Former Louisiana Tech University President F. Jay Taylor dies aged 87

May 18, 2011

, the former president of, died Sunday aged 87. Taylor held the post from 1962 until his retirement in 1987. During his tenure, Taylor made major changes to the university, securing funds to improve campus infrastructure. He started his career as a historian and was also a Naval aviator who served during World War II.

, the current president of the university and vice president under Taylor, released a statement shortly after Taylor's death. He paid tribute to the former president, saying, "Dr. Taylor was a great leader and great president. I was privileged to serve seven years under him as vice president. A senior statesman and point guard in the Tech family has fallen, and we will miss him greatly."

While president of Louisiana Tech, Taylor worked on adding buildings to the site, as well as improving the school's athletics program. He said in a 2003 interview that "[his] goal was to help bring Louisiana Tech onto the national and international scene."

Taylor is survived by his wife, Lou. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.