Dr. Chris Fiorentino has dedicated more than 41 years of his life to West Chester University.

The results of his work shined through during an April 26 tribute to the retiring university president, through the people who praised his work and the hundreds who gathered at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall on campus to honor him.

Attending were members of the university leadership, alumni, elected officials, faculty and staff, students, university donors and the West Chester community.

At the “This Is Your WCU” tribute, Dr. Fiorentino was handed a key to West Chester Borough by its mayor, Lillian DeBaptiste, a West Chester University alum.

“He has not only made West Chester University a household name, but it is known throughout the world,” she said.  

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe declared April 26, 2024, as Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino Day in Chester County.

“Chester County is such a great place to live, work, and play, in large part because West Chester University is an anchor in our county. It’s an economic driver, and it is that way because of Chris Fiorentino’s leadership,” said Roe.

Dr. Fiorentino, who officially retires in June, was also presented with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania citations from State Rep. Chris Pielli and state Sens. Carolyn Comitta, John Kane and Katie Muth.

Dr. Fiorentino has been described as a transformational leader for the university, instilling a spirit of innovation and ownership that has empowered students, faculty, and staff. 

He first arrived at WCU in 1983 as an assistant professor of economics.  He served 20 years as dean of WCU’s College of Business and Public Affairs (now the College of Business and Public Management).

While dean, he accomplished what he has considered one of his greatest achievements for the university, securing AACSB accreditation for the School of Business.

In 2013, Dr. Fiorentino became vice president for external operations, then was named interim president in April of 2016, before assuming his role as the university’s 15^th president on Jan. 5, 2017.

The university has gone through many changes and celebrated many accomplishments under Dr. Fiorentino’s watch. 

For the Students

Dr. Fiorentino helped West Chester University navigate the pandemic and kept enrollment strong, at more than 17,000 students. In 2023, the university saw its largest incoming first-year class.

The student population is also the most diverse and inclusive in West Chester’s history. As of fall 2023, 25.1 percent of the students were students of color.

The students have annually been improving their GPAs, SAT scores and ACT scores.

He linked the university to a national student-success mission to remove systemic barriers that prevent underserved students and students of color from attending and graduating college.

He was a key driver of the university’s 150Forward campaign which raised more than $69 million toward student scholarships, new programs and new technology.

With his support, the DUB-C (D-CAP) program was founded to support degree-seeking WCU students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Katie Lickfield, who is on the autism spectrum, is a Dub-C-Autism program graduate. She works today as an assistant teacher at an Early Learning Center and is an established artist.

Thanks to the DUB-C program and the university’s transfer agreement with Delaware County Community College, she was able to overcome her initial struggles to attend and graduate from West Chester University.

“I am here today because you helped me find my way!” she said.

For the Campus

Dr. Fiorentino oversaw construction of the largest building project in the university’s history—the 175,000 square-foot Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons.

He developed off-campus academic centers, including the Graduate Center in West Goshen Township; and worked with faculty and supporters to create the Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center.  

The university has invested more than $250 million in the past decade on new academic buildings, residence halls, recreational facilities and a geothermal heating and cooling system.

For West Chester, the Business Community, and the World

Dr. Fiorentino spearheaded the Center for Community Solutions, linking business and civic leaders who have research needs with university faculty and staff

During his leadership, the university experienced a change in its Carnegie Classification, moving WCU from an M1 (a master’s college and university) to an R2 (doctoral university high research activity) That moved WCU in U.S. News & World Report from a regional university to a national university.

“Chris instilled in us the belief that we can and will do great things and we should set high standards for ourselves,” said Evan Leach, the current dean of the College of Business & Public Management.  

On May 15, President Fiorentino will be inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame by the Chester County Economic Development Council, honored before 400 business leaders.

He recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Downtown West Chester, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Fiorentino has also been named to Philadelphia Business Journal’s Power 100 list in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

At the heart of all the accolades and accomplishments for Dr. Fiorentino and West Chester University are the students, something the WCU president has never forgotten.

Julie Ward, a graduating senior with a double major in accounting and marketing, said Dr. Fiorentino helped her gain the confidence to sit on the Council of Trustees as a student trustee.   

“On behalf of myself and the WCU student body, thank you for your inclusive and student-centered leadership, making us feel like we belong, and for making WCU our home away from home.”

Dr. Jeff Osgood, executive vice president and provost (interim) at WCU, talked about Dr. Fiorentino’s commitment to student success.

“If you know Chris, then you know he has the heart of a faculty member, and that never changed throughout his entire career at WCU.”

The tribute concluded with a presentation of student artwork to the retiring university president and his wife, Sue Fiorentino, from Shane Burgette, a graduating senior in the graphic and design program.

Dr. Fiorentino had the last words before the INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams Marching Band closed the tribute with the WCU Fight Song.

“Together, we have made this place what it is, and I have had the honor of being in the lead seat, but I am under no illusion about who did the work, and I thank you all. I leave very proud of this institution and all of you.”