Rodin says farewell to Penn once and for all

Former University President Judith Rodin culminated her Penn career -- marked by a series of "firsts" -- with a final "last" yesterday as she exited her College Hall office one final time. After 10 years, over 70 Trustees meetings and innumerable improvements to Penn and West Philadelphia, the Ivy League's first female president closed her chapter in Penn's history book last night, and was succeeded by University President Amy Gutmann this morning.

Though a series of events marked the end of Rodin's tenure -- including alumni celebrations across the East Coast, 2004 commencement and her final meetings with the University Board of Trustees two weeks ago -- she remained busy until the end.

"She said many times in the last month 'I'm waiting to be a lame duck,'" said Penn Vice President and General Counsel Wendy White, who served as Rodin's chief of staff over the past few months. "We kept finding things for her to do, which she did."

Earlier, Rodin told The Daily Pennsylvanian that her last days would be filled with "packing and moving," in addition to several last-minute appointments to close out her tenure. On Tuesday, she vacated her office so that it could be given a fresh coat of paint as it was prepared for Gutmann's arrival this morning. Rodin moved her last few belongings out of the president's residence at 3812 Walnut Street and moved her office to the Left Bank.

"After the Trustee meetings, no more celebrations," Rodin said.

"I've had more than enough farewells and enough tributes to truly last a lifetime."

Yesterday, one of her last tasks as president was to wish University Provost Robert Barchi farewell at a late afternoon ceremony. Barchi will leave the University in August to begin his presidency at Thomas Jefferson University on Sept. 1.

Those who work most closely with Rodin said that they will remember not just the 10 years of incredible transformation and accomplishments at Penn, but the dynamic individual who made it all happen.

"We were very fortunate to have a very good and close partnership, and those kind of relationships build over the years, so I will miss that relationship," said Board of Trustees Chair James Riepe.

"I'm looking forward to building the same kind of relationship with Dr. Gutmann."

University Secretary Leslie Kruhly also works closely with Rodin."I have an enormous respect for everything she's done and affection for her as an individual," Kruhly said.

"I think we'll all miss her very much -- but at the same time, we realize that institutions need change, so we're looking forward to Dr. Gutmann."

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