Senior Vice President Robert E. Dunham Announces Retirement

1-29-97

University Park, Pa. -- Robert E. Dunham, senior vice president and dean of the Commonwealth Educational System, announced today that he will retire from Penn State effective Jan. 15, 1998, completing a career of more than 38 years at the University Park campus.

After receiving his Ph.D. from Ohio State, Dunham began his academic career at Penn State on Sept. 1, 1959, as an instructor of speech. He received tenure and became a full professor of speech, and was named acting department head in 1965.

In 1966, Dunham moved into administration, becoming assistant to the vice president for residential instruction. He went on to become acting vice president for academic affairs, then vice president for undergraduate studies, vice president for academic services, vice president and vice provost, and in 1991, he was named senior vice president and dean of the Commonwealth Educational System.

In his role as senior vice president, Dunham was responsible for developing the recently approved plan to redesign Penn State's Commonwealth Educational System. The plan will permit more four-year degrees to be offered at Penn State's campus locations through the creation of a 12 campus Commonwealth College, the establishment of two four-year colleges at Altoona and Abington, the merger of the Berks and Allentown campuses into the Berks-Lehigh Valley College, and the merger of the Schuylkill and Harrisburg campuses into the Capital College.

"It is simply impossible to list all of Bob's accomplishments," said Penn State President Graham Spanier. "Bob has played a central role in virtually all of the important changes that have brought about the evolution of Penn State into a university of national prominence. His work in redesigning the Commonwealth Educational System will have an enormous impact on students for generations to come. He has made higher education better in this state, and along the way made an enormous number of friends.

"If there is anyone at Penn State who I consider my mentor, it is Bob Dunham," said Spanier. "When I became an associate dean 18 years ago, and in every administrative position since then, Bob greatly influenced me and encouraged me. He was a key reason I wanted to return to Penn State, and I will feel something of a void not having him working with me in the administration."

A search committee will be formed in February to begin the process of finding a dean of the new Commonwealth College, which becomes official on July 1 as a result of the plan to reorganize CES. Dunham will continue to carry the title of senior vice president until his retirement in January. Until his retirement, Dunham will work on several projects, among them will be overseeing the implementation of the CES redesign plan, as well as serving as liaison to other universities in the state. He will also continue as vice chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors.

"When I first came to Penn State, I was convinced I would only be here a year or two," said Dunham. "But I really fell in love with this university and with the community. I was lucky enough to have jobs within Penn State that brought me great satisfaction and excitement, and you really can't ask for more than that. It has been a heck of a run, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything."

Dunham and his wife, Maureen, plan to continue living in the State College area. "I don't know for sure what we'll be doing after I retire," said Dunham. "I will probably work on my golf game and sail more, and we will certainly travel more. But we plan to stay involved with the University. It is such an important element in both of our lives, we will always be a part of Penn State."

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Contact:
Bill Mahon (814) 865-7517 (office) np3@psu.edu
Christy Rambeau (814) 865-7517 (office) cmr7@psu.edu