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April 6, 2010, Volume 56, No. 28

Mr. Wildes, University Communications

Wildes

Kenneth J. Wildes, Jr., former director of University Communications, passed away on March 22; he was 62.

As the primary spokesman for the University from 1996-2000, Mr. Wildes oversaw Penn’s communications and public relations operations. While here, he was responsible for press accreditation and arrangements for the campus visit of President Bill Clinton in 1996 and His Excellency Jiang Zemin, president of the People’s Republic of China in 1997.

Before joining Penn, Mr. Wildes was director of newspaper promotion and public relations at Parade Publications, Inc. He then was in charge of communications at Northwestern University for 14 years. After he left Penn in 2000, he was vice president of communications for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles until 2009.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Wildes earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Springfield College in 1969.

Mr. Wildes is survived by his fiancé, Terri Chapman; his daughters, Allison Wildes Liset and Michelle Mandelman Wildes; son-in-law, John Mandelman; grandchildren, Michael, Kathryn, Matthew, Andrew, Vivian and Lila Faye; his mother, Eileen Wildes; and sisters, Kristina Ratsy and Jacqui Beebe.

Donations may be made to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., Mail Stop #29, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

 

To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students, and other members of the University community.

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Room 545, Franklin Building, (215) 898-8136 or e-mail record@ben.dev.upenn.edu.

 

Almanac - April 6, 2010, Volume 56, No. 28