RINDGE, N.H. — Former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card has been named Franklin Pierce University’s fifth president.

Card, a former Franklin Pierce trustee, starts Jan. 12, the university announced Tuesday. He succeeds James Birge, who became president in 2009 and announced his intent to resign last summer.

Card was most recently acting dean of the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.

He grew up in Holbrook, Massachusetts, and served on Franklin Pierce’s board of trustees from 1996 to 2000.

He was appointed chief of staff to President-elect George W. Bush in November 2000. He was the person who whispered into Bush’s ear that the country was under attack on September 11, 2001.

Card “brings a strong vision for Franklin Pierce, one that will serve our students, staff and faculty very well,” said Michael C.J. Fallon, chairman of the board of trustees.

Card was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1975.

He went on to serve in President Reagan’s administration as deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs.

From 1988 to 1992, Card served in President George H.W. Bush’s administration as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, where he managed the daily operations of the White House.

He was U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 1992 until 1993. From 1993 to 1998, Card was president and chief executive officer of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association.