Dear Assumption Community,
Following 15 years as Assumption’s 16th and second-longest-serving president, Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., has informed the University’s Board of Trustees that he will retire on June 30 of this year. Having successfully led the University through the pandemic, the successful conclusion of the Light the Way Capital Campaign, and with the anticipated arrival of President Cesareo’s first grandchild, he believes that now is the right time to retire and implement a succession plan to ensure the continuity of leadership at the University. The University’s Board of Trustees will announce soon an interim leadership plan and begin a national search.
President Cesareo has indicated that he and his wife, Filomena, will relocate to the Philadelphia area to be closer to their daughter and sons. One is graduating from Duquesne University this May and another is enrolled in Georgetown University’s School of Law.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank President Cesareo for his unwavering support and leadership of Assumption University. Under his leadership, Assumption’s academic profile has been strengthened, mission and Catholic identity enhanced, and new academic programs were launched. The Tsotsis Family Academic Center and the Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center were built to support the education of our students, the worship space at the Chapel expanded, along with the construction of the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center, and an international campus in Rome, Italy opened among several other enhancements that differentiate Assumption from other colleges and universities. The Board is grateful to Francesco and his family for the many sacrifices they made in service to the University.
Since he was elected by the Board in February 2007, President Cesareo has demonstrated innovative leadership resulting in new academic programs such as cybersecurity, nursing, sport management, and more. He has established articulation agreements with national universities such as the University of Notre Dame, Washington University in St. Louis, Duke University, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Among President Cesareo’s notable accomplishments are raising nearly $77 million for the University since July 2007; well-exceeding the $35 million goal of the Light the Way Capital Campaign; and transitioning the institution from a college to a university which included the creation of five separate schools: the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Froelich School of Nursing, Grenon School of Business, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Health Professions.
Through his membership and leadership on several local and national boards, President Cesareo increased awareness and recognition of Assumption. The recipient of the prestigious Fr. d’Alzon Medal, President Cesareo has been recognized as an individual whose faith and energy give witness to the validity and priority of spiritual values in an increasingly secular world, who courageously brings to bear in his daily life the life-giving message of Christ, and who is faithful to the teachings of the Church.
As we express our gratitude to President Cesareo, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would also like to recognize the faculty and staff of the University who have worked tirelessly to educate and support Assumption students.
Sincerely,
Francis J. Bedard, Esq., CPA '81
Chairman, Assumption University Board of Trustees
