One of the busiest men at the University of Iowa has just gotten busier.

David Skorton has been appointed as the University of Iowa’s 19th president.

Skorton, currently vice president for research and external relations, has been at the University of Iowa for 23 years. “I have spent my entire faculty career at Iowa. I’ve lived in Iowa City the longest,” he said.

Skorton was the only internal candidate for the position.

“It’s hard to know if [being from the U of I] had anything to do with being chosen for president. Perhaps it has to do with my knowledge of campus,” Skorton said.

Skorton also holds a joint appointment as professor of internal medicine and professor of electrical and computer engineering and of biomedical engineering.

His medical practice specializes in inborn congenital heart disease, he said.

Skorton indicated at a news conference that he would reduce some of his medical practice, said Barbara Boose, communications specialist for the Board of Regents.

Currently, Willard “Sandy” Boyd is serving as interim president. He is filling the vacancy left by Mary Sue Coleman, who left Iowa to become president at the University of Michigan.

Many are optimistic that Skorton will be an asset to the University.

One of Skorton’s supporters is Interim President Boyd.

“I think that he is going to be an outstanding and superb president,” he said.

Boose said the Board of Regents is very confident in its appointment of Skorton.

“He’s amazing. He is very dedicated to the University of Iowa and very personable,” she said.

“The [Board of Regents] respects Dr. Skorton’s ability to draw people together across disciplines.”

Boose also said Skorton was exceptional in his ability to work with the other Regent universities.

“He works well and closely with [Gregory] Geoffroy and all the presidents [of Regent institutions],” said Boyd.

Skorton also said he hosts a weekly two-hour radio program, “As Night Falls — Latin Jazz,” on KSUI, the university’s public FM radio station.

“I’m not sure if the radio can be kept up, but I would definitely like to keep the music up,” he said. “Music is relaxing for me.”

Skorton said he will take over the position of president March 1.

Until then he said he is planning on tying up loose ends at his current position.