The head of Dartmouth's news operation was named Harvard's director of public affairs on August 9.

Alex Huppe, 48, will be responsible for overseeing internal and external communications at the University, serve as executive editor of the Harvard Gazette and assist Vice President of Government, Community and Public Affairs James H. Rowe III '73.

"It's an honor to have been selected for this demanding post," Huppe said in August. "I'm very excited about coming to Cambridge."

In related news, the University named Joe Wrinn director of the Harvard News Office. Wrinn was acting director for the previous year.

Wrinn will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the news office and serve as Harvard's news spokesperson. Huppe will become Harvard's chief administrative spokesperson. He will handle issues like the Faculty's objections to reductions in its benefits over the past year.

Officials said their criteria for the post included management experience, familiarity with an academic environment and respect from peers and those in the media.

After meeting with Huppe, President Neil L. Rudenstine praised him.

"He strikes me as very intelligent and very experienced," Rudenstine said. "He's someone who understands universities. That's crucial for us."

Huppe said he is eager to begin work, even in light of the vast amount of negative publicity the University suffered through this past year.

"Nobody said it was going to easy," Huppe said in August. "But I think the important thing is to keep the focus on the ongoing, long-term institutional work."

Huppe fills a position left vacant since August 1993, when Peter Costa left as director of the Office of News and Public Affairs.

Wrinn, who replaced former University spokesperson John New, had been doing the job of director with help from Rowe since 1994, and before that with the help of former acting vice president of government, community and public affiars Jane H. Corlette.