Quincy staff and students said the masters' presence will be sorely missed in the House.

"Everyone is feeling very sad about their departure," said John P. Gerry, who served as senior tutor of Quincy for more than four years before stepping down at the beginning of this semester. "Mike and Marjorie are thought of as centers of the House, the glue that holds the community together," he said.

Gerry cited the masters' popular open houses and their success in fostering strong House pride.

Mark E. Lee '01-'02, president of the Quincy House Committee, praised the masters for their contributions to student life at the House, particularly for their financial help in installing the new House weight room at the beginning of this year.

"The masters have been very willing to work with us and the superintendent when trying to install the weight room...and for all other events too," Lee said.

Lee said the masters often balanced the short-term concerns of students with the long-term concerns of the House as a whole, a trait that Lee said provided a stable and secure community.

"They've been very good about supporting our events and helping us figure out a happy medium to make events as successful as they possibly can be for the House and the community," Lee said. "They've contributed to the House as much as any master possibly could."

A search for new House masters has been ongoing since November, when the Dunster House masters announced their resignations. Lewis said the College will make no new appointments until after spring break.