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Kristl Lynn Wiernicki

Temple University Dean of Students

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Kristl Lynn Wiernicki

Ktistl Wiernicki

Portrait (1988)

Born Kristl Lynn Mehnert June 18, 1952

Havre de Grace, Maryland

Died March 3, 2021 (aged 68) --> East Norriton, Pennsylvania

Occupation(s) Dean of Students/ Associate V.P.of Student

Affairs; Temple University Years active 1986 - 2004

Kristl Lynn Wiernicki served as a Temple University administrator during the years 1983-2004 associated with the Division of Student Affairs. Wiernicki had served as the Executive Assistant (1982- 1986) to Vice-President H. Patrick Swygert under University President Peter J. Liacouras (1982-2000). In 1983, Dr. Norma Fields Furst, a Temple University Professor who had served as Dean of Students (1974-1983) stepped down and Wiernicki (née Mehnert) became active in an interim capacity, being fully installed as Dean of Students in October of 1986.[1] Wiernicki served singularly in that capacity for four years before being subsequently awarded the title of Associate Vice President of Student Affairs in 1990. During her nearly quarter-century of employment with Temple, Wiernicki succeeded in executing initiatives and facilitating many vital aspects of Temple’s transformation from a commuter college to a full-scale hub of urban learning. She was succeeded as Dean of Students at Temple, by James Fitzsimmons. (1990-2004);[2] Dr. Ainsley Carry (2004-2006);[3] and most recently by Dr. Stephanie Ives (2008-2022).[4]

EarlyLife [edit]

Born Kristl Lynn Mehnert on June 18, 1952

Education [edit]

As a teenager, Kristl attended Aberdeen High School in Maryland. inclusion in the Magnet Honor Society. She also earned a Student Journalism Award from the Philadelphia branch of the National League of American Pen Women. [7] While an undergraduate at Temple, Kristl also worked within the University’s Financial Aid Office, helping fellow students process their financial aid applications.

Temple Law School & the Path to Administration [edit]

Kristl (Mehnert) Wiernicki Prior to being appointed Dean of Students

After attaining her B.A. in Journalism in 1974 from Temple

University, Kristl returned in 1977 to begin her study at Temple’s

Law School. One of the instructors there whom she would come

into contact with was H. Patrick Swygert - then a faculty law

professor- who would later serve as University Vice-President

under Peter Liacouras.[8] Liacouras himself was also available

as a resource to Kristl and other law students in those years,

Kristl Mehnert, Merna Mehnert,

being then Dean of Temple’s Law School. In 1981 Kristl was

VP. H. Patrick Swygert at Reception for New Dean of Students

awarded her JD in law and a year later Liacouras was appointed President. Liacouras expressed a clear vision that he would use his time as President to expand the University and transform it from a commuter institution into an Urban hub of learning.[9] To that affect, Liacouras filled his administrative positions with people with like-minded skills and vision to support that agenda. In this effort, the mutual connection that H. Patrick Swygert shared with Kristl and her experiences and knowledge of law found a common purpose under the Liacouras administration. Within a short time, Kristl was hired to serve as Vice -President Swygert’s Executive Assistant in 1982 before being appointed to the position of Dean of Students.

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Organizationally, as Dean, Kristl reported to the University President’s office, through Vice-President Swygert, and tangentially to the Office of the Provost as well as the university’s Board of Trustees. This direct connection to the Vice-President’s Office gave her significant authority across various administrative university departments where it touched on university life. At the time she was appointed as Dean, Kristl was solely responsible for included:

ctivities;

Center;

