Nominate BOT Candidate Alvin de Levie '73!

[demlion]

I have only known this gentleman personally for a brief time, but I am very impressed. I believe as you get to know his history, in this situation and others, you will agree.

Alvin de Levie is a State College native (parents were faculty members) and 1973 graduate of PSU. He is a 1976 graduate of Villanova Law School. @Fox Chapel Lion II

My research and checking with friends about him shows that he is a first rate trial lawyer, with offices in both Philadelphia and State College. This does not just happen--it can only occur with massive, detailed, meticulous attention to all aspects of the case. Written and verbal communication skills off the charts and an ability to which some of us only aspire: he can convince you he is right even if you do not like him or his client.

He can, and soon will, tell you more about the overall legal career which has made him one of the most respected trial lawyers in the eastern US. I just want to talk with you about one case.

Alvin represented Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov, the 31 year veteran coach of Penn State's very successful fencing program, who was unceremoniously fired and barred from the campus in 2013. Although at the time I knew little about Coach Kaidanov, Dave Joyner made him famous by dismissing him in breach of his contract. Thereafter he was not even permitted to attend matches or practices on the campus--shameful, shabby treatment for a venerable coach who built PSU into a national power. Sound familiar?

Alvin sued PSU on behalf of the coach. After a great many attempts by PSU to dismiss the case, they were forced to make statements absolving Coach of wrongdoing and inviting him back to free and full use of the campus, as befits his many contributions. It's all he wanted. Alvin and Coach Kaidanov can tell you more about the case; suffice to say that this is a guy who pushed PSU to the wall, and made them relent in their (all too familiar) abuse of this good man's reputation.

Alvin also understands the terrible dysfunction of our BOT. Read this letter he wrote to the CDT recently: http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/article189466914.html. He gets it.

This a Penn Stater like all of us--but he is from State College, knew Joe Paterno when Joe still lived with the O'Horas, and will fight this Old Guard with some rare skills.

Perhaps unlike some of us, he will bring some unique tools to the fight. He will be able to understand the sloppy, anti-fiduciary rules of the BOT under which they routinely serve themselves and injure the University, and how those rules play against the sworn duties of fiduciaries. He will also understand the available remedies for their conduct. He will have ideas both legal and procedural regarding how to fight for lower tuition, and give the A9 a louder, more certain voice.

I'm not positive who all I am voting for, but I am damned sure nominating Alvin de Levie '73. And, I am rounding up nominations as quickly as I can. Let's GOOOOOOO!

I expect in the next day or so that Alvin will come to BWI to answer questions and ask what people here are looking for. This is the kind of candidate we have needed for a while to help the A-9. Let's nominate him and get him in this race! 3 weeks until the nominations close.
Get a nomination ballot here: https://trustees.psu.edu/2018election/index.html

Candidate Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Alvin-de-Levie-for-Board-of-Trustees-164800964148304/

 

[fairgambit]

I made a call to a lawyer I know, and respect, in Philly and he confirms that Alvin de Levie has a sterling reputation inside, and outside, the courtroom. That, coupled with the information you supplied, is enough for me to place his name in nomination. It appears that he will strengthen the field. After that he'll need to convince me that his courtroom success can translate into similar success in the battle for the soul of Penn State.

 

[Fizz1]

http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/article189466914.html

To save everyone a click, here is his letter to the Centre Daily Times from December of 2017. No lightweight here. I was impressed with his knowledge and how he framed his thoughts:

What is the Penn State administration afraid of?
By Alvin de Levie December 12, 2017 10:00 PM

What is the Penn State administration afraid of? For years after the Jerry Sandusky affair, Penn State repeatedly told us it was going to be more transparent. Even in the university’s recently approved Strategic Plan, the university makes much of its commitment to acting with integrity and to hold itself accountable. Sadly, it has not been accountable.

As recently as July of this year, when he became chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mark Dambly personally pledged to lead with “purpose, integrity and transparency.” (Penn State trustees approve tuition hike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 22 July 2017). Sadly, he has not.

In 2014, when President Eric J. Barron announced he would review the Freeh Report, he stated, “I do not want people to believe that Penn State is hiding something. I feel strongly about this.” (Penn State News, Nov. 15, 2014). Sadly, he has not kept his word.

While Penn State says all the right things, the administration and certain trustees only pay lip-service to its commitment to be transparent.

In November, the Penn State board of trustees (with alumni-elected trustees and Elliot Weinstein, appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf, dissenting) approved a change to the university’s charter and bylaws, which assure Penn State will not have to be transparent and will continue to do business the old-fashioned way, behind closed doors. Kudos to the dissenters.

