by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published March 18, 2026
Coming back to Ames — let alone becoming the president of Iowa State University — seemed like a distant dream for David Cook. It’s been 34 years since the Ames native and Iowa State alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree, after which he went to the University of Kansas and began his career.
by Amber Mohmand, Staff Reporter Published March 11, 2026
The Iowa Board of Regents approved the sale of 17 acres of Iowa State University land to Hunziker Development Group and 574 Investments to develop workforce housing in the Ames community. The land — with the sale price of $550,000 — is located at 1915 Scholl Road.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published December 9, 2025
She is the university’s first female president and second ISU graduate to hold the position, but Wendy Wintersteen didn’t plan to be a university president. After eight years as president and a few years shy of half a century since she started at Iowa State, she will step back as she begins her journey of retirement.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 18, 2025
The Regents also approved campus dining services to build a new support hub south of campus and plans for the renewal of State Gymnasium’s natatorium. And former dean David Spalding will serve as the interim ISU president following current president Wendy Wintersteen’s retirement in January and incoming president David Cook’s appointment in March.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 11, 2025
The Iowa Board of Regents announced Tuesday that David Cook will be the next president of Iowa State University. Cook, currently the president of North Dakota State University, will begin his term as Iowa State’s 17th president in 2026 following the retirement of current president Wendy Wintersteen, who announced her decision in May.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 7, 2025
David Cook, the second of two finalists who visited Ames this week as part of the search process for Iowa State University’s next president, spoke at an open forum on Thursday with his vision for Iowa State and how a successful university president starts with a strong team and a shared goal of servant leadership.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 5, 2025
Benjamin Houlton’s vision for Iowa State University is to “unleash this great institution for even greater impact.” Houlton, first of two finalists to visit campus as part of the search process for Iowa State University’s next president, spoke to students, faculty, staff and community members at an open forum on Wednesday.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published October 8, 2025
A search committee narrowed a list of 78 candidates hoping to be Iowa State University’s next president down to eight in a closed meeting on Monday. The committee will conduct virtual interviews with the eight semifinalists, whose names have not been made public, between Oct. 20 and Oct. 22.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published September 24, 2025
The Iowa State University president’s home was found to have several issues — most associated with aging homes — by a facility analysis completed by the Iowa Board of Regents. Sean Reeder, senior vice president for operations and finance, told the Regents about deficiencies at the president’s home, known as the Knoll, at its meeting last Thursday.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published September 22, 2025
The Iowa Board of Regents heard updates from Iowa State University on Thursday, including the introduction of two new majors, implementation of initiatives for university efficiency and university appropriations for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published September 17, 2025
After an hours-long closed discussion by the Iowa Board of Regents, it was unanimously decided to move forward with an investigation into social media posts made by university employees about Charlie Kirk and his assassination on Sept. 10.