Throughout the 1980’s these departments, on the University’s Main Campus were concentrated among a handful of facilities and offices. Also, at that time, the University’s mostly commuter campus incorporated few residential buildings. These included Peabody Hall, Johnson & Hardwicke Halls, the Temple Towers (dedicated under the Liacouras administration) and a few other properties on or near the Main campus. In addition, a layer of oversight existed for residential life through housing administrators and resident coordinators who reported to Kristl. However, in areas of student organizations and student activities, there was less division of management and, as Dean, her engagement required more direct hands-on involvement. Some additional support staffing came from departmental liaisons. These included: Dr. Vickie McNeill, [11] who headed the Student Assistance Center on SAC’s first floor, Arnold Boyd, who headed the Student Activities Office on the second floor of SAC (room 200); the Student Body President of TSG; and the head of the InterFraternity Council (IFC). Boyd’s Office, having a limited staff, oversaw the registration and needs of over 150 campus organizations during the 1980s. Dr. McNeil’s office on the first floor of SAC offered free student access from the lobby and an open concierge desk that responded to all queries from students as they entered or departed SAC. Student queries were generally orientation based and the Center also operated a ride-share board. Dr. McNeil and the Student Assistance Center constituted a vital adjunct to the Dean’s office in terms of planning and coordinating events and activities that occurred on campus, in particular, New Student Orientations and Student Leadership Seminars. One such person was James Cawley, a participant in Temple Student Governent, who went on to become Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania under State Governor Tom Corbett (2011-2015). Upon being appointed to serve as 15th President of Rosemont College in 2022, Cawley was asked in an interview: “Looking back over the last thirty years, Jim, who were the people who saw promise in you and opened up doors?” Cawley answered, “Well, certainly that Dean of Students, Kristl Wiernicki...” In the same interview, Cawley cited Wiernicki for encouraging him to seek admission into Temple’s Law School.[12]

MarriageandFamily [edit]

As the Spring semester of 1987 finished out, and on May 2nd Kristl married Edward C. Wiernicki, an accomplished financial analyst. By the end of the 1990s the couple welcomed two children into the world, a daughter, Elissa and son, Ed, jr. The family had a residence in Montgomery, County, PA- a respectable drive for Kristl to make in commuting to and from Temple’s North Philadelphia campus.

Temple’s New Housing Initiatives & Need to ExpandStudentAffairs [edit]

Left>Right:James Cawley, Dean Kristl Wiernicki, H. Patrick Swygert, Dr. Valaida Walker- 10th Anniversary Dinner for Temple Student Government- April, 1993

During the late 1980s and 1990s, Temple worked to address a severe housing deficit as more and more out-of-state and non-local students sought admission. The on-campus housing shortage became extreme in in the 1987-1988 academic year. Even with the then newly acquired Temple Towers arranged under the Liacouras administration, the University remained under pressure, pursuing a year-long effort to secure housing-often off campus. Two-year contracts that had been in place from 1987-1989 with the Drake Towers and Historic Landmarks Hotels had come to a close, as student housing remained a critical issue with several contracts up for renewal.[13] Uncertainty over the future of off-campus housing with the Korman Suites and central Philadelphia’s Bridgeview apartments led to student and Administrative concern through to the end of the 1980s (The Bridgeview would ultimately be converted to condominiums in the early 1990s.)

At the same time, the number of student organizations on campus was growing. Temple Student Government assisted through its own relationships with student groups, but it was clear that additional University administrative staff would be an aid as well. At the the time in 1981 when Arnold Boyd began serving as Director for the Office of Student Activities, the number of campus student organizations was growing from 125-150 organizations.[14] By 2006, a year before Boyd’s death in November, 2007- that number had grown to about two hundred. Campus Fraternities and sororities were growing as well. Amidst these changes, the Division of Student Affairs, under Wiernicki’s management participated in a number of programs and innitiatives that benefitted students. These included the creation of a Drug and Alcohol Referral and Education (D.A.R.E) task force.[15]In addition, Wiernicki’s office assisted in the implementation of a joint Temple/SEPTA discount transportation program for registered students (The Student ComPass Program).[16] It was also during the latter 1980s that the university looked to make building improvements to the east side of the north Philadelphia main campus.[17] Among these was the relocation of the Temple regional rail station from it’s former location to the present one. One particular challenge that came up, and which Wiernicki was uniquely qualified for based on her legal background occurred when the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPirg), tried to use external influence to create student chapters on Pennsylvania’s local college campuses.[18] Wiernicki, was able to deflect PennPirg’s initial forays at a time when only a few PennPirg members who were registered as Students ventured to win a referendum to obtain student and administrative financial support of PennPirg’s activities. The referendum was defeated, but had it succeeded, a portion of the student paid general activity fees (G.A.F.), would have been diverted to support some campus activities, but also support PennPirg’s statewide efforts.

