Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

January 17, 2003

Regents' approval of provost expected this week

Benjamin Allen will continue to serve as vice president for academic affairs and provost. His appointment, announced Dec. 17 by President Gregory Geoffroy, was subject to review this week by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

In June 2002, Allen was appointed to serve while the search for a permanent vice president and provost was under way. He succeeded Rollin Richmond, who resigned to take a college presidency in California.

"After extensive consultation around campus, I concluded that our needs for academic leadership are best met by Dr. Allen," Geoffroy said. "His career as a faculty member, dean of the College of Business, interim vice president for external affairs and provost since June give him valuable insight into Iowa State and what is needed to further enhance our academic excellence.

"He has received praise from fellow administrators, students, faculty and staff," Geoffroy added. "I'm very pleased that Ben will continue to serve Iowa State in this vital position."

In late October, a search committee submitted the names of three finalists. Each of the three made campus visits in November. One of the candidates, Nancy Smith Barrett, University of Alabama, withdrew in early December. Allen was not a candidate for the position at that time.

Consistent with university policy, the Faculty Senate will be asked to initiate a performance review of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost beginning in the spring 2005.

Allen has been at Iowa State since 1979 and is a distinguished professor in business, specializing in transportation and logistics.