John Anderson Fry. Photo Credit: Temple University

John Anderson Fry, president of Temple University and former president of Franklin & Marshall College, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Franklin & Marshall’s 239th Commencement. 

Fry’s visionary leadership was transformational for F&M. During his presidency, Franklin & Marshall began the popular and distinctive college house system, an improvement that firmly anchored the liberal arts experience to residential life. The house system enhanced faculty-student relationships and improved the intellectual and social lives of students.

Fry also spearheaded the “Northwest Gateway Project,” which acquired land adjacent to the north end of F&M’s campus and positioned it to become multipurpose playing fields and Shadek Stadium. F&M partnered with Lancaster General Health to turn that land into today’s improved educational-medical corridor. A new residence hall was built. And 40 new faculty members were added during his presidency, reducing the student-faulty ratio to 10:1.

Under Fry’s leadership, the College’s relationship with the City of Lancaster was deepened. He helped to launch the James Street Improvement District, which led to economic redevelopment as well as additional housing for students. He engaged city and community leaders, and worked to make city revitalization a priority for the College.

After leaving F&M in 2010, Fry served as the president of Drexel University until 2024. Today he is the president of Temple University. He is a nationally recognized educational leader, a tireless innovator, and an elected member of the American Philosophical Society, a scholarly organization founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743.

Fry earned his bachelor's degree in American civilization from Lafayette College and his MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. He and his wife, Cara, an art historian, have three adult children and one grandson.

Franklin & Marshall began the popular and distinctive college house system during Fry's presidency. A presidential portrait of Fry was unveiled in 2017 at New College House (now Roschel College House). Here, Fry poses next to his portrait alongside his wife, Cara.

Fry makes remarks during the John A. Fry Presidential Portrait Unveiling at the New (Roschel) College House in 2017.

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