The Iowa Board of Regents announced Friday that Iowa State presidential finalist Dale Whittaker has withdrawn from the search.

Whittaker, 56, currently serves as the provost and executive vice president at the Central Florida, Orlando. When presenting during an open forum to the university campus, he emphasized student success, faculty focus and institutional alignment. 

In a statement, Whittaker said: “This was a difficult decision because Iowa State is an excellent institution that values student success and produces impactful research.

“I appreciate how warmly Mary and I were welcomed to campus. At this time, I’m committed to keeping our momentum moving forward at the University of Central Florida.”

Student Government President Cody West, who serves on the presidential search committee, said that it is “sad to lose a phenomenal candidate from the search.”

West said that from feedback he received, many faculty identified with Whittaker and appreciated his focus on preserving the land-grant mission at Iowa State.

“It was a shock for sure, I was surprised,” West said. “It felt as if Iowa State was a place he wanted to be.”

Monday, the Iowa State presidential search committee will convene at 7 a.m. to produce final feedback for the Board of Regents, as well as take into account the feedback from students, faculty and community members. 

The remaining three finalists are Sonny Ramaswamy, 65; Pamela Whitten, 54; and Wendy Wintersteen, 61.

The Board of Regents will then meet in closed session to decide on Iowa State’s next president and will make its decision by about 4:30 p.m.

Regents spokesperson Josh Lehman said the public introduction of the next president will now be at about 5 p.m. in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.