school this past year, and Holloway also championed a program to provide hundreds of students with paid internships in public service.