Staff Changes

College House Appointments: Faculty Masters and Fellows

  Five new Faculty Masters will greet residents of the 12 College Houses this September. Dr. Linda P. Brown, the Miriam L. Stirl Professor in Nutrition, and Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Nursing, will make Community House her new home. Dr. Arnold J. Rosoff, Professor of Legal Studies and Health Care Systems in the Wharton School, will be heading up Goldberg College House. Dr. Mark Y. Liberman, Trustee Professor of Phonetics in the Department of Linguistics of the School of Arts and Sciences, will move into Ware College House. Jay Reise, the Robert Weiss Professor of Music will be Master of Hamilton College House. And in Hill College House, history professor Dr. Walter Licht will serve as interim Master while Dr. James O'Donnell takes a year's leave to teach at Yale.

Other new faculty appointments include Dr. Emily Thompson, assistant professor of history and sociology of science, to Faculty Fellow of Spruce College House; Dr. Peter Struck, assistant professor of Classics to Faculty Fellow of Stouffer College House; Dr. J. Douglas Toma, senior fellow at the Institute for Research on Higher Education, to Senior Fellow of Ware College House; and Dr. Lorraine Sterritt, Penn's new Dean of Freshmen, to Senior Fellow of Hill College House. Dr. Sterritt's husband, Bert Lain, will serve as Scholar-in-Residence. English professor Dr. Peter Conn will serve as a Faculty Fellow in the Modern Languages Program of Gregory College House.

Ms. Brennan: Special Services

Patricia Brennan, who has served as acting director of Special Services for the Penn Police Department since July 1999, has been named the new Director of Special Services, according to Vice President for Public Safety Thomas M. Seamon. Her appointment became effective August 15.

As Director of Special Services, Ms. Brennan is responsible for all support services for victims of crime, and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the special services team.

Her duties also include developing programs in crime prevention, safety education, community outreach and victim services; handling and directing responses to emergency situations; representing victims of crime and serving as a liaison to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office and other entities.

"Pat Brennan brings extensive experience dealing with sensitive crimes and victims issues to this most critical position," Mr. Seamon said. "Her experience in investigations, crisis intervention and victim support, along with her sensitivity and commitment to women's issues and the needs of a diverse community, make her the ideal person for this job. We are fortunate to have attracted someone with her proven ability to this position."

Ms. Brennan began her career as a Philadelphia police officer in 1976, where she held progressively responsible positions, eventually becoming one of the first female detectives to be assigned to the elite Homicide Unit.

She came to Penn in 1996 as a Senior Investigator for the University Police Department, and was later promoted to Detective Supervisor.

Ms. Brennan recently received a master's degree in Organizational Dynamics from Penn.

SON Finance Executive Director

Patrick M. Burke has been appointed Executive Director for Finance and Administration for the School of Nursing, effective July 1. "We're excited to have Pat here and we're looking forward to working with him," said Nursing's Interim Dean Dr. Neville E. Strumpf. "His fine reputation, expertise and relationships throughout the University will help support our many interdisciplinary initiatives," said Dr. Strumpf who is also Edith Clemmer Steinbright Professor in Gerontology and Director of the Center for Gerontologic Nursing Science.

Mr. Burke, a Penn employee for nearly 25 years, previously worked at the School of Nursing before moving to the School of Engineering in July 1986 where he was the Director of Fiscal Operations for 14 years.

"It's wonderful to be back at nursing again working with such a great faculty and staff, many of whom are familiar to me," said Mr. Burke.

Ms. Epstein & Ms. Marcus: Ceremonial & Special Events

The planning for Penn's traditional ceremonial functions as well as other special events will now be coordinated by a combined team, blending the event design and management expertise from the Office of the President with the expertise in ceremonial events from the Office of the Secretary.

Ellen Epstein has been appointed as the executive director of Ceremonies and Special Events. Ms. Epstein has over 14 years of event design and management experience and for the past four years has served as director of events in the Office of the President. She has managed numerous high-profile events for the University including the visit of the President of China in 1997 and President Clinton's visit this past February.

Meryl Marcus has been named associate director of ceremonial events and will join Ms. Epstein as a member of this new team in the Office of the President. For the past several years, Ms. Marcus has planned and executed Convocation, Baccalaureate, and Commencement ceremonies. She most recently served as associate director of special events and diplomas in the Office of the Secretary. 

Facilities Services: Promotions for Mr. Hilts, Ms. Fader

 Barry Hilts, executive director of operations for the Division of Facilities Services since July 1999, has been named associate vice president, Facilities Operations.

Mina Fader, who has been financial director for the Division of Facilities Services has been named associate vice president, Facilities Finance.

Both of these appointment became effective July 1. Their appointments were announced by Vice President Omar Blaik of the Division of Facilities Services.

As associate vice president of facilities operations, Mr. Hilts is responsible for the operations and maintenance of University facilities. Ms. Fader, as associate vice president of facilities finance, will oversee the financial operations of the Division and the financial aspects of the capital program for the University.

"Barry's and Mina's expertise in their respective areas and their familarity with Facilities Services and Penn uniquely position them to lead our efforts to improve our services and enhance customer satisfaction," said Mr. Blaik.

Mr. Hilts is a 1971 graduate from San Jose State University, and in 1981 he earned an M.B.A. from Western New England College. With over 30 years of experience he is throughly conversant in the facilities and support services areas. Prior to his transition to Facilities Services in July of last year he was associate vice president, support services for UPHS.

Ms. Fader came to the University in April 1998 from Shadow Broadcasting Services where she served as chief financial officer. She recieved her B.S. in chemical engineering from MIT and an M.B.A from the Wharton School.

Almanac, Vol. 47, No. 2, September 5, 2000

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