NMSU PRESIDENT GOING TO LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – The only finalist for the chancellor’s position at Louisiana State University’s main campus has decided to take the job.

New Mexico State University President Michael Martin came to the decision yesterday.

That’s after he met with LSU System PresidentDr. John V. Lombardi and discussed the job over the weekend with his family and officials at NMSU.

“This looked like a chance to out my skills at a place that would challenge what i’ve been up to and what i’m capable of doing. You have a certain feel that you have to do that from time to time,”Martin told ABC-7 over the phone from Coeur D’Alene, Idaho where he’s attending a WAC presidents meeting.

LSU spokesman Charles Zewe says a contract should be in place early this week. The LSU board could take it up on Thursday.

The 61-year-old Martin replaces Sean O’Keefe, who resigned from the $425,000-a-year job in February, saying he had lost support of Lombardi and the board.

Lombardi has said the next chancellor would likely get roughly O’Keefe’s salary, which included a car allowance and use of a house near campus.

Governor Richardson Released a statement on Martin’s decision Monday. “Mike Martin is a respected educator and leader; this is a loss for New Mexico State ,” said Governor Richardson. “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 . I wish Mike the best of luck in his next endeavor.”

Dr. Michael V. Martin has served as President of New Mexico State University since 2004.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.