The investiture is open to the public. Ticketed events that require RSVP are hyperlinked.

Schedule

Thursday, April 25

Lagniappe Ladies First Lady’s Brunch – Squire Creek – Ticketed event – 10:30 a.m.

Friday, April 26

Tree Planting Ceremony Honoring Dr. and Mrs. Jim Henderson – Hale Hall – 9:15 a.m.

Investiture Mass – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church – 10 a.m.

Investiture – Howard Auditorium – 1 p.m.

Community Reception – Student Center – 2:15 p.m.

LA Tech Baseball vs. Sam Houston – J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park – 6 p.m.

General Parking 

Adams Boulevard Area

From I-20

Take Exit 85. Turn South onto US 167/Trenton Street. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn right onto Dan Reneau Dr. (Second traffic light past the train tracks). Travel approximately ½ a mile until you reach Adams Boulevard. (First traffic light.) Parking is available along the boulevard in white and blue striped parking spots. 

From US 167 South

As you arrive in Ruston, US 167 will become divided highway just past the Methodist Children’s Home. Travel approximately ½ a mile and turn left onto Dan Renea Drive. (Second traffic light of the divided portion of US 167). Travel approximately ½ a mile until you reach Adams Boulevard. (First traffic light.) Parking is available along the boulevard in white and blue striped parking spots. 

Ropp Center Parking Lot

From I-20

Take Exit 84. Turn South onto Tech Drive. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Hergot Avenue. Turn left at the first stop sign, Wisteria Street. Travel approximately ¼ a mile. The entry to the reserved parking area is immediately past the Ropp Center (white house). 

From US 167 South 

As you arrive in Ruston, US 167 will become divided highway just past the Methodist Children’s Home. At the first traffic light turn left onto California Avenue (Hwy 80). Travel down California Avenue approximately ½ a mile and turn right on to Bond Street. Bond Street will make a sharp left turn and turn into Hegot Avenue. At the stop sign turn right onto Wisteria Street. Travel down Wisteria Street approximately ¼ a mile. The entry to the reserved parking area is immediately past the Ropp Center (white house).

Biography

Dr. Jim Henderson became the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University on Jan. 1, 2024. His ties to the institution go back more than 80 years when his father, Clem Henderson, was recruited to play for famed Louisiana Tech football coach, Joe Aillet. His mom, Martha, was a two-time Tech graduate.

Henderson previously served as the president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System, one of the nation’s largest University systems. As the longest-serving UL System president, he led the Universities of Louisiana in the creation of a strategic framework that charged its member institutions to produce the most educated generation in Louisiana’s history. Through various Systemic initiatives such as Compete LA, the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, and the challenges associated with a global pandemic and fiscal uncertainty, he developed a notion of System that will continue to benefit each of the nine institutions for decades to come.

Henderson also served as president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University, where he reinvigorated student life and campus culture leading to the highest enrollment in the school’s 135-year history. Before taking the helm of NSU, Henderson served as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. During his tenure, the institution ranked among the five fastest-growing colleges in the nation for five consecutive years.

In 2012, Henderson was named a Northwest Louisiana Business Hall of Fame Laureate and in 2017 he was inducted into Northwestern State University’s hall of honor, the Long Purple Line. Henderson holds a master of science in administration from University of West Florida and a doctor of management from University of Maryland—University College. In 2010, he completed the Institute of Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University.

The smartest decision Henderson has made is marrying his college sweetheart, Tonia who founded her own media company after a successful career in advertising. The Hendersons have three children, Reagan, Nicholas, and Alexander who is studying chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Miguel, Maria, and Lucille.