Now that a presidential nominee has been named, Penn can soon move forward in its efforts to fill a multibillion-dollar vacancy.
The University has been without a permanent vice president for development since August 2002 when Virginia Clark vacated the position. Although Penn initiated a search and interviewed candidates, a replacement still had not been found by the time University President Judith Rodin announced her plans for departure last summer.
Since the vice president for development works closely with the President's Office, the search was halted shortly thereafter.
The search "was put on hold because I couldn't guarantee prospective applicants that I was staying for 10 more years," University President Judith Rodin said. "That was the guarantee they wanted."
Now, with Amy Gutmann's nomination announced, the search will once again be able to move forward.
"That is something that Dr. Gutmann and I will do together this spring," Rodin said.
Also noting the importance of starting the search, Gutmann said she considers filling the current vacancy "one of [her] top priorities."
"This is a critical position as Penn enters the planning stages for the launch of a major fundraising campaign," Gutmann said. "I will begin to focus on this in the months ahead."
As the title suggests, the vacant position also works to maintain steady ties between the University and its alumni.
"It's not just all about the fundraising," said Craig Carnaroli, Penn's treasurer and senior vice president for finance. "It's about keeping Penn a community."
According to Rodin, the vice president for development serves as "the senior strategist for University fundraising."
"The vice president is the partner to the president and the trustees in developing and carrying out the fundraising strategy," Rodin said.
The position has not been wholly vacant since Clark's departure. Medha Narvekar is serving as the interim fundraising head. She was appointed in September 2002 and will continue in the role until a permanent vice president for development has been selected.
Since her appointment, Narvekar has worked to perform the extensive duties of the position, serving to coordinate the fundraising efforts of the various schools. The vice president for development works to ensure that Penn continues to receive the support it is dependent upon from alumni and other donors.
According to Carnaroli, the vice president for development works to "nurture key relationships" with donors while working with the various schools and deans on their fundraising efforts.
"The position is critical to building on Penn's momentum" and funding a large part of the University's Strategic Plan, Carnaroli said.
Fortunately, the search for someone to fill this critical position can start once again.
"Now with the new president named, it's very clear that we will have a great pool of candidates," Rodin said. Gutmann "will, of course, be able to make the commitment that I wasn't" able to make.
Though Gutmann's nomination will attract candidates by promising stability, filling the position will be difficult, given the qualifications necessary for the post.
"It's a very broad job that touches a lot of lives," Carnaroli added. "Having someone who is committed to Penn and understands what drives it is really critical."
