Fr. Lannon began his term as Saint Joseph's 26th president in July 2003. Since then he has led many important University initiatives, most notably the agreement to purchase Episcopal Academy's 38-acre Merion campus. This campus, named for alumnus James J. Maguire ’58, provides unparalleled flexibility and opportunities to enhance academic programs and campus life.
Under Fr. Lannon's leadership, the University has vastly upgraded student housing and other facilities such as the Campion Student Center, the Science Center and Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, now known as the Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena. In addition, significant enhancements have taken place along 54th Street with the addition of the Borgia and Rashford residence halls and the opening of Hawks’ Landing which houses a high rise parking facility, the University Bookstore, and a Cosi Restaurant.
Fr. Lannon has played a significant role in boosting Saint Joseph's academic reputation, an effort which includes new endowed faculty chairs and student scholarships, the revision of the undergraduate curriculum, the opening of the Pedro Arrupe Center for Business Ethics, the Catholic Bioethics Institute, and the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. He has also helped to re-engage the University in its mission, and foster expanded outreach efforts to alumni, governmental leaders and other external constituencies.
Fr. Lannon previously was Vice President for University Advancement and, before that, the Associate Executive Vice President at Marquette University. He serves on the boards of Marquette University, Santa Clara University, Boston College, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), and the City Avenue Special Services District. He serves as Chair of the Board of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and Chair of AICUP.
Fr. Lannon has studied and written on Catholic identity at Jesuit universities. A native of Mason City, Iowa, he attended Creighton University as an undergraduate where he was student body president and was later president of Creighton Preparatory School. He holds graduate degrees from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now Boston College School of Theology and Ministry) as well as a doctorate in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Father Lannon entered the Society of Jesus in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1986.
