The state Board of Regents elected Iowa State alumnus Owen Newlin as the new board president in a 30-minute meeting Wednesday at the Des Moines International Airport.

The duties will be handed over to Newlin by Marvin Pomerantz, the current Regents president.

“I believe we have excellent universities. Our task is to make them become even better,” Newlin said.

Newlin, 68, said he plans to utilize all board members in the decision-making process.

“We have a lot to do as a board. I plan to encourage the development of strategic plans at each university and the recommendations of the Pappas report,” Newlin said. “I’m sure there will be many challenges in the future,” he said.

Newlin earned a bachelor of science and a master’s degree from ISU, and then continued on to earn his Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Minnesota.

In 1993, Newlin retired as senior vice-president of Pioneer Hybrid International Inc. His retirement concluded a 38-year career at the company.

Serving on the ISU Foundation Board of Governors and ISU Foundation Board, Newlin has remained active in decision-making at ISU. Newlin also earned the Alumni Merit Award from ISU. However, Newlin said his role as Regent president is “to be concerned with all five Regent universities.”

Newlin has served as president and chairman of the Iowa Seed Association, American Seed Trade Association and the United Way of Iowa. He was also chairman of the Board of Trustees at Simpson College in Indianola.

Parking

With little discussion, the Board also voted unanimously to pass parking rate increases at ISU. Starting in July, rates will increase for general staff, reserved, 24-hour reserved, commuter, departmental, vendor and motorcycle parking permits.

The biggest increases will be in the 24-hour reserved and departmental permits. ISU administration proposed the rate increases to generate revenue for future parking expansion on campus and to better utilize current on-campus parking.