Caldwell University‘s board of trustees announced on Tuesday it has selected Matthew Whelan as its new president.
Whelan will become the Catholic Dominican university’s ninth president and the first male lay president in its history, effective July 1.
“I’m delighted to be joining the team at Caldwell University. As a first generation, Pell eligible college student who attended Catholic schools, early on I developed a love for small Catholic colleges and their commitment to reaching out to deserving students, especially the underrepresented in higher education, and teaching others to serve and give back,” Whelan said.
Whelan is succeeding Nancy Blattner, who was named the Caldwell-based school’s first-ever lay president in July 2009. Blattner is returning to her home state of Missouri to become president at Fontbonne University, another catholic university.
Laurita Warner, chair of the board of the trustees, said the board is happy to welcome Whelan to the role.
“I speak for all the trustees who are excited and invigorated by the skills, experience and passion Matt will bring to Caldwell University. We value his commitment to our Catholic Dominican tradition and are confident in his ability to innovate and further our upward trajectory of success at Caldwell,” she said.
Whelan currently serves as the vice president for university enrollment strategy and relationship development at Stony Brook University. Since 2006, he’s held roles at the institution in undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, registrar, enrollment management, student services, fundraising, facilities and strategic planning. He also has leadership experience at a number of Catholic and public higher education institutions including St. John’s University, Hofstra University, William Paterson University and Mercyhurst College.
“While at Stony Brook University, Matt has provided exceptional stewardship of strategic planning, institutional research and effectiveness, enrollment management and intercampus operations. He has been a key part of efforts that have secured historic improvements in student retention and graduation rates, the socio-economic mobility of our alumni and the enhancement of the Stony Brook student experience. All of us in the ‘Seawolf Family’ wish Matt every success in his new leadership role,” Michael A. Bernsten, interim president at Stony Brook, said.
