Faculty
Director of College Houses:
Dr. Philip Nichols
After four
successful years of launching and leading Penn's College House
program, Dr. David B. Brownlee will step down as director at the
end of the academic year and will resume full-time teaching in
the history of art department this coming fall. His tenure as
Faculty Master of Harnwell College House continues through 2004,
and he will provide oversight on future College House renovations
and renewal. Dr. Brownlee came to Penn in 1980 and, after chairing
the committees that planned and implemented the new residential
system, was appointed director of College Houses and Academic
Services in 1998.
Dr. Brownlee
has been "a visionary director whose tenacity and enthusiasm
have transformed residential living," said Provost Robert
Barchi. Across campus, Dr. Brownlee has received much praise for
his work, including recruiting and leading the senior staff in
all 12 undergraduate residences, implementing dozens of innovative
programs that now enhance the academic life of residents, and
overseeing enormous renovations in the Quadrangle and other architectural
projects. "David has been a dynamic, inventive leader of
the College House system since its inception," said Provost
Barchi. "Although he will be sorely missed, his greatest
achievement may be that he built a strong infrastructure of incredibly
talented, dedicated College House staff, led by some of Penn's
finest faculty members."
Dr. Barchi
has appointed Dr. Philip Nichols, associate professor of legal
studies and Faculty Master of Stouffer College House, to the position
of Faculty Director of College Houses. Currently lecturing on
Law and Legal Concepts at National University of Mongolia as a
Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Nichols has been at Penn since 1992 and
holds many awards. He has received Wharton's Excellence in Teaching
Award (Undergraduate Division) every year from 1994 to the present.
He also holds the 1996 David W. Hauck Award for Outstanding Teaching,
and a Lindback Award, which he received in 2000. Dr. Nichols was
a Faculty Fellow in Stouffer College House from 1996-97 and was
appointed to the mastership in 1998. Through his-open door policy
with residents and warm, personal columns in Stouffersphere,
the House newsletter, Dr. Nichols is widely admired as a Faculty
Master. Dr. Barchi noted, "I have no doubt that Phil Nichols
will be a terrific successor to build on the strong groundwork
that David has laid."
Dr. Peter
Conn, Deputy Provost, also expressed gratitude to Dr. Brownlee
and enthusiasm for Dr. Nichols. "David Brownlee has done
a truly extraordinary job over the last four years. His commitment
to the College Houses has been remarkable. I am particularly pleased
that Phil Nichols has agreed to take the position of Faculty Director.
Phil has been involved with the College Houses for a number of
years and is genuinely dedicated to students' well-being."
The Faculty
Director will provide leadership for the House Deans and academic
oversight, while working with the Residential Faculty Council,
chaired by Dr. Mark Liberman. A new position, Director of College
Houses and Academic Services, has been created to oversee daily
operations.