Von der Heydt will have big shoes to fill.

Winthrop House Committee (HoCo) Co-President Peter J. Giordano ’04 said that Lamberth’s departure would be a great loss.

“I don’t think you’ll find anyone in Winthrop House who doesn’t have glowing remarks about Courtney,” Giordano said.

HoCo Co-President Emilie R. Feldman ’04 said she thinks “people are really excited about the new atmosphere that’s going to be promoted by having these new people.”

Von der Heydt is finishing his doctoral work on ocean poetry, while changing diapers for the four-month-old Elizabeth. His wife, whom he met and married in Lowell while they were both resident tutors, is pursuing a post in the Episcopalian church.

The family is one of nicknames, with von der Heydt going by “Jim,” his wife “Meg,” his daughter “Beth” and his dog “Gus.”

Von der Heydt said that he is a believer in college for its own sake, as opposed to a means to an end, and hopes to connect with students to encourage them to take advantage of their time at Harvard in diverse ways.

Von der Heydt, who grew up near Dallas, Texas, said he plans to be a teacher or professor, is currently an advisor to the Gamut poetry review, played lightweight football in college and is an Eagle Scout.

Lewis wrote in an e-mail that he and Rosen had selected von der Heydt for his new position out of “a deep pool of candidates.”