Iowa State will see its 15th president, Steven Leath, move on to become Auburn University’s 19th president. 

Leath served five academic years, which may not come close to the 21 years that W. Robert Parks served, but surpasses the year-long terms of Seaman Knapp and Leigh Hunt. 

Here is a list of all 15 Iowa State presidents and their term lengths, as well as the terms of the past three presidents for the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Leath’s next institution, Auburn University. 

Iowa State (15 presidents since 1868)

Steven Leath (2012-2017)

• 5  years 

Gregory Geoffroy (2001-2012)

• 11 years 

Martin Jischke (1991-2000)

• 9 years 

Gordon Eaton (1986-1990)

• 4 years 

W. Robert Parks (1965 – 1986)

• 21 years 

James Hilton (1953 – 1965)

• 12 years 

Charles Friley (1936 – 1953)

• 17 years 

Raymond Hughes (1927 – 1936)

• 7 years 

Raymond Pearson (1912 – 1926)

• 14 years 

Albert Storms (1903 – 1910)

• 7 years 

William Beardshear (1891 – 1902)

• 11 years 

William Chamberlain (1886 – 1890)

• 4 years 

Leigh Hunt (1885 – 1886)

• 1 year

Seaman Knapp (1883 – 1884)

• 1 year 

Adonijah Welch (1868 – 1883)

• 15 years 

University of Iowa (21 presidents since 1855)

David J. Shorten (2003–2006)

• 3 years

Sally K. Mason (2007–2015)

• 8 years

Bruce Harreld (Current president)

• 2015–present

University of Northern Iowa (11 presidents since 1876)

Benjamin Allen (2006-2013)

• 7 years

William Ruud (2013-2016)

• 3 years

Mark Nook (Current president)

• 2017-present 

Auburn University (18 presidents since 1861) 

William F. Walker (2001-2004)

• 3 years

Edward R. Richardson (2004-2007)

• 3 years

Jay Gogue (2007-2017)

• 10 years