Leon R. Tarver II

Leon R. Tarver II
President of Southern University
Preceded by	Dolores Richard Spikes
Succeeded by	Edward Jackson
Personal details
Born	c. 1948 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Spouse	Cynthia Tarver
Alma mater	Southern University Harvard University's John K. Kennedy School of Government The Union Institute

Leon R. Tarver II (born c. 1948) is an American academic administrator. He served as the president of Southern University, a public, historically black university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 1997 to 2005.

Early life and education

Tarver was born c. 1948 in Shreveport, Louisiana.[1][2] He attended local schools before college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Southern University Baton Rouge, a master's of public administration from Harvard University (John K. Kennedy School of Government), and a doctor of philosophy from The Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.[3]

Career

Tarver joined Southern University as a professor of Public Administration in 1992.[1] He was the executive administrator of SU's Center of Cultural Heritage and International Programs.[4] He served as its president from 1997 to 2005.[1][4]

In addition, he has worked at international development in Haiti, England, France, and Africa, including Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.[2] In 2013 Tarver was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Southern University by Governor Bobby Jindal. Since 2015, he has served as the chairman of SU's board.[2]

Tarver was also the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation.[1]

Personal life

Tarver has a wife, Cynthia.[5]

References

1. "Company Overview of Louisiana Casino Cruises: Leon R. Tarver II". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
2. Sues, Brock (November 28, 2014). "SU Board elects new officers for 2015". WBRZ-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
3. "SU Board elects Tarver, Braxton for 2015", The Drum, 04 December 2014; accessed 21 June 2018
4. "Dr. Leon R. Tarver II". Southern University. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
5. "Audit: Southern violated state law". The Town Talk. February 2, 1997. p. 30. Retrieved June 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.