Twenty-two years ago he first stepped on the ISU campus to present a chemistry department seminar, and now he is looking back at his first week as president of the university.

Gregory Geoffroy spent his first week as an Ames resident and ISU president meeting university administrators and touring the campus.

Geoffroy moved into his office and temporary home at the Wessex Apartments in north Ames last week.

“For me it was a terrific first week,” Geoffroy said. “I really enjoyed it. It was busy, but that’s the way I like it.”

Despite a packed schedule, Geoffroy found some time to take a bike ride with his family and enjoy the Fourth of July holiday.

“It was nice on July 4th to watch the fireworks and listen to the band concert from Reiman Gardens,” he said. “I really felt a part of the university community.”

Geoffroy also took time to take a walking tour of campus with a few university administrators.

“I went through a lot of the buildings,” he said. “That was really valuable because it puts the campus facilities in perspective.”

Warren Madden, vice president of Business and Finance, said he thinks Geoffroy’s first week went very well.

“I had the opportunity to meet with him early Monday when he was first getting started and I think he is getting off to a busy and productive start here at Iowa State,” he said.

Madden said his first impression of Geoffroy was positive, and he thinks the new president’s experience at other universities will be very helpful to him.

“I think he is going to be a good president for Iowa State and I think he would appear to grasp issues very quickly,” he said. “He has a good understanding. We’re all pleased that he’s here.”

Geoffroy said the highlight of his week was when he got the opportunity to meet with students involved with APEX, the Academic Program for Excellence.

APEX is an academic program designed for first-time minority students to help give them a head start on their academic careers.

Irma Wilson-White, coordinator of APEX and program assistant for Minority Student Affairs, said Geoffroy talked with the students about getting their education with energy and not wasting too much time on it.

She said he explained that their education is an investment, and the APEX program is a great opportunity for them.

“They asked me questions and I asked them questions,” Geoffroy said. “I gave some of the freshmen a little bit of advice.”

Thomas Hill, vice president of Student Affairs, was with Geoffroy when he visited with student groups.

“He was very comfortable with the students,” Hill said. “I think both groups received him well.”

Wilson-White said Geoffroy is a very genuine person.

“He’s very personable,” Wilson-White said. “He’s open and warm. He invited questions without hesitation. He has this way of making people feel at ease.”

While Geoffroy is getting settled in on campus, his wife Kathy Geoffroy is working hard to try to get settled into their new apartment and Ames after moving from Rockville, Md.

“[Ames] seems like a really nice warm, welcoming community,” she said. “I just went down today and got a library card and checked out a book. I’ve been to the grocery store several times.”

She said when she asks where things are in the grocery store, the attendants walk her to the aisle she needs, instead of just directing her.

“I think we’re going to like it in Ames,” Kathy Geoffroy said.

She has also been meeting with people regarding the Knoll and the details she needs for the entertaining the family will do there.

Their son, Michael Geoffroy, is living with them for the summer.

In the fall he will return to Maryland for his senior year of high school.

In the meantime, he has gone out a few times exploring music stores and book stores, Kathy Geoffroy said.

The first week is over, but the Geoffroys’ lives don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

The university president is scheduled to meet with GSB officers Wednesday.

On Thursday he will go on a fund-raising trip where he will meet with important benefactors of the university.

Hill said Geoffroy has lots of energy and has hit the ground running since he arrived at Iowa State.

He thinks Geoffroy will be well received.

“I think the students will really like him,” Hill said.