Task Force recommends organizational changes for Syracuse University’s Greenberg House in Washington, D.C., and Lubin House in New York City

Task Force recommends organizational changes for Syracuse University’s Greenberg House in Washington, D.C., and Lubin House in New York CityJune 14, 2002Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Division of Institutional Advancement has announced changes that will affect the University’s two extensions, the Joseph I. Lubin House in New York City and the Paul Greenberg House in Washington, D.C.

The changes are the result of recommendations made to Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement John D. Sellars in May by the Greenberg House/Lubin House Task Force. The recommendations are aimed at moving each facility more in line with its respective and unique mission. The mission of Greenberg House is to “strengthen the University’s presence in Washington, D.C. to energize alumni”; the mission of Lubin House is to “serve the ceremonial and educational presence of Syracuse University in New York City.”

The facilities now report directly to Sellars. They will remain a part of the Division of Institutional Advancement with the following organizational and staffing changes:

• Greenberg House will report to Lil Breul O’Rourke, the University’s associate vice president for alumni relations, effective July 1. Dugald Gillies will remain as director;

• Lubin House will report to Thomas J. Walsh, vice president for leadership gifts, effective Oct. 1. Patricia Dombrowski, executive director of leadership gift administration at Lubin House, will become executive director. Current executive director Robert Dewey will return to the University’s central development staff in Syracuse, where he will establish and lead a development training program and will work with academic units on development plans; and

• Additionally, the University’s Office of Special Events will report to O’Rourke, effective July 1. Mary Jane Nathan, director of the Office of Special Events, will become executive director of special events and alumni programs.

“I am really pleased with the task force’s thoughtful recommendations, which have provided the impetus for this move,” Sellars says. “Greenberg House and Lubin House can become increasingly critical resources for fund raising, alumni relations and for enhancing the University’s image. By focusing these facilities on their missions, we can better serve Syracuse University.” Members of the task force are Dewey; Gillies; O’Rourke; Mary Ann Shaw, associate of the Chancellor; and Walsh.

In the fall, O’Rourke and Walsh will begin working with the deans of the University’s schools and colleges to determine how Greenberg House and Lubin House can increase the academic and intellectual profile of the University in Washington, D.C. and New York. They will also determine ways that the facilities can support the many academic programs that departments currently offer.

Walsh says that Lubin House will continue to be an integral component of the University’s academic and development efforts.

“It’s an exciting time for the Lubin House, as we anticipate the re-opening of building No. 11,” he says. “The historic treasure that building is will be a fitting setting for the University to connect with its leadership constituencies in the greater New York area. Lubin House will also play a major role in advancing the University’s academic efforts and visibility in the New York City area, and I look forward to working with the deans to assist them in any way that we can.”

O’Rourke says that the Alumni Relations team welcomes Greenberg House with great excitement and anticipation.

“Since its founding by Paul Greenberg, the staff members under the leadership of Dug Gillies have been the key leaders in University outreach to our many alumni in the greater Washington area. It is through their leadership and vision that Greenberg House is a constant hub of activity, and we enjoy the benefits of an active alumni club,” she says. “The facility continues to be of critical importance to our academic units for off-campus educational programs as well as to the Office of Admissions. We are very lucky to have such a fine, well-located facility in Washington, which is an important market for the University. With this realignment I look forward to working more closely with Dug and his team to further expand and increase University visibility in the greater Washington area.”

O’Rourke also is looking forward to working more closely with the Office of Special Events.

“It is the behind the scenes work and attention to detail that make important University events such as Commencement, opening convocation, the United Way Campaign and a variety of other activities take place so smoothly. Our University benefits in countless ways from the good work of Mary Jane Nathan and her team. A well oiled machine that plans, anticipates and makes us all look good is the result of the leadership and experience provided by Mary Jane. I anticipate that we will benefit greatly from a closer working relationship with the University expert in special events,” she says.

Lubin House, located at 11 E. 61st St. in Manhattan, was purchased by the University in 1970 with a generous gift from former University trustee Joseph I. Lubin. The building is home to offices for admissions and financial aid and leadership gifts. Additionally, Lubin House is the setting for many important University events, meetings and seminars held in New York City, and the building houses the Lubin House Gallery, at which several prominent exhibitions have been held over the years. Lubin House is currently undergoing renovation and is scheduled to reopen Sept. 1.

Greenberg House, located at 2301 Calvert St. N.W. in Washington, D.C., was acquired by the University in 1990 through a generous gift made by Paul Greenberg ’65 and established a Syracuse University presence in the nation’s capital. The center serves as a base for Washington-area alumni activities, and student recruitment and development efforts. It is the headquarters for a variety of programs in the Maxwell School, including the Maxwell-Washington International Relations Program and the National Security Studies Program. School of Information Studies graduate courses and programs from other SU schools and colleges also take place at Greenberg House.

The task force members issued several additional recommendations to Sellars, including appropriate use of space for activities; assessment of space needs at both facilities for the next capital campaign; and the development of a technology plan to fully integrate both facilities into the University network. Those recommendations are currently under review.