Robert E. Dunkelman Retires As Secretary of the Pitt Board of Trustees, Named Emeritus Secretary B. Jean Ferketish Elected As His Successor

June 20, 2002

PITTSBURGH Robert E. Dunkelman, secretary of the Board of Trustees and special assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh since 1992, has announced his retirement, following a career at Pitt that has spanned more than 44 years. In a resolution adopted unanimously at its meeting this morning, the Board of Trustees bestowed upon him the title of Secretary Emeritus of the Corporation and the Board of Trustees for his "unique and valuable service to the University."

In a separate action this morning, the Board elected Assistant Chancellor B. Jean Ferketish to serve as the new secretary of the Board.

Robert E. Dunkelman is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1954. He worked in the accounting department at Westinghouse and served two years in the U. S. Armed Forces before beginning his career at Pitt on August 1, 1958, as staff assistant in the Office of Institutional Planning. In 1961, he was named manager of budget control in the University's Office of Comptroller, and in 1964 he was appointed University budget director. In 1968, he began working as executive assistant to the provost, and later as executive assistant provost. In 1991, he was appointed interim senior vice chancellor for business and finance, and in 1992 he was named vice provost for resource management.

Dunkelman served as executive secretary to the Presidential Search Committee from 1990 to 1992 and as chairman of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Business Finance Search Committee. He also served on the Senate Budget Policies Committee, the Senate Benefits and Welfare Committee, and the Senate Organization and Procedures Committee.

"Everyone who cares about Pitt owes a profound debt of gratitude to Bob for his outstanding leadership and unique contributions to the progress of the University," said Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. "He has earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues for his high level of professionalism and his committed and creative service. It has been my privilege to work directly with Bob for nearly 17 years, and I will miss his both his wise counsel and his kind and patient presence."

Pitt Board of Trustees Chair William S. Dietrich II added, "Bob has been of inestimable value to me in my capacity as Board Chair. He not only has keen mastery of the details, but also a deep understanding of the subtleties of the job."

The new secretary of the Board, B. Jean Ferketish, earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Duquesne University in 1976, the M.B.A. degree from Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business in 1981, and the Ph.D. degree from Pitt's School of Education in 1992. She worked at Westinghouse from 1978 to 1988 in positions that included communications manager for Westinghouse Headquarters Operations and organization quality manager for AEG Westinghouse. In the early 1990s, she was a senior consultant for Development Dimensions International.

Ferketish came to Pitt in 1995 as director of organization development in the Office of Human Resources. In 1997, she was promoted to assistant vice chancellor for client service and organization development, and two years later she was named assistant chancellor, in which capacity she has coordinated a wide range of special projects within the University and in the broader community.

"After a highly successful career in the corporate world, Jean made a very effective transition to the University," said Chancellor Nordenberg. "She brought special insights, experiences, and talents to her work at Pitt and already has made important contributions to our overall progress. Both the members of the Board of Trustees and I look forward to working with her in this important new role. "

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