Dr. Patrick Harker Named President of University of Delaware
Most people who know Patrick Harker ’77 are not surprised
that he has risen through the ranks of higher education to become
the 26th president of the University of Delaware. A member of the
Gloucester Catholic alumni board, he will assume his new post
beginning July 1, 2007.
“My first association with Pat was as assistant football coach in
1975,” said Tom Iacovone, president of the GCHS alumni board
and former teacher and football coach. “It’s no surprise to me that
he’s a success because I recognized his work ethic, commitment and
the care he had about what he was doing.”
In fact, Harker showed his leadership abilities as a student
football player, Iacovone said. “In 1976 when I became head coach,
he was my first football captain. I saw his leadership potential and
his commitment to excellence. I’m not at all surprised that he’s had
so many outstanding achievements because he’s bright, caring,
intelligent and a strong leader.”
Harker, 48, is currently Dean of the Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania and the school’s Reliance Professor of
Management and Private Enterprise. Harker explained that his
commitment to education started as a GCHS student.
“Gloucester Catholic prepared me in many ways for what I am doing
today,” Harker said. “First, the academic environment not only gave
me a solid foundation but also a love of learning. The teachers like
Dave Coghlan inspired me,” he said. “Second, I learned the value of
hard work and teamwork in the classroom and on the playing fields
not just from my coaches and teachers, but from my classmates as
well,” Harker said.
A member of the GCHS alumni board since 2004, he credited his time
at Gloucester Catholic with instilling a desire to serve others. “My
education, steeped in the Catholic tradition, taught me that one’s
life is ultimately fulfilled by serving others.”
For these reasons and many more, Harker said he is “forever grateful
to GCHS. I believe it’s so important to give back to the school so
that the next generation will also benefit from a Ram education.”
A member of the Wharton faculty since 1984, Penn President Amy
Gutmann said of Harker, “Patrick has been an outstanding leader for
Wharton. We congratulate him on this exciting new opportunity and
wish him well.”
He received his bachelor and master of science degrees in civil
engineering in 1981, a master’s in economics and a Ph.D. in civil
and urban engineering (transportation planning and economics) from
Penn in 1983. During his 13-year career, he has published five books
and more than 80 professional articles.
Harker is married to the former Emily Grace Saaty and is the father
of three children: Thomas Patrick, Michael Francis, and Meghan Emma.
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