2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: News
Stetson makes sudden departure
Admit dean moves resignation up to fall, gives little explanation
Jared Miller
The fact that the University now has the most international students of any school in the Ivy League speaks volumes about Stetson's achievements in promoting diversity as the Dean of Admissions.
His first fully admitted class consisted of 29 international students and 267 minority students. Eighty-eight percent of students were from New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
The Class of 2011, on the other hand, will be composed of 318 international students and nearly 900 minority students.
Daniels spoke highly of Stetson's proactive nature and positive effect on the University.
"He shows us that the greatest deans of admissions are the ones … who don't just respond to whatever trends or fashions are out there right now, but are able to partner with the rest of the University's leadership to envision how we want Penn to look in the future," Daniels wrote in an e-mail in July. "What we're looking for in the next dean of admissions is someone who has that same kind of vision."
-Staff Writer Alissa Eisenberg contributed reporting to this article.
His first fully admitted class consisted of 29 international students and 267 minority students. Eighty-eight percent of students were from New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
The Class of 2011, on the other hand, will be composed of 318 international students and nearly 900 minority students.
Daniels spoke highly of Stetson's proactive nature and positive effect on the University.
"He shows us that the greatest deans of admissions are the ones … who don't just respond to whatever trends or fashions are out there right now, but are able to partner with the rest of the University's leadership to envision how we want Penn to look in the future," Daniels wrote in an e-mail in July. "What we're looking for in the next dean of admissions is someone who has that same kind of vision."
-Staff Writer Alissa Eisenberg contributed reporting to this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 24
Alum
posted 8/30/07 @ 2:57 PM EST
"In an abrupt turn, Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson has announced that he has resigned from his post, effective immediately."
"He released a brief statement yesterday that offered little explanation for the decision:"
"Stetson's office said he was traveling and could not be reached for comment. (Continued…)
smaczko
posted 8/31/07 @ 1:36 PM EST
Maybe he was pushed. There's been a lot of that going on at Penn over the last decade. No reason required.
partial observer
posted 8/31/07 @ 3:22 PM EST
Whatever the reason, this can't be good:
* Grave medical prognosis for Stetson
* Silent coup/hatchet job, hurtling one of the most public-facing University offices into an abrupt leadership shift with absolutely zero transition plan
* Fending off imminent scandal
It feels odd to say this, but I really hope that in a year we'll hear something along the lines of how Stetson successfully fought back cancer, or some other life-threatening condition. (Continued…)
orangecrush
posted 8/31/07 @ 9:59 PM EST
Will the real story come out.... that's up to you, DP, can't wait to read it.
polo
posted 9/01/07 @ 1:14 AM EST
Does anyone even know the true story behind how the admissions office really works?
29 years is a long standing reign as dean of admissions. Change is not always a bad thing, even after 29 years. (Continued…)
Alumni
posted 9/01/07 @ 6:50 AM EST
No one should be allowed to remain in the same position for 29 years; change is good and healthy for an individual and the organization. Furthermore, giving more than a year's notice is excessive and results in a lame duck period that is simply too long. (Continued…)
Pennrant
posted 9/01/07 @ 4:13 PM EST
This whole sordid affair reminds me of when UPPD Chief Rambo resigned to "pursue other employment opportunities." He ends up as head of security at Susquehanna U. (Continued…)
Another Alum
posted 9/02/07 @ 6:52 AM EST
It seems to me that Gutmann's leadership of Penn has been lacking. She is never visible or accessible. Poor judgment and bad decisions (remember the Halloween photo?) have defined her tenure. (Continued…)
Paulo
Ryan Benjamin
posted 9/02/07 @ 9:33 AM EST
Nobody has mentioned (including you, DP writers) the fact that Stetson has been quoted in the last year as being extremely opposed to jettisoning early decision, when schools like Princeton, Harvard, and UVA have eliminated it. (Continued…)
Old Guard
posted 9/03/07 @ 1:44 PM EST
I recently walked past Stetson on Walnut. He seemed worn down, but had some step in him. Maybe a health issue.
Really not sure how Penn could benefit from getting rid of early decision. (Continued…)
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