The Harvard Corporation yesterday appointed two new members--one of whom is the first black person ever to belong to the University's highest governing body.

Conrad K. Harper, who has a degree from Harvard Law School (HLS), and Herbert S. Winokur Jr. '64-'65, who also did his master's degree and doctorate at Harvard, will replace current members Judith Richards Hope and Richard A. Smith '44-'46.

Harper will be the first non-white person to serve on the Corporation. More powerful even than Harvard's larger Board of Overseers, the seven-person Corporation meets more than 16 times each year to make decisions about Harvard's academic and institutional practices.

Harper said his distinction of being the first black member of the board is merely a matter of timing and could have gone to many qualified people before him.

"There are many persons of color who might have had that distinction," Harper said. "I think that the issue of diversity of students and faculty and staff are permanent issues for American society."

President Neil L. Rudenstine said diversifying Harvard's upper echelons is crucial to the University.

As Hope, a Washington-based attorney, leaves the board, Harper will become the resident legal expert.

He is a partner in the New York law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. He has also worked as a legal adviser to the U.S. State Department.

Rudenstine sees Harper's legal expertise as an asset.

He said that while Harper's career as a lawyer was not a deciding factor in his appointment, it will be valuable to the Corporation.

"That was a happy outcome rather than a specific goal," he said. "It's very nice to have a good lawyer on the Corporation."

But Harper's interests extend well beyond law. As an Episcopalian, he said he is interested in the Divinity School and visited its library several times when he was a student at HLS.

"Of course, the Law School is close to my heart," said Harper, who graduated from HLS in 1965.

But Harper said he is excited to learn about the different facets of the University as a Corporation member.

"[Harvard] is such an extraordinary place that having the opportunity to be involved is at once exciting and humbling," he said.

Harper was also the first black president of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, a position he held from 1990 to 1992. He has been closely associated with international law organizations, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Harper has lectured at the law schools of Yale, Rutgers, Fordham and the City University of New York.

His term commences July 1, although he will be attending Corporation meetings as a guest until that date.

Winokur serves as the chair and CEO of the investment firm Capricorn Holdings, Inc., based in Greenwich, Conn.

He has served on several University committees since his undergraduate years, and is still on several University boards and committees.

Winokur is a member of the board of directors of the Harvard Management Company.

His interest in science and technology, along with his strong background in finance, will be helpful to the governing body, Rudenstine said.

Winokur said he looks forward to being involved in various University projects, including initiatives in interdisciplinary studies.

In recent years, he has been active in developing the Mind/Brain/Behavior Initiative, which he said is indicative of the University's growing efforts to integrate its various schools and departments.

Winokur said he is excited about being more involved with all levels of Harvard.

"I've enjoyed seeing a lot of the pieces," Winokur said. "Now I'm happy to see how the pieces fit together."

He said he will most likely begin serving late this spring, although the exact date is uncertain.

Rudenstine praised the two new members, describing their dedication to the University and their ability to help oversee such a large institution.

"They have very good judgment," he said.

The selection committee, which consisted of the existing members of the Corporation and several members of the Board of Overseers, has been discussing the new appointments for almost a year, as the resignations of Smith and Hope were not unexpected.

In a meeting yesterday, the entire Board of Overseers approved the selection committee's decisions.