Rene Alvarez | The McNeil Center loses its main contributor's symbol

One of the benefits of having a weekly column is the opportunity to do a public service. I have no delusions of grandeur thinking I'll be the next Woodward and Bernstein, nor am I talking about the sensationalistic tripe that masks as public service (think Dateline's "To Catch an Internet Predator").

What I'm talking about is the chance to shed some light on an unfortunate situation in hopes of bringing a resolution.

Here are the facts:

On Sept. 8, staff of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies observed that the portrait of its main benefactor, Tylenol-developer and renowned philanthropist Robert McNeil, was missing. The portrait went missing sometime between 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, and noon the next day. Staff notified the Penn Police. A police spokeswoman stated that the case remains open and under investigation.

The McNeil Center was founded in 1978 under the direction of Richard Dunn. Its purpose is to study North American histories and cultures in the Atlantic world before 1850. McNeil's portrait is part of a commissioned set of two images painted from several modeling sessions. The other portrait is of Dunn. Dunn faces right in his portrait, and McNeil faces left in his, suggesting the two men are in eternal dialogue with each other. The portraits hung in the center's first-floor vestibule.

Dunn's has since been relocated as a security precaution.

Those closely affiliated with the center are upset by the loss.

"I feel violated," said Daniel Richter, History professor and the center's director.

The artist of both portraits, 2005 Penn Design alumna Rita Natarova, said in an e-mail, "I feel absolutely terrible about the theft. At first, I didn't know whether to be appalled or flattered. . But the more I think about it, the more it becomes very distressing to me."

Hunt Howell, a center post-doctoral fellow, enjoyed having the portrait around as a reminder of the opportunities McNeil's generosity provides. He said he was surprised and upset by the loss.

I already hear some criticism of me of using this space to advance my own interests, but for the record, I don't do early American history. And there really is an important principle at stake here.

McNeil's generosity through the center that bears his name has practically single-handedly propelled Penn to a top ranking for early American and colonial history. Last year, U.S. News & World Report placed Penn's graduate program for Colonial History behind only Harvard and Yale's. That prestigious standing stems from the center's profound influence and esteemed reputation in the field.

The center supports graduate and post-doctoral students from across the country with its available fellowships. This year, there are 10 dissertation fellows (two of whom are from Penn), and three post-doctoral fellows. The center also publishes the Early American Studies journal and sponsors the Early American Studies monograph series published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. Plus, given its location, the center draws numerous scholars from various disciplines who wish to explore Philadelphia's rich historical resources and enjoy Penn's intellectual milieu.

In short, a lot of educational and intellectual good has come from McNeil's generosity. The center brings together students and faculty from different disciplines and different institutions to advance our knowledge and understandings of early American history on an unparalleled scale.

"There is really interesting work going on here," said Hunt, who got his doctorate from Northwestern University.

What is truly at stake here is the honoring and commemoration of an individual who has done as much as any other Penn benefactor in advancing the University's reputation, resources and ranking on a national scale.

The loss of McNeil's portrait is a deep and profound shame. Yet, despite the bad feelings this loss has caused, many of those directly affected remain hopeful. As fifth-year History graduate student Patrick Spero said, "I hope that when someone reads about this and sees what [the portrait] means to the center, they'll want to return it."

So I implore who ever took or knows who took McNeil's portrait to come forth and help secure its safe return.

It's just the right thing to do.

Rene Alvarez is a sixth-year History Ph.D. candidate from Chicago, Ill. His e-mail address is alvarez@dailypennsylvanian.com. Rico Suave appears on Tuesdays.

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