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.
“I’m just disappointed that that step was not taken with this search,” the Opelika-Auburn News quoted Auburn journalism professor John Carvalho as saying.
Last month, officials in Iowa decided not to file criminal charges against Leath following an investigation into whether he broke the law with his use of school aircraft. The review began after an audit found Leath used university planes for medical appointments in Minnesota, personal flight lessons and trips home to North Carolina. He has now reimbursed the university for the flights.
