'Gazette' editor retires

Lyle steps down amidst controversy Leaving behind an award-winning alumni magazine and a number of unanswered questions, Pennsylvania Gazette Editor Anthony Lyle announced his retirement yesterday morning after three decades at the University. "After 31 years of service to the University and after having achieved the honor of earning the Sibley Award for an outstanding alumni magazine, I feel that it is a good time for me to pursue other interests," Lyle said in a statement. "I have enjoyed my years at Penn and look forward to another phase of my life." Lyle was unavailable for further comment last night. The announcement of his retirement comes on the heels of recent controversy. Members of the Alumni Publication Committee, an advisory group to the Gazette, have implied that the award-winning editor's work had come under review by Virginia Clark, the vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. But University spokesperson Barbara Beck said that Lyle's reason for leaving was to follow other interests. "After achieving the pinnacle of success with the Sibley Award, he's moved on to other challenges," she said. According to Clark, Lyle had informed her office of his plans to retire nearly two months prior to his announcement yesterday. "It seemed like he'd been thinking about it for awhile," Clark said. "We had begun a discussion about two months ago." Clark added that it was Lyle's decision to retire, and that she felt he had done a terrific job as editor. Lyle has spent time making arrangements so the publication of the magazine would continue after his retirement, she added. According to Clark, Martha Stachitas, interim director of Alumni Relations, met with the staff of the Gazette twice after the announcement to discuss the future of the magazine. "We are fully prepared to keep the magazine going," Clark said, adding that the University is beginning to search for Lyle's successor. "We've begun thinking about where we could go," Clark said. "The challenge for us is to find an editor who is going to be just as good as he was." The University will hire a search firm to help look for an appropriate person to replace Lyle, according to Elsie Sterling Howard, president of the General Alumni Society. "We want the very best editor possible," Howard said. "We want to ensure that the quality of the magazine is never diminished." According to Howard, Lyle hopes to leave his post within a month. Lyle's retirement may leave lingering questions as to what changes will be implemented at the Gazette. Howard explained that the new editor will obviously bring unique qualities to the magazine but that the magazine will still maintain its mission. The purpose behind the publication of the Gazette will not change, she added. It will still provide a link between the University and alumni, with objectivity and quality. Clark expressed the same opinion about the direction of the magazine. "The Gazette from my perspective isn't going to change," Clark said. "No one wants to change the purpose of the magazine." The news was surprising to members of the Publications Committee. Chairman of the Committee Samuel Maitin said he was rather startled. He added that Clark has asked him to join the search for a new editor. Alan Halpern, a member of the Committee, said he was aware that Lyle had been away from his office for four or five days. He heard yesterday that Lyle had come into the office and announced his retirement. Halpern added that one of the staff members at the Gazette had told him he did not believe Lyle was leaving in order to pursue other interests. "I think Penn has shot itself in the foot again," Halpern said.