Willis “Lee” J. Stetson Jr

Willis “Lee” Stetson, Jr., age 82, of Ardmore, PA, died on July 31, 2024 at his home with his family by his side.

Lee was the oldest of two children of Jean (nee Weltmer), and Willis “Bill” Stetson, Sr. He grew up in Springfield, PA and attended the University of Delaware, graduating in 1963. Soon after graduation, Lee served as an Army Lieutenant in Vietnam. He was responsible for communications and coordination of troop movements and spent one year on the ground in Vietnam. He attributed his lifelong obsession with electronic gadgets to this experience. More importantly, it deepened his devotion to his country, evident throughout his lifetime.

When he returned to the States after his military service Lee briefly taught at Springfield High School (Delaware County) before he began his lifetime career in admissions. He was hired by the University of Delaware as an admissions officer and was promoted to Director. During his tenure, he completed his master’s degree in Psychological Services at the University of Pennsylvania. He soon received an offer to join the University of Pennsylvania as Director of Admissions in 1978. He became Dean of Admissions for Penn in 1981.

Lee spent 25+ years as Dean of Admissions at Penn, becoming one of the longest serving admissions dean in the Ivy League. By all accounts he had a profound and lasting positive effect on the University. Applications to Penn tripled during his tenure and the quality of applicants vastly improved. Lee conceived and led a decades long strategy to diversify the pool of undergraduate applicants to include people from across the country and the world. These efforts by Lee and his team helped transform the University into the elite, diverse institution it is today.

Lee was a sought-after mentor by many people in the admissions field. He cherished and thrived in this role, making lifelong relationships with colleagues from around the world. Many of these people now serve in leadership roles in universities, and credit their success to his wise and generous counsel.

Lee served as a consultant to international secondary schools in Latin America through the US State Department and the College Board, where he also served as a Board Trustee. Lee was elected President of the Potomac and Chesapeake Chapter of the National Association of College Admission Counseling. He also served as a member of the National Merit Scholarship Selection Committee, the Lenfest Scholarship Selection Committee, was a Board of Trustee member of the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California and the USO of Philadelphia.

During his retirement, he consulted with colleges as well as students and families on the college admissions process.

Lee was a high school and college athlete in basketball, baseball and golf. He loved all college and professional sports but saved most of his passion for his beloved Phillies, Eagles and Penn Quakers.

Lee met his wife Sally and they married in 1979. They have one daughter, Lindsey, who is working and living in Seattle.

Lee is survived by his wife, Sally; daughter Lindsey and her wife Julianne; his sister, Sara Jean James, along with cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in his honor to the University of Pennsylvania Football and the USO of Philadelphia.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd at 1:00pm at St. Mary’s Church located on Penn’s campus at 3916 Locust Walk.

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