Joe W. Aguillard

Last updated
Joe Wallace Aguillard
8th President of Louisiana College
In office
January 19, 2005 –May 31, 2014

Joe Wallace Aguillard (born July 15, 1956) served as the eighth president of the Southern Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College in Pineville in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Controversies involving Aguillard

Failed Promises of Law, Medical, and Film Schools

Due to what many community leaders describe as 'failed promises', and 'false information' by Aguillard, the law school never materialized. [1]

Aguillard also guaranteed the future establishment of a medical school, and film school. Neither of which came to fruition. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [3] [43] [44] [45]

Timothy Johnson and Charles Quarles disputes

Argile Smith, the executive vice president, the vice president of Integration of Faith and Learning, and Aguillard's eventual interim successor as the Louisiana College president, said, "The faculty, staff, and students, have been so supportive through this journey. Our President has shown us how to work through a crisis with the kind of integrity that comes from a resilient relationship with Christ. Now that the crisis is behind us, Louisiana College can get back to fulfilling our mission, 'to change the World for Christ!'".

"Louisiana College is focused on moving past the Calvinism coup and strategically addressing her mission, of bringing every lost soul to Christ as we strive to fulfill our Mission", said Aguillard. Dr. Tommy French, chairman of the Louisiana College trustees, said, "The board is thrilled at the SACS Reaffirmation in December, 2013 and looks forward to the bright future as our President leads Louisiana College to fulfill her mission." [46]

Sex scandal cover-up and forgery

On February 26, 2014, two documents were leaked online disclosing an alleged blackmail attempt by Aguillard's former assistant, Joseph Cole. [47] [48] The first document, released minutes from an executive committee meeting of the Louisiana College Board of Trustees, contends that Cole threatened to leak "office secrets" to The Alexandria Daily Town Talk or Save Our Louisiana College unless the college paid him $25,000 cash plus overtime pay and benefits. [49] Cole claimed that Aguillard forged signatures on official SACS documents, abused pain medications, and had knowledge of an incident in a hotel room involving Cole, pornography, and two Louisiana College male college freshmen prior to his hiring of Cole as his executive assistant. [50]

The second document contained the college's agreement to pay Cole the $25,000; in exchange, Cole was to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the college. [51] The document contains a letter from the Armour Law Firm, which then represented Louisiana College. This document confirms Cole's claims that Aguillard had forged multiple signatures on official SACS documents and had hindered an internal investigation into the matter. [52] When Aguillard, who had previously recused himself from the matter, insisted that Armour immediately surrender all of the information pertaining to the Joseph Cole dispute, the law firm decided not to renew its contract with Louisiana College and wrote:

Several of the signature pages of reports which were provided as part of the College's report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools were significant in that they called into question the authenticity of signatures, including thouse of Tim Whitman, Peggy Pack, Dr. Charles Quarles, and Michael Travers. The Vice President Evaluation of Dr. Michael Travers was even post-dated "May 10, 2011," but was sent to SACS on March 1, 2011. Further, evaluations by Dr. Searcy were stamp dated for 2009-2010 before he was even employed at Louisiana College ... Dr. Aguillard rescinded his decision to recuse himself from the Joseph Cole issue and demanded the Joseph Cole file from the Armour Law Firm and Dr. Tim Searcy ... In my opinion, for me to comply with Dr. Aguillard's written and verbal demand to release him documentation concerning the examination of the allegations against Dr. Aguillard is inappropriate...given the circumstances such as those outlined in this letter, I do not believe that I can continue to represent Louisiana College.

— Bonita Armour, Leaked LC Documents [52]

Student strike against Aguillard

The story made state and national headlines with several media organizations saying that the administration had violated the students' First Amendment rights. [53]

Forced Resignation

Though Aguillard remained president-emeritus and a faculty member after he was forced to resign the Louisiana College presidency, he was finally terminated from both positions in the spring of 2016 following an evaluation. In September 2016, Aguillard filed suit in the 9th Judicial District Court in Alexandria to seek damages for "civil conspiracy" involving breach of contract, assault and battery, and emotional distress. The defendants include Louisiana College, Aguillard's permanent presidential successor Rick Brewer, private investigator Don Benton Connor Sr., and the insurance underwriting firm RSUI Indemnity Company. [54] An out-of-court settlement was believed to have been pending in December 2016. [55]

