Drexel University’s Board of Trustees announced that by a unanimous vote Antonio Merlo, Ph.D., has been confirmed as the 16th president of Drexel University in a press release on Friday, Jan. 31. Merlo is set to assume his position on July 1, succeeding Interim President Denis P. O’Brien.
O’Brien is confident in Merlo’s upcoming tenure.
“Dr. Merlo is not only a brilliant scholar, but he is also a leader with a long track
record of bringing people together around a common goal and motivating them to achieve
it. He is the type of president that will energize the Drexel community as he guides us
onward, to the bright future of this esteemed institution,” said O’Brien.
Merlo is described as a “political economist and academic,” obtaining his doctorate in economics at New York University. He is the current Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of NYU’s Faculty of Arts & Science and has had an extensive career in higher education, as he has taught at the University of Minnesota, NYU, Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania.
He is a “dedicated and vibrant supporter of student life within each of his campus communities. He served as head coach of the club water polo teams at Rice, Penn and NYU and is a three-time recipient of the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s Coach of the Year Award,” stated the release.
Board of Trustees Chair Richard Greenawalt is hopeful for the future of Drexel under Merlo’s leadership.
“Dr. Merlo is the ideal leader to uphold Drexel’s values and guide the University into its next chapter…“His commitment to academic entrepreneurship and his proven success in bringing together faculty, students, scholars, and practitioners to address critical societal challenges are particularly vital as we move forward with strategic institutional priorities, including an academic transformation already underway, and focus on building long-term financial resilience,” said Greenawalt.
Mike Lawrie, the chair of the presidential search committee and 1977 LeBow College of Business graduate has full confidence in Merlo’s ability to make a positive impact on Drexel.
“Dr. Merlo is truly a rising star in higher education. He has championed new initiatives and has taken on leadership roles at every institution that he has served, while endearing himself to students, faculty and staff along the way,” said Lawrie, chair of Drexel’s presidential search committee. “Our committee engaged in a thorough and extensive search for Drexel’s next president and Dr. Merlo is by far the best fit for our community and our institution. I am excited to see what lies ahead for Drexel under his leadership.”
In terms of his undergraduate background, Merlo is a “first-generation college graduate,” stated the release.
“He completed his undergraduate education in 1987, earning a Laurea summa cum laude in economics and social sciences from Bocconi University in Milan, before emigrating to the United States to continue his studies at NYU,” the release continued.
He has also conducted research on “the economic economic impact of public policy and the organizational structure of the political sector,” the release highlighted. These efforts have been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Economic and Social Research Council of England.
Merlo has been published in “American Economic Review,” “Econometrica,” “the Journal of Political Economy” and the “Review of Economic Studies.” The topics he has in his published work include “voting, crime and household economics.”
Though the presidential search is over, Lawrie will be taking over Greenawalt’s position as chair of the Board, a position that he has held since 2008.
Merlo is enthused about starting his presidential journey at Drexel.
“Because of its fundamental mission of evolving to meet the moment and its visionary experiential education model, I believe Drexel is an institution poised to accomplish great things in the coming years,” Merlo noted. “While I am truly grateful for the many opportunities NYU has given me to grow as a scholar and a leader throughout my career, I am excited to begin my journey with Drexel and to help the University realize its tremendous potential. The coming years will undoubtedly bring significant changes to higher education, but they also present tremendous opportunities for institutions like Drexel. To be part of the next chapter in this University’s proud history is truly an honor.”
The new president-elect was announced to the Drexel community in an email from Greenawalt on Friday.