This change to the charter and bylaws limits trustees’ ability to challenge the administration.

For a university that ought to be concerned with accountability as it struggles to free itself from years of scandal and a lack of transparency, this change is shortsighted, pointing the university in the wrong direction.

The change prohibits reimbursement to Trustees for legal fees they incur in bringing a lawsuit against the university.

Background: Penn State hired Louis Freeh’s law firm to investigate the Sandusky affair. The Freeh Report made sweeping allegations about the university. The report caused great damage to the University, including imposition of NCAA sanctions.

In fulfillment of their fiduciary obligations, certain trustees sought documents upon which Freeh based his conclusions. Trustees claimed the documents were necessary to evaluate and assess the truth of Freeh’s conclusions and to allow them to make critical decisions related to the administration’s policies. The university refused to give these documents to those trustees.

The Centre County Court ordered the university to turn over documents to the trustees. The trustees’ who incurred legal expenses, as they fulfilled their duties, sought reimbursement. At the time, the charter and bylaws provided for reimbursement of such expenses. The university refused and forced the trustees back into court, which eventually forced the university to pay the fees.

Now, in an effort to chill the trustees from doing their jobs, and because the university administration wants to conduct business behind an iron curtain, the university and certain trustees proposed a change to the charter and bylaws to restrict reimbursements to trustees to “reasonable direct travel expenses,” precluding reimbursement of legal fees for suits brought against the university.

The trustees have a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of the university. As history has shown and present circumstances increasingly require, the pursuit of that obligation may place trustees in a position adverse to the administration.

The trustees must act independent of the university administration when they feel the administration is not looking after the university’s best interests. In these situations, the trustees must have access to the courts if they are to hold the university administration accountable to its alumni, its students and the Penn State community.

The university knows these battles can be costly. The university knows, in a battle of resources, the university will always have the upper hand against a group of trustees. By withholding reimbursement from trustees for legal fees incurred in fulfilling their fiduciary obligations — even if the trustees prevail in court — Penn State is stifling the trustees’ ability to do their jobs.

In changing the charter and bylaws, the administration and certain trustees dispelled any notion they care about transparency and accountability. They want to dictate what the board may have access to, controlling the information available to the board, thus limiting the trustees’ ability to do their jobs.

If scandals of the recent years have taught us anything, it is Penn State needs greater accountability and transparency. As Auditor General Eugene DePasquale warned only days before the vote: Trustees ought to be concerned about changes to the charter and bylaws that “limit access to information about the university they are elected to preserve and protect.” (Ahead of Penn State trustees meetings, Auditor General urges more transparency, accountability, PennLive.com, Nov. 8, 2017).

Trustees need to be emboldened and empowered to carry out their duties. The university administration and those trustees who voted for the change to the charter and bylaws should act promptly to rescind the changes to insure the university administration’s transparency and accountability.

Alvin de Levie lives in Marlton, N.J.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

@demlion Not being an alum I cannot vote, but this is the kind of candidate I would be happy to throw my support behind.

 

[demlion]

@demlion Not being an alum I cannot vote, but this is the kind of candidate I would be happy to throw my support behind.

You are a nova guy though, right? I was just jerking your leash. And you can slap that brother of yours into shape too.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

You are a nova guy though, right? I was just jerking your leash. And you can slap that brother of yours into shape too.

Yes I am and a proud Wildcat.

Once upon a time in a land far far away, I had the insane idea that I thought I wanted to go to law school.

Fortunately for me, Villanova, Pitt, Temple and Dickenson all had the good sense to say, we don't want any of your kind hanging around here.

 

[demlion]

Yes I am and a proud Wildcat.

Once upon a time in a land far far away, I had the insane idea that I thought I wanted to go to law school.

Fortunately for me, Villanova, Pitt, Temple and Dickenson all had the good sense to say, we don't want any of your kind hanging around here.

Their mistake. Our loss.

 

[91Joe95]

http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/article189466914.html

To save everyone a click, here is his letter to the Centre Daily Times from December of 2017. No lightweight here. I was impressed with his knowledge and how he framed his thoughts:

What is the Penn State administration afraid of?
By Alvin de Levie December 12, 2017 10:00 PM

What is the Penn State administration afraid of? For years after the Jerry Sandusky affair, Penn State repeatedly told us it was going to be more transparent. Even in the university’s recently approved Strategic Plan, the university makes much of its commitment to acting with integrity and to hold itself accountable. Sadly, it has not been accountable.

