AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn University hired Iowa State University president Steven Leath on Monday after a six-month presidential search process that some criticized as too opaque since no finalists were named publicly.
Trustees unanimously selected the 59-year-old Leath to replace Jay Gogue, who is retiring.
Leath, who has recently been under fire for his use of university aircraft at Iowa State, begins at Auburn on July 15.
“Dr. Leath is a strategic leader who will work alongside the campus community and alumni to elevate Auburn to the next level in instruction, research and outreach,” said a statement by trustee Raymond Harbert, who chaired a 14-member presidential search committee.
Unlike when Gogue was hired, the committee didn’t publicly identify any candidates or finalists until Leath was named, prompting criticism from some about a lack of transparency.