College dean to leave U. for NYU deanship

Santirocco to depart in June After only a year and a half as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Matthew Santirocco will leave the University after this semester to become dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at New York University. There, he will receive a full deanship and play an intricate role in coordinating the research and study of classical studies, his area of interest. "The combination of being an architect for rethinking undergraduate education and coordinating classical studies is a special opportunity," Santirocco said. "I'm being given a free hand to create something special in classics as well as the college." Santirocco said last night that he was not leaving his position of College Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences because of any differences or problems with the University. "I'm very concerned that people realize that I still feel positively about Penn," he said. "I love Penn." In fact, Santirocco said he had not been looking for other jobs, citing his satisfaction at the University. He said, though, that he and NYU had been talking "casually" for some time before he was offered the position over spring break. After debating his options, Santirocco said he accepted the position Thursday. NYU administrators and faculty expressed widespread excitement over Santirocco's acceptance of the offer at their university. "We are lucky to have been able to bring the leadership of the College a scholar of this prominence," said C. Duncan Rice, vice chancellor and dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at NYU, in a statement. Anticipation over Santirocco's arrival was also expressed last week by members of the Classical Studies Department, where he will be a professor. "Dr. Santirocco is a very distinguished scholar in classical studies and he has considerable interest and experience in developing programs in ancient studies," Classical Studies Department Chairperson Melvin Dilts said in a statement. "He will be a tremendous asset to the College's new core program, which focuses in part on integrating the classical with the modern, and highlighting the ongoing dialogue we maintain with ancient literatures, art and culture," he added. While NYU administrators are overjoyed with Santirocco's selection, University administrators, faculty and students are upset over their loss. "Matthew Santirocco has made a terrific mark on the College in the past year and a half," School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens said last week. "He'll be sorely missed by all of us." Matthew Kratter, chairperson of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, also expressed sorrow over Santirocco's decision to leave. "NYU really got a great person to be leading their School of Arts and Sciences," said Kratter, an Engineering junior. "He's always been close with students here and he is the best candidate for dean at NYU and anywhere else." Melvyn Hammarberg, Undergraduate Chairperson of the American Civilization Department, voiced similar sentiments. "I congratulate him," Hammarberg said. "He's had many good ideas and he has tried to work hard for them." Santirocco initiated a number of educational and institutional reforms focused on giving the College "an identity it did not have" during his year and a half as dean. He was the main force behind the College office's move to Houston Hall this summer, the revamping of the freshmen advising system and a rethinking of the General Requirement, which is currently underway. "I am absolutely devastated [by Santirocco's leaving] because he is absolutely wonderful and because he brought a new spirit to undergraduate education," Interim President Claire Fagin said last night. "It is going to be a daunting challenge to find somebody who has similar values, is as strong a person and can carry forth the things that Matthew has put in place." Stevens said last week that she intends to form advisory groups of faculty and students to consult with her in her search to find the next College dean. Santirocco said he will miss everybody at the University. "I feel extraordinarily close to [Rosemary Stevens], the faculty, the staff of the College office and, most importantly, the students," Santirocco said. "Penn has become not only a group of colleagues, but family to me."