John W. Smithson is an American college administrator who has served as the interim President of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 18, 2011, until June 30, 2012.^[1] He is the first president of Saint Joseph's University who is not a member of the Jesuits.^[2]

Smithson is a resident of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.^[3] He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968^[2] and his MBA from Saint Joseph's University.^[3] Smithson also graduated from Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and served as a U. S. Naval Officer from 1968 until 1972.^[3]

Smithson served on the Saint Joseph's University board of trustees from 1999 until 2007.^[3] He simultaneously served as chairman of the board from 2003 to 2007.^[3] In February 2010, Saint Joseph's University named Smithson as its senior vice president.^[3] His responsibilities as vice president included alumni relations, financial affairs, internal audits and external affairs.^[3]

In 2010, Saint Joseph's University's then president, Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., announced his departure at the end of the 2010–2011 academic year to become President of Creighton University.^[1] The university board of trustees initially selected Rev. Joseph O'Keefe, dean of the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, to succeed Lannon as Saint Joseph's 27th president.^[4] However, O'Keefe withdrew from the nomination several months before taking office citing health concerns, including "serious cardiovascular issues."^[1]

On April 25, 2011, the university board of trustees selected Saint Joseph's Senior Vice President John Smithson as interim president of the university.^[1] Smithson took office effective May 18, 2011, on an interim basis.^[1] Smithson's term ended July 1, 2012, when Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., took over as the University's 27th President.^[5]