initiative to identify and strengthen its top "flagship" programs. Since 2005, six programs have been established as flagships: Nursing, Transportation and Logistics, International Business, Coastal Biology, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Music. The endowment tripled during his tenure, and he roughly doubled the building space with new construction, and renovated much of the remaining. Further, academic admission standards increased dramatically, with entering freshmen with approximately a 4.3 Grade Point Average and a 1300 SAT score. He retired from UNF in May 2018. The university's student union facility was renamed the John A. Delaney Student Union by the UNF Board in his honor. The Faculty recommended and the Board approved naming him President Emeritus. Only the Founding President, Tom Carpenter, has been given that distinction. In October 2008, John Delaney was named interim chancellor of the State University System of Florida, remaining UNF President while doing double duty. He took over for Mark B. Rosenberg who had resigned to return to Florida International University. He served for the 2009 legislative session, and was not paid any compensation. In October 2009, Frank T. Brogan became the new chancellor of the State University System. Post 2018 Delaney joined the Rogers Towers Law Firm and The Fiorentino Group, a business consulting and governmental lobbying firm. He remains Of Counsel to both firms while serving as President for Flagler College. Flagler College In November, 2020, Flagler named Delaney as Interim President, starting on the retirement of President Joe Joyner in July 2021. In October, 2021, the College removed the Interim label and named him President. References External links University of North Florida President's Office page 1956 births Florida Republicans Living people Mayors of Jacksonville, Florida Politicians from Cincinnati Politicians from Lansing, Michigan University of Florida alumni Presidents of the University of North Florida Chancellors of the State University System of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law alumni Terry Parker High School alumni