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. He is the first president of Saint Joseph's University who is not a member of the Jesuits. Smithson is a resident of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968 and his MBA from Saint Joseph's University. Smithson also graduated from Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and served as a U. S. Naval Officer from 1968 until 1972.