Women at U. hail Rodin pick

Many consider nominee's gender one of many pluses Women at the University are beaming over Judith Rodin's nomination to serve as the next University president. And they are equally pleased that Rodin, a University graduate, will become the first female full-time Ivy League president. "I think that it's absolutely wonderful that Penn has chosen a woman to be president," said Elena DiLapi, director of the Penn Women's Center. "I think we've seen from President [Claire] Fagin's leadership that women really do make a difference at Penn." Women can provide a "new way to look at old problems," DiLapi said. She added that Rodin's presidency can improve conditions for everyone on campus, male and female. Only two other women have been interim president of an Ivy League university – Hanna Gray at Yale from May 1977 to June 1978, and Fagin, whose one-year term ends June 30. Fagin said yesterday she is pleased that another woman will follow her in the University's top spot. "There is no question that she is going to be a real superstar and it's going to be terrific for the University," she said. "It's something that people will sit up and take notice about, and it's definitely going to be a plus." She added that the position is a very "personality-oriented" job, so the fact that Rodin is a woman should not affect the tone of her administration. "I think it's all very individual," she said. Women student leaders also were excited about Rodin's nomination. Panhellenic Council President Allison Marinoff said last night that Rodin was picked because of her impressive qualifications. "I think that she's obviously highly qualified, highly dedicated and extremely enthusiastic," the College senior said. "And I think she's an excellent choice." She added that "it is about time" that a woman was nominated for such a prestigious position, and said she hoped Rodin would concentrate on issues such as safety and security for women on campus. College senior Melissa Mandell, a member of the Leadership Team of the Penn Women's Alliance, also called Rodin a good choice. "I think it's definitely a positive thing and I think she's a very accomplished woman," she said. "She will provide an excellent role model for women on campus and for everyone on campus." But Mandell, echoing Fagin, said Rodin's gender will not "make a difference in the job that she does." Still, DiLapi said, a female leader will certainly make a difference on campus, because women have leadership styles that tend to be "more inclusive and more nurturing as opposed to competitive." A 1966 University graduate, Rodin was president of the Women's Student Government immediately before it merged with its men's equivalent. "She was the last president of the Women's Student Government," said President Search Committee Chairperson Alvin Shoemaker. "I think it's ironic that she is the first female president [in the Ivy League]." The Board of Trustees will officially vote on Rodin's nomination December 16, and she is likely to be confirmed. She would take office July 1, after Fagin's term ends.