Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:
On behalf of the Georgetown University Board of Directors, and the entire Georgetown University community, I want to express profound gratitude to John J. DeGioia (C’79, G’95) for his lifetime of service to our institution.
It is hard to put in words the depth of Jack’s impact at Georgetown. Since first arriving on campus as an undergraduate student in 1975, Jack has spent his entire career at Georgetown and has helped shape every facet of the University. Under Jack’s leadership as President over the past 23 years, Georgetown University has grown and flourished as a global leader in higher education. With a deep commitment to academic excellence, research, student formation and its Jesuit and Catholic identity, Jack has helped to position Georgetown as a force for good in the world.
As Jack shared in his letter, this was a very difficult decision for him and his family. We are grateful that Jack will transition to serve as President Emeritus and will continue as a member of our faculty. We will announce plans to celebrate his presidency at a later date and look forward to reflecting on the transformational role that Jack has played in our community over these many years.
The Board wishes to extend its deep appreciation to Jack and the DeGioia family for their legacy of excellence and their commitment to Georgetown.
Earlier today, the Board of Directors authorized a search for Georgetown’s next President. I will share more information regarding this process and the formation of a search committee in the weeks ahead. In consultation with Jesuit leadership and our academic and faculty leadership, our intention is to have a new president in place by July 1, 2026.
I would also like to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Robert M. Groves, Ph.D., to serve as Interim President of Georgetown University, while we search for a new president. Since 2012, he has served with distinction as Executive Vice President and Provost and is the Gerard J. Campbell, S.J. Professor in the Math and Statistics Department, with a secondary appointment in the Sociology Department. Bob will be working to name an Interim Provost in the days ahead.
In addition, the Board has appointed Joseph A. Ferrara (G’96), Ph.D., to serve in a new role as the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Georgetown University. Joe has served as Vice President and President DeGioia’s Chief of Staff since 2011, and prior to that he served as Associate Dean for the Georgetown Public Policy Institute (now the McCourt School of Public Policy) and as a member of the faculty.
I would like to thank Bob, Joe and the rest of the senior leadership team who have so ably managed University affairs since Jack’s stroke on June 5. The University will continue to operate as it has been over the last five months—with the leadership team working collaboratively and effectively across the University to advance the strategic priorities of the University and to support our community.
Please join me in once again expressing the greatest appreciation to Jack and his family for their deep dedication to the Georgetown University community and to pray for Jack as he continues his recovery.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Reynolds III (B’74)
Chair, Georgetown University Board of Directors