Senior VP named Ill. college pres.

Senior Vice President for Planning and Development Rick Nahm will leave the University in late June to become president of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, Nahm said yesterday. Nahm, who came to the University in 1986, has been instrumental in organizing and managing the University's $1 billon capital capaign, President Sheldon Hackney said yesterday. "He has contributed mightily to the University of Pennsylvania," Hackney said. "He has built a very good organization in development and alumni relations." Nahm will be the third top University administrator to leave the University in the last year. Nahm said that he has always wanted to be a college president. "This is an opportunity to become president of one of the finest small colleges in the country," Nahm said. "We've had a great experience at Penn, but this is a goal I've had for a long time." Both Nahm and Hackney said the capital campaign, which has raised over $928 million to date, will not be affected by Nahm's departure. "The campaign is moving along nicely and that momentum will not slow down," Nahm said. "We have many committed volunteers. [The campaign] is much bigger than any one person." Unlike other recently vacated posts, there will be no national search to find a replacement for Nahm. Hackney said that Nahm will be replaced by Virginia Clark, associate vice president for development and alumni relations. "Virginia Clark is there and already working with development and alumni relations," Hackney said. "She will just step up and take over. We're abolishing his position and changing her title." Nahm said the departure of other top administrators had nothing to do with his own decision to leave the University. "It's simply a situation where I wanted to be a college president and the job was offered at this point," Nahm said. Nahm's appointment was officially confirmed by the Knox College Trustees on Saturday. Knox is a small liberal arts school founded in 1837. It has a total enrollment of 940 students. Nahm replaces Knox College President John McCall, who announced last April that he was retiring from an active role in higher education after 11 years at the school, Knox College Director of Communication David Amore said last week. Amore said Nahm was selected from an initial pool of over 200 applicants in a nation-wide search conducted by the consulting firm of Henrich and Struggles. "[Nahm] was selected for his particular strengths in the areas of fundraising and strategic planning," Amore added. "He also had a depth of knowledge with regards to small liberal arts colleges, was committed to the goals of liberal education and understands the Midwest. He also possesses great personal dynamism." Knox College officials said they are hoping Nahm will move forward to strengthen the college and continue its commitment to diversity and a solid liberal arts education, according to Amore. Nahm said it is premature to discuss his goals for Knox College. He added that working at the University has been one of the best experiences of his career. "It's been the most professionally satisfying experience that I've ever had," Nahm said. "I've been working with the best group of faculty and administrators that I believe exist in higher education as well as with with some very committed alumni and trustees." Nahm said the favorite part of his job has been "being involved with Penn students." Hackney said he is happy for Nahm. "The one thing in the world he wanted to do other than be the vice president of development and planning was to be a college president," Hackney said. Hackney added he is not concerned by the number of administrators leaving the University around June 30. "This is a natural sort of thing and we have a lot of other officers here at the University," Hackney said.