Indianapolis,IN:  The Purdue Board of Trustees unanimously elected Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels Thursday to be the university’s next president.

The trustees met at 10 a.m. in the Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse to vote on Gov. Daniels.

Michael Berghoff, the head of the search committee, said the governor was the most frequently nominated candidate. He said Gov. Daniels went through a similar selection process that all other considered candidates went through, meeting with the trustees three times.

Miranda McCormack, who was elected to the Board of Trustees by the governor last year, spoke on behalf of the Purdue student body. She expressed the board and student body were excited, stating “I couldn’t be more happy with our pick.”

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“We want a president that is approachable,” said McCormack. “And I think we found that in Gov. Daniels.”

Gov. Daniels will succeed current president France A. Córdova.

Last July, Córdova announced she would leave the office on July 15 after five years in office. She is credited with raising the standards, reputation and research profile of Purdue University. She also led the effort to cut costs at the university and ensure a Purdue degree was affordable.

Gov. Daniels is expected to finish out his second term as Indiana governor before assuming the position early next year.

Wednesday, Gov. Daniels spoke about higher education at a press conference.

“Maybe someone who reveres higher education and wants very desperately to see it succeed as well as possible, but comes at things from a slightly different maybe complimentary set of experiences, can contribute something,” said Daniels.

He appointed eight of the university’s 10 trustees, three of whom he re-appointed recently.

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The Purdue Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Daniels acceptance  on Thursday after multiple interviews with the search committee.

Daniels will replace outgoing President France Cordova who will step down in July after having served for five years.

The Governor opened his speech with an allusion to his political aspirations and the question on the mind of many Daniels political backers:

“I think it’s best to go directly to the central question that I know is on the minds of most people here. The room is pregnant with it.The answer is no, I did not buy this necktie just last night. (Former Purdue President) Martin Jischke gave me this necktie about seven years ago and I have worn it many times since…never as proudly or emotionally as today. This is not a morning of oration, at least not from me and probably not for a while.”

The jokes aside, Mitch Daniels assured those present that he starting in January, politics would be a distant memory. The governor will be keeping distance from any political activities or commentary during the 2012 election season.

Being a favorite of some Conservatives and especially in Libertarian circles, Mitch was long thought to seek the nomination for President in 2012. Well past the deadline, some still held out hope for a V.P. nod or cabinet position. His new employment and his statement of dedication to it would indicate that none of that will happen.