Inelegant Leadership

By Joseph D Herring, ‘55, Alpharetta, Ga.
Published on Wednesday, March 01, 2006

To the Editor:

Thanks for a very competent commentary on the Summers resignation (Verbum Ultimum, Feb. 24). I would add that I often experienced his public utterances as unnecessarily boorish, even if thoughtful. Quite possibly the inelegance of his public image was too much of a contrast to Harvard’s essential idea of itself.

As for President Wright, being politic rather than provocative may be a useful survival strategy. I do believe, however, that since the Tucker presidency, the College’s culture has welcomed prophetic depth in its presidential leadership, and could certainly accommodate as much as President Wright wants to risk.