He's a top-notch physicist and a barbecue gourmand. She's a Medical School lab manager and an enthusiastic equestrian.

Together the team of Howard and Ann B. Georgi will assume the Leverett House helm, having formally accepted the positions of co-masters on Friday.

"We couldn't be more delighted," said current House master John E. Dowling '57, who announced his retirement after 17 years of service in January. "Now's the time for new energies."

The Georgis--with two sons grown and out of their Topsfield, Mass. house--said they are ready to devote their efforts to maintaining a sense of community within the House and working to further strengthen the existing system of advising.

But they said they will hold back from making any sweeping changes until they are better acclimated to the House.

"One of the things we loved about Leverett was that there was a kind of family atmosphere to the House that was very important and that we'd like to do our best not to mess up," said Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics Howard Georgi '67. "I don't foresee making any dramatic changes in the immediate future."

A member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) administrative committee on women, Howard Georgi said he and his wife hope to establish a program to encourage and support undergraduate women who are involved in the sciences.

Overall, both cited the opportunity for expanded contact with students as driving their enthusiasm for the positions.

"Howard loves interacting with the undergraduates...and I think that was one of the main reasons why he was so excited about being part of undergraduate life at Harvard," Ann Georgi said. "We're really excited about it and are looking forward to the fall."

Though the name "Georgi" was new to many House residents in the humanities, many students in the sciences said Professor Georgi is accessible--and fun.

"He has dedicated much time into trying to teach his students rather than just lecturing alone," said Danh C. Dang '98, who took Physics 15c: "Wave Phenomena" with Georgi.

"He's always available outside the class to answer questions and just to socially interact with students," Dang said. "At the annual physics barbecue he's quite famous for his tofu hot dogs."

According to JD Paul, a Leverett resident tutor in physics, Georgi is respected dent tutor in physics, Georgi is respected forhis academic and professional work.

"He's very well-regarded as a theorist, he wasvery well-regarded as a physics department chairand he's very will-regarded for his involvementwith undergraduates," Paul said. "I think it'sgreat choice."

"I only regret that I will be leaving nextyear, so I will no get the chance to greet himaround the house," Dang said.

On The Job

As an undergraduate student in the mid-1960s,Georgi says his master in Eliot House, John H.Finley '25, was a paragon of leadership--devotinga great deal of personal attention to students andmemorizing each resident's name.

"We had a very colorful House master," Georgisaid of Finley. "He was terrific. That's I thinkan impossible standard, but in some senses, that'smy picture of a House master."

Leverett House affiliates have noted theimportance of masters who are both friendly andpersonally interested in students' lives.

Some students said the Dowlings--thoughwelcoming during their regular open houses--havenot gone out of their way to get to know Housestudents.

Martha Chase '00, a Leverett House resident,said Dowling is her sophomore advisor, but he hasnot actively sought to communicate with her.

"I know he's really busy, and I don't faulthim," Chase said. "But I don't think he evenremembers my name."

According to Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis'68, the Georgis come well-recommended.

"Quite a few students have reported on thewarmth and friendliness of both of the Georgis,"Lewis said. "I was told that they seemed to know agreat many students already, and seemed eager toget to know others quickly."

Members of Lewis' advisory committee on theselection of Leverett Masters also cited ProfessorGeorgi's familiarity with the College as a qualitywhich helped make him one of the group's topchoices.

"We were hoping to get someone who knew aboutundergraduates," said Gordon C. Harvey, one of theassistant senior tutors in Leverett House and amember of the advisory committee. "A number of thecandidates were not from FAS."

While many residents in Leverett said they aresatisfied with the state of the House, some notethe need for increased common space and an overallsprucing up.

"I'd like to see the masters walk [through] thehouse," Paul said. "We'd like them to go back tothe Dean and say. 'Y'know, Leverett needs to berenovated.'"

Dowling said he leaves behind a "happy house,"and indicated that some projects--such as arenovated House grille and upgraded basementspaces--are underway.

While Professor Dowling said the Georgis"should set their own style in the house," JudithDowling offers some advice to the seventh coupleto serve as Leverett's leaders.

"Go with the flow and know when to build adam," she said.CrimsonLisa J. PowellDOWN BY THE RIVER: MallinckrodtProfessor of Physics HOWARD GEORGI '67 will fillthe vacancy left by the departure of LeverettMasters John E. Dowling '57 and JudithDowling.