The provost of the University of Southern California has been chosen to become president of Cornell University in Ithaca.

Elizabeth Garrett was selected by the Cornell board of trustees after a six-month presidential search.

The search was launched after Cornell President David Skorton announced he would leave the post next year.

Garrett is married to Andrei Marmor, who is a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California. He will join the Cornell faculty with joint appointments in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Law School.

In early 2009, Garrett was nominated by President Obama to serve as his top tax-policy official. But, citing family matters, she withdrew her nomination two months later.

Garrett has served as the second-ranking officer at the University of Southern California for four years. She's expected to become Cornell president next July.

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