Just a year ago, Mitch Daniels, two-term Republican governor of Indiana, took over the presidency of Purdue University. That was newsworthy because university presidents have almost always risen through the academic ranks and are thoroughly steeped in the belief system that predominates in the ivory tower. Daniels, however, was known for his economical approach to government as Director of OMB and later as Indiana’s governor. Would the sky fall on West Lafayette? Some thought so.
In today’s Pope Center piece, Jane Shaw examines Daniels’ first year. He has applied his parsimoniousness to the budget at Purdue, whittling away some needless spending, and has frozen tuition. He is also looking for educational innovations, something a typical university president might look upon with disdain.
Lots of people are “Fed watchers.” We’re going to be Purdue watchers.