October 9, 2026
Board of Trustees announces conclusion of Dr. Walter Iwanenko's presidency; President Emeritus Dr. Keith Taylor to return as president
ERIE, Pa. (Oct. 9, 2026) – Gannon University today announced a transition in presidential leadership. Dr. Walter Iwanenko is concluding his service as president of Gannon University, effective Oct. 8.
“Serving Gannon University has been a tremendous privilege,” Iwanenko said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside those who are deeply committed to our Catholic mission and to the students, faculty, staff, and communities we serve. I committed to Gannon to see us through the merger with Ursuline College and now that it is nearly done, I am stepping down to pursue other opportunities. I wish nothing but the best for my colleagues and for the students at Gannon and Ursuline.”
The Board recognizes and appreciates Iwanenko’s service to Gannon University, including his leadership as provost and president and his commitment to Gannon's Catholic mission, students, faculty, staff, and communities.
Iwanenko joined Gannon in 2016 and served as a vice president for academic affairs and then as provost before becoming president in July 2023. He helped establish Gannon University’s Ruskin Campus near Tampa, Fla., and the development of the Institute for Cyber Knowledge (IHACK). More recently, he shepherded the merger with Ursuline College in Cleveland and the partnership with First Ascent Biomedical, which is about to open a lab in IHACK. The university continued climbing the US News and
World Report rankings during his tenure, jumping 38 spots to 219 among national universities in September’s report. He was also a proponent of athletics and under his leadership the Gannon men’s basketball team won a NCAA Division II national championship.
“Walter has served Gannon with dedication, strategic vision and a strong commitment to Catholic higher education,” said The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie and Chairperson of the Gannon University Board of Trustees. “We are grateful for his contributions to Gannon, our students, and the Erie community. We ask the Gannon community to join us in expressing our appreciation for Walter's service and to keep Walter, Mary, and their family in our prayers.”
The Board has selected President Emeritus Keith Taylor, Ph.D., to serve as president of Gannon University and president Ursuline College beginning Oct. 8. He will lead the University through this transition and the search for a new permanent president. Taylor previously served as Gannon’s president for 12 years and brings extensive knowledge of the University's mission, history, people, and strategic priorities. During his tenure, Gannon restructured its academic model, deepened its engagement in the regional community, expanded its presence through the development of the Ruskin Campus, launched new academic programs, and broadened its global engagement and international enrollment.
The Board believes Taylor’s experience and institutional knowledge will provide continuity and stability as Gannon moves through several significant initiatives, including the acquisition of Ursuline College, continued development of Gannon's academic programs, and the University's ongoing work to strengthen enrollment, financial sustainability, and its work in the communities it serves.
“Dr. Taylor understands Gannon's Catholic identity and mission and has longstanding relationships throughout the University and the communities we serve,” Bishop Persico said. “At this important moment in Gannon's history, his experience, trusted relationships and commitment to the University will provide valuable continuity while we look toward the future.”
Taylor said he is honored to return to Gannon and looks forward to working closely with the University’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
“I am humbled to return to a university whose mission and people remain very close to my heart,” Taylor said. “I look forward to rejoining the lives and the work to be done alongside our faculty and staff, our students and families, our alumni, and our community partners. Together, we will build on Gannon’s strengths while thoughtfully addressing the significant challenges and opportunities before us.”
The Board remains committed to Gannon's Catholic identity and mission of educating students to become compassionate, ethical, and engaged members of their communities through learning in the liberal arts and professional education.
The leadership transition comes as Gannon approaches the completion of its acquisition of Ursuline College, a milestone that will link our Catholic institutions of higher education along the shores of Lake Erie. Gannon is also preparing to open new laboratory and research spaces on the fourth floor of the Institute for Cyber Knowledge, or I-HACK. Through its partnership with First Ascent Biomedical and AHN Saint Vincent, the University is expanding opportunities for personalized cancer treatment research, health care education, and collaboration.
The University’s current strategic priorities will continue to be refined under Taylor’s leadership. “Gannon’s strength has always been its people,” Taylor said. “This is a time to listen, to serve and to work hard together. I look forward to engaging with the Gannon community as we begin this next chapter and our second century of serving the needs of our world.”
The Board and Taylor will work closely with faculty, staff, students, and other members of the entire Gannon community (Erie, Pa.; Ruskin, Fla.; and Ursuline College) during this transition. Additional opportunities for campus and community engagement will be announced in the coming weeks.
