Daniels faces questions on move to Purdue - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Gov. Mitch Daniels will take over for retiring France Cordova as Purdue president once his second and final term is over in January, Eyewitness News confirmed Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Daniels answered questions about his future plans in a roundabout way.

"You can't pick up a magazine or newspaper these days without reading an article challenging higher ed as it is. For the first time, people are writing books and articles about 'Is college worth it?' Should so many people be going to college? About the debt. We have more Americans - this is an amazing statistic - there are more Americans today with college debt than with college diplomas. There are an awful lot of people saying as important as it is, the way it is may need some changes. So let's just say that maybe someone who reveres higher ed and wants very desperately to see it succeed as well as possible but comes from a slightly different but maybe complementary set of experiences can contribute something," he said.

The governor appeared at a jobs announcement at Roche Diagnostics one day before Purdue's expected announcement on Daniels' decision to lead the school as its next president.
         
Roche company executives joined Daniels and Deputy Mayor Michael Huber for the press conference, where it was announced that Roche intends to invest $300 million in its northeast Indianapolis headquarters and add 100 new jobs by 2017.

Many hail Daniels' decision as a big win for Purdue, with Daniels' record showing a commitment to education, his skill in fundraising, leadership, creative budgeting, and contacts in both politics and the private sector.
    
The Purdue move would likely mean an end to his career in elected office.

Many thought Daniels would seek the presidency, just not the office of the president at Purdue.

Howard Zelaznik is a tenured professor of health and kinesiology, and associate dean at Purdue. He carries a reputation for speaking his mind. He said he voted for Daniels four years ago. "I was actually surprised he did a good job."

Daniels is coming in as university president after championing an online university - Western Governors University. And his stance on school vouchers runs counter to most academics' line of thinking. That could present challenges for Daniels, according to Zelaznik, "But hopefully, myself and all faculty can keep a very open mind and judge whomever the new president is, whether it is an academic or a non-academic, by their accomplishments."

Gov. Daniels has used his motorcycle for political traction over the years. Now, his political career seems to be coming to an end.  And the Governor may have to park his motorcycles, per university policy, which states no one on staff is allowed to ride their motorcycle on university business. 

Former State Republican party chairman Murray Clark said this move puts to rest any talk of Daniels seeking national office. "For Mitch Daniels, the center of his being was never just politics," Clark said Tuesday night. 

"I think he was looking for some way to continue to contribute, although it didn't involve politics or government. And what better way for Hoosiers to keep him in state?" said Clark.

Daniels is one of the lowest-paid governors in the nation. Cordova is paid $425,000 per year, which is three times the governor's salary. 

The Purdue Board of Trustees will meet Thursday in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse to vote on the candidate nominated to be the university's 12th president.

The university's trustees will meet on the stage of Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse to vote on a candidate to succeed France A. Córdova. Following the board's action, Keith Krach, chair of the Board of Trustees, will introduce the president-elect.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and introduction. A live Webcast of the vote and announcement and additional information on the president-elect will be available via the Purdue home page.

A search committee chaired by Trustee Michael Berghoff, with representation from the faculty, staff, students and alumni, identified the candidate.

Córdova, Purdue's 11th president, announced last July her intention to leave the office July 15. Credited with raising the standards, reputation and research profile of the university, she also oversaw improvements in student success and retention and led a university-wide effort to cut costs and ensure a Purdue degree remains affordable.