Charting a Path for the Future of Assumption

Learn more about the thorough process underway to identify qualified candidates and appoint the next President of the University

A Period of Change, Transition and Opportunity

After 15 years of dedicated leadership to the Assumption University community, President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., the second-longest serving President of the institution, announced in March 2022 that he will retire, effective June 30. On Tuesday, April 12, the University's Board of Trustees announced that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Greg Weiner, Ph.D., will serve as Interim President effective, Wednesday, April 13 as the Trustees prepare to commence a national search for the next generation of leadership to guide Assumption.

The Trustees are committed to a process that provides regular updates to members of the Assumption community: alumni, students, their families, faculty, staff, alumni, benefactors and prospective students and their families. The development of this page is one of many examples to support their efforts.

This page will be updated throughout the transition and search process to provide members of the Assumption community timely news and information on the Trustees' work to recruit and appoint the University's next President.

Additional Information

The University's Trustees have appointed the below individuals to serve on the Presidential Search Committee.

Andrew S. Viens ‘94 (Chair)
Trustee, Assumption University
Managing Director, Bain Capital, LP
Andy serves as Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Markets Operations at Bain Capital, a private multi-asset alternative investment firm located in Boston. In this position, Andy oversees all portfolio and investor relations operations functions supporting the Capital Markets businesses, with teams in Boston, London and Hong Kong.

Francis J. Bedard, Esq. CPA ‘81 (Vice-Chair)
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Assumption University
Managing Director, Deloitte Tax LLP
Fran is a Director with Deloitte Tax LLP; he has been with the firm for more than 30 years, serving a range of clients including public companies, private businesses, large tax-exempt entities, and high-net-worth individuals.

Very Rev. Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. ‘69 (Vice-Chair)
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Assumption University
Provincial Superior of North America, The Augustinians of the Assumption
Father Dennis Gallagher, A.A. is the Provincial Superior of the North American Province of the Augustinians of the Assumption. Fr. Gallagher oversees Assumptionist communities in the three geographical areas of the Province: United States, Mexico and Quebec.

Richard P. Burke, Jr. ‘80
Trustee, Assumption University
President and CEO Fallon Health
Richard is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fallon Community Health. Prior to his current role, Richard held the position of President of Senior Care Services and Government Programs with oversight responsibilities for Fallon’s government product lines serving both aging populations and high-risk populations of all ages.

Carl Cafaro ‘98
Trustee, Assumption University
Managing Director, The Cafaro Group at Merrill Lynch
Carl is a Managing Director with The Cafaro Group at Merrill Lynch, a financial services firm with offices in Newton, Chicago and New York City. In 2009 and in each year from 2013-15, Carl was named to On Wall Street magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” list.

Richard J. Catrambone, DMD, MD ‘81
Trustee, Assumption University
President, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Inc
Dr. Catrambone is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Until his retirement, he was an assistant clinical professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he taught for 28 years. He is also the chairman of the Department of Oral Health at the Steward Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, where he has maintained a private practice since 1993.

Rev. John L. Franck, A.A. ‘70
Trustee, Assumption University
Associate Pastor, St. Anne’s/St. Patrick’s Parish
Fr. John, an Assumptionist, has served in many roles within the Assumptionist order, including two years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Appointed Vice President for Student Life at Assumption in 1985, a position he held for 11 years, Fr. John was later named Provincial of the Assumptionists in North America in 1996 and concurrently serving as chairman of Assumption’s Board of Trustees for nine years.

Micheal Kelly, Ph.D. ‘70
Trustee, Assumption University
Dean, Laurier School of Business & Economics Wilfrid Laurier University
Michael serves as dean of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He also serves as a director of Economical Insurance, Waterloo North Hydro, the ADGA Group and CATA Alliance-Canada’s high-tech industry association. He was previously Chair of the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans.

Christine Cannon Marcks ‘77
Trustee, Assumption University
President Emeritus, Prudential Retirement
While now retired, it was during Christine’s leadership as CEO and president of Prudential Retirement, that the business generated $12 billion in revenue and $1 billion in earnings for Prudential Financial in 2016. She has held numerous leadership roles at ING and Aetna; served as an economist in the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and as a legislative assistant in the United States Congress.

Lisa D’Souza, Ph.D.
Professor of Education & NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, Assumption University

Michael T. Matraia, CPA, JD, ‘90, P‘25
Professor of Practice in Accounting
Assumption University

Molly Brigid McGrath, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Philosophy & Director of the Honors Program
Assumption University

Caitlin M. Stover, Ph.D., RN, PHCNS-BC, CNE, CNEcl
Dean, Froelich School of Nursing
Assumption University

Molly Tempesta, ’23 / ‘24
Student Government Association Representative
Assumption University
A Transition Committee comprised of a small group of Trustees and key advisors was established and is regularly meeting. Since both the interim and permanent presidential appointments will require full Board approval, weekly meetings of this committee are underway with priorities, milestones, and timelines established.

Trustees Transition Committee Members
- Chairman of the Board: Francis J. Bedard, Esq., CPA '81, Primm Springs, TN
- Vice-Chairman of the Board: Rev. Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A., '69, Brighton, MA
- Richard P. Burke, Jr. '80, Worcester, MA
- Carl Cafaro, '98, Wellesley, MA
- Dr. Micheal J. Kelly ’70, Ontario, CANADA
- Christine Cannon Marcks ’77, New Castle, NH
- Andrew Viens '94, Dover, MA
- Jonathan Weaver '06, G'16, Fiskdale, MA
Priorities of the Committee
A key priority for the Transition Committee is identifying and recommending to the Board an interim President as expeditiously as possible. The Board’s goal is to install the interim President by early June so that he or she may have ample time to collaborate with President Cesareo to ensure a seamless transition. In evaluating candidates for the interim leadership position, the Trustees are seeking the skills and experience required to ensure continuity and momentum on academic programs, on enrollment, on student success, on faculty and staff development, and on philanthropy. Collectively, these and other priorities will be supported to achieve Assumption’s educational mission and deliver upon our promise to students.

Ongoing Collaboration with University Leadership
The Transition Committee is also working with President Cesareo and the Cabinet on key decisions that will need to be made in the next three months to enable a smooth transition for the interim President. One such decision is moving forward with the search for the next Vice President of University Advancement.
The University's Board of Trustees has pledged an open and transparent process throughout the leadership transition. Please click on the below links to read updates provided to the community by the Trustees.

An Engaged Process

Engaging the Community

The Search Committee welcomes feedback and suggestions from members of the University community now and throughout the process. On behalf of the Trustees, we look forward to the engagement of the University community in this important process that will define the future leadership and direction of Assumption University.

Email the Search Committee