CAMPUS BRIEFS: Friday, February 13, 1998

Sansom Common worker falls one story Samuel Preston, 22, was still conscious when a crane transported him from the third floor of the complex on the 3600 block of Walnut Street to a nearby rescue vehicle, which rushed him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, police said. He fell at about 3:30 p.m. Preston, an employee of the Wyatt Construction Co., suffered minor injuries to his head and arm, police said. As of late last night, officials at HUP did not list Preston as a patient. The "topping-out" ceremony, during which the last steel beam was placed on top of the building, celebrated the beginning of the final phase of construction for the 300,000-square-foot complex, which will house a luxury hotel, a Barnes and Noble superstore and several retailers. The bookstore and other stores are scheduled to open this summer. University President Judith Rodin and City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell were among those who spoke at the event, the first time the site was open to the public since its groundbreaking in June 1997. -- Maureen Tkacik Corporate exec tapped as secretary of the U. Rosemary McManus, vice president for housing impact at Fannie Mae, will become secretary of the University March 16, University President Judith Rodin announced Monday. McManus succeeds Associate Provost Barbara Lowery, who assumed the post of interim secretary last summer. For the past 12 years, McManus has made her way through the ranks of the Congressionally-chartered home mortgage company. Before joining the Philadelphia-based arm of Fannie Mae in 1995, McManus was director of policy and public affairs and then director of housing impact at the company's Washington branch. In a written release, Rodin said McManus' extensive administrative experience and warm personality made her particularly well-suited for the position. She added that she is "eager" to have Lowery back in the Provost's Office full-time. -- Margie Fishman Mitchell to deliver Baccalaureate address University alumna and television reporter Andrea Mitchell will deliver the Baccalaureate address for the Class of 1998 on May 17, University President Judith Rodin said Monday. Mitchell, the chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC, graduated from Penn's College for Women in 1967. In addition to chairing the advisory board of the Annenberg School for Communication, Mitchell serves on the Executive Committee of the Trustees and the Trustee Standing Committees on Academic Policy, External Affairs and Honorary Degrees and Awards. Rodin praised Mitchell's integrity and commitment to her profession, adding that "[she] brings a unique perspective to the Baccalaureate." The Baccalaureate is a traditional ceremony held before Commencement. In recent years, speakers have included French diplomat Simone Veil and former University Chaplain Stanley Johnson. -- M.F