By Bob Allen
A Baptist college in Louisiana opened its academic year Aug. 28 with a chapel service honoring its former president, who stepped down earlier this year amid accusations of misleading trustees, whistleblower complaints and public calls for his resignation or firing.
At its first chapel service of the fall, Louisiana College held a ceremony bestowing the title of president emeritus on Joe Aguillard. Aguillard announced in April his nine-year presidency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention-affiliated school in Pineville, La., would end July 31.
Trustee chairman Tommy French presented Aguillard with a medal and certificate of distinguished service formally conveying the title of president emeritus.
“Dr. Joe, you have maintained a strong academic liberal-arts college,” said French, who retired in 2007 after nearly 50 years as founding pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La. “You have lashed it and you have tied it to God’s Holy Word, and you have undergirded it by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
In video accompanying a report of the ceremony in the Alexandria Town Talk newspaper, Aguillard said it’s been his privilege the last 10 years to open the school year with chapel.
“Everybody wondered, ‘What’s he going to do next?’” he reminisced. “How many of you remember when the president ate a worm? Well, he happened to bring one today. Really, but he’s not going to eat it. He’s just keeping your attention with it.”
“So many memories that we have,” Aguillard said. “I want to leave you with what I think is profound wisdom, because it comes from God: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’
“God bless you, keep the faith and Go Wildcats!” Aguillard said.
After a year-long sabbatical, Aguillard will return to Louisiana College as a tenured senior professor in the education department. Interim President Argile Smith is filling in while the board of trustees seeks a permanent successor.
Elected to office during a period of transition in Louisiana Baptist life from moderate to conservative leadership, Aguillard was controversial from the start. Criticism intensified during the last couple of years, however, over allegations that he sought to purge Calvinists from the faculty, lost donor support and lawsuits by former vice presidents claiming wrongful termination for following policies encouraging the reporting of malfeasance by a superior.
Aguillard survived a firing attempt in 2013. In June the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges placed Louisiana College on probation, citing unsolicited information alleging non-compliance in several areas.
Not everyone welcomed the recognition. Some attendees complained on social media about using chapel for political purposes, and one proposed they should walk out.
Jay Akins, a trustee who rotates off the board in November, posted a blog Aug. 29 saying that from his perspective, nothing has changed in what he called the college’s dysfunctional leadership culture.
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