Jersey City, N.J. – September 24, 2013 – The Board of Trustees of Saint Peter’s University today announced that the contract of University president, Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., has been extended for an additional five-year term. Cornacchia is the 22nd president of Saint Peter’s University and was officially inaugurated October 20, 2007. This extension ensures he will remain the chief executive of the University through June 30, 2019.
“The progress Saint Peter’s has made and the milestones that have been met in the past few years speak volumes about Dr. Cornacchia’s leadership and the path of the University,” said Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “My fellow Trustees and I are extremely pleased to extend his contract and we believe his dedication and enthusiasm for Saint Peter’s will lead us to accomplish our vision for the University.”
Under Dr. Cornacchia’s presidency, Saint Peter’s has expanded its highly regarded undergraduate and graduate education programs, initiated the institution’s first doctoral programs, established a School of Nursing and a School of Education, assumed responsibility for St. Aedan’s Church and launched several new majors, minors and concentrations. He was also instrumental in Saint Peter’s obtaining university status last year and has set fundraising records, securing nearly $59 million for the current capital campaign, the centerpiece of which is the recently opened Mac Mahon Student Center. Significant upgrades are also underway for the Schools of Business and Education. Additionally, the University reported record enrollment numbers for the fall 2013 semester with the class of 2017 being the largest freshman class in 15 years.
“I am extremely proud to be offered the opportunity to continue to lead Saint Peter’s in my role as University president,” said Cornacchia. “The hard work and effort of our entire community, especially our students, has led us to achieve so much. I look forward to what lies ahead for this remarkable institution and I am grateful to be a part of its tradition and progress.”
Cornacchia received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1976 and a master’s degree in political science in 1979 from Fordham University. He also earned a Ph.D. in political science from Fordham University in 1985. Prior to becoming the first lay president of the University, and after many years of teaching at Saint Peter’s, Cornacchia served as academic dean and subsequently as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
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Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.