How goes it, Owl?” “So far, so good!” Fry responded. It was the first day of school for Fry, who officially became president of Temple University, home of the Owls, on Friday. He wore a cherry-red tie with “T’s” for Temple — one his predecessor Richard M.

The former Drexel leader says his top priority will be continuing to strengthen campus safety in North Philly.

Temple University has a new president. John Fry introduced himself to the Owls community in a video on social media. Before going to Temple, Fry was the president at Drexel University. He says his top priorities are campus and neighborhood safety and diversifying enrollment.

Fry has now become the university's 15th president following the resignation of then-president Jason Weingard in March 2023 and the sudden death of acting president JoAnne Epps in September 2023. Upon Epps death, former president Richard Englert returned to the leadership role on a transitional basis.