Next year, Robert P. Kirshner ’70 will return to the House of his undergraduate years—as the new Master.

Kirshner, the astronomy professor who teaches the popular Core course Science A-35, “Matter in the Universe,” was selected to succeed current Quincy House Master Michael Shinagel. Kirshner’s wife, writer-director Jayne Loader, will serve as co-master.

Kirshner announced the recent appointment in “Matter” yesterday.

“Who’s in Quincy House?” he asked his students. “’Cause I am now,” he said as the audience cheered to share in his enthusiasm.

“This is a great way for me and my wife to contribute to Harvard,” Kirshner, who is affiliated with the Quincy Senior Common Room, said yesterday in an interview with The Crimson.

“The Houses provide a real connection between undergraduate life and the academic setting,” Kirshner said. “The Houses are one of the central miracles of Harvard.”

As an undergraduate, Kirshner was the captain of Harvard’s cycling team and participated in the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. As a professor, Kirshner is known for his ability to make physics seem exciting through fun demonstrations, such as shooting Barney the purple dinosaur as he did in class yesterday.

Quincy residents who know Kirshner through classes and an academic setting, said they expect him to reflect the same enthusiasm and passion onto the things he will accomplish in the House.