Beeman spices up College dean position

The California native dressed up as Davy Crockett last year while teaching an American History class. When new College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Beeman first came to the University about 30 years ago, he was less than eager to embrace Philadelphia as his new home. After all, four generations of his family had lived in California, and Beeman was hesitant to become the first member of his family to leave the state. But the job opportunity in Penn's History Department was too good to pass up. "It was with a heavy heart that I left California to accept the job," he explained. "What I thought was going to be a short stint here at Penn has become something very different. I have come to like Philadelphia, and in a very important sense I do consider Penn to be my home." During Beeman's nearly three-decades at the University, he has held myriad roles ranging from teaching to administrative positions. "I've always led a kind of schizophrenic life between University administration and serious historical scholarship," Beeman said. The one thing Beeman said he has consistently focused on throughout his years at the University is teaching undergraduates. "Undergraduate teaching, even in my darkest days as a University administrator, has been a source of energy and renewal," he noted. And Beeman's style is far from conventional. In his American History survey course, which he describes as "frustratingly difficult to teach," Beeman has even gone so far as to dress up as different historical characters to pique student interest. "I really am experimenting with ways to excite my students," he explained. "Last year, I dressed up as Davy Crockett. I came in with the song playing and carrying my musket and did a whole Davy Crockett thing." History graduate student Michael McElreath, a teaching assistant for Beeman's "American History Until 1865" course, praised Beeman for his "inspiring" teaching style and "amusing" acting. "Not many professors would go out and outfit themselves as Davy Crockett out of their own pockets," McElreath said. "The students really picked up on the fact that he enjoys what he's doing -- it really makes a difference." Students who have yet to witness Beeman's theatrical talents need not fear. Despite the hectic nature of his new office, Beeman is teaching an undergraduate seminar on the American Revolution this semester and plans to offer his survey course next fall. "I think that when we, as administrators, stop teaching, we tend to forget what this place is all about," Beeman said. "It's very easy to embrace the mentality of a bureaucrat. So I think it's really important to keep contact not only with the students, but with the material as well." As College dean, Beeman will also continue to serve as a senior fellow at the National Constitution Center, a museum in Center City that will be built early in the next decade. The University serves as the center's academic arm. Beeman also hopes to finish his fifth book, a study of democracy in 18th century America. Besides teaching, Beeman's Burmese mountain dog, Chief Justice John Marshall, is closest to his heart. "Johnny," as his owner affectionately calls the dog, accompanies Beeman to work a couple of days each week. "When nobody else is being nice to me, I can count on my dog," Beeman joked. Beeman stressed, however, that he tries to avoid bringing Johnny to his lectures, noting that his very presence is a distraction to students. "It's because he's so darn cute," Beeman said, pointing to a framed photograph of the dog resting on the window sill of his office. When he's not at home with Johnny or in his newly renovated Logan Hall office, Beeman can often be found squeezing in a workout at Hutchinson Gymnasium. "No matter what office I've held, I have made a point of spending at least an hour almost every day at Hutch," Beeman said. "And I also get up at 6 a.m. every morning to run." Beeman, who considers himself a jock, has completed several marathons, although he claims his marathon running days are now over. "Sports have always been pure joy and a great outlet for an administrator's frustration and aggression," Beeman said. He is also an avid squash player and has recently taken up horseback riding. "I want be a cowboy when I grow up," he said. But for at least the time being, Beeman's History Department colleagues said they are confident in his ability to steer the College into the next century. "He has a wonderful sense of humor and a real ability to listen," said History Department Chairperson Lynn Lees. "He was an excellent History chair, and I think he's going to be a superb dean."