Gagnon is the only new overseer who did notattend the college. But she has spent a number ofyears on campus, earning an A.M. (1965) and aPh.D. (1972) in Romance Languages at Harvard.

Gagnon received a bachelor's degree from theUniversity of Indiana and studied in France as aFulbright Scholar before attending graduate schoolat Harvard.

A French literature specialist, Gagnon was ateaching fellow in French language courses duringher Harvard years.

After graduate school, Gagnon taught "off andon" at the University of Alaska and VanderbiltUniversity. Ultimately, she rose to the presidencyof the University of Alaska's top governing body,a role in which she oversees 12 campuses and30,000 students.

Gagnon has also served as president of theHarvard Alumni Association and is a member of theBoard of Trustees for Russia's InternationalPedagogical University.

Gagnon's son, Elliott, graduated from theCollege earlier this month, and her daughter Anneearned a Harvard bachelor's degree in 1993.

A Commitment to Serve

John R. Harrison '55, from Iowa by way ofGeorgia, reflects his roots as a pleasant blend ofsouthern and midwestern folksiness.

Over a lunch of grilled chicken and vegetablesat Boston's private Somerset Club, the former NewYork Times vice president related the words hisson used when he learned of Harrison's election:"Congrats, oldie, I'm glad to hear you're goingback to college."

Indeed, Harrison appears in many ways to defythe stereotype of the selfish,bottom-line-obsessed business executive.

He shows this through his vision for Harvard,which involves an increased commitment to publicservice.

"I'd like to explore on the edges some moresocietal things, like studying how to benefitinner-city underprivileged kids," he says.

In particular, Harrison suggests that Harvard'sfaculty might conduct research on "what helpsthese kids."

"I would hope that Harvard, with terrificpeople like [Professor of Psychiatry and MedicalHumanities] Dr. Robert Coles ['50], would explorehow to answer that problem in America."

He also discusses the possibility of organizinga consortium of Boston universities--perhapsmodelled after similar groups in smaller towns--tocome together in their efforts to helpunderprivileged youths in the inner city.