A Message from the Chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees

The following message was sent from the chair of the Board of Trustees to the Drexel community.

Dear Members of the Drexel Community, 

As President John Fry communicated in his recent message, he will be stepping down as president of Drexel University to assume the presidency of Temple University. John is committed to provide transitional leadership to the University until the Board of Trustees has named a new leader.

We have been fortunate to have John serve as our president since 2010. Over his tenure, he implemented a dynamic vision for how an urban university can attract and inspire excellent students, conduct pathbreaking research and serve our communities. 

John stewarded Anthony J. Drexel’s founding vision for the University to evolve with the times. Now, as we begin the next chapter in our University’s rich history, we will look forward to welcoming a new, dynamic leader who will propel Drexel forward on its mission to produce the ideas, innovators, and leaders who will help to solve society’s biggest challenges.

In the coming weeks, we will form a search committee to recruit the 15th president in Drexel’s 132-year history. And I will provide timely updates about the search as details become available.

Uncertainty and concern accompany any transition. Rest assured, we have prepared a plan that prioritizes stability and continuity during this period. Provost Paul Jensen will lead the implementation of the recommendations by the University Advisory Committee on Academic Structure and other academic tasks while Helen Bowman, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, will oversee the advancement of the administrative and financial work underway at the University, as well as other administrative tasks. John will focus on transitioning philanthropic and government relationships and closing any important business transactions. Our University has and will continue to flourish thanks to the guidance and foresight of its experienced leaders, dedicated faculty and professional staff.

On behalf of Drexel’s Board of Trustees, I want to thank John for his service and wish him the very best in his next endeavor. And I want to thank all of you for making Drexel the special place that it is and will continue to be as we enter an exciting new era. 

 
Sincerely, 

 
Richard Greenawalt 
Chair, Drexel University