On July 3, 2024, the Temple University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of John Fry as the 15th president. The announcement followed an extensive search process that began in September 2023, when Chair Mitchell Morgan announced the launch, the members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, and how the search would prioritize community engagement and participation to help inform the process.
Temple University President John Fry
President John Fry
President Fry took office on Nov. 1, 2024. He has more than 20 years of experience leading higher education institutions and a proven track record of prioritizing academic excellence, investing in global research and driving economic development to the benefit of students, faculty and the surrounding community. With an impact that has been significant locally, nationally and, in many cases, globally, Fry brings his experience and expertise to Temple University.
The Search Process
The search advisory committee partnered with The Collective Genius, a research and strategy firm, to hold in-person and virtual listening sessions open to Temple students, faculty and staff. Engaging more broadly and intensively with Temple community members allowed for diverse perspectives that directly impacted the priorities set as the foundation for the search process. In collaboration with advisory firm Spencer Stuart, the search advisory committee finalized the position specification, which detailed the critical leadership capabilities the final candidate would have in order to successfully lead Temple. This work ultimately led to the appointment of John Fry as our 15th president.
From the very start, it became clear that Temple needed a leader who has served as president at another high-level research university, as well as someone who knows and loves Philadelphia. In John Fry, we have found all that and more. With Fry’s proven vision and leadership, we have no doubt that he will have an incredible impact at Temple. We are so pleased to welcome him as our president-elect.”
