Michael Crum Named Interim ISU College of Business Dean

put its search for the next dean of the Iowa State University College of Business on hold until a new provost is named.

President Steven Leath and Elizabeth Hoffman, the University's executive vice president and provost announced the joint decision March 6, according to a release from ISU's News Service.

Michael Crum, associate dean of graduate programs in the college and inaugural holder of the Ruan Chair in Supply Chain Management, will serve as interim dean starting July 1. He is also the interim recipient of the Raisbeck Endowed Dean position. Labh Hira, dean of the College of Business since 2001, announced in October that he would step down on June 30. Hoffman said in February that she would leave her post by the end of 2012.

Hoffman's announcement came before Leath, who took his post in January, said on Iowa Press that he would be running the university differently than his predecessor Gregory Geoffrey, as originally reported by Mike Glover of the Associated Press.

Leath said he would hire a business manager to handle the university's daily operations so that he could focus on fundraising. He hopes to raise $100 million in his first year.

Crum will serve as interim dean for up to two years. And a new provost will decide how to handle a search for a new College of Business dean.