Former provost dead at 73

Former University Provost Eliot Stellar, who oversaw the creation of the School of Arts and Sciences and implementation of the "One University" concept, died yesterday of cancer. He was 73. Stellar, who served as provost from 1973 to 1978, was chairperson of the Medical School's Anatomy Department at the time of his death. Since 1954, when he joined the University faculty as an associate professor of physiological psychology, Stellar played a major role in implementing many of the University's current policies and programs. Interim President Claire Fagin called Stellar's death "a terrible, terrible loss." "He was one of the greatest scientists and human beings I have ever met," she said. "I personally owe him a great deal. It is a tremendous loss to Penn, to his field, to the nation and, most of all, to his family." Under Stellar's leadership, the University Scholars program was established. The program, which Stellar headed for more than 15 years, gives undergraduates the opportunity to submatriculate into graduate schools while enrolled at the University. "He was the most wonderful man I have met on the Penn's campus," said University Scholars Coordinator Susan Duggan. "I found him easy to work for, wonderful to work for, and extremely intelligent. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about him." A specialist in eating disorders, Stellar wrote at least three books, including Eating and Eating Disorders, which he co-authored with Emeritus Psychology Professor Mickey Stunkard. Stellar, who received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his graduate degrees from Brown University, is also known for spearheading the establishment of informed consent in the medical profession – which requires that individuals understand and consent in advance to their use as subjects in studies. "He was user-oriented in the best of senses," former University President Martin Meyerson said last night. "That meant he was student-oriented, faculty-oriented, patient-oriented and it meant that he was always oriented to the well-being and protection of his subjects." Meyerson, who nominated Stellar to serve as provost and worked alongside him, said Stellar was "saintly." "One of the greatest joys in my career was working with Eliot Stellar," he said. "He was a friend and a mentor to all of us at Penn – students, faculty, staff and administrators." In academic circles, Stellar's name is associated with genius. From 1987 until 1990, Stellar served as president of the Philadelphia-based American Philosophical Society, an intellectual society founded by Benjamin Franklin. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, serving as a member of its Institute of Medicine and Human Rights Commission and of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences. Stellar received honorary degrees from Johns Hopkins University, Emory University and Tianjin Medical College in China. Last month, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Psychological Science by the American Psychological Association. Among Stellar's many contributions to the University was his choice of Lee Stetson as admissions dean and his efforts to expand University recruitment. University Chaplain Stanley Johnson called Stellar an "innovator and a conciliator." "He was renowned for his ability to get things done," Johnson said. "He had an amazing ability to bring people together." Fagin said a University-wide memorial service will be held for Stellar in November. Stellar, of Ardmore, is survived by his wife, Betty, and two children, James and Elizabeth.