Trustees at Auburn University in Alabama voted this morning to approve ISU President Steve Leath as AU's 19th president. The voice vote was unanimous. Leath will replace Jay Gogue, who has announced his retirement effective this summer.
Leath has been ISU's president since 2012. He begins his new job at Auburn on July 15.
In a statement to the Trustees following this morning's vote, Leath said, "I could not be more excited, or frankly more humbled, by this once in a lifetime opportunity."
He promised to work with faculty in the spirit of collaboration and shared governance, and said to students that they will "always be first".
Last December, Leath apologized to the Iowa's Board of Regents for using university-owned airplanes for his personal flight training and out-of-state appointments. Board members met to consider whether to retain Leath after receiving an audit detailing his use of university planes. Regents President Bruce Rastetter said at the time he was disappointed in Leath, but commended him for taking responsibility for his actions.
Leath reimbursed ISU for the cost of 52 training flights, as well as for costs associated with several out-of-state trips.
"I would like to thank President Leath for his service to Iowa State University, the Board of Regents and the state of Iowa, "Regents President Bruce Rastetter said in a statement this morning. "ISU has made great strides during his tenure, including achieving record enrollment."
ISU reported an enrollment of 36,660 in the Fall '16 semester, a school record.
Auburn University is a land-grant university, like ISU. It has about 28,000 students.
