As the Gazette was going to press in December, it was announced that David L. Cohen L’81 has been nominated to become chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, succeeding James S. Riepe W’65, WG’67, who has held the position since 1999. Cohen is executive vice president of Comcast Corporation and has been a Penn trustee since 2001. His service to the University also includes chairing the board and executive committee of Penn Medicine, which oversees the Penn Health System and the School of Medicine, since 2002. Dubbed “Mr. Philadelphia” by the Inquirer, Cohen was the chief of staff for former mayor (and present governor) Ed Rendell C’65 Hon’00 from 1992-97. He will take Riepe’s place on November 7, 2009.
“We are extremely thankful for Jim’s leadership and very grateful that he will continue his unstinting service to Penn as a member of our board after his chairmanship concludes next November,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “Jim will leave big shoes to fill, but we are secure in the knowledge that David Cohen possesses everything one could want in a new chair, including a love for Penn and a well-earned reputation as a thoughtful, collaborative and incisive leader.”
Cohen will be Penn’s first Philadelphia-based trustee chair since emeritus trustee Paul F. Miller W’50 Hon’81 concluded his term in 1986.
