“I am honored to accept the presidency of such a progressive and dynamic institution,” Spinelli said.  “This is a very exciting time to join Philadelphia University, which encompasses a rich tradition and also holds tremendous opportunity for the future.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Gallagher and the Board of Trustees, and the dedication and hard work of many talented faculty, staff, students and alumni, Philadelphia University has emerged as a vibrant and strong academic community.  It is poised to fulfill its promise of becoming one of the nation’s premier universities,” Spinelli said. 

During his 14 years at Babson College, Spinelli has been associate professor and later chair of entrepreneurship, director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship and he holds the Alan Lewis Chair in Global Management.  Previously, he was co-founder of Jiffy Lube International and Chairman and CEO of American Oil Change Corporation, helping to pioneer the quick lube industry nationwide and turn Jiffy Lube into the dominant competitor nationwide with more than 1,000 service centers.

Spinelli received his Ph.D. in Economics from The Management School, Imperial College, University of London, his M.B.A. from Babson College and his B.A. in Economics from McDaniel College.  He has an extensive background in executive education and consulting, and has written and co-written numerous books on entrepreneurship and other business topics, including most recently Entrepreneurship: The Engine of Growth (editor with Andrew Zackarakis) and Never Bet the Farm (with Anthony Iaquinto).  He also has conducted peer-reviewed research and presented academic papers on franchising, entrepreneurship and other related topics.

At Philadelphia University, Spinelli will take the helm of an institution that has undergone significant growth and transformation in the past two decades.  The campus that started in 1884 as a small, textile-related school is today a diverse university with 3,250 students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in six schools: Architecture, Business Administration, Design and Media, Engineering and Textiles, Liberal Arts, and Science and Health, as well as in Continuing and Professional Studies programs.

Under President Gallagher’s leadership, Philadelphia University has developed into a vibrant, interdisciplinary and forward-thinking institution.  It has more than quadrupled its applications for admission, expanded its academic offerings, improved its campus by constructing state-of-the-art facilities, increased its endowment and raised its national and international profile as a quality institution of higher learning.  Last fall two world-class facilities, The Kanbar Campus Center and the Athletic and Recreation Facility, opened their doors, transforming the heart of campus and representing a $50 million investment in the future of the University.

“Philadelphia University has achieved many remarkable successes and we are looking forward to reaching new levels of accomplishments through our educational programs, research endeavors, community outreach and student life under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Spinelli,” Ms. Gemmill said.

The appointment of Spinelli is the result of a nationwide search led by University Trustee Donald Redlinger, former senior vice president of Human Resources and Communications for Honeywell International, Inc., along with trustees, faculty, staff and students, and assisted by the executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles.