Lehigh University Chooses New President

John Simon will start as the new president of Lehigh University in July 2015.

Simon is presently the executive vice president and provost of the University of Virginia, where he established a global studies major and a physical presence for the university in Asia, and launch of the data science and advanced research institutes.

Simon called Lehigh “an exceptional university with an outstanding reputation,” in a statement to the Associated Press.

Former president Alice Gast announced in January that she would be stepping down after eight years of leadership. Gast will become the president of Imperial College London.

Photo from the University of Virginia.