Last evening I attended a reception for the new and 15th President of Iowa State University, Steven Leath.
Nearly 200 ISUers gathered at the Cedar Rapids Country Club to welcome him to Cedar Rapids and to Iowa and to hear his vision for the University.
Iowa State's Campanile
During his brief comments, he stressed “I’m a land-grant guy.” Land-grant, you may recall, refers to the basis upon which many of the great colleges and universities in our country were formed. States were given a grant of land, in exchange for which they were chartered establish schools to provide education in the practical activities to the people of the state. The Extension Service is one example of this.
Many land-grant schools had the term “agricultural and mechanic arts” in their name, such as Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts and Texas A & M. Also, many of the land grant schools are named “____ State.”
“Service” to the people of the state is an important function of these schools and one which President Leath stressed.
He commented that his plans, policies, and actions would be guided by asking, “What is best for ISU and for the people of Iowa.”
Closer cooperation between ISU and the University of Iowa—except in athletics!—was desirable and would be part of his planning. In fact, yesterday he met with Sally Mason, President of the U of I.
Student debt of ISU students is much higher than it should be, according to our new President. He has spent a lot of time at the Iowa legislature, working to improve the financial picture of the University. Student debt is but one part of the overall financial story of the school.
I was impressed with the sincerity of President Leath’s comments. He didn’t come across as a flamboyant crusader but as one who knows the facts, then gently and relentlessly pursues a course which will yield the desired results.
President Leath will serve ISU and the people of the State of Iowa well!