William Arceneaux

William Arceneaux was born in Scott, Louisiana on August 19, 1941. He received a B. A. in history from University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1962, a M. A. in United States and southern history from Louisiana State University in 1965, and a Ph.D. in Latin American history and politics from Louisiana State University in 1969. From 1972 to 1975, he was the executive director of the Louisiana Coordinating Council for Higher Education. In 1975, he was named as the commissioner of higher education for the Louisiana Board of Regents, in which capacity he served until 1987. From 1987 to 2007, he served as the president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He also served on the board of the Student Loan Marketing Association, or Sallie Mae (1981-1997). President Bill Clinton appointed him chair of that group in 1993, a position he held until 1997. He is married to Patricia Arceneaux; they have four children.