Vice President Bill Bergman, a former deputy Philadelphia Police commissioner who has been at Temple since 1996, was appointed special assistant to the president by President Neil Theobald earlier this month.

“Bill’s many years of service at Temple will make him an invaluable resource as we move Temple forward,” Theobald said in a statement. “I’m pleased he has agreed to return to the Executive Office of President in this role.”

Bergman came to Temple after 27 years with the Philadelphia Police Department to oversee the university’s public safety operation, according to University Communications. He rose through the ranks and eventually became former President Ann Weaver Hart’s chief of staff for two years.

“Temple has been an important part of my life,” said Bergman in a statement through University Communications. “I look forward to working with President Theobald to make sure that the university continues to be a vital part of this city and the commonwealth.”