But also on Gates' sheet was a specific strategy: to first strengthen the humanities end of the department before moving on to the social sciences.

"We wanted to build from our strengths," Appiah says.

The Afro-Am professors say the department is nearing the appointment of another sociologist and is searching for a joint women's studies appointment, as well as junior appointments in history and English.

Gates, who received a MacArthur "genius grant" at age 30, has also led fund-raising efforts which have netted more than $11 million for the department--including boosting the program's endowment to $2.25 million.

Projects in the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for Afro-American Research initiated during Gates' tenure include the Black Periodical Literature Project, a compilation of works in black newspapers and journals; the African Art Database, which contains 20,000 slides; and the Encyclopedia Africana.

Gates is continuing to work on the development of a graduate program in the department.

And when the new Barker humanities center is completed, the Department of Afro-American Studies will move from its current location near CVS to plush new offices in the old Harvard Union.

The Future

Wilson's hiring marks the first conscious turn toward social activism. But some express doubt about exactly how much influence this small, young, humanities-focused department can wield.

Wilson--even before coming to Harvard--had "the ear of the President," Gates says. Now at the Kennedy School, Wilson could exact even more influence.

Wilson "has easier personal access to the educated media than any other scholar in America.... He's everywhere," Professor of Government and Sociology Theda Skocpol said in an e-mail message. "He is a major agenda-setter for all aspects of debate about U.S. economic and social policies."

The Kennedy School already has a long list of academics who are active policy makers. Each election season brings a new round of federal government appointments out of that faculty's ranks.

Most recenztly, Kennedy School Dean for Academic Affairs David T. Ellwood is a former Clinton administration official in the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy School Dean Joseph S. Nye Jr. also returned from service in Washington.

Last week, Health and Human Services executive Mary Jo Bane resigned her post and speculation swirled that she will return to Harvard.

And faculty member Ashton Carter is now serving as assistant secretary in the Defense Department, spear-heading a nuclear disarmament project developed at the Kennedy School.