William L Jenkins

William Louis Jenkins (January 29, 1937 – November 26, 2025) was a South African-born veterinary scientist who served as the fourth President of the Louisiana State University System in the USA until his retirement in 2007.

Jenkins practiced veterinary medicine for four years before joining the Faculty at the University of Pretoria, Jenkins was appointed Dean of the Louisiana State University’s (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988 and was named Provost in 1993. He served as Chancellor at LSU for three years before his appointment as President of the LSU System, a nearly $3 billion enterprise that includes five academic campuses, a law centre, and 10 public hospitals.

Jenkins retired as the fourth President of the LSU System in 2007, and was later President Emeritus. Jenkins returned to LSU in 2012 to become interim President of the LSU System. Jenkins retired as interim President of the LSU System in 2013.

Awards and honours

As a teacher and administrator, Jenkins received numerous awards and accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria (2000), the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Southern Economic Development Conference (2004), and the Sunshine Foundation Award in 2008 for his contribution to education in Louisiana.