Gannon University history

Past Presidents Monsignor Joseph J. "Doc" Wehrle (1933-56) The institution's first president, "Doc" Wehrle is widely credited with putting in the hard work—and overcoming immensely difficult challenges—to advance Gannon to where it is today.

“Besides the impact Bishop Gannon made on his own diocese, he became a national and international figure in 1936 when he was appointed chairman of the Bishops’ Committee to establish a seminary at Montezuma, New Mexico.

In 1941, John Mark Gannon purchased the Strong Mansion, which would later become known as the cornerstone of Gannon University’s campus, Old Main.

In 1944 Cathedral College received its’ own charter, previously it was under the charter of Villa Maria College, and was renamed Gannon College for the Archbishop.

Monsignor Wilfrid J. Nash (1956-77) Monsignor Nash, who had been the school's Dean, succeeded Monsignor Wehrle as president in 1956.

In 1964, Gannon became co-educational and established a graduate school.

In 1966 John Mark Gannon retired as Bishop of Erie. “Before his resignation in September 1966, Bishop Gannon had witnessed the Catholic population in the Erie Diocese grow to 212,000.

Doctor Henry's term is best remembered for Gannon's integration with Villa Maria College in January of 1989.

Thomas S. Ostrowski, Ph.D. (2000-01) Doctor Ostrowski moved from the role of provost and vice president for academic affairs to that of acting president.

United States News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2010" ranked Gannon as a Top Tier Master's University in the northern section of the United States.