U. business head gives talk on breaking rank

Standing in front of a full house at Penn's Graduate Student Center, Executive Vice President Clifford Stanley proudly described the unusual language he used in the military. "As a United States Marine, I would stand up in front of people and use a four-letter word," Stanley said. "That's right: Love." As part of the University's Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium, which includes over 40 events extending weeks past the official holiday, Stanley spoke on "When Leaders Need to Break Rank" yesterday evening. As EVP, Stanley has been responsible for the University's non-academic operations, from finance and real estate to public safety, serving as the link between University President Judith Rodin and her senior administrators since his arrival on campus in October of last year. GSC Director Anita Mastroieni briefly introduced the former major general and explained why Stanley's experience was relevant to the symposium. "Considering the characteristics of Dr. King's leadership, what made him so remarkable is that he broke rank so successfully," Mastroieni said. Stanley, a decorated 30-year Marine Corps veteran, powerfully advocated a "basic respect for people" and a strong, consistent moral code, in opposition to higher authority if necessary. "You learn to think ahead of the person thinking in front of you," Stanley explained. "Leaders have to break ranks, and when you do, you're alone. You might have some people with you, but you'll find it awfully lonely." Referencing his involvement integrating bowling alleys with the Civil Rights Movement during the Orangeburg Massacre in South Carolina, choices he has made in his military career and even how he feels walking down Locust Walk, Stanley tied his varied, colorful life to King's central message. "When I meet you, every day, you are very special to me. That's what Dr. King was saying," Stanley said. Taking questions toward the end of the presentation, Stanley addressed issues ranging from potential unilateral U.S. military action in Iraq to "When do you draw the line between being devious and being savvy?" "I'm hoping I don't know all of it," Stanley said, responding to the information publicly available on the impending war. "I don't know anyone who wants war." "Well, there are people I know," he added. "They're not in their right mind, though."

"I don't want to lose my daughter, and I don't want to see anyone else lose their son or daughter," Stanley concluded. His daughter, an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps, was recently deployed "into harm's way." Stanley also addressed other topics and emphasized at one point that "something as simple as being approachable" could make a positive impact on community life. "In the South, people didn't know who you were, but they waved to you," he said, drawing an unfavorable comparison with the relatively anti-social behavioral patterns of Locust Walk, which rarely involve eye contact, much less salutations. "You aren't speaking, I'm not going to violate your personal space, but I'm definitely looking at you," Stanley reminded his laughing audience. A rousing success, the evening drew praise from all quarters. "This is the second time I've been to hear General Stanley," University of the Sciences in Philadelphia student Amy Concilio said. "It's not all empty idealism.... He's really inspirational." Mastroieni concurred. "He' s terrific," she said. "He's also lecturing at Wharton this semester, and I'm pleased to see him having an ongoing relationship with students."

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