Sept. 8, 2011

32 candidates for ISU presidency

by Diana Pounds

Thirty-two candidates are seeking the Iowa State presidential post.

It's an outstanding pool of candidates, Laurie Wilder of Parker Executive Search, Atlanta, told the presidential search committee during its Sept. 9 meeting. Wilder added the candidate pool is diverse in gender, ethnicity and experience.

"They're coming from all walks of life in the academic community," she added.

After a brief public discussion, the search committee went into private executive session to evaluate candidates. All applicants have requested that their names be kept confidential during the early part of the search.

The committee plans to select and announce finalists for the presidential post in late September, said Labh Hira, search committee co-chair and ISU business dean.

Finalists then will come to campus to meet with various constituencies and participate in open forums, Hira said.

While no finalists have been selected, tentative forum schedules have already been set.

"We want to give everyone plenty of time to get these forums on their calendars," Hira said.