While his colleagues at Maryland said they will be sorry to see him go, students and faculty at Iowa State are looking forward to seeing what President Gregory Geoffroy can do for the university.The state Board of Regents named Geoffroy, senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at the University of Maryland at College Park, as the new president of Iowa State on Monday night in West Des Moines. Geoffroy, 54, will take office as Iowa State’s 14th president on July 1 with a salary of $275,000.”We are happy for him and sad for us,” said Joanna Schmeissner, Geoffroy’s assistant in Maryland. “He’s been a wonderful provost, and we looked forward to accomplishing a little more. But he’s really set wonderful paths and we’ll keep on. We really knew that, given the caliber of his leadership, this day would come.”Kent Cartwright, professor of English and faculty member of the executive committee of the College Park Senate, also said Geoffroy will be missed.”I think it’s wonderful for him, but a real loss for us,” he said. “He’s been a phenomenal provost — one of the best provosts we’ve had in modern memory. He’s really made an enormous difference, and he’s really made a commitment to undergraduate education. He’s much admired by the faculty.”These qualities and accolades have many ISU students and faculty members anticipating Geoffroy’s arrival.”It seems like [Geoffroy] has the right kinds of priorities and the right vision for Iowa State,” said Larry Pedigo, university professor of entomology. “I think the right decision was made. I have very high hopes.”Zach Gunsolley, junior in civil engineering, also said he has confidence in the regents’ decision.”I’ll trust what the board thinks is best for the university,” he said. “[He’s] probably the best out of the four candidates.”Geoffroy’s experience will help him to do a great job, said Susan Cross, assistant professor of psychology.”He certainly had experience in similar sorts of universities, which’ll help a lot,” she said. “He has also had experience as an interim president, and that will go a long way.”But not everyone has been won over yet.”I think they seemed to pick the most conservative candidate,” said Jeremy Barchman, senior in zoology. “Time will tell.”Richard Schultz, professor of forestry, said while Geoffroy seems like a good candidate, he has some doubts.”I guess I’m a little concerned about the fact that his background is in chemistry, and those of us who aren’t working in the high-tech, biotech research may not get the same kinds of support that someone who is in that area would,” he said.Schultz said his choice for president would have been finalist Cora Bagley Marrett, senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. However, he said he believed Geoffroy will make a good president.”He’s got a lot of experience,” he said. “I’m sure he has the best interests of the university in mind.”