John Fry began his tenure as 14th president of Drexel University in August, 2010, succeeding Constantine N. Papadakis and interim president C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni.

Prior to joining Drexel University, Fry served as president of Franklin & Marshall College since 2002. He was instrumental in the college's growth, campus development and improved finances, and through his initiatives, he raised the college's national profile and brought a renewed confidence to the institution.

Fry has served higher education since early in his professional life. He worked closely with some of the nation's premier colleges and universities, first with KPMG Peat Marwick in its educational consulting practice, and then with Coopers & Lybrand's National Higher Education Consulting Practice, where he was elected a partner in the firm and eventually rose through the ranks to become partner-in-charge of the national education practice.

Prior to his appointment to the presidency of Franklin & Marshall, Fry was a major force in developing and implementing the University of Pennsylvania's “Agenda for Excellence,” a comprehensive plan that guided Penn's strategic initiatives from 1996 to 2001. Fry joined Penn in 1995 as the university's executive vice president and chief operating officer. He also served as the university's liaison to the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Fry serves on the boards of the Haverford School, Lancaster General Hospital, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Lancaster County Day School, where he is President of the Board of Trustees. He is also a Director of Community Health Systems, Delaware Investments, and Ecore International.

In 2009, Fry completed his second term as chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council and stepped down after six years of service. He also served for three years on the Executive Committee of the NCAA. He was appointed by former President George W. Bush to serve on the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission that planned the celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday. Fry also served as a co-chair of the transition team of Governor-Elect Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Fry studied American Civilization at Lafayette College and earned a master's in business administration from the New York University Stern School of Business.