| John Smithson | |
| Interim President of Saint Joseph's University | |
| Term Start: | May 18, 2011 |
| Term End: | June 30, 2012 |
| Predecessor: | Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. |
| Alma Mater: | Saint Joseph's University |
| Profession: | Academic administrator, retired Naval officer |
John W. Smithson is an American college administrator who has served as the interim President of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 18, 2011, until June 30, 2012.[1] He is the first president of Saint Joseph's University who is not a member of the Jesuits.[2]
Smithson is a resident of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.[3] He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968[2] and his MBA from Saint Joseph's University.[3] Smithson also graduated from Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and served as a U. S. Naval Officer from 1968 until 1972.[3]
Smithson served on the Saint Joseph's University board of trustees from 1999 until 2007.[3] He simultaneously served as chairman of the board from 2003 to 2007.[3] In February 2010, Saint Joseph's University named Smithson as its senior vice president.[3] His responsibilities as vice president included alumni relations, financial affairs, internal audits and external affairs.[3]
In 2010, Saint Joseph's University's then president, Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., announced his departure at the end of the 2010–2011 academic year to become President of Creighton University.[1] The university board of trustees initially selected Rev. Joseph O'Keefe, dean of the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, to succeed Lannon as Saint Joseph's 27th president.[4] However, O'Keefe withdrew from the nomination several months before taking office citing health concerns, including "serious cardiovascular issues."[1]
On April 25, 2011, the university board of trustees selected Saint Joseph's Senior Vice President John Smithson as interim president of the university.[1] Smithson took office effective May 18, 2011, on an interim basis.[1] Smithson's term ended July 1, 2012, when Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., took over as the University's 27th President.[5]