U. hires new lobbyist for Washington affairs

Edward Abrahams, hired from Brown, will replace former lobbyist David Morse, who left the University last spring. Edward Abrahams, former director of government and community relations at Brown University, will become Penn's new Washington lobbyist beginning October 6. Abrahams' position will fill the void created by the departure of former Vice President for Policy Planning David Morse, who left the University in April to take a position at the Pew Charitable Trust after 14 years at Penn. Abrahams accepted the University's offer last Friday. His formal title will be assistant vice president for federal relations. "I'm thrilled to be coming to Penn," he said. "I am eager to help to contribute to one of the country's premier institutions." The search continues for a replacement for Morse's counterpart in the Health System, Michael Nardone, who also left the University last spring, according to Carol Scheman, the University's vice president for government, community and public affairs. Abrahams said he considers "outreach to Washington" the focus of his position and plans to advocate for issues such as financial aid, research funding and policy and regulation. One area where his work may be useful is in the shifting landscape for campus crime reporting. The Department of Education is now investigating Penn for allegedly misreporting crime statistics, but bills in Congress could change the law before the investigation concludes. In his new role, Abraham will work closely with the University's deans and Provost Stanley Chodorow. "Higher education has to make its case for federal funding," he said. "Financial aid is critical to the University." And among other responsibilities, Abrahams will handle research grants and manage the $300 million relationship between the University and the federal government. Penn currently ranks 10th nationwide for its level of research funding, Abrahams said. While he handled issues of federal, state and local importance during his three years at Brown, he will focus exclusively on federal relations at Penn. During the search process, the vacancy created additional work in the University's Office of Policy Planning, Scheman said, noting that the Office of Policy Planning -- and in particular his longtime coordinator Franca Jenkins -- pulled together to cover the extra work. Abrahams' arrival at Penn means he and Scheman will continue a working relationship that began more than 15 years ago, when they met in Washington. Scheman said the University is "lucky" to add Abrahams to its staff. "He is highly respected by his colleagues and has a very impressive background," she said. "We were used to someone as experienced as [Morse] and it was necessary to find someone who understands a lot about the University." He received his doctorate in American history from Brown in 1980 and completed undergraduate work at Clark University. After receiving a congressional fellowship in 1981, Abrahams spent 13 years involved in congressional work. He accepted his former position at Brown in 1994.