"The goal has always been to pick people who are generalists," says Slichter. "He does bring, of course, specific business experience and experience as a manager.... But I would say the most important thing he brings is personal qualities and a mind which enables him to be a generalist."

And despite the fact that Houghton is not a scientist, several observers have pointed to his experience in technology-related fields.

"He comes from an organization, Corning, that is [very much] based on innovations based on science. I'm sure he's with a very [good] perspective on science," Baird Professor of Science Dudley R. Herschbach said last year. "If you looked into...Corning, it's one of those companies that's been science-based for much of the century."

"Jamie is not a scientist but comes from a company whose future is based on technology," Daniel says. "He does not replace Charlie, but his experience managing an intense research company is important."

Houghton brings other types of expertise to the Corporation.

As the University becomes an increasingly international institution, Houghton's experience in international arenas will help enormously, observers say. They note that Houghton has lived and worked abroad, and add that he spent a good portion of his career managing a company in the international sector.

While Houghton was running Corning's international division, its revenue share more than tripled as a share of its overall business, according to Glimp, who served on the international division's board of directors.

Others praise Houghton's deep commitment to the advancement of women and minorities in both the University and the private sector.

"His company was voted one of the best places in the country for women to work, and I think he's extremely sensitive to issues of women and women's advancement and other things that President Rudenstine wants," says Hope, the only woman in Harvard's 359-year history to serve on the Corporation.

A 1991 cover story in Business Week reported that Houghton "turned work-force diversity [at Corning] into a personal crusade." As a result of two company-wide teams he created to address the issue, Corning hired more black and women executives than ever while attrition rates among minority employees declined dramatically.

Despite these successes, some in the University say Houghton's appointment is simply a way for the self-perpetuating Corporation to avoid much-needed change.

"It's more of the same," says Albert F. Gordon '59, a major University donor. "It's a tight little inner club of socially prominent people like Stone...who run the place. What Harvard needs is some serious examination of such areas as faculty retirement."

Gordon adds that he doesn't believe that a reexamination of these areas will occur under the present Corporation.

On a Personal Level

Houghton has clearly been involved in the University for a long time.

Along with his generous donation, he has been treasurer of the class of 1958 for 37 years and has served on numerous committees.