Simple: to be understood by and be able to share code with others in academia. I have a few options: python, MATLAB, Mathematica, possibly C/C++ but certainly not LabVIEW. I dabble in all other languages, but in terms of cost and adoption, the choice is easy. I understand that for automation and delivering slick UI to paying customers it might not cut it, but if Emerson drops it, everyone will have to reconsider their options.
As far as I am concerned, the writing has been on the wall a long time ago as far as LabVIEW was concerned. What saddens me the most is that its graphical paradigm hasn't percolated (much) in other languages (Node-Red and some other experiments being rare and not-so-impressive exceptions).