Less than a month since former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles handed over the keys to his University Hall office, the Harvard chemist is busy living up to his old title as Houghton professor of chemistry and biochemistry—in more ways than one.

This week, Knowles was appointed to the board of directors of Corning Incorporated, a business run by the Houghton family, who endowed Knowles’ chair.

Corning—best known for the glass-making technology it uses to provide diverse products from dishware to television screens to fiber optic cables—has close ties to the University. The company was founded 151 years ago by the Houghton family, longtime benefactors of Harvard. The company’s current chief executive, James R. Houghton ’58, is a member of the Harvard Corporation, the University’s top governing body.

Knowles first met Houghton, with whom he is now friends, and other members of the family in 1979, when he was appointed Harvard’s Amory Houghton Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“I first visited Corning when, in 1979, I was appointed Amory Houghton Professor, and was impressed then by the quality of the company, its products, and its leadership,” Knowles wrote in an e-mail message.

Knowles said he was first asked about his interest in serving on the board several months ago.

The company has a history of appointing academics and other professionals from outside the business world to its board, Corning spokesperson Daniel F. Collins said, including another former dean of the Faculty, Henry A. Rosovsky.

“We always look to maintain a balance—particularly among our outside board directors—and Professor Knowles certainly bring some unique characteristics to the board,” Collins said. “We have had a history at times of having academics on the board, and they have served us well.”

Knowles also brings significant business experience to his new appointment. He already serves on the board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. And many liken leading the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to running a small corporation. As dean, Knowles transformed annual deficits of more than $10 million into multi-million dollar surpluses and helped the Faculty to raise more than $1 billion for capital projects.

That kind of experience may be exactly what Corning needs on its board now. The company, which broke into the telecommunications industry in the late 1990s, has been feeling the effects of the industry’s recent turmoil. Corning recently announced second quarter net losses of $370 million and is currently undertaking “restructuring and cost reduction efforts” to try to restore fiscal stability. The company reduced its workforce by 12,000 jobs last year and will cut an additional 4,400 positions this year. It will also close several manufacturing and research facilities.

It is not clear yet what Knowles’ direct responsibilities will be as a Corning board member, as he has not yet attended any meetings. His duties, including what committees he will serve on, will be set at the next board meeting. Collins would not say when that next meeting will be, as the company does not make the dates of its board meetings public.

Knowles has been appointed to the board to fill a vacancy. At the April 2003 shareholders meeting, he will be up for election to a full three-year term.

Knowles, who has been honored with countless receptions since he announced in February his plans to step down from the deanship, was on his way to New York City Wednesday for a “final farewell” being thrown for him by the New York Major Gifts Committee—chaired by another Harvard benefactor, Sidney R. Knafel ’52, whose donation is helping to fund the planned Center for Government and International Studies.

Though he will be on leave from Harvard next year, Knowles will reside in Cambridge. He has said he looks forward to rejoining his colleagues in the chemistry department and catching up on 11 years worth of research in his field.

—Staff writer Kate L. Rakoczy can be reached at rakoczy@fas.harvard.edu.