After 14 years of service to Iowa State, Vice President for External Affairs Reid Crawford is leaving to fill a position at the University of Maryland.

Crawford has been named vice president for institutional advancement and will also serve as vice president of the University of Maryland Foundation.

Some of his duties will include overseeing the offices of alumni programs, development, special events, university publications and university relations.

Crawford said it’s a wonderful opportunity, but he will miss ISU.

“It think it will be better with me gone, and I think it will be good for me at Maryland,” he said. “Change is good.”

Crawford said he has talked with a lot of students about leaving ISU.

“It was tough. I will miss them,” he said.

ISU President Martin Jischke said in a prepared statement that Crawford has been a big asset to the university.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Reid,” he said. “I wish him the best. We are very grateful to him for his many years of service to Iowa State University.”

Since 1991, Crawford has served as vice president for external affairs, overseeing several university departments including intercollegiate athletics, university relations, the ISU Foundation, WOI AM-FM radio, university museums, the ISU Alumni Association and the Iowa State Center.

Under his leadership, the ISU external affairs staff mounted the university’s most successful fund-raising drive, created innovative community outreach programs and developed a plan to achieve gender equity in athletics while maintaining a broad roster of sports offerings.

Crawford served as the university’s legal adviser from 1981-94 and assistant to the president from 1981-91. He was also a state representative in the Iowa House from 1973-81.

Crawford earned a bachelor’s degree at ISU and a law degree from Drake University. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

Jischke said he will appoint an interim vice president soon and begin a national search for Crawford’s replacement.