Then in late May 2017, Louisiana College filed a civil suit seeking unspecified damages for defamation against former President Aguillard, who it alleges "engaged in a regular and pervasive campaign to undercut" the institution including "ghostwriting faculty member grievances" against the administration. The suit cites an "anonymous package" reportedly circulated by Aguillard of "derogatory statements" about the college. Individual plaintiffs include Louisiana College president Rick Brewer and Cheryl Clark, whom Aguillard accused of having illegally changed the final grades of more than "a dozen nursing students." [56]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Leigh Guidry, "Louisiana College trustees consider new contract for Aguillard," March 2, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk . Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Sources: Louisiana College President Aguillard asked to resign as support dwindles". Alexandria Daily Town Talk . Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Louisiana College shifting gears: Aguillard's tenure as president to end May 31, April 16, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Louisiana College will seek new president after moving Aguillard to emeritus role, April 15, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved April 15, 2014.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Dr. Chuck Quarles' Introduction of Dr. Joe Aguillard, Inauguration Ceremony, March 23, 2006" (PDF). lacollege.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-03-22. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Timeline: Joe W. Aguillard, March 17, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Jules Miller, "Prayer Rally ... Spiritual help is sought for Beauregard's Schools"". Alexandria Daily Town Talk, January 10, 1999. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Gannett Press,Members of Joe Aguillard's church call for prayers for Louisiana College, March 26, 2014". Shreveport Times . Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ ""Alumnus of the Year: Rory Lee", Mississippi College Alumni Magazine Winter 2012". mc.edu. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Dr. Rory Lee". baptistchildrensvillage.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Malcolm Yarnell". swbts.edu. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, "Louisiana College president's future in question when trustees meet", March 18, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Capital Campaign Q&A with Dr. Aguillard", Columns: the Magazine for Louisiana College Alumni and Friends (Winter 2013), pp. 10-11
  14. ↑ "Judge Paul Pressler School of Law", Columns: The Magazine for Louisiana College Alumni and Friends, Winter 2010, p. 16
  15. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Sources: La. College President Joe Aguillard says he won't quit". The Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Todd Starnes, "Baptist college: We'll defy gov't on mandate"". bpnews.net. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Joe Aguillard says he would close Louisiana College over Obamacare, March 19, 2012". youtube.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Joe W. Aguillard". voterportal.sos.la.gov. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Christopher Pate, Election 2012: Ron Paul Campaigns in Louisiana: Republican candidate works hard to prove himself, March 26, 2012". scholastic.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Freedom, faith and family: Santorum brings conservative message to cap LC's candidates week". wildcasts.ehclinetgs.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Accreditation reaffirmed for Louisiana College". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Tommy French takes over as La. College board chairman, January 22, 2014". The Town Daily Talk. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Randy Benson and Leigh Guidry, SACS to launch investigation of Louisiana College". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Jodi Belgard, "Former Louisiana College professor named dean at Phoenix school", July 1, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Louisiana College: Satan is Working Hard, Stand with Joe".
  26. ↑ Brandon Comeaux (March 29, 2011). "LCC president recovering from heart attack". KPEL-FM . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  27. ↑ "President's Pen, January 17, 2013". lacollege.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, "Major donor announces it no longer supports Louisiana College: Cason Foundation was a major backer for the college's divinity school"". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved April 26, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  29. ↑ "Edgar Cason Contribution List in 2012". campaignmoney.com. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Aguillard retains job as president of Louisiana College, March 20, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Trinity Heights Baptist Church". trinityheights.org. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Randy Benson, "Split committee clears president of multiple accusations"". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved April 29, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  33. ↑ "Tapes appear to contradict Louisiana College President Aguillard's claims on Tanzania". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Lee Guidry, "Louisiana College has a new challenge: Restoring its image", May 5, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved July 29, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  35. ↑ "Louisiana College announces anonymous $10 million donation, May 1, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved July 29, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  36. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, "Louisiana College VP: President Aguillard's Calvinism stance 'a distraction'", July 27, 2013". Alexandria Daily Tlown Talk. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Lawsuit: Being whistleblower cost former Louisiana College VP his job". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  38. ↑ "LC President Aguillard: I'll put loyalty over competency, March 2, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Johnson: Louisiana College firing was in response to whistleblower complaint, August 11, 2013". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Leigh Guidry of Gannett News, Group of LC students seeks President Joe Aguillard's removal: 'Prayers for Progress' strike planned for Monday morning". Shreveport Times. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Louisiana College's Aguillard issues apology to La. Baptist Convention executive director". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Louisiana College board members accuse Aguillard, La. Baptist Convention executive director of abusing power, March 29, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Board of Trustees honors President Aguillard with President Emeritus for his many accomplishments | Louisiana College". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  44. ↑ John Willie, "Louisiana College Placed on Probation by SACSCOC; Maintains Full Accreditation", Louisiana College press release, June 19, 2014
  45. ↑ Leigh Guidry (August 28, 2014). "Aguillard's recognition ceremony receives". The Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  46. ↑ "President Aguillard Exonerated by Board of Trustees of All Whistleblower Allegations made by vice presidents Chuck Quarles and Tim Johnson | Louisiana College". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  47. ↑ Hall, JD (2014-02-26). "LOUISIANA COLLEGE PAYS OFF (25K) AGUILLARD'S ASSISTANT TO KEEP SILENT ON MISDEEDS" . Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  48. ↑ Guidry, Leigh. "Documents: Former Louisiana College employee was paid to keep quiet". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  49. ↑ "Minutes, Executive Committee Meeting". Louisiana College Internal Documents. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  50. ↑ "Sex and Drugs". faithonview.com. 2014-02-26. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Louisiana College Agreement to Pay Off Joseph Cole Blackmail Demands". Louisiana College Internal Documents. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  52. 1 2 "Louisiana College Agreement to Pay Off Joseph Cole Blackmail Demands". Louisiana College Internal Documents. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  53. ↑ "Leigh Guidry, Handful of students, alumni gather at Louisiana College for 'strike', March 24, 2014". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  54. ↑ Leigh Guidry (September 30, 2016). "Former LC president alleges threats, conspiracy". The Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  55. ↑ "Lawsuit against Louisiana College could settle". The Monroe News-Star. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Louisiana College files civil suit against former president Joe Aguillard for defamation". KALB-TV. May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
Preceded by 8th President of Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana
2005–2014		Succeeded by
Argile Smith (interim)
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