Notre Dame College names new leader

Notre Dame College has announced it has unanimously appointed J. Michael Pressimone as president.

Pressimone is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was a firstgeneration college student, as are about 40 percent of Notre Dame College students, the release stated.

The Notre Dame College Board of Trustees has announced it has unanimously appointed J. Michael Pressimone as the 15th president of the college based in South Euclid, succeeding Thomas Kruczek.

Pressimone has served as the president of Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri, since 2014.

He will officially assume his duties at Notre Dame College on July 1, according to a news release. Long-time Notre Dame College faculty and administrative leader John Galovic has served as interim president since Kruczek’s departure in May.

Pressimone is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was a first-generation college student, as are about 40 percent of Notre Dame College students, the release stated.

“We are delighted that after a thorough and thoughtful national search, Dr. Pressimone emerged as the best fit to be Notre Dame’s next president,” said Notre Dame Board Chairwoman Ann Hawkins in the release.

“The number of outstanding candidates who came forward reflects the college’s reputation for quality education, service to students and respect for the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

“I have complete confidence in Dr. Pressimone as our next president, and I look forward to working with him, as I am sure the entire College community does.

Hawkins also thanked Galovic for his service during this transition period.

“He has provided exemplary leadership, unselfish service and tireless energy in making sure our programs and operations continued without missing a beat,” Hawkins said.

Pressimone’s higher education career spans more than three decades. He served as vice president of advancement at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania; at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina; and at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

With an extensive background and experience in fundraising, he successfully led the largest comprehensive campaign at Alvernia, surpassing $31 million, the release stated. In that role, he also oversaw the offices of development, alumni relations and marketing and communications.

In a similar role at Elizabethtown College, he designed, implemented and managed an endowment campaign with an initial goal of $20 million that raised more than $26 million, the release stated.

“I am honored to join the Notre Dame College community as we begin our important work together,” Pressimone said in the release. “My wife Cathy and I felt a strong connection to the mission and the beautiful work begun by the Sisters of Notre Dame nearly 100 years ago. “As we met more and more Notre Dame College colleagues, it was clear that the College was a place that would marry our passion for this work with a community of hope and optimism and dedicated to serving a wonderfully diverse student population,” he added.

“I am anxious to hit the ground running.”

Pressimone is a strong relationship builder with a reputation for teamwork, collaboration and an ability and passion for bringing students, faculty, staff and the community together to achieve mutually beneficial goals, the college stated in the release. He also has been an active voice in issues of diversity and racial justice.