President Bok Names William Bossert To Acting Mastership of Lowell House

President Bok announced yesterday the appointment of William H. Bossert '59. McKay Professor of Applied Mathematics, as the acting master of Lowell House, beginning July 1, 1975.

Bossert decided to accept only an acting mastership because he does not know enough about the position to accept it permanently, Francis M. Pipkin, associate dean of the Faculty for the College, said yesterday.

Reservations

Pipkin said that Bossert had reservations about removing his children from the Belmont Schools they have been attending. In addition, Bossert has been on sabattical in Vienna this year and has not been able to discuss the offer with other House masters, he said.

President Bok wanted Bossert to accept the full mastership position and "all indications are that we will want to stay on for more than one year." Pipkin added.

Bok also yesterday appointed Mary Lee Bossert as acting co-master. The Bosserts are replacing Zeph Stewart, retiring Lowell House master who will continue to teach in the Classics Department, and co-master Dianna C. Stewart.

Three-Month Search

Yesterday's announcement ends a three-month search effort to replace Stewart during which at least four Faculty members and one administrator turned down the post.

Roger P. Zelt '76, chairman of the Lowell student-master search committee, said yesterday that despite the delay in the appointment. Bossert was strongly supported by students on the committee and was on the "highly recommended list" of names submitted to Bok.

Peter Y. Solmssen '76, another member of the student committee, last week called the dclay in the appointment "depressing, disappointing, and unfortunate for the House."

Dean Whitlock said yesterday that in future master selection efforts he will "start much earlier in the year, a year earlier," It is a major commitment to make, Whitlock said, and it takes a long time for everyone to make a decision.

Stewart said yesterday he has known Bossert for over 12 years, adding that he is pleased that "an active, friendly, and capable friend" has been chosen as his successor.

Bossert taught Natural Sciences 110. "Automatic Computing," and is now pursuing computer research at the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna.

Charles J. Prenner, assistant professor of Computer Science on the McKay Endowment and Bossert's replacement in Natural Sciences 110 this year, said yesterday that Bossert is "a popular teacher who has an excellent rapport with students."

"It's a super appointment," Prenner added, because Bossert will be "very involved with the House."

Bossert is known for his biological research with mathematical modeling of biological systems and for his computer research with Harvard's PDP II undergraduate time sharing system, Prenner said.