New appointments to leadership posts

Several administrative changes, including the appointment of four new vice presidents, have been announced recently.

In May, David E. Hollowell announced his plans to step down as executive vice president and University treasurer at the end of 2007, after 20 years at UD. He joined the University as senior vice president for administration, was promoted to executive vice president in 1996 and, in 2002, added the responsibilities of the treasurer to his portfolio.

“Among the first people I met when I came to Delaware was Dave Hollowell,” President David P. Roselle said at the time of the announcement. “I learned early on that he has great common sense, good ideas and a remarkable capacity to get things done.”

Also this spring, Robert M. Specter joined UD as vice president for finance. He previously served as vice president for administration and finance at the City University of New York’s Baruch College, where he is credited with helping restore financial integrity and stability, and also as chief financial officer of the Baruch College Fund.

“Rob Specter brings a wealth of experience to this position,” Hollowell said. “We look forward to the contributions he will make to the UD management team.”

At the University Board of Trustees meeting in May, it was announced that Patricia Plummer Wilson, then chief of staff and director of faculty administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, would join UD, effective July 1, as vice president and chief of staff. It also was announced that Scott R. Douglass, vice president for finance and treasurer of the University of Pennsylvania, will serve as senior vice president at UD beginning Aug. 1. Douglass will become executive vice president effective Jan. 1, 2008, with Hollowell’s retirement.

“I am pleased to be able to bring two valued colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania with me to Delaware,” incoming UD President Patrick Harker said. “I’ve worked closely with them both, and I know their talents and enthusiasm will be valuable at UD.”

Wilson served as chief of staff in Wharton’s Office of the Dean since 1999, with responsibility for implementing the school’s strategic plan and attaining its annual goals. She coordinated the school’s academic and administrative activities and managed the financial and administrative functions of the dean’s office. She previously was director of faculty administration at Wharton.

As Penn’s vice president for finance and treasurer since 2004, Douglass—who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UD in 1973 and 1976—is responsible for the university’s financial operations. He previously served as senior associate dean for finance and administration at the Wharton School and, from 1986-92, was Delaware’s state budget director and then its secretary of finance.

Also at the Trustees meeting, Roselle announced that Michael A. Gilbert, assistant vice president of campus student services at Pennsylvania State University, has been named UD’s vice president for student life, effective Aug. 1.

Roselle cited Gilbert’s “excellent record of experience in a range of student life areas” and called him “an enthusiastic and student-centered administrator who will build on the University’s strong programs in student life.”

Gilbert has served in a variety of student affairs administration positions for more than 25 years, most recently leading initiatives to enhance the student experience at Penn State’s 19 campuses and directing five student affairs administrative units on the main campus. He also has been a member of the Penn State faculty.