​BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​It was a historic moment at Canisius College Friday as Steve Stoute was formally introduced as the college's new president.

He will take over for retiring President John Hurley in July.

Stoute comes from DePaul Univeristy in Chicago, where he served as chief of staff. Now he will be the first-ever person of color to lead Canisius in its 150-year history.

"I have been at predominantly white institutions my entire career,” Stoute said. “And I have worked so hard on behalf of all of our students, but with a special eye on students who are historically under-represented in higher education. How do we make it, how do we create the environment where those obstacles aren't there?"

A selection committee chose Stoute after a 10-month nationwide search.