Judith Rodin
Encyclopedia
Judith Rodin was the 7th president of the University of Pennsylvania
from 1994 to 2004 and the first permanent female president of an Ivy League
university. She is currently the president of the Rockefeller Foundation
, a position she has held since 2005. A University of Pennsylvania alumna, she received her Ph.D. from Columbia University
in 1970.
Rodin expanded and improved the University and created numerous interdisciplinary programs. She led an effort to engage, support and build new relationships with the university's surrounding communities. She encouraged revitalization in University City
and West Philadelphia
through public safety, Wharton School alliances for small businesses, developing buildings and streetscapes that turned outward to the community, and establishing a university-led partnership school, the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School.
During her tenure at Penn, the University tripled its endowment
and rose from 16th to 4th in the U.S. News & World Report
college ranking. Rodin brought Bono
, of the rock group U2
, to address the university at the 2004 commencement.
in March 2005.
She is on the Board of Directors
of Citigroup
, AMR Corporation (the parent company of American Airlines
), and Comcast Corporation, where she served as the presiding director until 2006. Rodin has also served on the board of corporations, including Aetna
, Electronic Data Systems
(EDS) and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
of Yale University
from 1992 to 1994, when she moved to University of Pennsylvania. She held various professorial and other positions at Yale from 1972 to 1994, including Dean of the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the Department of Psychology
. Rodin has published more than 200 articles and chapters in academic publications and written or co-written 12 books; most recently, The University & Urban Renewal: Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets (University of Pennsylvania Press
, 2007).
(NACD's) 2011 Directorship 100, in recognition of her work promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.
, a former president of the College of William and Mary
, former dean of the Tulane University Law School
, former professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
and former CEO of the American Automobile Association
. Verkuil currently serves as Chair of the Administrative Conference of the United States
.
They have three children.
In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA
list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".
Dr. Rodin is widely recognized as an international leader in academia, science and development issues, Dr. Rodin has actively participated in influential fora around the globe, including the World Economic Forum
held annually in Davos, Switzerland. She was also a member of the African Development Bank’s
High Level Panel, a Board member of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
(co-created by The Rockefeller Foundation), and has served as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative’s Poverty Alleviation Track Advisory Board.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
from 1994 to 2004 and the first permanent female president of an Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
university. She is currently the president of the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
, a position she has held since 2005. A University of Pennsylvania alumna, she received her Ph.D. from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1970.
Rodin expanded and improved the University and created numerous interdisciplinary programs. She led an effort to engage, support and build new relationships with the university's surrounding communities. She encouraged revitalization in University City
University City
University City is the name of the following locations in the United States:*University City, Missouri*University City, Charlotte, North Carolina*University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*University City, San Diego, California...
and West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
through public safety, Wharton School alliances for small businesses, developing buildings and streetscapes that turned outward to the community, and establishing a university-led partnership school, the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School.
During her tenure at Penn, the University tripled its endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
and rose from 16th to 4th in the U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
college ranking. Rodin brought Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
, of the rock group U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, to address the university at the 2004 commencement.
Professional highlights
Rodin became president of the Rockefeller FoundationRockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
in March 2005.
She is on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of Citigroup
Citigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
, AMR Corporation (the parent company of American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
), and Comcast Corporation, where she served as the presiding director until 2006. Rodin has also served on the board of corporations, including Aetna
Aetna
Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company, providing a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical management...
, Electronic Data Systems
Electronic Data Systems
HP Enterprise Services is the global business and technology services division of Hewlett Packard's HP Enterprise Business strategic business unit. It was formed by the combination of HP's legacy services consulting and outsourcing business and the integration of acquired Electronic Data Systems,...
(EDS) and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Air Products & Chemicals
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is an international corporation whose principal business is selling gases and chemicals for industrial uses. Air Products' headquarters is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. Air Products is the Lehigh...
Academic
She was ProvostProvost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
from 1992 to 1994, when she moved to University of Pennsylvania. She held various professorial and other positions at Yale from 1972 to 1994, including Dean of the Graduate School
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the Department of Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. Rodin has published more than 200 articles and chapters in academic publications and written or co-written 12 books; most recently, The University & Urban Renewal: Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets (University of Pennsylvania Press
University of Pennsylvania Press
The University of Pennsylvania Press is a university press affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, 2007).
Honorary Degrees
- University of Miami, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2008
- Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth CollegeDartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, 2007 - University of MarylandUniversity of MarylandWhen the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2007 - University of Science, Doctor of Science, 2007
- University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, 2006 - Franklin & Marshall, 2006
- Yeshiva UniversityYeshiva UniversityYeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
, 2006 - New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, 2004 - University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, 2004 - Brown UniversityBrown UniversityBrown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, 2004 - Arcadia UniversityArcadia UniversityArcadia University is a private university located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, on the outskirts of Philadelphia. A master's university by Carnegie Classification, the university has a co-educational student population of more than 4,000. The university was ranked 25th in the master's universities in...
