Current Iowa State president Steven Leath will become the 19th president in Auburn University. The hire was announced the university's board of trustees meeting Monday.
Leath is coming to the Plains to replace current Auburn president Jay Gogue who has been at Auburn since 2007. Gouge is set to retire in the summer, and was not particularly involved with Auburn Athletics during his tenure on the Plains.
Unlike Gouge at Auburn, Leath has been very supportive of Cyclone Athletics during his time in Ames, Iowa. It has been reported that Leath was extremely involved in the hire of current Cyclone basketball coach, Steve Prohm in 2015.
"It's probably not real common for a university president to be involved when there's a change like this, and often, I tend to be a delagator," Leath told the Des Moines Register. "But on certain things, I'll insert myself and pay attention."
"This is the second-highest paid employee in the university. Why wouldn't I pay attention?"
Leath was recently in attendance at Iowa State’s second-round game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Leath, who arrived at Iowa State in 2012, has seen the Men’s basketball Cyclones reach the NCAA Tournament each season he has been president.
The Cyclones have also been winners of three Big 12 Tournament Championships during Leath's tenure. The latest championship was this past season when the Cyclones were lead by Prohm.
It is no secret that winning is important to Leath. He made that evident to Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard when the Cyclones were searching for a new basketball coach.
"When this process started, I told Jamie I did not want a coach that was going to publicly humiliate players, throw chairs onto the court and kick," the president said. "That was important to me. Winning was hugely important to me.
According to a release from Auburn University, Iowa State achieved its highest student graduation rate, lowered student debt, grew research expenditures, set fundraising records and secured the university's largest private gift for an academic facility during Leath's tenure.
Leath has done all of this, while Cyclone Athletics has been competing at the highest levels.
Leath is set to begin his presidency at Auburn on July 15, and plans to take in Auburn Athletics with the students.
“I don’t know what will happen here because I’ve never been to a football game at Auburn," Leath said. "But generally Janet and I will make an appearance in the student section every football game."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
