St. John’s University taps ex-Providence head as new president
St. John’s University tapped the Rev. Brian Shanley — the former long-time head of Providence College — to lead the New York Catholic institution amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“I have long admired St. John’s commitment to the founding mission set forth by the Vincentian community to provide a Catholic education for first-generation students in a diverse and inclusive environment. I look forward to leading our community to remain committed to that mission amidst the unique challenges of the current times,” Shanley said.
Shanley, 62, a member of the Dominican order, will take over Feb. 1 for the beginning of the spring semester.
Shanley replaces Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, SJU’s first lay president in its 144-year-history, who announced his retirement in June after six years at the helm.
Like other colleges, St. John’s — the nation’s second largest Catholic University with 20,000 students and its main campus located in Queens — is