Drexel names Denis O’Brien interim president; John Fry to start as Temple’s president Nov. 1

Drexel University’s board of trustees on Tuesday appointed one of its members, Denis P. O’Brien, as interim president, the university announced.

A former president of Exelon Utilities, O’Brien takes over for John A. Fry, who was tapped earlier this month as Temple University’s next president.

Fry will start at Temple on Nov. 1, a Temple University spokesperson said Tuesday.

At Drexel, O’Brien will serve until the university appoints its next president.

“Denis is a deeply engaged, collaborative and visionary leader,” Richard Greenawalt, chair of Drexel’s board of trustees, said in a statement. “He has served the university as a trustee for two decades and is a recognized leader throughout the Philadelphia region. Denis is the ideal person to lead Drexel through this transition and into a new era in our proud history.”

In a message to the Drexel community, Greenawalt said O’Brien will work with Fry through the September board meeting to “transition critical philanthropic and government relationships and close any important business transactions.”

O’Brien, who has served on Drexel’s board for more than 20 years, worked for Exelon and affiliated companies for more than 37 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. As Exelon CEO, he oversaw the company’s transformation “from two, independently managed utilities to an integrated, six-utility enterprise,” according to Drexel. He got his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and has an MBA from Drexel.

He also previously had served as chairman of the The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

O’Brien, who also currently serves on the board of Independence Health Group, said in a statement that it was “an honor to serve in this role during Drexel’s time of transition.”

“As an alumnus and member of Drexel’s Board for more than 20 years, I have witnessed first-hand the University’s trajectory to excellence,” O’Brien said. “I am looking forward to working closely with Drexel’s talented faculty, dedicated professional staff, outstanding students and a committed Board of Trustees to ensure the continued success of this remarkable university.”

Another Drexel trustee, Mike Lawrie, will chair the presidential search committee to identify a permanent replacement for Fry, Greenawalt said in his message to the community. He said the board would share more information on that process, including the members of the committee, “which will include a group of trustees, faculty members, students, alumni, and administrators.”