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BATON ROUGE – Long-time community servant Victor Bussie has relinquished his seat on the Board of Supervisors for the University of ��ɬֱ�� System after five years of admirable service.

“One of my passions in life has been the furtherance of educational opportunities for all students. Because of that passion, I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to serve on the Board of Supervisors for the University of ��ɬֱ�� System. My service on this Board has been one of my most rewarding experiences in public service because I was able to serve with men and women who were very dedicated to improving opportunities for more students to become college graduates,” said Bussie in a letter to Governor Bobby Jindal.

Bussie is most well known as the longtime President of the ��ɬֱ�� AFL-CIO, in which he served for 41 years. When he stepped down from that position in 1997, he was elected President Emeritus.

“In my youngest days of business, I can remember that icon Victor Bussie,” said former ULS Board Member Donald “Boysie” Bollinger. “He represented everything that I thought I was opposed to. He was extremely influential in bringing decorum in what was often unruly issues, and then I got to really love and respect the man for some common passions we both share: safety in the workplace, dignity of the human worker, and the workplace safely that we owe them. As I sat with him on the ��ɬֱ��System Board— literally next to him—we shared some wonderful memories, and I enjoyed his counsel and advice, which was always right on the mark. He is a true leader.”

Bussie’s numerous governmental and community service includes the LSU Board of Supervisors, Office of Student Financial Assistance, ��ɬֱ�� Supreme Court Task Force on Indigent Defense, Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement Committee, ��ɬֱ�� Higher Education Commission for the 21st Century, and the ��ɬֱ�� Public Facilities Authority. He holds honorary doctoral degrees from ��ɬֱ�� State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern ��ɬֱ�� University, and Southern University, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Alumni of ��ɬֱ�� Legislature.

“He has been a constant advisor and dear friend to me for over 30 years,” said ��ɬֱ��System Outgoing President Sally Clausen. “He has never steered me wrong, and I am grateful for his steadfast commitment to higher education and to ��ɬֱ��.”

“This is a sad day for our Board,” said ��ɬֱ��System Board Chair Elsie Burkhalter. “We are fortunate to have served with Vic. His wisdom and dedication to students will be missed.”

Bussie was to serve as an at-large member on the ULS Board until December 2012. His resignation letter has been sent to Governor Jindal, who will make a new appointment.

The largest university system in ��ɬֱ��, the ��ɬֱ��System enrolls approximately 80,000 students at the following eight universities: Grambling State University, ��ɬֱ�� Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern ��ɬֱ�� University, University of ��ɬֱ�� at Lafayette, and University of ��ɬֱ�� at Monroe.

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Related Files:

Bussie Letter to Governor Jindal (44.2 KB) >>
Bussie Letter to Governor Jindal (44.2 KB) >>