As recently as July of this year, when he became chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mark Dambly personally pledged to lead with “purpose, integrity and transparency.” (Penn State trustees approve tuition hike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 22 July 2017). Sadly, he has not.

In 2014, when President Eric J. Barron announced he would review the Freeh Report, he stated, “I do not want people to believe that Penn State is hiding something. I feel strongly about this.” (Penn State News, Nov. 15, 2014). Sadly, he has not kept his word.

While Penn State says all the right things, the administration and certain trustees only pay lip-service to its commitment to be transparent.

In November, the Penn State board of trustees (with alumni-elected trustees and Elliot Weinstein, appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf, dissenting) approved a change to the university’s charter and bylaws, which assure Penn State will not have to be transparent and will continue to do business the old-fashioned way, behind closed doors. Kudos to the dissenters.

This change to the charter and bylaws limits trustees’ ability to challenge the administration.

For a university that ought to be concerned with accountability as it struggles to free itself from years of scandal and a lack of transparency, this change is shortsighted, pointing the university in the wrong direction.

The change prohibits reimbursement to Trustees for legal fees they incur in bringing a lawsuit against the university.

Background: Penn State hired Louis Freeh’s law firm to investigate the Sandusky affair. The Freeh Report made sweeping allegations about the university. The report caused great damage to the University, including imposition of NCAA sanctions.

In fulfillment of their fiduciary obligations, certain trustees sought documents upon which Freeh based his conclusions. Trustees claimed the documents were necessary to evaluate and assess the truth of Freeh’s conclusions and to allow them to make critical decisions related to the administration’s policies. The university refused to give these documents to those trustees.

The Centre County Court ordered the university to turn over documents to the trustees. The trustees’ who incurred legal expenses, as they fulfilled their duties, sought reimbursement. At the time, the charter and bylaws provided for reimbursement of such expenses. The university refused and forced the trustees back into court, which eventually forced the university to pay the fees.

Now, in an effort to chill the trustees from doing their jobs, and because the university administration wants to conduct business behind an iron curtain, the university and certain trustees proposed a change to the charter and bylaws to restrict reimbursements to trustees to “reasonable direct travel expenses,” precluding reimbursement of legal fees for suits brought against the university.

The trustees have a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of the university. As history has shown and present circumstances increasingly require, the pursuit of that obligation may place trustees in a position adverse to the administration.

The trustees must act independent of the university administration when they feel the administration is not looking after the university’s best interests. In these situations, the trustees must have access to the courts if they are to hold the university administration accountable to its alumni, its students and the Penn State community.

The university knows these battles can be costly. The university knows, in a battle of resources, the university will always have the upper hand against a group of trustees. By withholding reimbursement from trustees for legal fees incurred in fulfilling their fiduciary obligations — even if the trustees prevail in court — Penn State is stifling the trustees’ ability to do their jobs.

In changing the charter and bylaws, the administration and certain trustees dispelled any notion they care about transparency and accountability. They want to dictate what the board may have access to, controlling the information available to the board, thus limiting the trustees’ ability to do their jobs.

If scandals of the recent years have taught us anything, it is Penn State needs greater accountability and transparency. As Auditor General Eugene DePasquale warned only days before the vote: Trustees ought to be concerned about changes to the charter and bylaws that “limit access to information about the university they are elected to preserve and protect.” (Ahead of Penn State trustees meetings, Auditor General urges more transparency, accountability, PennLive.com, Nov. 8, 2017).

Trustees need to be emboldened and empowered to carry out their duties. The university administration and those trustees who voted for the change to the charter and bylaws should act promptly to rescind the changes to insure the university administration’s transparency and accountability.

Alvin de Levie lives in Marlton, N.J.

Why are Wolf's trustees not fighting this with the full resources of the pa government behind them?

 

[91Joe95]

I have only known this gentleman personally for a brief time, but I am very impressed. I believe as you get to know his history, in this situation and others, you will agree.

Alvin de Levie is a State College native (parents were faculty members) and 1973 graduate of PSU. He is a 1976 graduate of Villanova Law School. @Fox Chapel Lion II

My research and checking with friends about him shows that he is a first rate trial lawyer, with offices in both Philadelphia and State College. This does not just happen--it can only occur with massive, detailed, meticulous attention to all aspects of the case. Written and verbal communication skills off the charts and an ability to which some of us only aspire: he can convince you he is right even if you do not like him or his client.

