10/18/2021
Lucky U. of Penn. For those of you who remember Fritz...he was a force at ASU, later went to TX., and has been at my alma mater (and his) for quite some time now. He continues to make tracks...
TO: Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, and Friends of the Weitzman School of Design
FROM: Penn President Amy Gutmann and Interim Provost Beth A. Winkelstein
RE: Term Extension for Dean Fritz Steiner
We are very pleased to announce our decision to extend the term of Dr. Frederick ‘Fritz’ Steiner, GCP’77, G’86, Gr’86 as Dean of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design until June 30, 2025.
Dean Steiner’s initial term as Dean is scheduled to end June 30, 2023. While he has shared with us his plans to return to full-time scholarship and teaching, he has graciously agreed to remain as Dean for an additional two years. As we continue to chart our recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are especially pleased to recognize Dean Steiner’s many impressive achievements as Dean. Thanks to his strong, far-sighted leadership and collaborative approach, the Weitzman School of Design is perfectly aligned with our Penn Compact vision and more inclusive, innovative, and impactful than at any point in its history.
In making this decision, we have consulted with the Weitzman School of Design’s department chairs, along with other Deans, senior officers of the University, the chairs of the Faculty Senate, and Trustee chair Scott Bok. They are unanimous in their praise of Dean Steiner’s work and join us in enthusiastically supporting the extension of his term as Dean.
Under Dean Steiner’s leadership, the Weitzman School of Design’s achievements have been notable and significant. He was a wonderful partner as we renamed the School in honor of award-winning designer Stuart Weitzman, W’63, whom we recognized both for his ongoing philanthropic support of the University and his active engagement in its academic activities. Significant and ongoing increases in financial support for students are a hallmark of Dean Steiner’s first term, including support from Mr. Weitzman, the Moelis Scholars Program, the Witte-Sakamoto Family Medal and Prize in City and Regional Planning, the Kanter Tritsch Medal and Prize in Architecture, and the Julian Abele Fellowship in Architecture. Altogether, these investments in financial aid have enabled the Weitzman School to attract more top students in all departments and have greatly increased its student body diversity.
The faculty has been similarly strengthened with the appointment of a Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor who has an appointment in the Weitzman School as well as significant growth in faculty and post-doctoral fellows from backgrounds under-represented in the design professions and the fine arts. The Weitzman School’s facilities have also seen considerable progress under Dean Steiner’s leadership with a new Advanced Research & Innovation (ARI) robotics laboratory and new homes for the Center for Architectural Conservation, the Integrated Product Design program, and new studio spaces for architecture and city and regional planning students. Research facilities have also been created and expanded, including ARI, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, the Center for Safe Mobility, the Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites, and the Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology.
We are confident that, with Dean Steiner’s continued leadership, the Weitzman School of Design will maintain its historical and abiding commitment to affecting positive change in Philadelphia and around our nation and the world. The years to come will present both opportunities and challenges and we are confident that Dean Steiner is the right person to lead the Weitzman School community in responding to them.
We know you will join with us in thanking Dean Fritz Steiner for his outstanding leadership and his continued commitment to serving the Stuart Weitzman School of Design and the University.
