"Experiences in Washington for professors insuch fields as government and economics arewonderful for both the professor and for theUniversity," Knowles said.

I'm delighted that this experience will enrichProf. Nye's teaching and scholarship when hereturns home," he added.

Members of the Government Department also saidyesterday that they look forward to Nye's return,and especially to his new courses.

"I think [Nye's American foreign policy course]is a terrific idea, and this department will givehim every encouragement--we support him entirely,"said Reischauer Professor of Japanese PoliticsSusan J. Pharr, chair of the GovernmentDepartment.

"Joe Nye is a superb teacher and anything heteaches is a major contribution to our courseofferings," Pharr said.

She predicted that Nye's work in Washingtonwill "only expand his knowledge base."

"I can only imagine that this time inWashington will give [Nye's] lectures even morepunch and vividness," Pharr said. "But he'salready a superb teacher."

In fact, government concentrators yesterdaylamented the absence of Nye, saying that some arewaiting for his return before they take one of thedepartment's required introductory courses,Historical Studies A-12.

"I feel really lucky to have taken A-12 when Idid, when Nye was still here," said concentratorJoel J. Radtke '96. "He packed Sanders all thetime, and it was fun to go to lecture."

"I know several people who are waiting until hecomes back to take A-12," Radtke added.

Nye's absence has "put a crimp in some people'scurriculum," said Abid A. Saifee '96, anothergovernment concentrator.

Saifee also predicted that a junior seminartaught by Nye "would be packed."

"Nye is such a great lecturer and a great guy,but in a lecture-type class there's very littleopportunity for students to get to know him," headded.

But Saifee said he recognized the need for alecture class on American foreign policy."Especially now, when it's kind of been eclipsedin the news, having a class like that woulddefinitely be awesome," he said.

Echoing the words of knowles, Saifee says thetheory of international relations which Nye hasapplied in practice as a government official will"make for a great class."

"He'll probably bring an acute sense of howWashington works to any class he teaches now,"Saifee said