Wichita ? U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren has been formally sworn in as the 27th federal judge in the Kansas judicial district.

At age 53, Melgren becomes the youngest member of the federal bench in Kansas. His fellow judges range in age from 65 to 101.

Melgren quietly listened as his colleagues lauded his many accomplishments throughout Friday’s ceremony, but his own comments were more self-effacing.

He called his appointment a miracle, adding: “A miracle is unexplainable things happening to undeserving people. That is me.”

Melgren served as U.S. attorney in Kansas for nearly seven years. His appointment to the federal bench was confirmed by the Senate on Sept. 26. His confirmation was led by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Melgren’s close friend and one-time employer.

Marietta Parker, who has been a federal prosecutor in Kansas and western Missouri for a combined 18 years, is now the acting U.S. attorney. She is based in Kansas City.