"I applaud and congratulate the SUNY Board of Trustees on their selection of a truly outstanding chancellor in John King. His professional experience at every level of our education system, including as Secretary of Education to President Obama, combined with deep New York roots, make him an ideal leader for the SUNY system. I look forward to working with him on our ambitious goal of transforming SUNY into the top statewide system of public higher education in the country. I'm grateful to SUNY leadership, particularly Board Chair Merryl Tisch, Vice Chair Cesar Perales and Interim Chancellor Deborah Stanley, for their work during this transition period, and to the board for undertaking such a thorough and successful search."