UL SYSTEM BOARD NAMES BURCKEL MCNEESE PRESIDENT

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System today named Daryl Burckel the seventh president of McNeese State University. He is an accounting professor at McNeese and a former department head. Burckel, a native Louisianian, is a two-time graduate of McNeese where he was a member of the football team. He received his doctorate in business administration from Mississippi State University.

“I’m honored to take on this role as the president of my alma mater, McNeese State University,” President Burckel said. “The university has a bright future filled with opportunity. I look forward to working with the students, staff, faculty and community at large to make McNeese the best it can be.”

The McNeese State University Search Committee narrowed the field to three finalists, Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Dr. Daryl Burckel and Dr. Jeanne Daboval, after interviewing four semifinalists on McNeese’s campus last week.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Burckel as he takes on this challenging role,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “Lake Charles’ booming economy positions McNeese State for growth and he can count on the support of the UL System Board and our entire System community as he serves the wonderful students in southwest Louisiana.”  

During his interview, Burckel outlined the importance of growing the university’s enrollment and combating challenging budget times by identifying innovative funding sources for the university through business partnerships and other opportunities.

Dr. Philip Williams served as McNeese’s president for seven years and will retire June 30.

For more information on the search process including Burckel’s biography, resume and photograph, visit ULSystem.edu/McNeeseSearch.