New LHU President Introduced

LOCK HAVEN – He grew up in a small town of 4,000 in northern New Jersey, the son of immigrant parents. He spent his adult life in public service, the last quarter century in public education. On Wednesday Robert M. Pignatello was introduced to the Lock Haven University community as the school’s 15th president. He will assume his new duties as of July l, after completing his current work as senior vice president for finance and administration and chief operating officer for Hunter College in New York City. Hunter College is a flagship university of the CUNY system, with 23,000 students.

Pignatello was welcomed at a public reception at Price Auditorium. The new president talked about his belief in public education, nurtured by his past and his immigrant parents who “could barely afford to send me to college.”

Pignatello said he believes he can “make a difference” and convert challenges to opportunities, that “we can control our own destiny.” He promised to be visible and accessible in the community, said he was excited to be LHU’s next president and finished with, “I believe in the Haven.”
He was accompanied by family members including wife Amy and later met with school and community members who attended the introductory program.

Pignatello has a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, and a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University. He expects to complete work this year on a Doctor of Education degree in higher education leadership and management at St. Peter’s University, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.