Purdue board votes unanimously to make Daniels next school president

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) - The Purdue University Board of Trustees has made official what 24-Hour News 8 broke Tuesday : Gov. Mitch Daniels is the school's next president.

After a brief review of the selection process, including the note that the search committee considered every sitting university president in the country, the board voted unanimously at about 10:15 a.m. Thursday.

Several board members commented that after the news broke earlier this week, they received positive response from students, alumni and other interested parties.

The search committee, comprising four of the 13 trustees, along with a Purdue graduate student, two Purdue deans, three Purdue faculty members, the school's athletic director, the CEO of the Purdue alumni association and the school's north central campus chancellor, reported that Daniels was the most-nominated throughout the process. After a year-long process, he received the full endorsement and recommendation of the search committee.

Keith Krach, chairman of the board of trustees, said that while the move - and the early leak of the news - has brought Purdue much attention in the short term, they hope that in the long term the decision will set the school apart as open to big ideas and bold thinking.

After the vote, Daniels was introduced to a live fanfare. He wore a tie of black and gold - the university's - and opened with the answer to the question he said was on most people's minds: "The answer is, no, I did not buy this necktie just last night."

He explained that former Purdue President Martin Jischke had given him the tie years ago. But, he added: "I have never worn it so proudly or emotionally as today."

Daniels said he was determined to live up to the opportunity and confidence that the search committee and trustees have placed in him. He also said he looks forward to engaging directly with Purdue students, and he hopes to become a voice in the national discussion on the critical importance of higher education.

After brief remarks from the governor and his predecessor, Purdue President France Cordova, the trustees presented him with a ceremonial gift: a leather Harley Davidson motorcycle jacket, emblazoned with the Purdue logo. The governor is well-known as an avid motorcyclist. One trustee noted that Purdue has a policy of no motorcycles on campus, but said: "Maybe we'll change that."

Daniels will replace Cordova, who is retiring. He will take over in January after his term as governor ends. In the meantime, Daniels said he will immediately recuse himself from partisan activities and commentary.