A national search for Iowa State’s new provost is underway, and a committee has been appointed to seek a replacement for the position.

Provost John Kozak recently announced that he will leave the position on Dec. 31 to return to teaching and researching in the chemistry department.

Richard Seagrave, distinguished professor of chemical engineering, will serve as interim provost beginning Jan. 1, 1999.

“I will be involved in the interview process because I am sure the candidates will want to know about the job and what goes along with it,” Seagrave told the Daily in a previous interview.

Applications and nominations for the provost position will be accepted until the office is filled, according to a press release.

The provost is the chief academic officer of the university and oversees the university’s eight colleges, ISU Extension and various research units.

“It’s probably the second most important job in the university next to the president,” said Hector Avalos, associate professor of religious studies and member of the search committee. “The provost is a chief academic officer.”

George Kraus, professor and chairman of chemistry, will head the provost search committee, composed of 20 faculty, staff and student leaders.

Professors serving on the committee include Avalos; Julia Badenhope, assistant professor of landscape architecture; James Bernard, professor of mechanical engineering; Diane Birt, professor and chairwoman of food science and human nutrition; J. Herman Blake, professor and chairman of African American studies; Jan Fryer, assistant professor of ISU library; Paula Morrow, professor of industrial relations; Patrick Schnable, professor of agronomy; Harley Moon, professor at the Veterinary Medicine Research Institute; and Denise Vrchota, adjunct assistant professor of journalism and mass communication and ISU Faculty Senate president.

Faculty serving on the committee are Virginia Arthur, associate director of Residence; Martha Behrens, secretary of Agriculture Information Service; Rob Bowers, Department of Public Safety patrol coordinator and Professional and Scientific Council president; George Covert, associate director of the Computation Center; Diana Pounds, internal communications manager of University Relations; and Joan Thompson, treasurer.

Students serving on the committee are Bryan Burkhardt, president of the Government of the Student Body, and Laura Greiner, graduate student in animal science.

“We serve as a screening committee,” Avalos said. “Once the applications come in, we evaluate them based on a list of criteria given and then, at that point, we invite them to campus.”