Taking over where Terri Houston left off, Vernon A. Wall has been appointed as assistant dean of students for student activities.

Wall’s new position was announced Tuesday. His appointment is effective Dec. 14.

Houston left Iowa State to pursue a doctorate in North Carolina.

Steve Sullivan, manager of News Service and member of the search committee for the position, said there were “some great applicants,” but Wall was a “really strong candidate.”

“He has a great reputation in the field,” Sullivan said, adding that Wall will work very closely with a variety of student groups, including the Government of the Student Body and the Veishea committee.

“We have more than 500 student groups [at ISU], so he’ll have a lot of involvement,” Sullivan said. “He comes to Iowa State with a real strong background with working with the fraternities, working with the residence halls and student counseling.”

Sullivan called Wall “an energetic guy with a great personality — very confident.” Sullivan said he expects people are going to react very positively toward Wall’s appointment.

“He’s going to be a real asset … and I know he’s looking forward to coming to this university,” he said.

Dean of Students Kathleen MacKay made the decision about Wall’s hiring. MacKay said she thinks Wall is very committed to working with ISU students.

In his last job, MacKay said, Wall did not have a lot of direct student contact, so he is looking forward to meeting ISU students.

“I think we’re lucky to have him,” MacKay said, noting that the students who met Wall during the interviewing “really responded well.”

MacKay advised that before students leave for holiday break, they take a minute to meet Wall.

“He would love to have his office flooded by students on the first day,” she said.

According to a press release, Wall most recently served on the Student Life Team for the Institute for Shipboard Education (Semester at Sea), University of Pittsburgh.

He also has served in student affairs positions at the University of Georgia, Athens; the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

He earned his degree in humanities from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, in 1981 and a master’s degree in education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1983.