University President Judith Rodin is scheduled to announce her appointment of a new executive vice president today at a press conference at College Hall, according to Penn officials.
"Plans are that Dr. Rodin will announce the new executive vice president tomorrow at 12:30," University spokesman Ron Ozio said yesterday.
University officials would not comment on who is set to be named Fry's successor at today's press conference.
The EVP position has been vacant since July 1, when John Fry, who was appointed in 1995, officially stepped down after announcing in February that he would leave to become the president of Franklin and Marshall College, a liberal arts school in Lancaster, Pa.
While at Penn, Fry was responsible for overseeing the University's finances, real estate projects and community initiatives. He also supervised the Division of Public Safety, helped create the Penn-assisted Sadie Alexander School and the University City District and spearheaded the move to bring the Freshgrocer, the shops at Sansom Common and the new movie theater on 40th and Walnut streets to campus.
In addition to fulfilling Fry's former duties, the new EVP will help implement the University's new strategic plan, which was unveiled last semester and is currently being finalized.
Rodin said last week that the University had been working with Spencer Stuart, an international consulting firm, in its search for a new EVP. Candidates were identified and interviewed throughout the summer, she said.
In Fry's absence, the University's vice presidents have reported directly to Rodin. Administrators said last week that despite the loss of a key figure, all of the University's projects were on schedule, and they were not concerned about beginning the academic year without an EVP.
The search for Fry's successor appears to have come to a quicker resolution than other recent administrative searches at Penn. Chief of Staff Pedro Ramos was appointed about nine months after his predecessor announced he was stepping down, and Afaf Meleis was named School of Nursing dean in Sept. 2001 after a 16-month search.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.