The state Board of Regents announced Tuesday that Richard Seagrave, ISU distinguished professor of chemical engineering and former interim provost, had been selected as interim president of Iowa State.

Seagrave will officially begin his duties in August, after President Martin Jischke starts work as Purdue University’s top administrator.

Jischke’s announcement to leave Iowa State after 10 years invoked varied reactions, which is understandable. Jischke was a hero to some, a man who revamped the entire ISU image and attracted millions of dollars in donations to help the school achieve the often talked about status of “best land-grant university in the nation.”

To his detractors, Jischke was a cold authoritarian whose impressive fund-raising skills make Iowa State into a research-first, teaching-second institution.

Seagrave isn’t in the most enviable position.

To some, he’ll never be able to fill Jischke’s shoes, even though Seagrave will only be president on an interim basis and reportedly will not be a candidate for the permanent position.

To others, his appointment may be a turning point for Iowa State — a chance to get the university back to the values of teaching and education, not research and fund raising.

This is all speculation, but here’s what we do know about Seagrave: He’ll step up to the plate when the university needs leadership. He filled in as interim provost after John Kozak stepped down to get back to teaching.

He knows Iowa State. He’s been here since 1966 as an associate professor of chemical engineering. He served as chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1983 to 1990. He’s been a part of many university committees.

Seagrave also is known for his integrity and his connection to ISU students.

Since a lack of communication with students was one of the major strikes against Jischke’s performance as president, maybe Seagrave can make ISU students feel like they’re a part of this university again.

It could be a very good thing to have an administrator in office who was just recently in the classroom.

We at the Daily wish Richard Seagrave the best in his new position. We hope he knows how important he will be to the ISU community and how much we’re counting on him. But let’s bear in mind that Seagrave, by all accounts, will not be a candidate for the permanent job.

We also need to wish the Board of Regents good luck in choosing the permanent successor — and urge the regents to keep the students and faculty members’ needs in mind during the selection process.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Kate Kompas, Greg Jerrett, Heidi Jolivette, Justin Kendall and Tara Payne.