Dear Temple community, 

Today is a pivotal moment in Temple history. This morning, the Board of Trustees will vote to appoint John Fry as Temple’s 15th president. John is nationally recognized as an innovative and impactful higher education leader who boasts the experience and the capabilities our community made clear were needed in our next president.

John Fry has served higher education his entire professional life–and his impact has been significant both locally and at a national level. Under John's leadership, our neighbor Drexel University evolved into a comprehensive research university and a chief anchor institution in the heart of West Philadelphia.

John has elevated Drexel’s global presence through academic and research partnerships, major NIH and NSF research programs, and hubs for collaboration. He has championed high-impact academic initiatives to increase opportunities for students and faculty, and prioritized student success, cutting-edge curricula and a culture of equity. He also worked to ensure the continued availability of medical training for students and high-quality care for patients, including children, in Philadelphia.

Under his leadership, Drexel’s D1 athletic program has continued to grow, with over 470 Drexel student-athletes competing in 18 Division I NCAA sports in the Coastal Athletic Association.

He has been a champion for major neighborhood revitalization initiatives, extensive economic development efforts, and significant public-private partnerships.

And he has led record-breaking fundraising campaigns that have increased opportunities for student success, global research, and support for faculty.

John Fry is the right leader at the right time to launch Temple into a new chapter of its history.

He will begin his tenure as Temple University’s 15th president after new leadership has been named at Drexel University.

Following the Board of Trustees vote, the announcement will be posted at news.temple.edu.

Today is the culmination of a comprehensive search process that included input from every corner of the Temple community. It was your input that guided the work of the 17-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee. I want to thank all of you who took part in that process. With the appointment of John Fry, we believe we have delivered on our promise to choose a leader who will move this university forward into a future filled with promise and new opportunity.

This is a great day for Temple University. But I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work and dedication of President Richard Englert, who took the reins after the sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend, President JoAnne A. Epps. His steadfast leadership over so many years and his guidance in a time of uncertainty and sorrow will forever be paramount in Temple’s history. I know he will continue to provide a steady hand of leadership during this transition.

Please join me in welcoming John Fry as Temple’s 15th president. And thank you for your commitment to Temple’s future.

Sincerely,

Mitchell L. Morgan
Chair, Board of Trustees