Changes

In 1981, Taylor told a civic club in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] that Louisiana Tech was "no longer a college in the piney woods" and cited a list of accomplishments, including the enrollment at the time of a thousand graduate students.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 23, 1981, p. 1.</ref> In a 2003 interview with the ''[[Monroe News Star]],'' Taylor described his goal as having helped "to bring Louisiana Tech onto the national and international scene."<ref name=obit/>​

In 1981, Taylor told a civic club in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] that Louisiana Tech was "no longer a college in the piney woods" and cited a list of accomplishments, including the enrollment at the time of a thousand graduate students.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 23, 1981, p. 1.</ref> In a 2003 interview with the ''[[Monroe News Star]],'' Taylor described his goal as having helped "to bring Louisiana Tech onto the national and international scene."<ref name=obit/>​

Taylor announced on January 6, 1987 that he would step down from the Tech presidency effective June 30 of that year. He indicated that his decision to retire at the age of sixty-three was unrelated to any differences that he may have had with the Tech regents.<ref>"Taylor retiring from La. Tech," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' June 7, 1987, p. 1.</ref> Taylor was succeeded as the president by his vice-president, Daniel Reneau. On Taylor's death in Ruston at the age of eighty-seven, Reneau described his predecessor as "a great leader and a 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."<ref name=obit/>​

On January 6, 1987, Taylor announced that he would step down from the Tech presidency effective June 30 of that year. He indicated that his decision to retire at the age of sixty-three was unrelated to any differences that he may have had with the Tech regents.<ref>"Taylor retiring from La. Tech," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' June 7, 1987, p. 1.</ref> Taylor was succeeded as the president by his vice-president, Daniel Reneau. On Taylor's death in Ruston at the age of eighty-seven, Reneau described his predecessor as "a great leader and a 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."<ref name=obit/>​

Taylor died at the age of eighty-seven. His services were held on May 18, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in downtown Ruston. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.<ref name=taylor/>​

Taylor died at the age of eighty-seven. His services were held on May 18, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in downtown Ruston. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.<ref name=taylor/>​

Taylor's eulogy, delivered by Sidney "Sid" Moreland, IV, recalled that Louisiana Tech students "were fortunate enough to pursue their education under the leadership of Jay Taylor ... He epitomized the grace, humility, vision, and the intellectual depth that only a great university deserves. He made us all believe in that greatness and the gift of his tireless work lives on in all of us who were served by him, and blessed that he was ours ..."​<ref name=taylor/>

Taylor's eulogy, delivered by Sidney "Sid" Moreland, IV, recalled that Louisiana Tech students "were fortunate enough to pursue their education under the leadership of Jay Taylor ... He epitomized the grace, humility, vision, and the intellectual depth that only a great university deserves. He made us all believe in that greatness and the gift of his tireless work lives on in all of us who were served by him, and blessed that he was ours ..."​<ref name=taylor/>

​

​

==Further analysis of Taylor's tenure==

==Further analysis of Taylor's tenure==

​

​