Suffolk Names Ninth President

Late Wednesday evening, Suffolk’s Board of Trustees approved the appointment of James McCarthy, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Baruch College, City University of New York, as the university’s ninth president.  

The decision comes over a year after the abrupt retirement of former President David Sargent in Oct. 2010. McCarthy, 62, was chosen over 100 candidates during a year-long selection process. His presidency begins February 1.

"This is an incredible moment in Suffolk's history, and I know we are all very excited for Jim's arrival and what that means for the future of our university,” said university chairman Andrew C. Meyer Jr.

As provost, McCarthy was the chief academic officer for Baruch which has over 18,000 students and 500 faculty members. Prior, he has held positions at the University of New Hampshire, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University and Trinity College Dublin. McCarthy holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University, an M.A. from Indiana University and an A.B. from the College of the Holy Cross, all in sociology.

Already, McCarthy has shared his involvement in promoting online courses and enhancing teaching with technology and mentioned the need for up-to-date facilities and residence buildings while not adding any more debt.

"I am very happy with the Board of Trustees approval and hiring of James McCarthy,” said Suffolk senior Scott Zalatoris who served on the Presidential Search Committee. “I know that President McCarthy will not only provide the leadership that is necessary to support the Suffolk community, but will also be a friend and advocate for the student body. I look forward to a new Suffolk that, while mindful of the past, is progressing towards a bright future."

McCarthy claims to be an avid Patriots and Bruins fan, but when it comes to picking a baseball team, the Connecticut native says he will be a “non-aligned nation.”