Geoffroy will step down

**CYVADER** · 03-25-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by bellzisu

Started at ISU in 1999 when Jischke was in charge. The guy got booed at all sporting events. Everyone hated him. When Geoffrey was bright in it was like a fresh breath of air all across campus. The guy has done amazing things while here with buildings, raising money, and being pro-athletics.

I will miss him, and I have a feeling ISU will also.

List of Presidents of Iowa State University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read what wiki has to say about jischke. funny stuff. i remember when i was a freshman in 98 a student "rally" that went right up on his yard. can't remember what they were so ****** about though, but it was loud.

**d4nim4l** · 03-25-2011, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Haverhill

I bet Ben Allen at UNI gets a look. He was the president of our business college during the construction of the new business building.

Probably not a long look. A research institution like ISU is going to need someone with more experience and said experience at a college of similar size/prestige.

**jbhtexas** · 03-25-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Cyrocks

Wish I could agree with you, weR138, but I just can't. I can't help but think what Marvin Pomerantz did to ISU, and he was an appointee of current Gov. Brandstad -- who I don't think is a friend to ISU at all. I am afraid ISU is going to get someone like Jischke who provided as much support to the athletic department as a 25-year old stretch out jock strap.

I was hoping he could hold out through TB's term, but that would put him at age 68.

Much thanks to President Geoffroy for a job well done. I wish someone like him would have been at the helm back when I got to ISU in 1987.

ISU supporters need to be vigilant in the upcoming search for Geoffroy's replacement. A TB puppet would be a disaster.

**Chipper** · 03-25-2011, 10:32 AM

**ISUAgronomist** · 03-25-2011, 10:37 AM

Pollard better use this to his advantage to get the stadium upgrades started before Geoffroy leaves (ie. remind all of us what happens to athletics if you don't have the president's support)

**Ms3r4ISU** · 03-25-2011, 10:40 AM

This email message just sent to ISU employees:
March 25, 2011
To Iowa State University Faculty and Staff:
I'm writing to let you know that I've decided to step down as President of Iowa State no later than July 31, 2012.
On Wednesday, I informed members of the Board of Regents of my decision so that they can begin the search to select a new president. As I approach my 10th anniversary as Iowa State's president and reach the age of 65 this summer, I've been thinking much about my future as well as that of the university, and I've decided that it is time to make this announcement.
I've greatly enjoyed working with members of the university community, and I'm very proud of all of the things we've accomplished together. It's been an incredible pleasure to be associated with so many talented and dedicated individuals within and outside the university, and the Iowa State family is and always will be a special part of my life.
But my life also includes four children and now four grandchildren spread across the country. Kathy and I want to spend much more time with them, and that's just not possible in my current role.
This is a good time to initiate this change, and I'm confident that Iowa State will continue to prosper with outstanding faculty and staff, a strong leadership team, passionate alumni and donors, and bright, energetic students.
With warmest regards,
Gregory L. Geoffroy

**nickwc** · 03-25-2011, 10:43 AM

Hopefully graduating in December I can still get my degree from him and not some random.

**azepp** · 03-25-2011, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by ISU BET

List of Presidents of Iowa State University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read what wiki has to say about jischke. funny stuff. i remember when i was a freshman in 98 a student "rally" that went right up on his yard. can't remember what they were so ****** about though, but it was loud.

I was a freshman in '98 too and was at this "rally". Lots of streaking going on in his front yard. A large number of students hated that guy.

Regarding the universtity president being committed to athletics, they almost have to be in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Athletics are far and away the most visible part of any university - not just ISU - unless you're an Ivy League or otherwise exceptional academic school. Certain departments at ISU may be exceptional from an academic standpoint, but overall the school is not regarded as an exceptional academic school.

Does anyone here know anything about VCU's academic programs? Probably not, unless you live in Virginia. Most of us only know the university exists because of it's basketball team, despite the fact that its enrollment is higher than ISU's. How many Wikipedia hits do you think VCU has had in the past 2 weeks? How else could you get "VCU" into the vocabulary of people around the country, if not for athletic success?

**jsmith86** · 03-25-2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by azepp

I was a freshman in '98 too and was at this "rally". Lots of streaking going on in his front yard. A large number of students hated that guy.

Regarding the universtity president being committed to athletics, they almost have to be in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Athletics are far and away the most visible part of any university - not just ISU - unless you're an Ivy League or otherwise exceptional academic school. Certain departments at ISU may be exceptional from an academic standpoint, but overall the school is not regarded as an exceptional academic school.

Does anyone here know anything about VCU's academic programs? Probably not, unless you live in Virginia. Most of us only know the university exists because of it's basketball team, despite the fact that its enrollment is higher than ISU's. How many Wikipedia hits do you think VCU has had in the past 2 weeks? How else could you get "VCU" into the vocabulary of people around the country, if not for athletic success?

Get a degree in engineering from ISU and get back to me on this one.

**IcSyU** · 03-25-2011, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by jsmith86

Get a degree in engineering from ISU and get back to me on this one.

I'm guessing that was covered under the "certain programs are exceptional but Iowa State isn't as a whole" part. Anyone thinking Iowa State is on the level of Harvard/Stanford/Notre Dame/etc. needs to think again. Yes we have some great programs (ag, engineering) but we aren't an elite university.

**azepp** · 03-25-2011, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

I'm guessing that was covered under the "certain programs are exceptional but Iowa State isn't as a whole" part. Anyone thinking Iowa State is on the level of Harvard/Stanford/Notre Dame/etc. needs to think again. Yes we have some great programs (ag, engineering) but we aren't an elite university.

Thank you.

**alarson** · 03-25-2011, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by jsmith86

Get a degree in engineering from ISU and get back to me on this one.

How high are we in the rankings there these days. I thought i heard we've been slipping.

**CtownCyclone** · 03-25-2011, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Brentwood

I think it is safe to say the next new building will get the Geoffroy name on it.

If Jishke got a building, Geoffrey better get one! My first year was Geoffrey's first year. Everybody was excited that we had a new president, and quite a few people were upset about Jishke getting a building named after him. Best of luck in the future to GG!

**cyclone13** · 03-25-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Haverhill

I bet Ben Allen at UNI gets a look. He was the president of our business college during the construction of the new business building.

I hope not. Ben is nice guy but we need fresh ideas.

**ClivePurple** · 03-25-2011, 11:25 AM

I'm a Panther at heart but have a child at ISU and am on campus regularly for various events. From my somewhat detached perspective, I think Dr. Geoffroy has done an admirable job at ISU. The physical facilities on campus seem to be in great shape. Enrollment is very strong, despite merciless budget cutting by the legislature. Iowa's state schools used to get 75% of their funding from state appropriations. Now it's around 30+ percent, I understand. I think ISU is doing very well with what it has to work with.

Sports are important, but not the apex of a university's profile and stature. I think ISU is still sitting very well. There are a lot of damn smart kids going to school there. And they are doing some amazing things. I just toured the Center For Biorenewables Research. Great facility. Great faculty. And all of its projects are privately funded by corporations investing in alt. energy. No state money is used to run the place. They have very little if any capacity to accept new research funding because their pipeline is full (pardon the pun). That is just one indicator of ISU's forte, but I'll bet it's the same story with other technical disciplines around the campus.

Keep up the good work, ISU, and get yourself another quality leader who understands the university's heritage and its place in the world.