Manhattan University Board of Trustees announces Frederick Bonato, Ph.D. as President of the University

The Manhattan University Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Stephen Squeri, 81, ’86 (MBA), Chairman, proudly announces the naming of Frederick Bonato, Ph.D. as President of the 172-year-old Lasallian Catholic institution.  Dr. Bonato had been the Interim President since October 15, 2024.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to name Fred as the 22nd President of Manhattan University,” said Mr. Squeri.  “Fred has a tremendous record of driving growth and has an incredible wealth of experience at institutions of higher learning.  For the past ten months as our Interim President, he has demonstrated the leadership and personal skills needed to continue building a cohesive campus community and driving positive change with humility and grace.  He has established new programs and partnerships while always keeping our Manhattan students at the center of all that he does.  Additionally, as a former faculty member and Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, Fred appreciates and respects the dedicated faculty that is a hallmark of Manhattan University.”

Dr. Bonato commented, “Manhattan University stands on a remarkably strong foundation built on the Lasallian values of respect, inclusion, and social justice.  As president, it is my privilege to lead the University during a time of tremendous opportunity – to build on our academic rigor and Lasallian mission, maximize student experience, and ensure that our graduates secure a meaningful career that benefits both themselves and society.”

Dr. Bonato has been in the education field for 30 years as a professor and administrator.  He spent 17 years as a psychology professor at Saint Peter’s University (NJ) where he chaired the department and, as the President of the Faculty Senate, established a reputation for brokering collaborative relations between faculty and administration.  At Saint Peter’s, he also served as the University’s Director of Faculty Research and Sponsored Programs where he facilitated the grant process and finished his tenure there as Executive Vice President & Provost.  In his time at Saint Peter’s, graduate student enrollment nearly doubled, overall enrollment was the highest it had been in 25 years, and the university saw its highest graduation rates.  During his nine months as Interim President at Manhattan, Dr. Bonato cultivated a visible, consistent, and approachable presence on campus and fostered new instructional ideas with market relevant programs that are responsive to the rapidly changing economic and demographic environment.

He served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Montclair State University from 2013 to 2017 and played a central role in health-related initiatives, including launching the School of Nursing and the Center for Clinical Services.  He served as President of the Eastern Psychological Association (2017), and was recently elected Vice President for Education & Research for the Aerospace Medical Association where he served for 14 years as the Editor-in-Chief of its peer-reviewed journal, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance.  He also was elected to the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine in 2015 and has published widely on the topics of motion sickness, space motion sickness, and safety protocols for commercial spaceflights.

Dr. Bonato holds a B.A, M.A., and PhD. From Rutgers University.

***

About Manhattan University
Founded in 1853, Manhattan University is an independent Lasallian Catholic institution located in Riverdale, NY that embraces students of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. The mission of the University is to provide a dynamic student-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional success, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings. Manhattan University offers programs that integrate a broad liberal arts education coupled with a concentration in specific disciplines in the arts and sciences with professional preparation in business and engineering, ensuring graduates will excel in their chosen fields. The University consists of the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences, the O’Malley School of Business, and the School of Engineering. For further information, please visit www.manhattan.edu.