Lafayette College President Daniel Weiss will step down next year to take over as president of Haverford College.

Weiss, who became Lafayette's top administrator in 2005, will leave his job at the end of the 2012-2013 academic year and begin his tenure at Haverford starting July 1, 2013.

"Although my decision was not an easy one, I believe that the time is right for Lafayette to transition to new leadership to continue the great progress we have made in advancing our strategic objectives for the College," Weiss wrote in a letter to the campus Tuesday. 

In a news release, board of trustees chairman Edward W. Ahart said the board would begin a search for a new president. Ahart said the board was "firmly committed to the vision" established in the strategic plan Weiss helped craft.

Meanwhile, members of Haverford's board praised Weiss for his character and background.

"Dan raised the level of discussion for everyone in the room," board member Howard Lutnick said in a release on that college's website. "We felt energized just spending time with him."