Iowa State’s business dean to step down

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The dean of the College of Business at Iowa State University says he’s stepping down after an 11-year tenure.

Labh Hira announced Wednesday he will serve his remaining term as dean through June 30 and then return to the faculty as a professor of accounting.

Hira is credited with overseeing a $25 million project to build the college’s first stand-alone building, starting a doctoral program in business and technology, and raising millions for scholarships and faculty positions.

He also recently served as co-chair of the search committee for the school’s next president, a process that ended in the hiring of University of North Carolina administrator Steven Leath.

Hira says the college, which serves 3,200 undergraduates, is well-positioned for the future. The university has launched a national search for his replacement.