AMES, Iowa ( IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH ) - Benjamin Houlton touted his experience with, and passion for, land-grant universities during a public forum Wednesday as the higher education leader sought to persuade a crowd of Iowa State University students, staff and community members that he would be the best pick for the institution’s new president.

Currently dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Houlton is a finalist for ISU’s soon-to-be-vacant presidency, with President Wendy Wintersteen set to retire in January . He was the first of two finalists to visit Ames this week, with North Dakota State President David Cook set to hold his own forum on campus Thursday .

After a day of interviews with university leadership and other officials, Houlton spoke duri

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