He can, and soon will, tell you more about the overall legal career which has made him one of the most respected trial lawyers in the eastern US. I just want to talk with you about one case.

Alvin represented Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov, the 31 year veteran coach of Penn State's very successful fencing program, who was unceremoniously fired and barred from the campus in 2013. Although at the time I knew little about Coach Kaidanov, Dave Joyner made him famous by dismissing him in breach of his contract. Thereafter he was not even permitted to attend matches or practices on the campus--shameful, shabby treatment for a venerable coach who built PSU into a national power. Sound familiar?

Alvin sued PSU on behalf of the coach. After a great many attempts by PSU to dismiss the case, they were forced to make statements absolving Coach of wrongdoing and inviting him back to free and full use of the campus, as befits his many contributions. It's all he wanted. Alvin and Coach Kaidanov can tell you more about the case; suffice to say that this is a guy who pushed PSU to the wall, and made them relent in their (all too familiar) abuse of this good man's reputation.

Alvin also understands the terrible dysfunction of our BOT. Read this letter he wrote to the CDT recently: http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/article189466914.html. He gets it.

This a Penn Stater like all of us--but he is from State College, knew Joe Paterno when Joe still lived with the O'Horas, and will fight this Old Guard with some rare skills.

Perhaps unlike some of us, he will bring some unique tools to the fight. He will be able to understand the sloppy, anti-fiduciary rules of the BOT under which they routinely serve themselves and injure the University, and how those rules play against the sworn duties of fiduciaries. He will also understand the available remedies for their conduct. He will have ideas both legal and procedural regarding how to fight for lower tuition, and give the A9 a louder, more certain voice.

I'm not positive who all I am voting for, but I am damned sure nominating Alvin de Levie '73. And, I am rounding up nominations as quickly as I can. Let's GOOOOOOO!

I expect in the next day or so that Alvin will come to BWI to answer questions and ask what people here are looking for. This is the kind of candidate we have needed for a while to help the A-9. Let's nominate him and get him in this race! 3 weeks until the nominations close.
Get a nomination ballot here: https://trustees.psu.edu/2018election/index.html

Candidate Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Alvin-de-Levie-for-Board-of-Trustees-164800964148304/

I made a call to a lawyer I know, and respect, in Philly and he confirms that Alvin de Levie has a sterling reputation inside, and outside, the courtroom. That, coupled with the information you supplied, is enough for me to place his name in nomination. It appears that he will strengthen the field. After that he'll need to convince me that his courtroom success can translate into similar success in the battle for the soul of Penn State.

You got my attention.

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

de Levie
Lubrano
Short

Hope it happens

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Folks, putting in a call as well - crossing fingers for Keegan Micheal Key ('96) with the stipulation that he show up to all BOT meetings as Mr. Garvey....

 

[lionville]

Why are Wolf's trustees not fighting this with the full resources of the pa government behind them?

Wolf learned nothing in his victory over Corbett. He still has time to address this before he runs for re-election. Otherwise he too will be a one term Tommy.

 

[Diego Badman]

Wolf learned nothing in his victory over Corbett. He still has time to address this before he runs for re-election. Otherwise he too will be a one term Tommy.

I've said that he will ramp up the rhetoric over the next few months so that mopes like us will vote for him again. I believe he has to be smart enough to know that he got elected more as an indictment of Tom Corbett than in his governing skills--governing skills which were unknown at the time.

 

[kgilbert78]

Was his dad the director of the Foreign Studies program back in the day?? The surname rings a bell (for those who don't know, I was a participant in the Cologne II program in 1978).

 

[jerrycalpal]

Was his dad the director of the Foreign Studies program back in the day?? The surname rings a bell (for those who don't know, I was a participant in the Cologne II program in 1978).

Yes, his Father started the program.
He would be a great Trustee. Please Take the time to nominate him.

 

[BlackNovember]

Perhaps you could "keep the ball rolling" by sharing some of those with us all.
What he knows and where he stands regarding issues like fiscal policy, academics, tuition, debt service, etc etc.

TIA

Don't we need to get the statue put back up before we worry about all those other things? Asking for a friend.

 

[PSU2UNC]

FWIW:

I would not use a reference to the Kaidanov suit as a "positive".

An attorney can only carry out the wishes of his client, and I assume that is what Levie did.

But the result of that suit was the dismissal of most of the claims - then a confidential settlement while the one remaining claim (Breach of Contract) was still before the Court.

