President and CEO of the Iowa State University Foundation Tom Mitchell has been selected by the University of California at Irvine to lead its fund-raising efforts.

Effective July 1, 2002, Mitchell will begin his duties as vice chancellor of University Advancement at UC Irvine.

Mitchell said he is looking forward to many things about his change in assignment with excitement and even a bit of nervousness.

“First, the University of California at Irvine is one of the nation’s top 10 public institutions,” Mitchell said. “Second, it is a very different institution than Iowa State. It is an urban campus with an urban constituent base.”

The new and different challenge, as well as leadership opportunities within a ranked university, were also enticing to Mitchell.

In a UCI press release, Chancellor Ralph Cicerone said, “Tom Mitchell’s outstanding record in fund raising, leadership of the Iowa State University Foundation and management of ISU’s foundation assets make him an exceptional choice for this position.”

According to the release, the search committee unanimously recommended Mitchell for the position. All search committee members were at a retreat on Tuesday and unavailable for comment.

Mitchell said he will be leaving behind good friends.

“I continue to be constantly amazed at the loyalty and generosity of Iowa State alumni and friends,” he said.

During his five years at the Foundation, Mitchell has seen an increase in the number of donors, as well as in the amounts contributed to Iowa State.

“I will walk away knowing [Iowa State] will continue to be a great institution because of that loyalty and dedication,” he said.

It is uncertain at this time who will step into the interim position, but Mitchell said a meeting later this week with President Gregory Geoffroy and ISU Foundation Board of Directors President John Lawson will result in an appointment.

Lawson said it is important to remember Mitchell is only one member of the Foundation team.

“Tom is one of a number of people. As a leader he is important, but not the only one,” he said. “Others will carry on the great tradition of Iowa State.”

Mitchell will continue his normal duties with the Foundation for the next three months.

“We will endeavor as a Foundation Board, and staff, in cooperation with President Geoffroy and the university to make this transition as seamless as we possibly can,” he said.

“We will have no problem attracting a good replacement, and we have a great organization to carry us through the transition.”

Mitchell will replace Thomas R. Moebus, who resigned from the University of California-Irvine position last fall.