While colleagues aren't yet waving farewell to Provost Ron Daniels, who was elected president of Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday, they acknowledge that his eventual successor has large shoes to fill.
In just three years at Penn, Daniels has shown himself to be extremely active in the community and has made several subtle imprints on student life and academic curricula at Penn. Although no one expressed surprise that he would be given such an opportunity, the departure of such a high-profile figure will inevitably create challenges for the University.
"I think with leadership changes there's always . a sense of concern as to what direction the next person will take and whether this person will represent all the interests of the University," said Wharton Dean Thomas Robertson, who will lead the search committee for the next provost.
Daniels indeed helped set a direction for the University. As the chief academic officer, the provost provides a vital link between the deans, faculty, students and the president.
Daniels "has been a superb partner to me in advancing all of Penn's highest priorities," including core components of the Penn Compact, Penn President Amy Gutmann said.
Several initiatives have taken off with Daniels' help, including the development of undergraduate mentorship programs and the creation of new academic centers. He also worked to increase diversity at both the undergraduate and academic levels.
In particular, he has focused on interdisciplinary engagement, creating, promoting, and strengthening University initiatives at Penn, across the country and worldwide.
For instance, after Hurricane Katrina, Daniels took charge of Penn's efforts in the Gulf Coast area, Political Science professor Don Kettl said.
"What was most notable about the effort was the Provost's commitment to pulling out the University's intellectual capital to engage one of the most difficult policy dilemmas of our time," Kettl wrote in an e-mail. Daniels convened a conference of experts, which then published a book examining the various issues.
Daniels has also been extremely involved in the Penn-Botswana partnership, Penn's alliance with Botswanan health officials to combat the effects of HIV/AIDS.
Recently, he helped procure a $2.5-million grant from Tiffany & Co. to partially finance a new medical building in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice, expressed surprise that Daniels was courted by Hopkins, a school that is "largely medical-driven."
But Vice Provost for Research Steven Fluharty said that during his time at Penn, "he has been particularly good at understanding the needs of the health system and Penn Med."
And as a boss, Fluharty and Associate Provost for Education Andrew Binns said, Daniels has been energetic, efficient and supportive.
With faculty, "he's been terrific in understanding their need for mentoring," Fluharty said.
Partnering with other areas of the University, Daniels has been very involved in highly publicized initiatives, such as Penn's switch to no-loan financial aid and framing the direction for the $3.5-billion capital campaign.
He "had a very active role in how we crafted the campaign and how we went about setting our highest priorities," Vice President for Alumni Development John Zeller said.
But his departure isn't expected to seriously alter the course of the campaign, said Richard Jolly, vice president for client services at Marts & Lundy, a fundraising-consulting firm.
"The most important senior administrator in a capital campaign is a university president," he said. "Stability in presidential leadership - that's what the donors are really looking for."
He added that potential donors understood that staff came and went as opportunities arose.
What might be difficult is the timing of his departure, which won't be until March.
"A change mid-year is disruptive," said Gelles. "The biggest impact not normally noticed by the student body that the provost has is promotion and the tenure process."
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rebecca Bushnell cited additional concerns, pointing to the provost's close work with deans when setting budgets and approving faculty-hiring choices.
"The biggest challenge is understanding the impact of the economy on the future of the school," she said.
But she added she's "confident [Penn] has the information to plan for the future."
And while Daniels has only stayed at Penn a very short time, his "legacy" may well be the groundwork he's covered in those years.
"He's laid a great foundation from which the University will continue to build and will build under a new academic leader," Fluharty said.
Staff writers Kathy Wang and Lara Seligman contributed reporting to this article.
