To prepare for their sabbatical, Wrangham and Ross met with several possible interim replacements, ultimately selecting James L. Cavallaro ’84, a Harvard Law School professor, and Nadejda Marques.

Before their departure, Wrangham and Ross introduced Cavallaro and Marques at open houses and a stein club.

While on sabbatical, Wrangham and Ross were not completely removed from House life. They maintained a blog for their Currier students and returned for commencement.

“We wanted to say goodbye to our seniors,” Wrangham said.

Those in the House said they were thrilled that Wrangham and Ross returned this year.

“I love having Richard and Elizabeth here,” Alex J. Breinin ’12 said. “I love hearing about their experiences in Africa and back home in Europe.”

Chris W. Danello ’12 agreed that it is nice to have Wrangham and Ross back in Currier, and said that the transition was aided by the fact that, “We have the best house administrator at Harvard.”

According to Danello, Currier House Administrator Patricia Gnazzo Pepper—who also visited Wrangham and Ross in England—provided a vital link between Wrangham and Ross and Marques and Cavallaro.

Danello, though, had another reason he was glad Wrangham and Ross were back from sabbatical.

“The other difference in having Richard and Elizabeth back is I hear a lot more about chimpanzees at dinner,” he said, “And, frankly, as a college student, that helps me understand my roommates a lot better.”

—Staff writer Monika L. S. Robbins can be reached at mrobbins@college.harvard.edu.