Eric M. Turner has been named the tenth president of Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. When he takes office on July 1, Dr. Turner will become the first African American president in the university’s 172-year history.
Lasell University enrolls just over 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 400 graduate students, according to the latest statistics available from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 10 percent of the undergraduate student body.
“Lasell is an active, engaged, and vibrant community — one that has been part of my life for three decades,” said Turner. “We are passionate about teaching and learning, supportive of our students and faculty, and committed to making a difference in the world. I am excited to begin this new chapter at Lasell and look forward to the work ahead.”
Turner was named Lasell’s provost in June 2020 after serving as the institution’s vice president of graduate and professional studies. Earlier in his career, he was a senior vice president at State Street Corporation, a financial services firm based in Boston.
Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
