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Regents elect Robert Kramer president, Kurt Jaden pro tem; board reads resolution honoring Sherry Bates
Summary
At its December meeting the Board of Regents elected Regent Robert Kramer board president and Regent Kurt Jaden president pro tem for terms beginning Dec. 4, 2025, read a resolution thanking outgoing Regent Sherry Bates and heard Bates’ farewell remarks.
The Iowa Board of Regents elected Regent Robert Kramer as board president for a term beginning Dec. 4, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2026, and elected Regent Kurt Jaden as president pro tem for the same term window.
Nominations were opened and closed by voice vote; the board then took roll-call votes on the nominations. The elections carried by roll call with recorded affirmative votes from attending regents.
Regent Kramer and Regent Jaden each offered brief remarks on priorities for the board. Regent Kramer stressed affordability, academic excellence and a balanced space for robust debate; Regent Jaden thanked the board for its trust and said he looked forward to getting to work.
Regent Kramer read a resolution recognizing Regent Sherry Bates’ service — citing appointments by Governors Branstad and Reynolds, service as president pro tem and later as board president, and leadership on capital projects and presidential searches. Bates delivered farewell remarks thanking governors, university leaders, board office staff and family and said she had confidence in the new leadership.
Why it matters: Leadership elections set the board’s agenda-setting officers and tone for the next session. The resolution and farewell remarks mark a leadership transition and recognize Bates’ years of service to the board and state universities.
Next steps: New officers assume their terms on Dec. 4, 2025; the board will continue its business under the new leadership.
