May, 1990
President Derek C. Bok announces shortly before Commencement that he will step down in June, 1991.
July
The nine-member search committee is named. Acting Dean of the Faculty Henry Rosovsky, who is on the committee, announces that he is not a candidate.
August
The committee begins to compile a list of candidates and to interview Harvard faculty and administrators about their preferences for a president.
September
The search committee finishes compiling a long list of more than 200 names of candidates.
October
The committee pares down the list to between 35 and 50 names.
November
At a meeting with representatives of the Undergraduate Council, search committee members rebuff a request for increased student input.
December
Search committee members present a list of 18 to 25 candidates to the Board of Overseers for discussion.
January, 1991
Colman M. Mockler Jr. '52 dies, leaving a vacancy on the committee that will be filled after the search.
February
10--Search committee members present a short list of eight candidates to the Board of Overseers for discussion. Sources say that three candidates--Martin S. Feldstein '61, Philip Leader '56, and Neil L. Rudenstine--are the frontrunners, but the committee may be deadlocked. The search committee interviews Rudenstine at a Boston hotel.
14--In Chicago, committee members interview University of Chicago Provost Gerhard Casper, who also emerges as a leading contender.
March
National media reports suggest that Rosovsky is still a top candidate, despite his denials.
10--Feldstein meets with the committee members in New York.
13--The search committee convenes again in New York, perhaps for the last time.
22--The Crimson first reports that the search committee will present Rudenstine as the final candidate to the Board of Overseers at a hastily-scheduled meeting in New York.
24--The Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers elect Rudenstine in New York. Harvard officials and Rudenstine return to Cambridge for the official announcement.
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