Interim Vice President for External Affairs Benjamin Allen has been appointed to serve as provost while a search is conducted for a replacement provost, President Gregory Geoffroy announced Wednesday.

Allen will replace Provost Rollin Richmond, who has been named president of Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif.

“It’s an honor to be asked to serve in this very important position,” Allen said. “I will work very hard to serve the university and realize that it will be a very difficult task.”

Geoffroy said Allen’s appointment was based on his experience as a respected administrator.

“[Allen] was a dean at the university, so he understands a lot of the issues the provost has to deal with,” Geoffroy said. “He has tremendous leadership skills and talents, and he is highly respected by the campus community.”

Geoffroy said Allen will assume the position when Richmond departs sometime in June.

“I think it’s an excellent appointment,” Richmond said. “The president appropriately did not ask me to make recommendations to him on who the new provost should be, but had I been president, knowing what I know about the individuals on this campus, I would have turned to Dr. Allen as well.”

The search for a permanent provost should begin in a few weeks, Geoffroy said.

“It will take well into the next academic year before it is completed,” he said. “It will be a national search . a search committee that will be appointed within a week or so.”

In the meantime, Richmond will give some advice to Allen on specific plans the provost’s office is currently working on.

Allen said his initial goal is to catch up with the issues facing the provost.

“This is a very difficult job that Provost Richmond has,” he said. “I mean to take advantage of his advice and insights before he leaves campus.

“After the transition, I’ll be working with the constituencies on campus to address the various important issues facing the academic community.”

Allen first came to Iowa State in 1979 and was named a distinguished professor of business in 1988. He left the university in 1990 for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and returned to Iowa State in 1991. After serving as dean of the College of Business from 1995 to 2001, Allen was appointed interim vice president for external affairs last year, replacing Murray Blackwelder.

“He knows the academic world well. He is a distinguished professor, so he has a strong reputation both within his college and within the university,” Richmond said. “He knows the administrative processes well both as a dean and a vice president.”