The University Board of Trustees elected Amy Gutmann as the eighth president of the University at the close of their winter meeting on Friday. Though celebratory, the event was marked by a protest by Graduate Employees Together-University of Pennsylvania.
Gutmann's election comes almost a month after the University announced her nomination. Former Trustee Chair Alvin Shoemaker formally nominated Gutmann before the Board of Trustees during Friday's stated meeting. After commending Trustee Chair James Riepe for his work as search committee head, Shoemaker praised Gutmann and her accomplishments.
"No resumé can communicate the overwhelming sense of Amy Gutmann's intelligence, integrity and personal power that was provided by her colleagues in their references," Shoemaker said. "Amy is simply a natural."
The nomination was seconded by trustees and search committee members Deborah Marrow, Paul Williams, Michael Tarnopol and Egbert Perry, who also cited Gutmann's leadership and dedication to teaching and undergraduate education.
"I thank you so very much for the warm and wonderful welcome that you have bestowed upon me today," Gutmann said. Loosely borrowing from Robert Frost, she continued, "You and I love Penn for what it is: a great Ivy League university that unites inspiring teachers with inspired students, regardless of their economic means, their race, their gender or creed."
"I pledge to do my utmost to lead this vibrant university to even greater heights of intellectual excellence, societal and world leadership," Gutmann said. "Not to mention even more Ivy League basketball and football championships."
"I'll need some extra help in that regard -- but I know I have it here," Gutmann said.
During the meeting, GET-UP chairman David Faris spoke after group members stood, clapped and cheered to command Riepe's attention. GET-UP members are planning a strike for next Thursday and Friday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their unionization votes, which have yet to be counted.
"We are united, determined and angry. We followed the rules, sir," Faris said. "We followed the rules and the law has been used against us."
"Sir, you could end this today, you could drop this today and come to the bargaining table and you can help us make this University a better place ... but if you do not, we'll do what we have to do and we'll see you in the streets."
Riepe denied to respond, acknowledging only that the trustees were "playing by the rules, as you are."
"I think part of what is great about a university is that people have their right to voice their opinion," University President Judith Rodin said. "I think that they chose the wrong moment, but I think it was quite generous and appropriate that the chairman decided to allow them the opportunity to speak."
With the meeting adjourned, the trustees and other dignitaries began a procession from the Inn at Penn to Houston Hall, led by the Penn Band.
"It was wonderful and a great reception for the president-elect," Rodin said. "I was delighted and eager to hear [the trustees] articulate all of the wonderful things about [Gutmann] that they identified and that made it so clear that she was the right candidate."
"When we were in the procession it was more bittersweet," Rodin said. "I had done that 10 years ago with my family, and clearly this was the last time and it was just another reminder of the fact that the clock is ticking towards the end of my term -- so it was wonderful, but sad."
Riepe agreed.
"I thought it was a great day," Riepe said, though "bittersweet, because you're at the end of one chapter, so you're sort of nostalgic about that chapter, and sorry it's ending," he said. "On the other hand, the excitement and anticipation of a new chapter with a new leader -- so it's always mixed like that."
GET-UP members followed the trustees in their procession, chanting, "Count the votes."
"I don't think it put a damper on" the event, Riepe said. "I think frankly if I were them, I probably wouldn't have gone after the new president in her procession yelling the whole time."
Following the procession, the trustees welcomed Gutmann with a lunch in the Hall of Flags. Governor Edward Rendell spoke at the event, and Gutmann sang The Red and the Blue for the first time.
"I listened to it over and over again and sang it all through the night," Gutmann said. "So I know the lyrics and I know the music."
"Penn rocks," she said.
"It's great to have these colors," Gutmann added, noting the welcome change from orange and black to red and blue. "These colors are terrific."
Gutmann's daughter, Abigail Gutmann Doyle, was equally enthusiastic about her mother's election to the presidency.
"It's a wonderful honor for her, and she's a great person, perfect for the job," Gutmann Doyle said. "She's just an amazing person, and that's all I can say."
Also at the event was former president Sheldon Hackney.
"I'm feeling very enthusiastic about Amy Gutmann as the new president," Hackney said. "I think she comes in with the University in very good shape; Judy Rodin has done a fantastic job, so I'm very optimistic."