The "statement" Penn State was obliged to make pursuant to the settlement, was this:

"Penn Sate and coach Kaidanov are pleased to announce that the parties have amicably resolved their differences and the civil action by agreement has been dismissed. Penn State appreciates coach Kaidanov's future support of both the Penn State men's and women's fencing programs."

The university announced on Friday night that the suit has been resolved, but provided no detail on what the settlement entailed.

http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/article49762275.html


In other words, the same types of "legal victories" that have led to six years of fail.

No idea why you are throwing shad here, but I'm not sure how you don't see this as a win for his client. He got back pay and access to campus, which is what he wanted. That's how settlements work. And that's how the large majority of civil cases are resolved.

 

[Nitwit]

No idea why you are throwing shad here, but I'm not sure how you don't see this as a win for his client. He got back pay and access to campus, which is what he wanted. That's how settlements work. And that's how the large majority of civil cases are resolved.

Barry: “I would not use a reference to the Kaidanov suit as a "positive".”

Perhaps because Barry is running against him and he wanted to put a negative spin on the settlement in order to further his own candidacy.

deLevie
Lubrano
Short

 

[PSU2UNC]

No shade thrown. As I said, an attorney's only role is to carry out the wishes of his client.
If the client is happy - and I have no reason to presume he is anything but - then the attorney did his job.

My point was only that if we consider this some "victory" over the Big Bad Wolf of Penn State (or some triumph for "transparency") - given what the outcome was - that's kind of sad.

That's just a very, very odd way to interpret that result, but carry on.

 

[demlion]

Was his dad the director of the Foreign Studies program back in the day?? The surname rings a bell (for those who don't know, I was a participant in the Cologne II program in 1978).

Yes

 

[AlvindeLevie73ForBoardOfTrustees]

Was his dad the director of the Foreign Studies program back in the day?? The surname rings a bell (for those who don't know, I was a participant in the Cologne II program in 1978).

Thanks for remembering my father. Yes, he was the Founder and Director of the Study Abroad Programs which grew into the Foreign Studies programs. At first, the programs were only in Cologne, Germany, Strasbourg, France and Salamanca, Spain. The programs grew, and PSU students later studied throughout Europe and the world. My Dad started the first actual exchange program between an American and German university. My Dad was forever happy and proud that one of the Cologne students who studied in Happy Valley returned to Germany and chose as his daughter’s middle name “Nittany.” There were several articles about it at the time, back in 1966, in papers like the Lebanon Daily News, the Uniontown Evening Standard and the New York Times. I remain friendly with the family and always brought Penn State souvenirs when I visited in Germany.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Just nominated Alvin. Thanks for the info (and to Alvin for his interest).

 

[AlvindeLevie73ForBoardOfTrustees]

Just nominated Alvin. Thanks for the info (and to Alvin for his interest).

I thank you so very much for your support. I pledge to you and all Alums that I will make you proud and that I will look after the real constituents of Penn State: The Alumni, the present students, future students and faculty.

 

[kgilbert78]

Thanks for remembering my father. Yes, he was the Founder and Director of the Study Abroad Programs which grew into the Foreign Studies programs. At first, the programs were only in Cologne, Germany, Strasbourg, France and Salamanca, Spain. The programs grew, and PSU students later studied throughout Europe and the world. My Dad started the first actual exchange program between an American and German university. My Dad was forever happy and proud that one of the Cologne students who studied in Happy Valley returned to Germany and chose as his daughter’s middle name “Nittany.” There were several articles about it at the time, back in 1966, in papers like the Lebanon Daily News, the Uniontown Evening Standard and the New York Times. I remain friendly with the family and always brought Penn State souvenirs when I visited in Germany.

Wow. It's been a long time, so I do not remember him well, but I do remember him. My time in Cologne was one of the best experiences of my (then young) life. I still consider it to be a second hometown (excepting being a 1 FC Koln fan--I'm a Gladbach fan instead--their arch rivals). I am very thankful for his efforts in starting that program. It's one reason I'm fluent in German to this day (and I was a chemistry major--not liberal arts). And a reason Penn State is a special place for offering such possibilities. Today they are commonplace. Then, they weren't. That year we even held our own Gentle Thursday on the lawn in front of our dorms in Efferen (a Cologne suburb).

 

[AlvindeLevie73ForBoardOfTrustees]

Thank you so much for sharing your memories of my Dad. It brings me much joy and would to him as well. I hope I can, in some way, have a fraction of the impact my Dad had on the educational experiences of PSU students. That is why I am seeking nominations to the PSU Board of Trustees.