A standing ovation from about 700 students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members and state officials welcomed Gregory L. Geoffroy as he became Iowa State’s 14th president Saturday.

Owen Newlin, president of the Board of Regents, performed Geoffroy’s official installation.

“Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in the book of one of the greatest land grant universities,” Newlin said. “It is in good hands with Geoffroy at the helm. He has the energy, determination and commitment to lead Iowa State in its historic quest to become the best land grant university.”

Simon Estes, ISU artist-in-residence, sang “Come dal ciel precipita” from “Macbeth” and the Iowa State Singers performed “If Music Be the Food of Love” and “The Bells of Iowa State” to welcome Geoffroy.

Andy Tofilon, GSB President, welcomed President Geoffroy on behalf of its 27,878 students and challenged him to provide “nothing less then excellence.”

“You are the caretaker of the students of Iowa State,” said Tofilon, senior in journalism and mass communications. “And like a student, you will learn something new every day. Like a student, you will be challenged to become your best. Like a student, you will not want to go to school every day. “

Geoffroy said he is ready to take on the challenges as Iowa State’s executive leader.

“Iowa State University is ready to move to the next level of greatness, and I am ready to lead it there,” he said. “It is not the past that is my focus today. It is the future, and more importantly, our vision of the future.”

Geoffroy stated his three priorities in leading Iowa State to reach the goals and visions in the “great tradition of community scholars.”

“My first priority is academic excellence,” he said, “because I so strongly believe that our success in everything else that we do flows from that.”

His second priority is to provide students with the best education possible, keeping with the year’s theme, “Challenging Students to Become Their Best.”

“One area that needs increased attention is in ensuring that more of our students complete their degrees in a timely fashion,” he said. “We currently graduate only 62 percent of our students six years after they enroll as freshmen.”

Geoffroy said his third priority is to have Iowa State be a more fully engaged university that is more connected and involved with the people of Iowa.

“Although we do this very well now, we must continue to meet the educational needs of constituents throughout the state via our distance education offerings,” he said. “Becoming fully engaged means becoming even more connected with the people, the businesses, the institutions and the communities of Iowa.”

Geoffroy said the ISU Foundation will embark on a special fund-raising initiative over the next few years with an “Investing in People” theme. The focus will be to raise funds for undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships and endowed faculty positions, he said.

Geoffroy is working with people throughout the university community, the Board of Regents and the state to accomplish these goals even during times of budget difficulties.

“I believe deeply that the quality of this university is only as good as the quality of its people,” he said. “We must work tirelessly to bring Iowa State University the very best faculty, students and staff and then ensure that we keep them here when they catch the attention of others.”

Rep. Jane Greimann, D-Ames, said she is working to get additional support to help the three regent universities during the budget crisis.

“I will be continuing getting ongoing support for the universities so the president’s goals . are accomplished,” she said, “even in this difficult time.”

Geoffroy’s son David said he was touched by his father’s reception into the presidency.

“The sincerity and genuine expression of caring and community that seems to pervade the community and the state of Iowa is something I see in my father,” he said.

“I don’t know much about the history of Iowa State, but it seems to be a close fit.”