On Wednesday, July 3 at 9:56 a.m., Drexel President John Fry announced his decision to end his presidency at Drexel and accept a new role as president of Temple University in an email to the Drexel community.
“This job has been the honor of my professional life, and I am profoundly grateful to all of you who have made it possible,” said Fry in his email.
Fry acknowledged the R-1 university that Drexel has developed into during his 14 year tenure as president.
“Drexel is now Philadelphia’s go-to for talent, expertise, and collaborative partnerships,” stated Fry. However, he also expressed how his presidency at Drexel affected him personally. “And along the way, you pushed me and made me a better president and a better person.”
Fry also thanked the Drexel community for its impact on the university during his tenure. “I am so proud of what we have achieved together over the last 14 years, and I look forward to personally thanking you all for all that you have done to make Drexel a stronger, more competitive, and more humane and civically engaged university.”
Drexel University Board of Trustees Chair Rich Greenwalt explained the process of selecting a new president for Drexel in an email to Drexel community at 10:13 a.m., “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.”
The Temple Board of Trustees also announced its decision to appoint Fry as the 15th president of Temple University in a press release to the Temple community.
“Fry’s appointment was confirmed by a vote of the Board of Trustees following a comprehensive national search overseen by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and informed by a robust community engagement process,” stated the press release.
Fry will assume his new role as Temple president as soon as new leadership is found for by the Drexel Board of Trustees. He will succeed Temple President Richard Englert and late former Temple President JoAnne Epps.
“I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve as the 15th President of Temple University, a globally recognized, mission-driven R1 university. Temple stands as a cornerstone of our region’s vitality — a vibrant and accessible anchor institution that provides transformative opportunities and positively impacts countless lives through its mission,” stated Fry in response to his election. He also acknowledged his time serving as Drexel’s president. “I also want to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the entire Drexel University community, where I will continue to serve until our Board of Trustees has named new leadership.”
Temple Board of Trustees Chair Mitchell L. Morgan feels confident in Fry’s abilities and believes that Fry is who Temple needs moving forward.
“John Fry embodies the experiences and qualities that our community said they were looking for in the university’s 15th president,” said Mitchell in the press release. Mitchell also highlighted how the city of Philadelphia would benefit from Fry taking leadership at Temple. “After decades of positively impactful work in higher education and economic and community development, this appointment is also a win for the City of Philadelphia as John now brings his experience and a fresh vision to Temple University.”
As Temple’s incoming president, Fry will be leading an institution larger than Drexel with “17 schools and colleges, eight campuses, more than 600 academic programs, over 30,000 students, 8,700 faculty and staff, and nearly 360,000 living alumni,” stated the press release.
During his presidency at Temple, Fry will also “oversee Temple Health – one of the region’s top academic health systems driving medical advances through clinical innovation, pioneering research and world-class education.”
Temple is looking forward to how Fry’s higher education experience can benefit the future of the University.
The Triangle will be interviewing President Fry regarding this announcement later today.