Political Science Dept. loses devoted professor

Distinguished Political Science professor Karl von Vorys died Wednesday afternoon after over 40 years of teaching at the University.

The German-born professor specialized in American foreign policy and was actively involved in the political development of newly independent states that emerged from decolonization in the 1950s. His roles ranged from teaching at Penn to advising the Pakistani and Malaysian governments, and he maintained an extensive network of political movers and shakers whom he regularly brought in to speak before his classes.

This semester, von Vorys was teaching Political Science 131 on American foreign policy as well as Political Science 198, an upper-level seminar.

Von Vorys was known for his modesty as well as his passion for teaching and debate.

"People who took his courses never forgot him, but he never went around tooting his horn," Political Science Undergraduate Chairman Henry Teune said. "He didn't believe in it and never did it."

Von Vorys passed away after a week of particularly poor health. He had lost much of his strength after suffering a heart attack in December 2002 but refused to let poor health get in the way of his teaching.

"I think that he'll be missed most for his ability to bridge the world of academia with the world of high politics," Political Science Department Chairman Rogers Smith said, adding, "I always found him a man of great courtesy, grace and good humor."

Former student Alan Lee described von Vorys as inspirational, praising his charisma both inside and outside of the classroom.

"He was direct, honest in his opinions and forceful with his arguments," Lee said. "And yet he respected people who were equally forceful in their own viewpoints and arguments."

"Though he and I had very different political values, we enjoyed our time together disagreeing and discussing," Lee added. Their debates "became the basis of a long friendship -- and along the way, I got a Ph.D."

Though he taught several classes, von Vorys was especially well known for his seminar on American national interests.

Fellow Political Science professor Ellen Kennedy said von Vorys was dedicated to introducing "Penn undergraduates to the real environment of policy-making."

As part of his class, students regularly traveled and heard speakers from across the political spectrum, including members of the Israeli and Palestinian Liberation Organization leadership.

"He regularly brought senior diplomats and military officers with him to class and allowed us to interact with them in deep discussions," College junior Matthew Klapper said in an e-mail interview.

Von Vorys' classes traveled to locales ranging from the Pentagon to Venezuela to an aircraft carrier stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

"No one else has the connections that he had," College junior Charles Maffey said, praising the variety of speakers von Vorys brought into the classroom. "What happens to a class after this? I don't know."

Kennedy said that von Vorys is one of the last professors at Penn who came from an era of pronounced professionalism and dedication -- and who was intimately and personally familiar with the political aftereffects of World War II.

"He was a person of the old world and a person of the old school," Kennedy said. "He continued to teach when he was ill and when he really did not have the strength to go on. He loved his students."

Von Vorys was known for requiring his students to behave with a sense of decorum unfamiliar to most college students, whom he addressed by last name and required to dress professionally for class.

"I like him a lot," Maffey said. "I liked his class a lot. It was something that I looked forward to."

Klapper expressed von Vorys' unusual ability to influence his students.

"Dr. von Vorys managed to shape my worldview in a few short months," Klapper said. "He was a truly compassionate person who effectively advocated his beliefs and cared a great deal about his students' success."

In addition to teaching, Kennedy remembers von Vorys as someone who was passionate about wine, food, film and gardening -- and who was eager to share his passions with others.

"He once came into my office with a whole box of tapes that he had made for me of 1930s noir films," Kennedy said. In addition, she said von Vorys was an expert rose gardener who "very frequently brought in these gorgeous roses" for those who worked in the department. He was also known for his devotion to his large family.

"I hope that wherever he is, he's up there growing roses and arguing politics with great people," Kennedy said.

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