John J. "Jack" DeGioia was named Thursday by Georgetown University's Board of Directors to succeed Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J., as president of the University.

Degioia, 44, is currently the Senior Vice President of Georgetown University, a post he has held since 1998. He has been working at the University since 1979.

Degioia will become Georgetown's 48th president when he assumes the office on July 1. He will also become the first non-Jesuit president of the University.

John R. Kennedy, chair of Georgetown's Board of Directors, said DeGioia had the necessary combination of leadership skills and personal qualities to lead Georgetown into the next century.

"Jack is an impressive and inspiring higher education leader," Kennedy said. "He articulates a powerful vision of Georgetown University's future and has a remarkable commitment to Georgetown's distinctive mission as a Catholic and Jesuit university. He appreciates academic excellence deeply and has earned a reputation for being an outstanding teacher."

"With demonstrated executive leadership and the strong ability to elicit support for the University, he is remarkably well-prepared to lead Goergetown," he added.

The announcement brings Georgetown's ten-month presidential search to an end.