Penn State’s Board of Trustees has a new chair and vice-chair for the first time in four years.
Trustees on Friday elected David Kleppinger as chair and Richard Sokolov as vice-chair. Kleppinger had served as vice-chair since November 2020.
Kleppinger, who succeeds Matthew Schuyler as chair, was the only nomination on the floor for the position. Alumni-elected Trustee Anthony Lubrano withdrew his candidacy before the vote, saying that Kleppinger was “the better candidate.”
Sokolov was the only nominee for vice-chair.
A 1977 Penn State graduate the chairman emeritus of Harrisburg law firm McNees Wallace and Nurick, Kleppinger was appointed to the board in 2017 by former Gov. Tom Wolf. His current term as a trustee is scheduled to expire in 2025.
In nominating Kleppinger, Trustee Julie Anna Potts called him a “servant leader,” crediting his “patience” and understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education and Penn State in particular.
“I can imagine as a first generation student graduating with highest distinction in 1977 he might not have seen himself as joining this board 40 years later and ascending after four years as vice chair to the chairmanship with such a great deal of open-mindedness, of a desire to learn more, a willingness to engage all stakeholders and an ability to shepherd this great institution into its next era. He is the right chair for the time that we have upcoming. I am just looking forward to the best years ahead with the leadership and partnership we have with this administration, with [President Neeli Bendapudi] and with David.”
Schuyler — a board-elected at-large trustee who was recently named chief people officer at CAA, the talent agency that represents James Franklin, among others— said he has “leaned on [Kleppinger’s] amazing judgment and his North Star approach towards leadership,” over the past four years.
He also reflected on his four years as chair, a period that included the board’s hiring of Penn State’s first new president in eight years and dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
“We have navigated some of the most complex issues together these last four years,” Schuyler said. “We’ve debated vigorously. We’ve made decisions that will impact the future of this great institution for generations to come. I’ve learned from each of you, and I believe the strength of this board lies in its diversity of thought, perspective and passion for our shared mission. Over the last few years, we’ve made significant strides in several key areas.
“Leadership is not without its challenges, and we’ve faced our fair share internally and externally,” he later added.”But what I’m most proud of, as I exit this role of chair, is that through every difficult moment, we stayed true to our values. We listened to one another, held each other accountable and we never lost sight of what truly matters: the students and the future of Penn State. It’s been an honor to help steward this institution during these times.”
Kleppinger called Schuyler a “mentor” and “friend,” and credited him for leading the board through a wide array of challenges and initiatives.
He also said Penn State is at “a terrific place” but still has “a lot of upside.”
“Focusing on our core values and remembering what those core values are … of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community, those core values establish the foundation upon which our operating strategies and culture have to continue to evolve in order to capitalize on the tectonic shifts that are occurring in higher education. And if we keep those values in the forefront of our minds as we deliberate and decide very difficult issues which we will have disagreements on, we will always make the right decision in the furtherance of the student interest, and of the university.”
Sokolov, a trustee elected by the board representing business and industry whose current term is also schedule to expire in 2025, is vice-chairman of Simon Property Group, the largest owner of retail real estate in Pennsylvania. He was also listed in documents submitted to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as vice president of the corporation developing the planned Nittany Mall casino.
