Georgetown University announced the appointment of David Morrell to the newly created position of Vice President for University Safety, effective Nov. 1.
The position oversees security and safety initiatives for the main campus, Medical and Law Centers and overseas campuses.
“David has demonstrated his ability to successfully manage security issues on a large scale throughout his career,” Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas said in a university press release. “We have made substantial progress in our emergency planning efforts at Georgetown over the last two years and I know that David’s broad understanding of these complex issues will help us to build on our progress and enhance our strong commitment to the safety and security of our campus community.”
Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the university has increased its efforts to upgrade emergency preparedness programs. Julie Green Bataille, assistant vice president for communications, said that these efforts included the hiring of a temporary administrator to conduct a six-month review of safety and planning.
“At the conclusion of that review, we decided to conduct a search to hire a vice president that would have the same type of position on an ongoing basis,” Bataille said.
Morrell will coordinate the planning and response to all types of emergency situations at Georgetown. According to the press release, the position will oversee the organization and implementation of Georgetown’s crisis management duties, including public safety, risk assessment, life and safety preparedness, disaster planning and employee travel and safety programs.
Morrell will also serve as the university’s liaison with federal, state and local emergency agencies.
In a series of broadcast e-mails last March, the university rolled out many of the new initiatives, including the creation of an Emergency Response Team and a detailed description of various emergency scenarios, ranging from a “sheltering-in-place” lockdown scenario to a “campus evacuation.”
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve at such a prestigious university,” Morrell said. “I look forward to continuing the extensive and successful efforts of the past two years keeping the Georgetown community safe. I am also especially eager to work closely with university faculty, staff, students and the Georgetown community in furthering university goals.”
The university selected Morrell after completing a nationwide search. Morrell brings over 20 years of experience in domestic and international security, protection and risk management to Georgetown.
Since January 2002, Morrell served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Transportation Security Administration. From 1996-2002, he served as Director of the Office of Protection Services at the Smithsonian Institution, where his responsibilities included security and protection of 15 Smithsonian properties on the National Mall in addition to other facilities in Washington, D.C., New York and Panama. Morrell also served in both the Protective and Administrative Divisions of the United States Secret Service, where his duties included security and oversight of the White House, Vice President’s residence and foreign embassies in the District.
“I am deeply grateful for all of the efforts that students, faculty and staff have taken to keep our campus safe,” University President John J. DeGioia said. “Although the events of the past few years prove that we must be prepared to address once unforeseen challenges, I am confident that David’s experience and leadership will add to the strong systems we have put in place and help us to find new ways to work together to balance the need for safety and security with our efforts to build community.”
The addition of the position of Vice President for University Safety marks the second new vice president-level position created this year. The Rev. William Boroughs, S.J., was appointed to the newly created position Vice President for Mission and Ministry in April.
