By Dec. 3, after further deliberation with faculty and students, the list of candidates shrunk to one third the size--23 names.

By the time the list of 23 names was officially released, three of the five board members had already decided on Bok, according to media reports from the time.

Most of the candidates came from within Harvard--the youngest being Roger Rosenblatt, the Master of Dunster House who was a mere 29 years old. Among those named, there were 11 scientists, seven economists and two presidents of other universities.

But the list soon narrowed further as many of the 23 were offered jobs elsewhere.

While the committee continued to release dozens of names, it was speculated in the press that the top two candidates were Bok and Dean of the Faculty John T. Dunlop. Dunlop and Bok were viewed as representing two different generations. Dunlop was part of the older administration and 16 years older than Bok.

Ten days later, a decision had been made, and senior fellow Burr made a personal trip to Bok's house to offer him the position of president.

By Dec. 23, Bok said that he preferred to remain dean of the law school. He was asked to reconsider.