Steven Leath
Steven Leath | |
---|---|
15th President of Iowa State University | |
Assumed office February 1, 2012 | |
Preceded by | Gregory L. Geoffroy |
Vice President of Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | |
In office 2007–2012 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Vice-President of Research at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] Providence, Rhode Island |
Died | Vice-President of Research at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] |
Resting place | Vice-President of Research at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] |
Spouse | Janet |
Children | Eric and Scott |
Parent |
|
Residence | The Knoll |
Alma mater | Penn State University (B.S.) University of Delaware (M.S.) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Ph.D.) |
Website | [1] |
Dr. Steven Leath is the 15th and current president of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Early Life and Education
Leath was born in Providence, Rhode Island, moving to St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of two. Leath later moved again to central Pennsylvania, where he took up a number of sports, including hunting and fishing.
He obtained his Bachelor's Degree from Penn State University in 1979, studying Plant Science. Two years later he received his M.S. in Plant Pathology from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and Phytopathology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1984.
Career
Prior to his position at Iowa State, Leath was vice president for research for the 16-campus University of North Carolina system.
A notable event that occurred during Leath's tenure was his decision to permanently end Veishea after 2014. This was due to continued problems with violence that occurred during the festival, especially a series of violent disturbances that led to his suspending Veishea halfway through the festival in 2014.[1]
Personal Life
Leath married his wife, Janet, in 1981. They have two sons, Eric and Scott. They share the Knoll with their beloved dogs, Quill and Dixie.
Leath's family owns a Christmas Tree farm, currently run by his sons.
An Instrument-rated pilot, Leath damaged a Cirrus SR-22 owned by Iowa State while landing in gusty conditions in Bloomington, IL.[2] The ensuing controversy about the use of school property for personal travel, and the fact that the school paid for the damage, led to Leath publicly declaring that he would no longer fly state-owned aircraft.[3]
Sources
- Biography: Steven Leath
- A presidential profile: Steven Leath prepares for installation at ISU
- UD alum Steven Leath named president of Iowa State University
References
- ^ Veishea ends at Iowa State; new traditions will begin with 'thoughtful approach', Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University, 2014, retrieved 2014-08-07
- ^ Foley, Ryan (23 September 2016). "Iowa State President Damaged School Plane". ABC News. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ News Service, ISU. "Statement from President Steven Leath about his use of Iowa State University-owned aircraft". Iowa State University. Retrieved 1 October 2016.