The Institute of Politics (IOP) confirmed yesterday that former Senator David H. Pryor (D-Ark) will become its director Aug. 1, replacing Alan K. Simpson, who will leave the post in June.

The final decision to select Pryor, made by Kennedy School of Government Dean Joseph S. Nye, Jr., was announced to the IOP staff by Senior Advisor Committee Chair John C. Culver yesterday morning.

"There's nothing that compares with the Institute of Politics," Pryor said in an interview from his Little Rock office last night. "It is the most unique place of its kind in the world."

Pryor, 66, served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives, served four years as governor of Arkansas and 18 years as a senator.

He said he hopes to inspire Harvard students to "dedicate their lives to making the idea of democracy...stronger."

"Public service is still a noble profession," Pryor said.

IOP officials and future Harvard colleagues of Pryor said they were impressed by the sense of honor Pryor attaches to public service.

"He has extensive experience both at the local and national level and he has demonstrated a commitment to the IOP's mission," Nye said in a press release. "He will contribute immeasurably to the university as a whole."