Time, Talent, and Treasure

February 11, 2009

Like many Penn parents, Dean had attended a few activities on campus, including the Taste of Penn, an especially popular Alumni Weekend event, but President Gutmann's words compelled him to do more. "Once you get exposed," he says, "you want to get more and more involved. There's just an amazing energy on campus."

Small Steps, Big Strides

Dean's new commitment to engagement first took form in the Black Alumni Society (BAS), helping to organize the year-long commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the graduation of James Brister, the first person of color to receive a degree from Penn. "I joined the Planning Committee and helped as much as I could throughout the year, which got me plugged in," says Dean. "I met a lot of alumni, Penn administrators, and became more interested in additional organizations like the James Brister Society through the process."

It also took form at work. As a member of the college recruiting team at The Vanguard Group, Dean was frequently on campus with Penn students. He realized that he enjoyed connecting with undergraduates, and wanted to become a more visible presence to guide, counsel and support them. One of the first things he did was to arrange for a student interested in finance to come to Vanguard through the Externship Program for Wharton sophomores. This experience would help students test their interests in various work environments. "I asked my colleagues if they would be willing to put together material for a student visiting from Penn and no one hesitated," he continued. "If alumni and their co-workers can spare one hour of their time it can be so helpful."

Eventually, engagement found its way to Dean's home, when he hosted an evening for freshman during New Student Orientation. "Letting students know they have support" within the Penn community during their first weeks away from home was important to Dean. He and his wife entertained 12 students of diverse backgrounds at their house for an informal dinner. "We had a great time," he said. "We really had fun watching the students learn from each other."Dean even pulled out his 1974 yearbook and his daughter's 2004 yearbook so everyone could compare the changes over the years.

Bringing Penn Home

While finding his alumni volunteer path took some time, Dean recommends taking small steps. "Just getting started is the hardest part," he says. He encourages his fellow alumni to get involved in any way they can, whether contributing from a financial standpoint or by simply attending Alumni Weekend.

"Penn goes out of its way to have something for everyone. Go to one of the major weekends and one thing opens up another," says Dean. "It is important to give back in time, talent, and treasure."

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