Dean Henry, W’74

Penn President Amy Gutmann's vision for Penn marked a new beginning not only for America's first university but also for one of its own alumni: Dean Henry, W'74. Thirty years after earning his degree, and just months after watching his daughter, Kristen, C'04, process down Locust Walk, the Wharton graduate heard a call to action.  "Effective engagement begins right here at home," President Gutmann told the crowd in her inaugural address.   Shortly afterward, Dean and Kristen heard her speak about engaging "locally and globally," and promising to "strive to keep our alumni ever more closely connected with the life of our University."

"I was so inspired that I walked up with my daughter to introduce myself," says Dean, who up until that point had been more involved as a parent than as an alumnus. 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." 

Dean's new commitment to engagement 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 conversing with Penn students. He realized that he enjoyed connecting with undergraduates from diverse backgrounds, 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. The experience is designed to provide exposure to various alumni work environments and help students test their interests. The full day included presentations from bond and stock portfolio managers, and compliance and risk management professionals. "In that short period of time, she quickly learned how her major might be leveraged at a place like Vanguard,"says Dean. For his part, arranging the day turned out to be an easy task. "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 his home, when he was asked by JBS' leadership to host an evening for freshman during New Student Orientation. He jumped at the chance.  "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. It turned out to be a fantastic event filled with good conversation about life and Penn. "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. 

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."

Visit www.alumni.upenn.edu to find a way to share your talents or explore the possibility of hosting your own student externship for a day.

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