Educational psychology alumnus Antoine Garibaldi (Ph.D. ’76) will become the University of Detroit Mercy’s president on July 1, 2011. He is recognized as a national scholar in higher education, with a career spanning more than 35 years as a tenured professor, accomplished researcher, and educational administrator. Garibaldi will be the Catholic university’s first lay president.
“He is a scholar and a great administrator,” said Professor David W. Johnson, Garibaldi’s Ph.D. adviser. “He is one of our best graduates. And on a more personal level, Antoine comes from a very close family and is highly involved with his siblings, nephews and nieces, and other family members. He is a pillar of strength for them. He is a person you can count on when you need help or support.”
A native of New Orleans, Garibaldi earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Howard University in 1973 before coming to the University of Minnesota. His research interests focus on educational achievement and attainment in schools, African-American males, teacher education, and the growing gender and racial disparities in education.

Garibaldi has been president of Gannon University since 2001. During that time Gannon’s enrollment increased by 24 percent and its endowment more than doubled. Prior to joining Gannon, he held a leadership position at the Educational Testing Service, was the first provost and chief academic officer at Howard University, and was a professor in Howard’s School of Education. He also held leadership positions at Xavier University of Louisiana.
He has received numerous awards, including the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2006, honorary doctorates from Seton Hall University and Our Lady of Holy Cross College, the Howard University Distinguished Alumni Award for Postgraduate Achievement in Education, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Service Award.