The Iowa State University Foundation is nearing an end to its search for a new president.

The search committee is in the process of interviewing the three top candidates for the position: Wayne King, of Oklahoma State University; Thomas S. Hiles, of Western Kentucky University; and a final candidate whose name has not been released by the Foundation.

Last week, King, senior vice president for development at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, visited Ames for interviews with Foundation officials.

“After visiting campus and talking with university and foundation leaders, I am convinced that the ISU Foundation President’s position would be the right career move for me,” King said in an e-mail.

King said he is interested in the job because he is looking for a challenge.

“My next career move, which I want to be a long term commitment, will be to a position of leadership with an institutionally related foundation.”

He said he does not see the Foundation’s recent problems, including a pending lawsuit, as a deterrent.

“The issues that have been raised are being addressed in the appropriate manner,” King said.

“I am encouraged by what I have learned about the opportunity, not discouraged.”

Another candidate, Hiles, vice president for institutional advancement at Western Kentucky University and executive director of the WKU Foundation, visited Ames Tuesday and Wednesday.

ISU Foundation Board Chairman John Lawson said the Foundation hopes to have the position filled within several weeks and no later than the end of the calendar year.

Lawson said the Foundation is looking for a candidate with relevant experience.

“We want someone reasonable amount of experience in development roles and a minimum of ten years leadership and managerial time,” Lawson said.

“This individual must also be able to work in good harmony in a large institution with a sizable staff and have high integrity and be accountable.”

Lawson said the search process began in late spring by hiring a professional search firm.

The Foundation also put together a search committee, co-chaired by Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture, and Roger Underwood, president of Becker-Underwood, Inc.

Approximately 50 candidates applied, and a handful were invited to campus.

“The three candidates we felt were most deserving are now in the process of interviewing,” Lawson said.

Tom Mitchell, former Foundation president, resigned in June to accept a position at the University of California at Irvine.

The current interim president of the Foundation, Peg Armstrong-Gustafson, has said she has no interest in taking on the position because of her personal and professional commitments.

“Applicants will continue to be considered and interviewed as needed until the best candidate is identified,” said Barbara Boose, the foundation’s director of public relations.