The University of Louisiana System recently voted to pick a new president; and the winner is . . . Dr. Sally Clausen. Clausen is currently the president of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, and will continue to serve as president there until July 1.

Presently, Dr. Carroll Falcon, University of Louisiana System President for Academic Affairs, will serve as acting president until Clausen can assume her position.

Clausen will be replacing Bobby Jindal, who was asked by President Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the United States Department of Health and Human Resources.

While serving for the past five years as President of Southeastern, Clausen has received recognition for her many accomplishments.

To name a few, Clausen initiated higher academic standards for all students, raised faculty salaries by 25 percent and also increased private funding.

New plans and directions for the UL System will be discussed when he enters office, and Clausen will work with the other eight campus presidents to help make improvements.

She is planning to initiate higher standards for students, monitor the success of post graduates and build up development through businesses.

Clausen attended LSU where she obtained degrees in school administration, special education, psychology and education.

For 27 years, Clausen has worked in both education and government.

She has served as Secretary of Education in the governor’s office. Clausen was also positioned as assistant dean of students and director of Legislative and Community Relations at Southeastern.

Clausen is currently unavailable for comment, as she would like to keep her focus on Southeastern until she assumes the position.