Soon, however, Sebastian was bringing friends home to supper--and Harvard had earned a permanent place at the Knowles' dinner table.

"The college," the Knowleses say, "is at heart a family."

Since Jeremy Knowles became dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 1991, the couple has become even closer to the college family. Both speak fondly of the constant stream of new faces--students, faculty, and alumni--who they say make their official dinners a pleasure to host.

But Jane Knowles' role in the Dean's office extends far beyond co-hosting dinners and parties. Jeremy Knowles shares the story of coming home late from the office one night and finding that his wife had already done his homework.

"Oh you're back," he remembers her saying. "You're talking to the class of '69 tomorrow--it's in your calendar. I've found some things for you--they're on the kitchen table."

Jeremy Knowles gives his wife's help an A+. He says her research--capitalizing on her role as Radcliffe archivist--proved invaluable then, and often since, in finding fresh and interesting material for his speeches.

Jane Knowles, however, says that this isn't always how it happens. Amid protests from her husband, she offered the Crimson her dramatization of the Dean at the breakfast table.