ISU officials announced the identity of the first of two finalists under consideration for the second highest position at Iowa State.

Jeffrey S. Vitter, dean of the College of Science at Purdue University, will visit campus Tuesday and Wednesday to interview for the position of provost and executive vice president, a position vacated last May by Benjamin Allen to become president at the University of Northern Iowa.

Vitter will take part in a general forum from 1:45 to 2:50 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union, followed by a diversity forum from 3:50 to 4:40 in the same room.

The university search committee charged with filling the provost position refused to immediately release the names of the two finalists after both candidates requested anonymity, voicing concerns that the announcement could negatively impact their work at their current institutions.

According to the search committee’s Web site, the second finalist is scheduled to visit campus Sept. 21.