Public invited to Iowa State president's formal welcome

AMES, Iowa -- Seven months into the job, Iowa State University president Steven Leath soon will receive his formal welcome to the university.

The presidential installation ceremony welcoming Iowa State's 15th president is set for Friday, Sept. 14, in Stephens Auditorium. The public is invited to the event, which will be marked by a colorful procession of several hundred robed academics, brief remarks by state and university officials, and performances by Simon Estes and Iowa State musical groups.

After Craig Lang, president of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, formally installs the ISU president, Leath will share his vision for the university.

The installation begins at 10 a.m. in Stephens Auditorium and will be followed at 11:30 a.m. with a reception in Stephen's Celebrity Café.

"We hope many members of the university community and Iowa State friends will join us at the ceremony and become a part of this special moment in Iowa State history," said Olivia Madison, dean of the library and chair of the installation planning committee. She added that those unable to attend the ceremony may view it live or later on the presidential installation website.

Student celebration, keynote talk

Other installation events, set for Sept. 13, are a speech by national fiscal reform expert Erskine Bowles and a student celebration on central campus.

A veteran of government and business, Bowles is at the center of national dialogue on America's deficit crisis. He will give a public address, "Conversation on the National Debt," Sept. 13 (8 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall) and introduce Leath during the Sept. 14 installation.

Leath served as vice president for research and sponsored programs for the multi-campus University of North Carolina during Bowles' tenure as its president. Bowles was appointed by President Barack Obama to co-chair with former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson a bipartisan national debt reduction commission. He also served as President Bill Clinton's chief of staff.

Students, joined by Cy, the pep band and cheerleaders, will welcome Leath and his wife Janet to the university on central campus, near the campanile (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 13). President Leath will give brief remarks at 12:20 p.m., and a picnic lunch will be served.

Send a greeting

Those who wish to send an electronic welcome to Leath may use the form on the installation site.