Wartell finalist for Northern Iowa presidency

Former IPFW Chancellor Michael Wartell is one of three finalists to lead the University of Northern Iowa.

According to the university’s website, Wartell will visit the university early next week, with a public forum scheduled during his visit. Also in the running are William Ruud, president of Shippensburg University, and Avijit Ghosh, senior adviser to the president at the University of Illinois.

One of the three candidates will replace President Benjamin Allen, who has announced he will retire effective July 1 after serving the university in the position since 2006.

Wartell is currently on a one-year sabbatical, or a leave of absence for research or training, after retiring as IPFW chancellor in July. He was forced to retire by Purdue University because of a mandatory retirement age of 65, despite a request from IPFW to allow Wartell to stay.

He is also a tenured chemistry professor at IPFW, which enrolls more than 13,000 students.

The University of Northern Iowa has more than 12,000 students and employs about 650 full-time faculty. It is one of three state-supported universities in Iowa, according to its website.

sarah.janssen@jg.net