John Smithson (university president)

John W. Smithson is an American college administrator who has served as the interim President of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 18, 2011, until June 30, 2012.[1] He is the first president of Saint Joseph's University who is not a member of the Jesuits.[2]

John Smithson
Interim President of Saint Joseph's University
In office
May 18, 2011 – June 30, 2012
Preceded byTimothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Personal details
Alma materSaint Joseph's University
ProfessionAcademic administrator, retired Naval officer

Smithson is a resident of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.[3] He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968[2] and his MBA from Saint Joseph's University.[3] Smithson also graduated from Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and served as a U. S. Naval Officer from 1968 until 1972.[3]

Smithson served on the Saint Joseph's University board of trustees from 1999 until 2007.[3] He simultaneously served as chairman of the board from 2003 to 2007.[3] In February 2010, Saint Joseph's University named Smithson as its senior vice president.[3] His responsibilities as vice president included alumni relations, financial affairs, internal audits and external affairs.[3]

In 2010, Saint Joseph's University's then president, Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., announced his departure at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year to become President of Creighton University.[1] The university board of trustees initially selected Rev. Joseph O'Keefe, dean of the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, to succeed Lannon as Saint Joseph's 27th president.[4] However, O'Keefe withdrew from the nomination several months before taking office citing health concerns, including "serious cardiovascular issues."[1]

On April 25, 2011, the university board of trustees selected Saint Joseph's Senior Vice President John Smithson as interim president of the university.[1] Smithson took office effective May 18, 2011, on an interim basis.[1] Smithson's term ended July 1, 2012, when Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., took over as the University's 27th President.[5]

References
  1. "Saint Joseph's University names interim president". Associated Press. Philadelphia Inquirer. 2011-04-25. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  2. Koch, Sam (2011-05-13). "Q&A: John Smithson,'68, interim president elect". The Hawk (Saint Joseph's University Newspaper). Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  3. "Saint Joseph's University names new interim vice president". Bucks Local News. Philadelphia Inquirer. 2010-02-15. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  4. "Saint Joseph's names Boston College dean O'Keefe as new president". Delaware County Daily Times. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2011-11-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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