Other colleagues say Stone's impeccable preparation is responsible for his success.

"He does very through work about the people he's going to ask for money, so he knows really quite a lot about their business," Burr says."He does his research, he does his homework and he really believes in what he's doing."

"As far as Bob Stone is concerned, he is probably the greatest money raiser that Harvard has ever had," Burr says. "I supposed the only competitor for the prize would be [former corporation member] Bishop Lawrence, who was long before my time in the 19th century."

"There's no embarrassment on his part," Calkins jokes about Stone. "It's a pleasure for him to go and ask someone for a large sum of money."

Stone has utilized his fundraising skills and "shameless" asking abilities for Harvard as chair of its two most recent capital campaigns. One of these is the current five-year, $2.1 billion drive that began last May. The campaign will be the largest in the history of higher education.

In addition to his fundraising capabilities, he has set up financial aid scholarships through the admissions office, colleagues say.

But colleagues say there is much more to Stone than his ability to raise cash. In fact, they say that his ability to convince doors is simply reflective of his genuine interest in people--especially people at Harvard.

Many observers are quick to point out that Stone takes an unusual interest in undergraduates.

"I often come to the Faculty Club before Corporation meetings," Rosovsky says. "And I'll very often see Bob Stone there having breakfast with a bunch of undergraduates. He's not a person for whom the generation gap means a great deal."

Rudenstine says that Stone "almost never comes to campus without...meeting with students to find out what's going on no campus."

Stone also almost never comes to campus without seeing a Harvard athletic event. He is a particularly big fan of the football and hockey teams, observers say.

"He's a big rooter and booster of athletics in general. I'm trying to rein him in," Rosovsky jokes.

Stone's colleagues say he brings keen business instincts and a sharp analytical mind to Corporation discussions.

"He's very shrewd financially, very involved in many of the decisions that have been made with respect to the Harvard endowment, which has done very well," says Hope of Stone, who serves on the board of the Harvard Management Company. "His wisdom and financial management are more [valuable] than anything."

"He's not just a fundraiser," Blum concludes. "He's also dedicated to all aspects of Harvard's best interests, and is a man of great personal charm."