Provost Office: Memorandum
To: All Faculty and Staff
From: Dr. Stephen Director, Provost
Subject: In Memoriam: Dr. L.M. (Bill) Stephenson
Date: 28 August 2006
I regret to inform you that Dr. L.M. (Bill) Stephenson died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Bill, who decided last March to step down as Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Policy, played a significant role in helping the University enhance its research portfolio and promote technology transfer.
Outside of the University, Bill was instrumental in the development of the University City Keystone Innovation Zone and in the establishment of the Nanotechnology Institute, a state-funded university collaboration with Ben Franklin Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
He was a wonderful colleague and always brought great passion, clarity and vision to the activities in which he was engaged. This is not only a terrible loss to Bill's family, but to the University community as well.
Bill is survived by his wife Mary Jo Grdina, a faculty member in our School of Education, his daughter, Lara, and a sister. During this difficult time our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
A Wake and Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, August 29 from 7-9 p.m. and a funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, both at the Philadelphia Cathedral (Episcopal), 3723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.