Back to School

Despite his many ties is Washington, when Harvard called, its alumnus listened. He also must deal with the inconvenience of moving two young children--Christopher, six, and Lucia, three--and uprooting wife Lisa Adams from her job as an interior designer for a prominent D.C. architecture firm.

Rowe's experiences at the turbulent Harvard of the sixties may ready him for the transition to today's complex institution. At the University of 1990s, issues of funding and accountability dwarf any faculty-student strife.

"One reason I took the job is that I thought it was vital that Harvard and higher education thrive and that Harvard continue to be the beacon that it is today," Rowe says.

In his new job, Rowe will be the University's chief protector on potentially embarrassing issues. He replaces the highly-esteemed John Shattuck, who left Harvard in 1993 to join the Clinton administration as assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor.

This is a nervous time for Harvard's public relations gurus. With a $2.1 billion capital campaign during which the University must raise $1 million per day, a serious mistake can cost Harvard big money.

Rowe's job-here is made easier by a belief "in the institution that I'm working for and the mission of that institution," he says. "I thought this was a great opportunity for me."

Still, Rowe is noticeably less at home on the left bank of the Charles River than he was on the north side of the Potomac. So shortly after arriving on campus, Rowe demanded a tour of the local area to familiarize himself with the cities that have become his home and workplace.

"I insisted that I be guided logistically through Cambridge," Rowe says.

Around Harvard Yard, Rowe is often guided by Joe Wrinn, his new appointment to the post of acting director of the University's Office of News and Public Affairs.

"A large percent of his time has been spent meeting the fairly large number of people his is going to need to get to know here in the University," says Corlette, who has returned to her job as director of governmental relations for health policy.

Besides touring the city and getting his children ready for school--six-year-old Christopher starts classes this week--Rowe is settling into his new job.

"I'm really only at the very early stages of listening and learning," he says.

Rowe faces daunting tasks. In addition to his spin control duties, he is in charge of Harvard's relations with local, state and national lawmakers. Much of his time is likely to be spent battling budget conscious lawmakers bids to reduce research money.

"Funding for the research university is what we're going for," Rowe says. "Can we make higher education more of a priority for decision makers"