Louisiana State University (LSU) named Dr. William F. Tate IV as its next president on Thursday. He is their first Black president, according to The Advocate.

Tate was selected after a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors. He will be the head of the LSU system and the chancellor of the flagship campus.

In addition to being the first Black president of LSU, he will be the first Black president of any Southeastern Conference colleges.

Tate is the provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina.

“What I’m really most excited about is I met students here who really are amazing, and for me, this position is all about what we can do to help students and give people access and opportunity in higher education,” Tate said at a press conference. “That’s really in my DNA, how do we help people regardless of their background – we find the money, get you here and give you the opportunity to live your dream. I think there is no better place in the United States to come find your dream and to make it happen than right here at LSU.”

LSU Board Chair Robert Dampf said that the school found a “great leader” in Tate. “This is a very pivotal time at our university, from economic, environmental, social challenges, but we are doing great things at this place. From our academic achievements, our enrollment, our diversity, I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” he said.