Ostriker, who was a professor at Princeton when Rudenstine was provost there, described him as "gently forceful."
"He has a focus and he picks the issues which are important and he works toward goals. But most significant is the breadth of his vision," he said.
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While virtually everyone reached was eager to speak about Rudenstine's accomplishments, most were hesitant to suggest in what direction his successor might take the University.
"Harvard is a formidable institution and I think President Rudenstine has taken good care of it," Levin said.