Vernon resident to succeed FDU president
TEANECK — The Board of Trustees of Fairleigh Dickinson University recently named Christopher A. Capuano of Vernon the president elect- during the 2015-16 school year and will become the university's eighth president on July 1, 2016 when current President Sheldon Drucker retires.
Capuano is the University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and the university's second-ranking officer.
Board Chairman Patrick Zenner said the university is fortunate to have such a strong candidate for the presidency within its ranks, someone who has served the University well as a faculty member and administrator, has been a passionate and determined leader of the faculty in his current role as chief academic officer, and has worked closely with Drucker, the board and the university community on numerous initiatives of significant importance to the University, including its new strategic plan.
"Dr. Capuano has been a tireless and effective advocate for FDU in his current and former positions at the University, and the board has complete confidence in his ability to lead the university as its next chief executive officer," Zenner said.
Capuano stated that he is deeply honored and appreciative of the board's decision to appoint him the next president of such an outstanding university, a university with an extraordinary mission, history and increasing global reach.
"(I am) most excited about the opportunity to lead a very talented and deeply committed faculty, staff and student body, all of which are necessary to propel the University to an even greater level of distinction and enable FDU to better serve its communities," capuano said.
As university provost, Capuano has provided important decision making in identifying and appointing a strong leadership team in the School of Pharmacy, which has resulted in consistent enrollment growth and candidate status with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
In addition, he was instrumental in recently securing a large gift to support the University's new Daniel and Martina Lewis Center for Healthcare Innovation and Technology. Moreover, he was the driving force in developing the University's 2014-19 strategic plan, working with Drucker, the board and faculty and staff across the University, including at the university's two international campuses in Canada and England.