"We all certainly learned a lot about the institution," Gray said, who described the whole process as "interesting" and "exhausting."
In the end, the committee was pleased with the shortlist it drew up of University of Michigan President Lee C. Bollinger, Harvard Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67 and Summers--and especially pleased with Summers, their unanimous choice for president.
"Any one of the three finalists would have made a wonderful president," Houghton said. "It's just with the current circumstances, we wanted Summers."
"Summers will be a wonderful president. He really cares about undergraduates," Gagnon said.
Gray also expressed regret for the intense media speculation considering the candidacy of University of Michigan President Lee C. Bollinger, saying "it was the last thing [the committee] wanted."
""I felt badly for Mr. Bollinger. This is not a game of winners and losers," she added.
Today, the Corporation will hold its twice-monthly regular meeting in Loeb House. Summers will explore Cambridge, meeting with administrators and preparing to take control of the University.
"I expect in the next several months, before taking over the University, to visit Cambridge often to consult very widely. Before I do much more speaking, I'll be doing much more listening," Summers said.
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