LSU Eunice Chancellor William Nunez announces retirement

BATON ROUGE – After a career in higher education spanning 45 years, LSU Eunice Chancellor William J. Nunez III has announced his retirement.
“It has been a sincere honor and privilege to serve LSU Eunice – its students, faculty and staff – and to work for LSU, my alma mater, over the past 19 years,” Nunez said. “And, of all that has been achieved at LSUE during this time, the most important achievement has been the numbers of students who have personally grown, developed and succeeded as the end-result of their LSUE education and experience. In fact, over my 45 years in higher education, next to my wife and family, playing a role in student learning and achievement has always been one of the greatest sources of joy in my life!”
Nunez, who began as chancellor at LSUE in 1996, will remain at LSUE through the fiscal year, and LSU will conduct a national search for the next chancellor.
“We are grateful for the leadership that Chancellor Nunez has provided in bringing LSUE to where it is today, and LSU thanks him for his many contributions over the years.” said LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander. “We will begin looking for the next chancellor and will find the right person for the campus; students, faculty and staff; and the city of Eunice.”
In addition to chancellor, Nunez serves as professor of biology at LSUE. Prior to coming to LSUE in August 1996, Nunez served as vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of biology at Indiana University, Kokomo, Ind. from 1992 to 1996; as dean of liberal arts and sciences and professor of biology at Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Mo., from 1983 to 1992; as chairperson and professor of the Department of Biology and Health Sciences, University of Detroit, Detroit, Mich., from 1973 to 1983; and as assistant and associate professor of biology at University of Detroit from 1970 to 1973.
Nunez received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1965 and 1967 from LSU, and his Ph.D. in 1970 from the University of North Texas in Immunology/Microbiology.
Author of more than 30 professional publications in the areas of Microbiology/Immunology and academic administration, Nunez is the past president and past member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Administrators, or AAUA. He is also listed in American Men and Women of Science and Who’s Who in America/Midwest.
Nunez is a member of several professional academic/scientific societies, such as Sigma Xi, is a past recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Professional Science Faculty Development Award and was a NASA-Ames/Stanford University, ASEE Senior Faculty Research Awardee and the SIFE “University President of the Year.” Nunez has also served as PI/Director for more than 15 basic research grants in Immunology and Microbiology and academic program grants and awards.
Nunez was the first recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Volunteerism in the Arts, in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1992. He is a past president of Eunice Rotary Club, a “Rotarian of the Year” awardee, as well as a “Paul Harris Fellow” award recipient. Nunez also is past board member of the St. Landry/Evangeline Parish United Way; the Eunice Community Health Clinic; and the St. Landry Parish Literacy Coalition.
He was a member of the Acadiana Regional Development board; the Enterprise Consortium of the Gulf Coast; the Eunice Chamber of Commerce; the St. Landry Parish-Opelousas Chamber of Commerce; and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Acadiana Medical Center. He was the 2006 recipient of the Eunice “Citizen of the Year” award, as well as the 2006 Lifepoint Hospitals national “Board Leadership Award.” Nunez was also honored through his inclusion in “Legendary Locals of Eunice” for his community involvement and service.
Nunez is married to Adele H. Nunez, who is an educator with past service as an elementary teacher and school principal. She currently is a reading program coach for Acadia Parish Schools. Nunez and his wife have two children and three grandchildren.
LSU Eunice is located just southwest of Eunice along Louisiana Highway 755 in Acadia Parish, near the boundaries of Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes, in a rich and fertile section of Southwest Louisiana referred to as “the tri-parish area.” LSU Eunice is committed to the principle that individuals should have the opportunity to develop themselves through education commensurate with their capabilities and interests. To this end, the university strives to provide educational programs and related services which reflect and respond to the diversified interests, aptitudes, talents, needs and goals of its constituency. For more information, visit http://www.lsue.edu.