Preston, Beeman fill top posts in School of Arts and Sciences

St. Paul's High School '97 West Barnstable, Mass. Months of uncertainty in the School of Arts and Sciences came to an end last December when the University filled the two top positions in the school, naming new deans for both SAS and the College of Arts and Sciences dean. Sociology Professor and University Council moderator Samuel Preston was appointed to the post of SAS dean, replacing Interim Dean Walter Wales. SAS had been without a permanent dean since the resignation of Rosemary Stevens in September 1996. And ending a nearly year-long search, History Professor Richard Beeman was named dean of the College, the undergraduate division of SAS. Beeman, a former chairperson of the History Department who specializes in early American history, was selected from among three finalists to replace former College Dean Robert Rescorla. The quest for a new dean began last September when Rescorla announced his decision to return to teaching in the Psychology Department. He also said he would step down from his post at the end of the year, regardless of whether a successor had been named. With family members sprinkled across the region, Preston categorized his arrival at the University as a "homecoming" after spending two years in New York as acting head of the United Nations' Population Trends and Structure Section. Accompanied by his wife, Winnie, who he has known since grade school, Preston became better acquainted with his roots. The couple have three sons and two grandchildren. Preston became director of Penn's Population Studies Center in 1982 and recently stepped down in the wake of his appointment to the deanship. After nearly two decades at Penn, Preston has remained active in the University community. He has served as chairperson of both the Faculty Senate and the Sociology Department, and recently as University Council moderator. The University named him Frederick J. Warren Professor of Demography in 1998, and he has authored more than 100 articles. Preston's current research concerns African-American health and mortality. Although he has officially pledged to remain in his new position for a seven-year term, Preston said he hopes to vacate his post after five years to allow him time to return to teaching -- "the stuff I love." Preston does hope to be able to retain one key position while wearing an administrative hat. An avid sports fan, Preston is captain of the Sociology Department's softball team. Comprised of faculty members and students, the team competes against departments in SAS and other University schools. Under Preston's guidance, the "Rad Socs" -- "Rad" for radical and "Socs" for sociologists -- made the playoffs last year. During Beeman's nearly three decades at the University, he too has held a myriad of 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 in January. 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." Students who have yet to witness Beeman's theatrical talents need not fear. Despite the hectic nature of his new job, Beeman plans to offer his survey course again this 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 Marshmallow, 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 said. 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, noting, "I want to be a cowboy when I grow up."