The president of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has become the new board chair at Loyola Marymount University, succeeding Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead.

Paul S. Viviano began his term on June 1, following the decision from the school’s board of trustees.

A native of California, Viviano earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in public administration and public health from UCLA. “Paul Viviano is an inspiring leader who devotes his experience and passion to advancing LMU’s mission and goals,” said LMU president Timothy Law Snyder. Viviano, who has served as a member of LMU’s Board of Trustees since 2010, said in a statement that he is honored to take on his new role at LMU.

“LMU is well-positioned by its Silicon Beach location and its nationally and internationally-ranked programs rooted in our Catholic, Jesuit and Marymount educational traditions,” he said. “I thank outgoing Board Chair Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead for her remarkable contributions. Her leadership and philanthropic legacies will benefit generations of future LMU students.”

Last month, LMU awarded Aikenhead a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, during its commencement ceremony. Aikenhead, president of the William H. Hannon Foundation in Santa Monica, is the first woman to be elected chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.

“Ms. Aikenhead’s leadership, philanthropy and service to our university have been extraordinary,” Viviano said during the ceremony.

Aikenhead’s grandmother attended the Westchester campus groundbreaking in 1928. The recent-widow made a deal with the university so that her five sons could attend at no charge, promising that her sons would repay the tuition after graduation.

“One of her sons was William H. Hannon and, suffice it to say, the family’s promise was kept,” Aikenhead said before the 20,000 gathered for the commencement. “Both during his lifetime and through his foundation, the generosity of William H. Hannon is manifested in the William H. Hannon Library, the Hannon Apartments, the William H. Hannon Plaza in the new science complex and numerous scholarships to give worthy students the same opportunity that the five Hannon boys had.”