Future of 'DP' entrusted to 112th board

It's the end of the world as we know it, and we feel fine -- but you as readers shouldn't necessarily feel the same way. After a year of daily deadlines and aggressive reporting on the University community, the 111th Board of Managers and Editors will hand over the reigns of power to its successors at a gala affair tomorrow night at the University Museum. The entire DP staff will also mark the 111th anniversary of one of the University's longest running traditions. As an independent newspaper with no financial or editorial ties to the University administration, the DP perpetually seeks to be the watchdog for the entire Penn community -- to guarantee that whatever happens on campus does not go on in secret. Year after year, the outgoing editors and managers of the newspaper pass on to their successors a desire to be the best in the business and a fervent mistrust of anything done to students without their knowing about it. The 112th board members, who were elected to their positions by the outgoing board in December, said they are dedicated to preserving the hard-hitting journalistic traditions of the newspaper as well as adding their own innovations along the way. Leading the 23-member board will be College junior Adam Mark, a native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Having served as photography editor for the past year, Mark has a keen knowledge of the workings of the newspaper and of the challenges facing it in the upcoming year. He is also the first photography editor in DP recent history to ascend to the position of executive editor. Described as "talented," "smart," "stubborn" and "talkative," Mark will serve as president and CEO of the corporation and has final authority for all business and editorial decisions. He said he wants to concentrate on long-term planning and the quality of the product during his tenure. "I'd like to improve the quality of writing and reporting and coverage," Mark said last night. "Readers can expect a more in-depth look at issues affecting the University. And I think people can look out for color in the paper within the next two years." College junior Kara Blond, a native of Rockville, Md., will serve as managing editor. Holding the DP's purse strings will be Business Manager Peter Levine, a College junior from Manhattan. Blond covered the Engineering/Wharton/Nursing and College/Admissions beats before serving as associate editor this past year. And Levine brings with him experience as both a sales representative and sales manager. "They're very crafty, very dedicated and very versatile," Mark said. Other members of the Editorial Board are: Editorial Page Editor Lisa Levenson, Assistant Managing Editor Amy Lipman, Associate Editor Randi Feigenbaum, 34th Street Editor-in-Chief Jason Giardino, 34th Street Managing Editor Jamie Phares, Sports Editors Eric Goldstein and Jeff Wieland, Photo Editors Evelyn Hockstein and Laura Dwyer, Weekly Pennsylvanian Editor Heidi Korn, Art Editor Mike DeMarco, Internet Editor Maury Apple, Copy Editor Mike Madden and Associate Sports Editor Mike Hasday. Rounding out the Business Board are: Finance Manager Ian Drummond, Associate Business Manager Richard Acosta, Sales Manager Joanna Newman, Production Manager Marla Danziger, Credit Manager Tagar Olson and Marketing Manager Mike Kopelman.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.