Second Finalist for Iowa State Presidency Holds Forum in Ames Today

The second of two for the presidency will answer questions in a forum on campus at 3:45 p.m. today.

Steven Leath, vice president for research and sponsored programs for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, arrived on campus Thursday and will take questions after a brief presentation at 2019 Morrill Hall.

Leath has been working in North Carolina for more than 20 years and has an agricultural background. Before becoming a vice president for research he led research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. He also has experience as an extension plant pathologist at University of Illinois in Urbana, the Iowa State News service reports.

Leath received a B.S. Degree in plant science from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree in plant science from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in plant pathology from the University of Illinois. 

Watch a video of him talking about how research grants have affected North Carolina's economy here.

The ISU president search committee originally picked four finalists, but two dropped out citing personal reasons.

Kumble Subbaswamy, provost of the University of Kentucky, Lexington, the other finalist, participated in a similar public forum on Thursday, where he told a packed room that universities were critical to economic development. A professor later said Subbaswamy didn't say much about education or his thoughts on the university as an intellectual institution.

Leath and Subbaswamy are vying to replace current ISU president Gregory Geoffroy, who announced he will leave the post by July 31.

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