Here’s a look at news published in Almanac at this time of year, over the past four decades. Prior to March 1971, Almanac was a monthly publication. See www.upenn.edu/almanac for more Penn history from the past 64 years. This issue begins Almanac’s 65th year of publishing.

July 2008:

Robert Ghrist: Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor

President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ronald Daniels are pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Ghrist as the seventh Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor, effective September 1, 2008.

Dr. Ghrist, one of the world’s leading applied mathematicians, will be the Andrea Mitchell University Professor. His appointment will be jointly shared between the department of electrical and systems engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the department of mathematics in the School of Arts and Sciences.

“Rob Ghrist is a singular math and engineering sensation whose infectious love of teaching and groundbreaking research in robotics, topological hydro-dynamics, and other fields will make him a great PIK Professor and a huge hit with Penn students and faculty alike,” said President Gutmann. “Penn is the perfect environment for him to pursue his innovative and integrative scholarship and for stoking his passion for literature and music, which, incidentally, runs the gamut from Dante to Mozart to Frank Zappa. We look forward to welcoming Rob into the Penn family.”

Dr. Ghrist has produced a widely influential body of work that applies mathematical methods to real-world engineering challenges, especially in robotics and wireless sensor networks.  He specializes in topology, a branch of mathematics that provides tools to visualize abstract spaces—for example, finding gaps in a security network, or automating robotic movement across a factory floor.

“Rob Ghrist embodies the PIK program’s highest aspiration to integrate knowledge across disciplines,” said Provost Daniels.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/volumes/v55/n01/Ghrist.html

Charles Howard: University Chaplain    

The University of Pennsylvania has appointed Charles L. Howard, C ’00, as University Chaplain, effective July 1, 2008. The announcement was made last month by Provost Ronald Daniels and Associate Provost Vincent Price.

Rev. Howard has served as interim chaplain since February and as associate chaplain since 2005. He succeeds William Gipson, who became associate vice provost for equity and access in January 2008.

“We are truly fortunate that the most outstanding candidate, at the end of our comprehensive national search, proved to be a spiritual leader with such an impressive history of devotion and service to Penn,” Provost Daniels said. “Chaz will be a chaplain of vision, compassion, wisdom and accessibility, qualities that he has already amply demonstrated to all of us in the Penn community.”

Rev. Howard co-founded the Greater Love Movement, a non-profit anti-poverty organization focused on the needs of the homeless. He has edited The Souls of Poor Folk, an essay collection and multimedia project raising awareness about poverty, and also directs CHORDS, a program through the Chaplain’s Office and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships that connects Penn with West Philadelphia schools, neighborhood organizations and communities of faith.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/volumes/v55/n01/Howard.html

July 1998:

SEAS Interim Dean: Dr. Eduardo Glandt

Dr. Eduardo Glandt, chemical engineering’s Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professorship, has been named Interim Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

He takes office on August 15, 1998 to succeed Dr. Gregory Farrington, now president-elect of Lehigh University.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v45/n01/071498.html#eduardo

At Sansom Common, The Bookstore Opens

A new chapter in Penn Bookstore opens tomorrow, July 15,  1998 as the Bookstore opens for business in Sansom Common—a “soft” opening, with a grand-opening gala to follow on September 10, 1998, said Marie Witt, Interim Vice President for Business Services.

Penn built and owns the facility, which combines the “best elements of a full-service academic bookstore with the amenities of a Barnes & Noble superstore,” she added.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v45/n01/071498.html#book

School Collaboration

At a press conference June 18, 1998, President Judith Rodin announced a series of initiatives with the University City public schools including an agreement with the School District and the teachers’ union to create a “demonstration school” for students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade on land owned by Penn, the former Philadelphia Episcopal Divinity School at 42nd and Spruce Streets.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v45/n01/071498.html#school

July 1988:

SAS Dean: Hugo Sonnenschein of Princeton

The new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences is Dr. Hugo Sonnenschein, a 48-year old professor of economics from Princeton.

The appointment, effective July 1,  1988 was approved by the Trustees at the stated meeting June 18, 1988.

The new dean “is coming at an especially challenging time,” President Sheldon Hackney said. “The strength and reputation of the University as a whole is inherently linked to the success of the School of Arts and Sciences. Over the past couple of years the School has built a great deal of momentum, so expectations are high and a sense of future directions is widely shared by the faculty. Dr. Sonnenschein is not only a top-flight economist and teacher but a perceptive academic leader who sees clearly what needs to be done and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with the faculty.”

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v35pdf/n01/071288.pdf

Acting Dean of Medicine: Arthur Asbury

The search for a Dean of the School of Medicine has been extended, and Dr. Arthur Asbury of neurology took office July 1, 1988 as Acting Dean. Former Dean Edward Stemmier stepped down to concentrate on his responsibilities as Executive Vice President of the Penn Medical Center.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v35pdf/n01/071288.pdf

Chairs for Five SAS Faculty

Five longtime members of the School of Arts and Sciences have been appointed to named professorships old and new.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v35pdf/n01/071288.pdf

July 1978:

Paul F. Miller, Jr., Named Chairman

Paul F. Miller, Jr., was elected chairman of the board of trustees at the meeting of the full board Friday, June 9, 1978. Miller, a senior partner of Miller, Anderson and Sherrerd, an investment management firm in Bala Cynwyd, succeeds Donald T. Regan, chairman of Merrill Lynch and Company, who has served as chairman for the last four years.

See: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v25pdf/n01/071578.pdf

News Briefs: Union Contracts Ratified

The University and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union Local 115 ratified a contract Friday, June 2, 1978 following the return to work of the housekeeping unit January 9, 1978. The 302 housekeepers had been terminated from their positions on August 7, 1977. According to George Budd, director of personneland labor relations, the terms of the contract, which expires July 31, 1979, include a five percent salary increase August 1, 1978 and a two percent increase February 1, 1979.

To read more: https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v25pdf/