Braun inauguration signals disconnect between state government, college students

Braun sworn in, becomes 4th Republican governor in a row

Mike Braun took the oath of office Monday, continuing a 20-year Republican control of the governorship. The addresses given by him and his lieutenant governor hinted at the administration's plans.

As pundits, campaign staffers, media outlets and political heavyweights filed into Indianapolis’ Hilbert Circle Theatre Monday morning for the inauguration of Gov. Mike Braun, a familiar face to Boilermakers took a seat on the top floor — Purdue President Mung Chiang.

Chiang, who declined to give comment, was just one of hundreds of officials at the inauguration. His appearance, along with a Purdue delegation’s visit, signals a cooperation between university and state government that has gained emphasis in recent years.

However, Braun himself has veered away from speaking directly to Indiana’s college students, as he has declined to focus on issues important to young voters, address higher education or speak with student media.

The former Republican U.S. senator opted instead to focus on Indiana’s economic development and culture war issues as his top policies, including "stand(ing) up to woke corporations" and anti-abortion measures, according to his campaign website.

Before his crushing victory against Democrat Jennifer McCormick, Braun told the Exponent in October he would try to sell a type of "entrepreneurial conservatism" to the state’s college students, urging them to get engaged in industry after graduation.

"At the national level, I want to make sure that Indiana runs a responsive, value-based government, and I would think anybody would be interested in that," he said, "especially college kids."

Other than that, it doesn’t appear Braun has had a lot to say about the state’s higher education. His "Freedom and Opportunity" education plan, unveiled in November, focused instead on K-12 education, seeking to boost teachers' pay and encourage universal school choice.

The Braun campaign’s separation from college students seeped into its interactions with student media, too.

"This is WOKE propaganda at its finest and why most of America looks at higher education indoctrination centers like IU as a complete joke and waste of money," Beckwith wrote in the post on X.

Braun himself was avoidant of attention from student media, including at Purdue. After months of scheduling, the campaign finally allowed Exponent reporters to interview Braun less than a month before the election, giving them only eight minutes to ask questions.

When asked by the Exponent why Purdue students specifically should vote for him, Braun cited his background of running businesses as proof he would make state agencies "more efficient," declining to address higher education entirely.

"I ran a little business for a long time, built it into a regional and then national company," Braun said at the time. "I think that right there, and a successful record in the U.S. Senate, three years a legislator and 10 years on a local school board, that's plenty of government tutorial to be a governor."

McCormick’s campaign took a different route, adopting issues like marijuana legalization and abortion that have historically been top concerns for young voters.

The former superintendent of public instruction and a Purdue graduate visited Purdue’s campus multiple times during the race, even sitting down with the Exponent for interviews and speaking directly to students.

McCormick cited her background in state education as a driver for her focus on higher education, with her education plan including issues like faculty tenure protections and development of skilled trade schools.

"I'm just proud of Purdue, and I think making sure that students are aware that there's so much promise is being part of the Purdue family," she told the Exponent in September. "I'm proud of the students that are here. I'm proud that we're here in Indiana. We need to preserve Purdue."

Braun’s inauguration speech on Monday didn’t include any references to higher education, with the governor instead focusing on Indiana’s part in a national Republican shift.

Braun linked his own victory to President-elect Donald Trump’s, calling it a "similar transition" and part of a wider culture change over the next four years.

"As the physical crossroads of America, Indiana is perfectly situated to lead our state down the crossroads our nation now faces."