Rose Martinelli announces her departure

By: Ryan K. Miller, WG'05

Posted: 11/8/04

Each of us has a special place in our hearts for Rose Martinelli, Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid. Last Monday, the Wharton community was saddened to learn that she would be stepping down next year to take a position as Associate Dean for Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Chicago. Rose has served in the Admissions Office at Wharton for six years.

In an email to students, Rose explained her rationale for the decision: "As many of you may know, I dealt with breast cancer during the summer months. While my long term prognosis is very good, this experience was the catalyst for pursuing my desire to move closer to home and family in the Chicago area."Anjani Jain expressed his support of her decision: "This is a great opportunity for Rose, and will enable her to return to her native Chicago to be closer to her famil y." He also urged students to continue to support her efforts at Wharton for the remainder of the year: "With her passion and commitment, she has earned the warmth and admiration of her colleagues and the thousands of students whom she guided through the admissions process. Rose is determined to make this academic year the strongest of her tenure at Wharton and I hope you will help her accomplish that in whatever capacity you can."

Rose, known as much for her operatic prowess as for her leadership at Wharton, received both her undergraduate and master's degrees in Music from Northwestern University and spent the first 15 years of her career as a professional opera singer. Wharton students have been treated with impressive cameos over the years, in events like Follies and Dance Studio.

Stacey Kole, Deputy Dean of the Full-time program at Chicago said "We are delighted that Rose will be joining us full-time in May. Rose brings energy, expertise and high professional standards to our admissions efforts and we welcome her to the GSB team."

The University of Chicago hopes that hiring Rose will help to increase its enrollment of women, currently at 26%. "We are hoping to increase our enrollment of women and underrepresented minorities in the next academic year," Kole said. "Rose will be a big help in our efforts." Rose is one of the founding members and current board member of the Forte Foundation, an organization that encourages more women to attend business schools. When she was appointed Director of Admissions at Wharton in 2000, Wharton's female enrollment was at 28% and has risen to 33% today.

Rose will continue in her role at Wharton through April of 2005, participating in the admissions cycle for the Class of 2007, and she will serve as a consultant to admissions strategy at the University of Chicago through that time. To address concerns over the overlap of Rose's responsibilities and a potential conflict of interest, Kole commented that "Rose will be consulting with our admissions team at Chicago on matters relating to our admissions processes and she will be getting to know the staff that she will lead come May 1, 2005. Rose will not be reading Chicago's applicant files, nor will she be involved in scholarship or admissions decisions for the Class of 2007 prior to May 1, 2005."

Vice Dean Anjani Jain has initiated a Search Committee comprised of leadership from Wharton's faculty, student, alumni, and administration, in order to conduct a broad search and rigorous selection process for Rose's replacement. While operatic skill is preferred, it is not a requirement.

Although an official "goodbye" is months away, we thank you Rose for your dedication to Wharton and unmatched connection with students. You will be missed.