The Penn State Board of Trustees on Friday, July 9, approved the naming of a portion of the administration building at Penn State York in honor of John J. Romano, recently retired vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and former campus executive officer at Penn State York. After more than four decades at Penn State, Romano retired June 30.
“John Romano served as campus executive officer at Penn State York from 1985 to 1993 and under his leadership the campus experienced unprecedented growth both in numbers of students and in faculty and staff,” said Joel M. Rodney, current chancellor at Penn State York. "It was John who worked with private and civic leaders to secure the transfer of 33 acres of land from the City of York and this action led to the construction of the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center and the Lee R. Glatfelter Library in 2005. He also led the campaign that resulted in the building of the M. S. Grumbacher Information Sciences and Technology Center in 1991."
Since Romano was giving the commencement address in York in May, the Board of Trustees allowed the campus to unveil the building name prior to his speech on May 14. In a surprise ceremony with about 100 guests in attendance, Romano, accompanied by his wife Stephany and daughter Alexandria, graciously accepted the honor.
As vice president for Commonwealth Campuses, Romano provided executive leadership for 19 undergraduate Penn State campuses across the state. Since taking on the vice presidency in 2005 when Penn State's campuses were restructured, Romano helped to build disciplinary communities among the Commonwealth Campuses and University Park, streamlined the promotion and tenure process, and oversaw steady growth in enrollment. Overall enrollment on the 19 campuses has increased by nearly 11 percent over the past four years. Currently, more than 33,500 students are enrolled at Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, the highest in the history of the University.
Romano, who was a member of President's Council, the University's senior administrative policy body, served as chairman of the faculty and staff campaign For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.
Prior to his position as vice president, Romano served from 1993 to 2005 as vice provost and dean for enrollment management and administration at Penn State. Before being named vice provost, he served as campus executive officer at Penn State York.
Romano, who joined Penn State in 1968, also has served as a faculty member in the colleges of Education and the Liberal Arts. He also served as assistant and then associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of the Liberal Arts.
For photos of the event, go to http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2300 online.