2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: News
Harker accepts U. Del. presidency bid
After spending the last 30 years at Penn, Wharton dean will assume new post in July
Deena Greenberg
Wharton Dean Patrick Harker has been named the University of Delaware's next president, Delaware officials announced Friday.
Harker, who has been dean since 2000, will begin his job as Delaware's 26th president on July 1 of next year.
"Patrick has been an outstanding leader for Wharton, and as we congratulate him … and wish him well, we also know his departure will be a great loss for Penn," University President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ron Daniels said in a statement released Friday.
Reached yesterday, Harker, who began his career at Penn as a student almost 30 years ago, said, "Leaving Penn is a bittersweet moment for me. … Penn's a very special place for me, and it took a very special place to lure me away."
He said that he was originally approached by Delaware this past summer and that he had not been actively seeking to leave Penn.
"[I've] grown to love … building the infrastructure - the people and the faculty that can deliver world-class programs," he said, adding that becoming a university president will permit him to do so on a larger scale, "not just in the business school context but in the whole university."
Harker will succeed David Roselle, who has been Delaware's president since 1990.
"We believe Dr. Harker is the best person to carry forward and expand on this legacy of achievement," Delaware's Board of Trustees Chairman Howard Cosgrove said at a press conference Friday. "He is a man of vision, enthusiasm and commitment."
Harker, 48, is young for a university president - the average age is 58, according to Raymond Cotton, a lawyer for the Washington-based Mintz law firm, who specializes in presidential contracts.
Roland King, a spokesman for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, added that administrators generally move from public universities to private ones.
Working at a public school like Delaware "produces a whole new level of control … accountability and reporting to the government that you have to a much lesser degree at a private institution," he said.
Harker, who has been dean since 2000, will begin his job as Delaware's 26th president on July 1 of next year.
"Patrick has been an outstanding leader for Wharton, and as we congratulate him … and wish him well, we also know his departure will be a great loss for Penn," University President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ron Daniels said in a statement released Friday.
Reached yesterday, Harker, who began his career at Penn as a student almost 30 years ago, said, "Leaving Penn is a bittersweet moment for me. … Penn's a very special place for me, and it took a very special place to lure me away."
He said that he was originally approached by Delaware this past summer and that he had not been actively seeking to leave Penn.
"[I've] grown to love … building the infrastructure - the people and the faculty that can deliver world-class programs," he said, adding that becoming a university president will permit him to do so on a larger scale, "not just in the business school context but in the whole university."
Harker will succeed David Roselle, who has been Delaware's president since 1990.
"We believe Dr. Harker is the best person to carry forward and expand on this legacy of achievement," Delaware's Board of Trustees Chairman Howard Cosgrove said at a press conference Friday. "He is a man of vision, enthusiasm and commitment."
Harker, 48, is young for a university president - the average age is 58, according to Raymond Cotton, a lawyer for the Washington-based Mintz law firm, who specializes in presidential contracts.
Roland King, a spokesman for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, added that administrators generally move from public universities to private ones.
Working at a public school like Delaware "produces a whole new level of control … accountability and reporting to the government that you have to a much lesser degree at a private institution," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
ExcellencetoEminence
posted 12/04/06 @ 9:55 AM EST
We can only hope that ten years or so hence, when President Gutmann has decided to retire or move on, that Dean Harker can return to Penn as the next President. (Continued…)
robert mollica
posted 12/05/06 @ 8:17 AM EST
Excellant Patrick,
You were always such a dedicated individual with a huge heart. Nice to see you remain the same.
congrats
bob mollica
SAMP 1981
Jim Douglas
posted 12/05/06 @ 5:58 PM EST
As a Penn and Wharton alum, I feel a little insulted that Dean Harker is leaving Wharton to lead a 3rd tier institution such as the Univ. of Delaware. (Continued…)
Tree Bench
posted 10/17/07 @ 8:20 AM EST
nothing wrong with univ of Delaware.... well... almost nothing. ;)
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