"When she came here 10 years ago, Radcliffe wasa college of highly independent units, each actingfor itself," Dunn said. "She has been an activeforce in getting these units...to see themselvesas one institution."

Stepping Up

When Dunn takes over as acting dean of the newRadcliffe Institute, she will be no stranger tothe Garden Street institution. Head of theSchlesinger since 1995, Dunn is popular aroundRadcliffe Yard.

"[The staff] love Mary," Clendenning said."She's one of us."

Dunn said she has no intention of making heracting deanship a permanent post.

"When they find the dean of their dreams, I'llretire again," Dunn said. "I'm getting ready tosow my oats."

Dunn will be integral in choosing her permanentreplacement, assisting Harvard President Neil L.Rudenstine and an advisory committee whose memberswill be chosen by both Harvard and Radcliffe.

Dunn said "it's essential" that the dean of theinstitute be a woman, though she added that "ofcourse, it has to be an open search."

"My instinct would be to have an academic,someone who could participate in the intellectuallife of the institute," Dunn said. While refusingto name names, she said she has a list ofpotential candidates in mind.

Like Wilson, Dunn also has experience incollege administration, serving as president ofSmith from 1985 to 1995. Before that, she was deanof Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.

White-haired and genteel, the two women seemsimilar on the surface.

Just as Wilson helped found the RadcliffePublic Policy Institute and launched a $100million capital campaign, Dunn is a builder.

She presided over a huge boost in Smith'sfinances, raising more than $300 million anddoubling the value of the college's endowment.

But in other ways Dunn and her predecessor area study in contrasts.

Wilson's background was less academic thanadministrative--before coming to Radcliffe she wasa vice president of the University of Michigan.

The author and editor of several volumes onWilliam Penn, Dunn is an expert in colonialAmerican history. She is a tutor for the Committeeon Degrees in History and Literature and has alsotaught first-year seminars. As head of theSchlesinger Library, she has directed one of thenation's most important collections on the historyof women.

Unlike Wilson, who resisted sharing detailsabout the negotiations with the public, Dunn saysshe wants to create a climate of openness atRadcliffe.

"I really dislike the culture of secrecy andconfidentiality this past year," Dunn said, thoughconceding that she understood the rationale forthe closed-door talks. "It's really been very hardto work with."

As Dunn gets ready to open communications--shesaid she expects a huge volume of calls fromstudents and alumnae in the next few weeks--shesaid she is thrilled to lead Radcliffe at such asignificant moment.

"There's a little sadness in that, but also avery excited look ahead," Dunn said