John Smarrelli, Ph.D. '75
Interim President

A scientist by training, John Smarrelli Jr., Ph.D. ’75 became interim president of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., in May 2007, succeeding Charles Beirne, S.J. He is the first alumnus and layman ever to lead the Jesuit College.

Dr. Smarrelli came to Le Moyne as academic vice president and a professor of biology in 2001, and was named provost in 2005. Prior to that, Dr. Smarrelli served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the biology department at Loyola University Chicago; he was also the chair of the advanced placement biology program at Loyola.

As provost, Dr. Smarrelli was responsible for articulating the College’s academic vision –one that was rigorous, balanced and in which students were truly engaged. He successfully guided the College through the reaccredidation process, oversaw its planning committee and headed the senior leadership team.

He also has been involved in the largest capital campaign in the College’s 60-year history – helping to set priorities for the campaign and meeting with benefactors and other supporters. One of his keen interests has been in the construction of a new science building that will help the College attract the most talented students and prepare them to make meaningful professional contributions to their communities.

Dr. Smarrelli earned a doctoral and master’s degree from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne. He also conducted postdoctoral work in biology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Dr. Smarrelli is involved in several community organizations, and serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister at Holy Cross Parish in DeWitt, N.Y. His family includes his wife, Eloise, and their children, Kristina, Nicholas and Elizabeth.