SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Linda LeMura, who has served as president of Le Moyne College in Syracuse since 2014, will continue leading the college through June 30, 2028. The Le Moyne College board of trustees recently approved the two-year contract extension. Her previous employment agreement was set to run through June 2026. No financial terms were […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Linda LeMura, who has served as president of Le Moyne College in Syracuse since 2014, will continue leading the college through June 30, 2028.
The Le Moyne College board of trustees recently approved the two-year contract extension. Her previous employment agreement was set to run through June 2026. No financial terms were disclosed.
In December, LeMura will become the longest serving president in the history of Le Moyne, surpassing William Reilly, S.J., who served as the college’s fifth president from 1964 to 1975. LeMura was unanimously appointed by the board as Le Moyne’s 14th president in 2014.
“As the first female layperson to serve as president of a Jesuit college or university in the U.S., it’s fitting that Linda will soon make history as Le Moyne’s longest-serving president,” Chris Curtis, chairman of the Le Moyne College board of trustees, said in the college’s announcement. “Her work over the past 11 years has been stellar, and she has proven time and again to be an innovative, respected and inspirational leader. Linda is a passionate student of the higher education sector, and she has used her knowledge and insights to Le Moyne’s advantage… The trustees look forward to Linda’s continuing leadership and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and success.”
A first-generation college student, daughter of Italian immigrants, and Syracuse native, LeMura came to Le Moyne as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2003, serving four years in the role before the college named her provost and VP for academic affairs in 2007. She was provost until becoming president in 2014.
“I am honored to serve as president of this college and work alongside colleagues across campus to transform the lives of so many students through an excellent education in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition,” LeMura said in the college’s announcement. “Much like the past 11 years, Father Reilly’s time leading Le Moyne was marked by great change, not only on the Heights but in the country and the world. As we anticipate an era of significant challenges and opportunities over the next few years, I’m humbled by the faith placed in me by the board to ensure a thriving and resilient future for our entire College community.”
Notable Le Moyne achievements during LeMura’s tenure have included “record-breaking” enrollment and fundraising. She also oversaw the successful completion of the $100 million Always Forward campaign, the largest in the college’s 78-year history, which contributed to growth of Le Moyne’s endowment to more than $300 million, per the announcement. Other highlights include the enrollment of eight “historically large” classes and the 2022 reclassification to Division I intercollegiate athletics.
LeMura also co-chairs the Central New York Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) and was “actively engaged” in Central New York’s efforts to attract Micron’s microchip-manufacturing facility in the town of Clay, which will result in a $100 billion investment over the next 20 years.
