Ron Mullen, who has served as director of Hopkins Security, Parking and Transportation Services for the past twelve and a half years, has told University officials that he is retiring from his post.
In an e-mail sent to colleagues sent last week, Mullen wrote that he had planned to end his career in mid-2006 but recently changed his mind after Hopkins decided to accelerate its installation of security upgrades following the murder of senior Linda Trinh in late January. He said that Hopkins deserved a head of security who could stay for a longer period of time than he was able to commit.
"For me to not alter my plans at this time by a matter of months to the benefit of an institution I so highly regard would be beneath my professional and personal standards," Mullen said.
Executive Assistant to the President Jerry Schnydman said that Mullen's decision to leave now would not hinder the ongoing process of upgrading security.
"This really is not a bad time," Schnydman said. "I think that's why he selected this time to retire, so that we would have time to find someone who could step in and affect these changes and other changes that we deem appropriate."
Mullen plans to continue serving in his role until a new director is located, but Senior Vice-President for Finance and Administration James McGill said that the search for Mullen's replacement is expected to be a rapid one.
McGill's office has already advertised the position, fielded inquiries from applicants and conducted interviews. He hopes to have a successor named within a few weeks.
"We're going to move this process along very quickly because we need permanent leadership," McGill said.
Mullen's announcement came just a month and a half after Trinh's death, which marked the second killing of a Hopkins student in ten months. However, Hopkins officials pointed out that the decision to retire was Mullen's.
"Reasons for Ron Mullen's retirement are exactly as he stated. He has been an exceptional director of security. He has done an extraordinary job and he will be missed," said Hopkins spokesman Dennis O'Shea.
University administrators, security officials and students described Mullen, who came to Hopkins after a 32-year career with the Baltimore City Police Department in which he rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner, as a dedicated and competent director of security.
In an e-mail message to staff and students, Dean of Undergraduate Education Paula Burger commended Mullen for his service and said that he would likely stay on as a consultant to the University after his tenure as director ends.
"Director Mullen has worked aggressively and tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff," she wrote. "Since the early 1990s, he has earned respect and gratitude from successive student bodies for his dedication to student concerns and his openness to their suggestions."
McGill echoed Burger's praise of Mullen.
"I think Ron Mullen is an exemplary professional. No one has been more dedicated to Hopkins than he, and I'm sorry to see him leaving. At the same time, I respect his decision and the reasons for his decision."
Members of the Hopkins security force said they admired Mullen's commitment to his often-taxing job.
"He's done a lot of good for the University, and he's made attempts to do more, but wasn't always successful," said Hopkins Security Officer Sgt. Richard LeBrun. "I think he's been a good director. He's been dedicated to the University, he's been fair to his officers, at the same time trying to be fair to the students and the administration. There are times that it's difficult to please everyone."
Senior Eric Wolkoff, who serves on the Committee on Homewood Safety and Security, said that he was disappointed to see Mullen leave Hopkins.
"I was very pleased with a lot of the steps that he's been taking," Wolkoff said. "He'll be sorely missed, but I'm glad to see that he'll be staying on in a consulting role."
Mullen was credited with transforming the Hopkins security department from a small and technologically ill-equipped operation to one that was significantly more modern.
"When I took over the security department in July 1992 it had one computer, two typewriters, hardly enough radios to go around and no cell phones," Mullen said. "There was no fax machine or e-mail with which to disseminate security information to the campus community."
Schnydman said that Mullen inherited a security operation that had few staff members and gave the department an important presence on campus.
"He has done just a fabulous job," Schnydman said. "The administration appreciates the great job he has done."
