ERIE BUSINESS

Keith Taylor returns to lead Gannon during presidential transition

Gannon named former president Keith Taylor to lead the university and Ursuline College while trustees search for a permanent successor to Walter Iwanenko.

ERIEBIZTODAY BRIEFPublished October 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM EDT

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Gannon University's trustees have turned to former president Keith Taylor to oversee a leadership transition, the university announced October 9. Walter Iwanenko ended his presidency effective October 8. Taylor began leading Gannon and Ursuline College that day and will serve during the search for a permanent president.

The change comes as Gannon nears completion of its Ursuline acquisition and prepares additional laboratory space in I-HACK. The university's announcement identifies enrollment, financial sustainability and academic development among the priorities ahead. It does not announce a new timetable for the presidential search or a completed opening of the research facilities.

WHY IT MATTERSErieBizToday analysis

For Erie employers and organizations that work with Gannon, the immediate question is who will guide existing partnerships through the transition. A change in leadership can affect how priorities are explained and decisions are coordinated. It does not, by itself, demonstrate that a research partnership, academic program or planned investment has changed.

The practical developments to watch are the completion of the acquisition, the laboratory opening and information about the permanent-president search. Those milestones would give students, employees and outside partners a clearer picture of the university's direction. Until Gannon provides further details, projections about new hiring, spending or changes in enrollment would go beyond this announcement. Taylor's return provides a named leader for this period; the results of the transition will depend on decisions and implementation that still lie ahead.

An ErieBizToday briefing examining the news and its implications for Pennsylvania businesses and communities, drawing on the sources and further reporting linked below.