President Signs 5-Year Contract Renewal

Cleveland, OH- The John Carroll University Board of Directors has unanimously approved the contract renewal of Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J., as president of the University. The decision was announced May 20, during the Board’s final meeting of the academic year. The new contract term will commence July 1, 2010, and end June 30, 2015. “This decision by the Board, to renew Father Niehoff’s contract a full year before his current term expires, emphasizes our confidence in his accomplishments and vision for John Carroll University,” said Allyn Adams, Board Chair. “His exceptional business acumen and commitment to Jesuit education will provide the guidance the University needs to maintain its excellent reputation. We are very grateful to him for his significant dedication and outstanding service to John Carroll during the last four years.” Father Niehoff is the 24th president of John Carroll University. He was inaugurated October 11, 2005. Highlights of his tenure include: The highly praised Ohio Access Initiative scholarship, which makes it possible for academically qualified students from Ohio families with annual income of less than $40,000 to attend John Carroll, and the Arrupe Scholars Program, which awards scholarships to incoming students committed to social justice and community service. Consistently high U.S. News & World Report rankings, including the latest results in which John Carroll was rated – for the 20th consecutive year – among the top 10 universities in the Midwest that grant master’s degrees. JCU ranks 7th in the 2009 rankings. The Boler School of Business dual re-accreditation in business and accounting by AACSB International. Honoring the memory of alumnus Tim Russert by renaming the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts, the Tim Russert endowed scholarship, and the Meet The Press Fellowship with partner, NBC. A strategic initiative providing seed money to launch new academic programs in disciplines that have strong student interest and faculty support. Three major philanthropic gifts totaling $6 million and a record response in annual philanthropic gifts to JCU. The development and sharing of the first-ever Master Plan analysis of the JCU campus. The goal of this ongoing process is to attract and retain students with improved student housing, athletic facilities, and parking options. Earning the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities. This honor is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Robert L. Niehoff joined the Society of Jesus in 1972. He earned his B.A. in philosophy at Gonzaga University in 1977, two master’s degrees in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in 1984, an M.B.A. at the University of Washington in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Gonzaga University in 1995. Father Niehoff is currently a member of the Finance and Administration Committee and the Committee on Law Center Affairs of the Georgetown University Board of Directors. He is a member of the Academic Affairs and Finance Committees of Saint Louis University’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the University Relations and Academic Affairs Committees of Regis University’s Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Cleveland Saint Ignatius High School Board of Regents, the Catholic Community Connection Board of Directors, the Ohio Campus Compact Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and is a member of the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management. Father Niehoff is currently a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Cleveland. Father Niehoff was Associate Provost and Vice President for Planning and Budget at the University of San Francisco before becoming president of John Carroll in 2005.