Doctorate of Humane Letters, 2001 - The Curtis Institute of Music Doctor of Music, 2001
- Lafayette CollegeLafayette CollegeLafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
Doctor of Laws, 1996 - Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University Doctor of Humane Letters, 1995
- University of New HavenUniversity of New HavenThe University of New Haven is a private university that combines a liberal arts education with professional training. The university comprises five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the Henry C...
Doctor of Humane Letters, 1994
Awards and honors
Dr. Rodin has been the recipient of 16 honorary doctorate degrees and numerous additional honors. In 2004, Dr. Rodin received both the prestigious Philadelphia Award and the William Penn Awards for her “commitment to elevating the economy of West Philadelphia and the quality of life for its residents; for her leadership roles in galvanizing Philadelphia's higher education institutions in order to keep the region's brightest graduates here, and for promoting the region as a high-tech business location.” In 2006 she was awarded the Pennsylvania Society’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement, which is bestowed upon “a prominent person in recognition of leadership, citizenship and contributions to the arts, science, education and industry,” and became the first person ever receive all three of these major Pennsylvania honors. Rodin has been named one of Crain's 50 Most Powerful Women in New York list three years in a row. Rodin has also been recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's World's 100 Most Powerful Women in 2011, and the National Association of Corporate Directors'National Association of Corporate Directors
The National Association of Corporate Directors is an independent, not-for-profit membership organization, dedicated to serving the corporate governance needs of directors of public, private, and non-profit organizations. Founded in 1977, NACD is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and serves...
(NACD's) 2011 Directorship 100, in recognition of her work promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.
Personal
Rodin is married to the Honorable Paul R. VerkuilPaul R. Verkuil
Paul Robert Verkuil is an attorney, former dean of the Tulane University Law School, former president of the College of William and Mary, and former dean of Cardozo School of Law. He has also served as the CEO of the American Automobile Association from 1992 to 1995. He is currently on the...
, a former president of the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, former dean of the Tulane University Law School
Tulane University Law School
Tulane University Law School is the law school of Tulane University. It is located on Tulane's Uptown campus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Established in 1847, it is the 12th oldest law school in the United States....
, former professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law is the law school of Yeshiva University, located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The school is named for Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo. Cardozo's success as a young school has been remarkable, leading some to characterize Cardozo as a...
and former CEO of the American Automobile Association
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
. Verkuil currently serves as Chair of the Administrative Conference of the United States
Administrative Conference of the United States
The Administrative Conference of the United States is an independent agency of the United States government established by the Administrative Conference Act of 1964. It is also considered to be a federal advisory committee...
.
They have three children.
Work at Penn
As president, Rodin guided the University through a period of unprecedented growth and development that has transformed Penn’s academic core and dramatically enhanced the quality of life on campus and in the surrounding community. Under her leadership, Penn invigorated its resources, doubling its research funding and tripling both its annual fundraising and the size of its endowment; created Penn Medicine; launched a comprehensive and widely acclaimed neighborhood revitalization program; attracted record numbers of undergraduate applicants, creating Penn’s most selective classes ever; risen in the U.S News & World Report rankings of top national research universities from 16th in 1994 to 4th in 2002; established new interdisciplinary institutes and created over a dozen groundbreaking interdisciplinary, multi-school, undergraduate and graduate degree programs throughout the University; planned or completed new buildings and major renovations in every school and center; and expanded its international programs and collaborations.In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA
PoliticsPA
- Content :The website focuses on news aggregation, linking to major political news making headlines across the state. The editors write occasional features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffer" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists...
list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".
Work at The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation supports work that promotes equitable growth and strengthens resilience to social, economic and physical challenges -- affirming its pioneering philanthropic mission since 1913 to promote the well-being of humanity. Dr. Rodin is the first woman to serve as the Foundation's president in its nearly 100-year history. During her first three years at the Foundation, Dr. Rodin recalibrated the Foundation’s focus for the 21st century, launching major initiatives around the world to bolster resilience to climate change in poor communities, strengthen global health systems, catalyze the field of impact investing, mobilize an agricultural revolution in Africa and shape smarter, more sustainable transportation policies in the United States. The Foundation’s systems-based approach is enabling innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, with a specific focus on basic survival safeguards such as secure food, water, housing, and infrastructure; global health including accessible, affordable, high-quality health services and systems; environment and climate change including sustainable growth and climate change resilience; urbanization, including solutions for fast-growing cities; and social and economic security.Dr. Rodin is widely recognized as an international leader in academia, science and development issues, Dr. Rodin has actively participated in influential fora around the globe, including the World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
held annually in Davos, Switzerland. She was also a member of the African Development Bank’s
African Development Bank
The African Development Bank Group is a development bank established in 1964 with the intention of promoting economic and social development in Africa...
High Level Panel, a Board member of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa , is an organization which works for the benefit of African sub-continent. Broadly it deals in improving the agricultural products, supporting the local farm owners and labor....
(co-created by The Rockefeller Foundation), and has served as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative’s Poverty Alleviation Track Advisory Board.