Despite such controversies, Lewis has been largely successful in streamlining and consolidating the College.

In the past decade, he has taken a larger role in hiring and reviewing House masters and senior tutors than any dean before him. By this year, 11 out of the 12 House masters had been appointed by Lewis, bringing the House system securely under his authority.

Not everyone thinks that Lewis’ transformation of the College has been positive.

“As he’s worked to gain more control over who becomes master, what happens is the senior tutors realize it’s not as much about being a presence in the House but pleasing University Hall and the Ad Board,” one senior tutor, who asked not to be named, said last spring.

Most of the administrators who now fill the ranks of the College—including Associate Dean of the College David P. Illingworth ’71, Assistant Dean of the College David B. Fithian, Dean of Freshmen Elizabeth Studley Nathans, Kidd and Avery—were hired by Lewis and have fierce loyalty to him.

And as only the second tenured professor to serve as dean since 1947, Lewis has wielded a greater influence with the Faculty and reprioritized the academic role of the House system in students’ lives.

“He was remarkably effective in bridging the world of courses and the academic pursuits of students, with enriching student life in the Houses,” says Dunster House Master Roger B. Porter.

Big Shoes to Fill

Now, Faculty, students and administrators say that regardless of their differences of opinion with Lewis, his departure will leave a void at the College that the current Dean of Undergraduate Education Gross might have difficulty filling.

Lewis’ passion for the College is no secret.

“This is a man who really loves this College,” Adams House Master Judith S. Palfrey ’67 says of Lewis. “I don’t think anybody could have worked harder for this College.”

While few have expressed feelings in the florid language that Gomes used at the party last week, some administrators say the College will suffer without Lewis.

“I just think that this is very sad news for the College and for the interests of students,” Nathans said in March, at the time of the announcement.

Even students have come to appreciate Lewis’ devotion to improving undergraduate life.

“Whether or not you agreed with him, it was undeniable that he had a very thoughtful view on every single facet of student life,” Undergraduate Council President Rohit Chopra ’04 says. “While controversial at times, it was nice to see a leader who was actually bold and dogged on those things he believed in.”