Rodin and family finally move home

Most teenagers would cringe at the idea of moving twice in one year. But for University President Judith Rodin's son, Alex, the moves from Connecticut to Center City, and now to Eisenlohr have brought more benefits than sorrow. "It's really great," he said last night as he stood outside his new home at 3812 Walnut Street. "It's a lot bigger than our old house so I can have a lot more friends here." Rodin and her family moved into the president's house yesterday, after spending their first months in Philadelphia at 21st and Delancy streets while Eisenlohr underwent renovations and repairs. At approximately 8 a.m., the first movers and other workers arrived to begin the lengthy process of preparing Eisenlohr for its new residents. The day's work included moving Rodin's personal possessions from her rented home to Eisenlohr, doing final landscaping and installing a new banister on the outdoor side stairway facing Walnut Street. The Louderback Mayflower moving company, located in King of Prussia, transferred the family's belongings. Employees from the company spent hours bringing lamps, an ironing board and many boxes from the truck parked outside the home into Eisenlohr. Louderback supervisor Mark Anderson said the move ran smoothly. "The facilities department did the planning and did a great job," he said. "It's been going really well." Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said Pat Mulroy and Dom Fantozzi in the Public Management Department within his office were responsible for most of the planning. House Manager Alice Nelson said a total of four or five moving trucks have brought everything from personal belongings to furniture over the last two weeks. Gravina said the entire process has been "complicated." "It's been an interesting project -- one that facilities normally doesn't get involved with," he said. "But I believe the president will sleep well tonight even though the house is still in disarray." Others involved in the process spent the day preparing other aspects of the president's home. Gardener Ann Dixon said she spent her day "raking leaves and planting bulbs." Dixon, who will work at Eisenlohr on an ongoing basis, said her work "is a pretty fun job." Nelson, who served as overseer for the entire process, said Rodin has barely seen the house since its renovations. "She's only been here a couple of times," Nelson added. She said the rest of the family has seen the house, adding that Alex and Rodin's step-son, Gibson, have been able to "pick out things they wanted for their rooms." Nelson, who was also house manager under former Interim President Claire Fagin, said her job encompasses "everything from A to Z." "I try to make sure the family is happy," she added. Nelson said taking care of a family is different from only dealing with Fagin and her husband, adding that the household will now be "very youthful." Housekeeper Tina Thompson agreed, saying that Eisenlohr was sometimes "lonely." "Now it'll be family-like," she said. "It's an abundance more to do but it's nice working for Dr. Rodin and her family. "My responsibilities include keeping the house physically up to date and preparing for events," Thompson added. Probably most affected by the move was Rodin's dog, Butterfinger, who nervously ran around the grounds all day, unaccustomed to her surroundings. "Butter's having a hard time getting used to the place," Nelson said. Also affected by the move are Rodin's new neighbors, including the Sigma Alpha Mu and Sigma Nu fraternities. "We look forward to having fun with her," Sigma Nu President John Licciardello said. "We intend to open our house to her and talk with her as neighbors do." The Wharton sophomore added that Alex is also "welcome," although he said he did not "want to personally be responsible for corrupting a teenager who also happens to be the president's son." One of Eisenlohr's first large events will be a holiday party scheduled for December 19, Nelson said.