Porter's reflections echo those of many who have worked with Bollinger.
Elizabeth Barry, formerly of Harvard's Office of the General Counsel and now an associate vice president and deputy general counsel at Michigan, has worked closely with Bollinger during the recent affirmative action lawsuits. Barry says that Bollinger displays "just the right combination of insipiration, dedication and savvy management."
Barry speculates that the affirmative action lawsuits would not prevent Bollinger from leaving the University of Michigan.
"Even if he were to receive and accept the Harvard post before the cases were finished, he has already laid the foundation for a successful defense," she says.
Bollinger declined to comment on whether he was interested in the Harvard presidency or if he had met with the search committe.
--Joshua E. Gewolb contributed to the reporting of this story.
--Staff writer Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at shoichet@fas.harvard.edu