Photo courtesy of Iowa Board of Regents

A Scranton resident is officially the new president of the Iowa Board of Regents.

Sherry Bates had taken over as Interim President after then Board President Mike Richards stepped down from the position on January 16th. Bates had served as President Pro Tem since 2021. On February 28th, the Board elected Bates to become the 23rd President of the Board. Richards had this to say at the meeting that was live streamed on the Regent’s YouTube page.

“I worked with Regent Bates for several years on a very close basis. I believe she will be an excellent person to be president of the Board of Regents.” 

Bates was first appointed to the Board of Regents in 2014 by Governor Terry Branstad. She will serve as president until the end of the term on April 30, 2024. The Board also approved Greta Rouse to serve as President Pro Tem, with that position becoming vacant due to Bates moving up as president, and that term will also expire on April 30th. 

The Iowa Board of Regents represents the three public universities including the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.