PHILADELPHIA -- Thomas M. Seamon, Managing Director of Public Safety at the University of Pennsylvania since September 1995, has been named Vice President for Public Safety by Executive Vice President John A. Fry.

Mr. Fry said the vice presidency was approved by University President Judith Rodin and the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania at its Stated Meeting on June 19, 1998. The appointment will be effective on July 1.

"This recognition demonstrates the enormous importance the President, the Trustees of the University and the University administration place on safety and security at Penn and the tremendous confidence we have in Tom's leadership of the Division of Public Safety," Mr. Fry said. "He has developed a public safety strategy, and he has attracted a team of highly skilled professionals, that have met the law enforcement challenges faced by this institution, and his efforts have positioned Penn to continue its work in strengthening its surrounding neighborhoods."

The Division of Public Safety at Penn includes the University Police Department, which maintains police patrols 24 hours per day, seven days a week on campus by foot, car and bicycle; Special Services, which is responsible for safety education and outreach programs, coordinating victim support services and is community liaison for the division; Security Services, which provides technical expertise and planning to develop state-of-the-art electronic security infrastructure and professional security guard services; and Fire and Occupational Safety.

The University of Pennsylvania maintains one of the largest private police force in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Seamon has been responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan of safety and security for the University, which integrates police, security guard services, and state-of-the-art security technology, including alarm systems, access control and closed circuit television.

He also designed and managed construction of a new public safety facility at 4040 Chestnut St. that houses all safety and security services.

"Tom Seamon has built one of the most progressive university public safety programs in the country," President Rodin said, adding that "he has played a vital role in our ongoing and successful effort to make Penn safer for all members of the University community and our neighbors, and we are, indeed, fortunate to have someone with his extraordinary background and experience leading Penn's Division of Public Safety."

Prior to his assignment at Penn, Mr. Seamon was the Deputy Commissioner of Operations of the Philadelphia Police Department, with direct command of 5,000 personnel within the department, including those assigned to patrol, special patrol, detective and civil affairs.

Mr. Seamon joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1969, where he held various positions in patrol, detectives, training and human resources.

Mr. Seamon serves on the Private Sector Liaison Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and is the vice-chairman of the Law Enforcement Liaison Council of the American Society for Industrial Security.

He is actively involved as a consultant to several law enforcement agencies and educational institutions, and pursues ongoing law enforcement research, including the subject of public police and private security cooperation.

Mr. Seamon received a bachelor's degree in history from St. Joseph's University in 1969 and a master's degree in public safety from St. Joseph's in 1990. He is a Fulbright Scholar in United Kingdom Police Studies and a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute at Harvard University.

He is a frequent speaker at law enforcement meetings, private security meetings and conferences.