The Dowlings have also sponsored a number of traditional social activities in the House in a further effort to build community. They hold a bi-weekly open house in their residence and host a yearly trip to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute--where John Dowling works during the summer--for sophomores new to the House.
"It was a great introduction to House life," said Scott B. Lovich '99, who participated in the trip last year.
"They created a great community at Leverett," said Kathryn J. Welter, a Leverett House assistant senior tutor.
Welter also said that the Dowlings have been actively involved in helping students in the House garner nominations for fellowships. Additionally, John Dowling actively advises House members in the sciences.
John Dowling said that one of his fondest memories as a master was the year when three students in the House won the Rhodes Scholarship. Students this year--who won one Rhodes, two Rockefeller Fellowships and three Marshall Scholarships--did not do badly for themselves either, John Dowling said.
"It is a very special job. There are few jobs that you and your wife can do together," he said, nothing that he and Judy Dowling have greatly enjoyed making decisions together a great deal.
On the Shoulders of Giants
The Dowling's retirement announcement comes just two months after another fixture of the house system, Mary and William H. Bossert '59, announced they would step down as masters of Lowell House after 23 years of serving in the position.
Students, Faculty and administrators have already begun assembling to consider names of prospective new masters for Lowell House, and Dingman said that another search will only help bring a talented group of applicants to the fore.
"We're losing giants, but it's a strong group that's being assembled," he said.
Students and tutors in Leverett House will also be asked to come forward with ideas of candidates who would be particularly well-suited to the House.
"Many good suggestions for masters have been put forward, and there seems to be quite a few Faculty who may be intersted," wrote Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 in an e-mail yesterday.
"So while it is still quite early in the process, I don' think the simultaneous vacancies in the two houses will be any great problem," he added