The1990s:AdministrativeChangeintheDivisionofStudentAffairs [edit]

In Spring, 1988 Dr. Vicki McNeil, who had headed the Student Assistance Center, left for a position at Loyola University. A little over a year later, by November,1989 the University hired James Fitzsimmons to come on board as an Associate Dean of Students to Wiernicki, and in 1990, Wiernicki was advanced to Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs. That change also resulted in Fitzsimmons being promoted to Acting Dean of Students. In a short time, it became official that he had succeeded to fill Wiernicki’s previous role as Dean of Students. It was a role Fitzsimmons would retain until his resignation in 2004. Also in 1990, H.Patrick Swiggers, who had been mentor and colleague to Wiernicki, accepted a position as President of the State University of Albany, NY. With Swygert’s departure from the University, the old ties that had brought Wiernicki up through her ascension to administrator were fraying, though still supported by President Liacouras himself, and the many students, colleagues and supporters among the university Board of Trustees.

Also, in 1990, Temple began working to shore up changes in the oversight of the Division of Student Affairs. To this end, Dr. Valaida Walker, who had been serving as an interim Vice-Provost (1987-1990), accepted the position of Vice-President of Student Affairs. The appointment signaled a major shift in the University’s hiring guidance on running the Division of Student Affairs. Dr. Valaida Walker’s education reflected an Ph.D. in general education as well as work in special education.[19] Dr. Walker’s position as Vice-President of Student Affairs also placed her as Wiernicki’s boss- -altering what had been the more direct executive authority Wiernicki had experienced under the Vice President’s office. This new educationally degreed hiring focus would become the new norm for hiring within the division. in 2002 when Dr. Theresa Powell, was appointed to succeed Walker. Powells’ academic background as a PhD in Administrative Education helped cement her appropriateness for the position. By 2002, it seemed Wiernicki’s own star in the administration was fading. Liacouras had departed as University President in 2000, and Wiernicki found herself afloat, under new oversight, and amidst a structure for Student Affairs that was still changing. Further, a new University President who was still acclimating to the position, David Adamany, had succeded Liacouras since 2002. As Powell recalled it, Adamany’s remarks at her installation, signaled a shift in accountability. Adamany charged Powell to,”. . . change Temple from a suitcase campus to a residential campus.” [20]With the passing of these batons, Wiernicki would find that despite her successes, the latitude with which she’d been accustomed to, and her own dedicated style, were coming under increasing scrutiny and consideration. In 2004, At the age of 52, Wiernicki chose to leave the University, feeling that her time at Temple had come to a natural end.

The2000s:NewDirection,NewSpace&NewResources [edit]

By the last few years of Wiernicki’s term as Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs, Temple’s leadership was signaling that there would be even broader changes to the nature and structure of Student Affairs at the University. In 2001, Temple accomplished a major renovation and reconstruction of the Student Activities Center, which had housed offices of student organizations, the student newspaper, orientation services and some student affairs departments.[21] The renovation/ remodeling added 12,315 square feet of new space and replaced the old “Crossroads” detached dining venue, with an integrated food court (additional renovation which was conducted in 2017 which expanded the dining space even further).[22] The completed building was renamed “The Howard Gittis Student Center” and upon its completion, the Division’s main office was moved from the second floor of Mitten Hall to room 304 of the the new Student Center. This move, along with the new focus on career educational hiring within the Division, refocused the Dean’s authority and administrative service as more directly placed within the student space, and with the more traditional structural oversight through the university Provost’s office. The current organizational structure for the Division places the Vice-President of Student Affairs directly reponsible to the University Provost and two Vice-Presidents for Student Affairs and a director of Finance who report to the Vice-President of Student Affairs. The various departments, some listed above, report to the two associate Vice-presidents. The organizational chart below illustrates this structure. (Note: This chart pre-dates the recent ascension of Stephanie Ives in 2023 to interim Vice-President of Student Affairs upon the January 3rd passing of Dr. Theresa Powell).

