University Provost Robert Barchi, a former varsity lacrosse and football captain, spends his weekends collecting and repairing British watches from the 17th and 18th centuries.
During the week, however, he conducts scientific research and helps set the academic policy for Penn as the school's chief academic officer.
Barchi discussed his background and vision for Penn with a group of 20 students yesterday in the newly inaugurated Hillel -- Steinhardt Hall -- over a casual dinner.
"My vision for Penn is not the social Ivy, not the preprofessional Ivy, but the engaged Ivy," Barchi said.
Barchi said he hopes that every undergraduate student will have a scholarly experience before they leave the school.
Barchi, who has been a member of Penn's faculty for over 30 years, began his introduction by expressing his desire as a youth to leave his hometown of Philadelphia. "I was committed to getting out of Philadelphia, the only thing that kept me was the University," he said.
The Penn M.D. and biochemistry Ph.D. said he was drawn back to the University's "interdisciplinary nature" after four years as an undergraduate at Georgetown University.
The ability of Penn's students and faculty to flow between schools and departments is a feature that attracts "talented faculty members, who in turn attract students," according to Barchi.
Throughout the dinner, students quizzed Barchi on his thoughts on Penn's presidential nominee, weekend hobbies and personal goals and visions for the University.
Barchi praised presidential nominee Amy Gutmann as an "incredible scholar" and a friend. He also espoused his love for his job as provost. "I am blessed to say that I would come to work for nothing," he said.
Barchi, who also spoke about his scientific research, addressed Penn's philosophical and pragmatic challenges for the next decade.
On the broader level, Penn will have to determine how to keep higher education relevant, according to Barchi.
In addition, "Penn will be facing huge financial challenges," he said. "These challenges include a $4 billion budget without any money left over."
Wharton junior Rebekka Levy, who has never had a chance to meet a top-level administrator, was "very impressed" with Barchi. "He seemed like he really likes the school," she said.
Ophelia Roman, the former chairwoman of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education and the event's organizer, believes that Barchi's position at Penn makes it especially important for students to hear from him.
"We all come here for academics," she said. "And he makes all of the academic decisions."
The informal meeting was part of SCUE-sponsored Education Week, which includes similar chats between students and the deans of the University's four undergraduate schools.
