The Wonder Years

Jewett graduated magna cum laude from the College as a government concentrator in 1957. Prior to Harvard, Jewett attended high school in Taunton, Mass., where he acquired the nickname "April Fool."

Jewett earned the moniker from his classmates because he was born on April 1, according to John S. Tripp, a childhood friend who is now the associate headmaster of Taunton High School.

"He was a great kid. He was a kid who naturally was a brain, and we looked up to him for that," says Tripp, who went to high school and junior high with Jewett. "I've always considered Fred a genius."

Jewett enjoyed playing pick-up games of football and basketball, volunteered in the cafeteria and was on the traffic squad, according to Tripp, who with Jewett helped direct traffic in the high school.

"He mixed well, he had friends all over," Tripp remembers. "Sometimes the kids you call jocks or athletes didn't mix with the geniuses, but Fred mixed well on both sides."

Community Builder

Jewett leaves behind not only a more diverse campus, but also the legacy of his leadership in the renovation of the College Houses, the Yard, Memorial Hall and the Loker Commons, which will leave undergraduates a more pleasant physical plant.

Ironically, years ago the "scholarship" students dined in Memorial Hall, while the wealthy ate at their respective final clubs.

Almost a century later, students will be dining in Memorial Hall once again, but this time rich and poor--male and female--will dine together.

"April Fool" has played a large part in that, according to his colleagues, who say they will remember him for his contribution to increased diversity and equality.

However they remember him, Jewett says he has nothing but fond memories of his tenure at Harvard.

Sarah J. Schaffer contributed to the reporting of this article.