Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Fred P. Pestello became the 13th president, and first lay leader, of Le Moyne College on July 1, 2008. He arrived as the Jesuit College was in the midst of a $50 million comprehensive capital campaign and in the wake of several years of record-setting applications for freshmen enrollment.

Since his arrival, Dr. Pestello has led the largest construction activity at Le Moyne since its founding in 1946, and the College has recorded three consecutive years of enrolling the largest first-year class in its history. He has also led the development of the OneLeMoyne vision statement and strategic plan.

Dr. Pestello came to Le Moyne after spending 24 years at the University of Dayton. Since 2001 he had served UD as provost and senior vice president for educational affairs. During his career at Dayton, he was also the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the chair of the department of sociology, anthropology and social work, and a professor of sociology at Dayton. He is the co-author of Sentiments and Acts, which he wrote with his wife, Dr. Frances Pestello, and has also published numerous articles and chapters in the sociology field.

In addition to his professional commitments, Dr. Pestello has been involved in local, state, and national organizations. In 2011, he was invited by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to serve on theCentral New York Regional Economic Development Council (REDC), where he co-chairs the Public Participation Committee. He also serves on the board of New York's Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu), Syracuse 20/20, and CenterState CEO. Previously, he was involved with the United Way of Greater Dayton, the Ohio Partnership for Continued Learning, and the Association for Catholic Colleges and Universities.

He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Akron-Kent State University joint Ph.D. program in sociology in 1985, his master’s degree in sociology from the University of Akron in 1981 and his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1974 from John Carroll University, a Jesuit institution in Cleveland.

Dr. Pestello’s spouse, Frances, is also a sociologist and served as chair of the department of sociology, anthropology, and social work at the University of Dayton. She currently teaches in Le Moyne's Sociology Department. They have two children, a daughter, Vitina, an alumna of the University of Dayton, and a son, Ferdinando, who attends Le Moyne College.

AJCU Board of Directors

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.

David W. Burcham

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.

John J. DeGioia, Ph.D.

John J. Hurley, JD

Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J.

Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J.

Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J.

Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.

Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.

Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D.

Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J.

Rev. Michael E. Engh, S.J.

Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.

Rev. Michael J. Graham, S.J.

Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.

Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J.

Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.

Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J.

Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J.

Rev. Thomas B. Curran

Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.

Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J.

Richard Allen Beyer

Thayne M. McCulloh, Ph.D.

Quote of the week

"Immersion experiences can open eyes, destroy prejudice, and change lives. I have watched countless students return from developing countries as changed persons, with renewed hearts eager to live as men or woman for others."

Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President of the University of San Francisco, commenting on the power of immersion experiences

Meet the AJCU President
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Federal Relations

AJCU Federal Relations Network is the lobbying arm of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and comprised of at least one representative from each one of the twenty-eight Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The Network is kept up to date on an on-going basis by the Vice President for Federal Relations on all issues relating to Appropriations, budget, higher education authorization issues and taxes. The Network meets annually in September for a Legislative Conference and also participates in the Annual Committee for Education Funding Legislative Conference and Awards Dinner.
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AJCU Conferences

The 35+ Conferences sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are affinity groups within the AJCU Network. The Conferences provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and best practices; support the professional development of their members; and present opportunities for AJCU representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges in Jesuit higher education. Most of the AJCU Conference groups meet in person at least once a year, and many of them communicate regularly through an AJCU listserv.
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International Outreach

The member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are committed to developing programs and partnerships that advance international education and support initiatives that advance global citizenship.
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