Iowa State President Martin Jischke looked in house for a new interim vice president for external affairs.

Jischke appointed Murray Blackwelder, associate vice president for external affairs and president of the ISU Foundation, Tuesday to the position vacated by Reid Crawford.

“It’s important that we continue the progress that we have made in the departments of external affairs, and we’re fortunate to have someone of Murray’s experience and talents to keep us going in that direction as we search for a permanent vice president,” Jischke said.

Crawford, who resigned last month after 14 years at ISU to become vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Maryland, said Blackwelder will do an “outstanding job.”

Since coming to ISU in 1991, Blackwelder has led the university to its four best years of fund raising ever.

Blackwelder’s efforts include a record $75 million in the final year of the Partnership for Prominence Campaign, which raised a total of $215 million.

Jischke said Blackwelder’s track record makes him “very capable” of succeeding in his new role.

Before coming to ISU, Blackwelder served for six years as head of Wichita State’s University Endowment Association. He also worked in development and alumni relations for Rockhurst College and Baker University.

“He brings an excellent set of experiences, and I’m delighted that he has agreed to fill this role on an interim basis,” Jischke said. “It’s a very important position.”

Blackwelder will oversee the ISU Alumni Association, University Relations, Intercollegiate Athletics, WOI Radio, University Museums, the Iowa State Center and the ISU Foundation.

Phyllis Lepke, vice president of the ISU Foundation, will lead the organization on an interim basis in Blackwelder’s absence.

Jischke said he is in the process of appointing a search committee that will conduct a national search for Crawford’s permanent replacement.

He said he hopes to have named

a new vice president by the first

of next year, early spring at the latest.

Jischke said it is up to Blackwelder to decide if he will be a candidate to fill the position permanently.

Blackwelder was not available for comment Tuesday.