LaterLife [edit]

After leaving Temple University, Wiernicki served as Director for

Development for Penn Christian Academy in East Norriton,

Montgomery County, PA from 2005 until 2021. In 2021 she

served as Interim Chair for Partners for Families. From 2013-

2020 she served as a member of the East Norriton Planning

Commission. For the five years between 2016 and her death in

Temple University Current

2021, Wiernicki was effective as Program Coordinator for the

Structure of Division of Student Affairs

Foster Grandparent Program within Norristown Family Services.

In 2020 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and on March 3, 2021 quietly passed at home with her family.[23]

References [edit]

1. ^ Bliss, Dewitt, “Norma Fields Furst, 64, Educator” Baltimore Sun.

March 8, 1995.

2. ^ Snetter, Charmie (February 19, 2004). "Dean resigns after 15

years - The Temple News" . temple-news.com.

3. ^ "Dean of Students to depart for Auburn". news.temple.edu.

April 24, 2009.

4. ^ Russell, Devon. “Stephanie Ives to Serve as Interim Vice-

President of Student Affairs” The Temple News. January 11, 2023.

5. ^ "Merna Mehnert Obituary (2015) - East Norriton, PA - Delaware

County Daily & Sunday Times" . Legacy.com.

6. ^ https://www.facebook.com/ted.rickles March 21, 2021; Amy

Fradel

7. ^ https://www.e-yearbook.com_

_yearbooks_University_Templar_Yearbook/1974/Page_46.html

8. ^ "H. Patrick Swygert's Biography". The HistoryMakers.

9. ^ "Peter J. Liacouras". Fox School of Business.

10. ^ "Mitten Hall". www.wrti.com.

11. ^ https://academic.fiu.edu/docs/mcneil_cv.pdf

12. ^ Knickerbocker, Ken (December 16, 2022). "Montgomery County

Leadership: Jim Cawley, President, Rosemont College and 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania".

13. ^ Friar, E.B. “Wiernicki Optimistic for Fall Alternative Housing”,

Temple News. March 23, 1989. Vol. 68, No. 75. Pg. 1

14. ^ McCloud, Tyson (November 7, 2006). "TSG remembers Arnold

Boyd - The Temple News" . temple-news.com.

15. ^ Isselmann, Jack. “DARE Seeks Students to Analyze Drinking”,

Temple News. October 19, 1988. Vol. 68, No. 22. Pg.1

16. ^ Hirsh, Steven A. The compass program : a two year evaluation of

SEPTA's commuter pass program as administered for Temple University students /.

17. ^

https://secretary.temple.edu/sites/secretary/files/documents/commit tee-meetings/board-of-trustees/FY-1988/BOT-1987-12-08.pdf

18. ^

https://secretary.temple.edu/sites/secretary/files/documents/commit

tee-meetings/board-of-trustees/FY-1988/BOT-1988-03-08.pdf

19. ^ "Meet Valaida Walker - Simpson House". June 22, 2021.

20. ^ "Remembering Theresa A. Powell". Temple Now |

news.temple.edu. January 3, 2023.

21. ^ "SAC IS GETTING A NEW LOOK - The Temple News".

temple-news.com. September 29, 2000.

22. ^

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2017/08/28/temple- university-gittis-student-center-food-court.html

23. ^ "Kristl Wiernicki Obituary - East Norriton, Pennsylvania".

04.