St. John’s University appointed its first lay president, tabbing the No. 2 at Miami University of Ohio to lead the Queens-based Catholic school, officials said Friday.
Conrado Gempesaw, the provost and executive vice president at Miami of Ohio, will take over on July 1 from the current president, the Rev. Joseph Levesque, the St. John’s board of trustees announced.
Gempesaw — married with two kids — will be St. John’s 17th president, and its first who is not a Vincentian priest.
“Dr. Gempesaw brings an impressive record of academic achievement, administrative excellence, and the ability to inspire students, faculty, alumni and administrators,” board of trustees chairman Peter D’Angelo said in a prepared statement.
“In Dr. Gempesaw, we have found a visionary leader who understands and embraces St. John’s mission as a Catholic and Vincentian university, and has the skills necessary to realize our goals for the future.”
Gempesaw, who is of Filipino descent, will also be St. John’s first Asian-American president.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead St. John’s University during this transformational time, and grateful for the confidence and support of everyone who participated in the search process,” according to a statement by Gempesaw.
“With its diverse and accomplished students, exceptional faculty, devoted alumni, dedication to service and commitment to the poor that is grounded in its Catholic and Vincentian history, St. John’s has become one of New York’s most enduring institutions through its mission to provide a world-class affordable education. I look forward to working with St. John’s administration, faculty, staff and alumni in ensuring the success of our students.”
St. John’s, with its main campus in Jamaica, Queens, has about 15,800 undergraduate students and 5,000 more enrolled in graduate schools.