Manor College, a private, two-year Catholic school in Montgomery County, has appointed the first lay president in its 68-year history - part of a growing trend at area Catholic colleges.
Jonathan Peri, vice president and general counsel at Neumann University, another Catholic college in the area, will take the helm on Nov. 16, the college said.
"Jonathan Peri brings a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge that will help form the foundation for the future success of Manor College," Leonard Mazur, chairman of Manor's board of trustees, said in a prepared statement.
Peri received his bachelor's in theology from Villanova University and his Juris Doctorate from the Widener University School of Law. He'll also have a second doctoral degree after completing Eastern University's organizational leadership program, the college said.
La Salle University and St. Joseph's University, both Catholic institutions, also appointed their first lay presidents this year.