Christian Brothers University names next president

Jack Shannon has been named president of Christian Brothers University and will begin his tenure at the school July 1.

Shannon, 56, joins CBU from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, where he oversaw the office of strategic alliances, economic development and civic partnerships. He was also Montclair State's vice president for advancement.

In September, President John Smarrelli told the university's board he would step down at the end of the academic school year after serving the university for 10 years. He was the first president who was not a Brother. Shannon will be the second. Both are Catholic.

More:After 10 years of service, John Smarrelli to leave CBU presidency in June

Shannon said he visited the campus with his wife and met students.

"Students are not only the heart of the university, you are the very reason for our existence," he said.

They met students who were "bright, engaging, diverse and energetic" as well as being committed to making the most of the opportunity for a CBU education, Shannon said.

He intends to build upon the important work already being done at CBU, including Smarrelli's initiative, a massive privately funded program to enroll students in the federal government's Deferred Action Against Childhood Arrivals program. DACA recipients were brought to the United States as children without documentation and had no access to scholarships.

"What makes America great and what makes this university great is diversity. And it's also combined by the fact that as a Lasallian institution we are committed to providing access to opportunity," he said.

Funding for the initiative is in place through 2026, allowing the program to continue for current and future students, Shannon said.

And he intends to work with Smarrelli, staff and board members to fund the program beyond 2026.

Before Montclair State, Shannon was the inaugural president and CEO of East Baltimore Development Inc., a redevelopment initiative that delivered education, health and human services programs, constructed mixed-income housing and launched a K-8 community school.

He also served as associate vice president for economic development and chief of staff to the executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a principal in the "West Philadelphia Initiatives," a neighborhood redevelopment strategy that was awarded the 2003 Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence.

"Our new president truly is a problem solver," said Steve Dunavant, chairman of the board of trustees, while making the announcement Tuesday on campus.

Shannon was selected by a search committee that included trustees, former trustees, students, faculty and alumni, Dunavant said, praising their long hours and hard work.

Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in English from La Salle University, a master of public policy degree from Harvard University and a JD degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Smarrelli said in September that he had no plans to leave Memphis, his adopted home, but would remain to continue his work in several city education initiatives outside of CBU.

Smarrelli is chairman of two charter school boards and has not ruled out a return to the classroom.

Smarrelli came to Memphis from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, and was at Loyola University Chicago for 18 years. 

"I entered a college campus in 1971 as a student," he said in September. "I haven't left since. I've lived my life in semesters."

CBU was founded in 1871 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, is affiliated with the Catholic Church and is the oldest degree-granting institution in Memphis.