"Mark was one of those people in terms ofschoolwork who was obviously extremely bright buttended to put other kinds of things beforeschoolwork," Alter says. "A grind he wasn't."

Roosevelt himself says although he enjoyedacademics, he often sacrificed intellectualpursuits for his political responsibilities. Evenafter he returned to Harvard from his year ofabsence, Roosevelt says it was difficult to juggleacademics with politics.

His senior thesis never got much beyond aworking title, "Progressivism in Urban Settings inthe Early 20th Century," before the pressures ofmanaging DiCara's campaign put an end toRoosevelt's magna cum laude dreams.

But Roosevelt says he has fond memories of hisacademic experience as an undergraduate atHarvard, which he credits with inspiring "a greataffection and love for reading."

"Even now I still read at least a book or two aweek," says Roosevelt, adding that the pressuresof his recent campaign trail have not kept himfrom his favorite hobby.

Even in college, Roosevelt says he felt littleacademic pressure and treated his schoolwork as apassion--not a responsibility.

"I was a little too driven, but not aboutacademics (I only took courses I liked), about mylife and getting involved in politics," Rooseveltsays. "My academic interests let me relax."

Roosevelt says his favorite courses while hewas an undergraduate were a tutorial with AlanBrinkley, now a professor at Columbia, and classestaught by Professor of Psychiatry and MedicalHumanities M. Robert Coles '50, Warren Professorof American History and American CivilizationDavid Donald, Adams University Professor emeritusBernard Bailyn and former Harvard professor WalterJackson Bates.

Brinkley, who instructed Roosevelt throughouthis undergraduate career, remembers the candidateas one of his most outstanding students.

"He was extremely interested in the NewDeal--for reasons beyond the fact that his lastname was Roosevelt," Brinkley recalls.

"He did very well," adds Brinkley. "He probablywould have done better if he hadn't had so manyoutside activities, but he was a very goodstudent."

Not Much of a Socialite

Of course, all work and no play makes for adull Harvard student--and Roosevelt pleads guiltyto the charge.

"I was not a wild guy at all," Roosevelt says."I have never been a partier."

"Most of my free time was spent in politics,"Roosevelt adds. "I hung out at the Institute ofPolitics a bit because I had friends there, but Iwasn't really involved in many activities internalto the school."