He didn’t apply for the job and he wasn’t considered a finalist, but he got the job.

Benjamin Allen was named vice president for academic affairs and provost at Iowa State. He was selected over three finalists in the search. The finalists were Gary Krahenbuhl, Terry S. King and Nancy Smith Barrett, who withdrew her candidacy in early December.

“They were all good candidates. They all had their notable strengths but there was no overwhelming consensus on one candidate,” said John McCarroll, director of University Relations.

Allen said he was pleased to be named permanently to the position. In June 2002, Allen was appointed interim vice president for academic affairs and provost. He replaced Rollin Richmond, who took a position in California.

“I am very humbled, honored and pleased to be named provost,” he said. “I do not know if [appointing someone who did not apply] is unusual. I know that it has happened on this campus before.”

In a statement, President Gregory Geoffroy said he was pleased that Allen will continue to serve Iowa State.

“Ben Allen is doing an outstanding job. He has received praise from fellow administrators, students, faculty, and staff,” Geoffroy said.

Allen said his responsibilities include leading all academic programs and overseeing the deans of colleges. He said a major focus is hiring the right faculty.

“The bottom line is that we, the provost office, need to hire the right people to help with the right programs to provide the best education possible,” Allen said. “If you don’t have the right faculty it’s hard to have innovative and strong academic programs.”

Allen said he would like to increase the number of faculty, provide better support, raise the quality and assign the faculty to the right unit.

Allen has been at Iowa State for 20 years. In the past he has been dean of the College of Business as well as a professor of transportation and logistics.