Law to Supervise Physics Labs

Margaret E. Law, registrar of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, will replace retiring Ronald E. Vanelli as director of Harvard's physics laboratories on July 1, University officials said yesterday.

Law, a senior lecturer in Physics, will also become Physics Department head tutor. The registrar since 1978, Law said yesterday that she had no immediate plans for the physics laboratories, but added that she was excited about her new post.

"It presents a whole new set of problems," Law said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Before assuming her administrative post 11 years ago, Law served for 17 years as a teacher and assistant director of the University's high-energy physics labs.

As director of the physics laboratories, Law will be responsible for laboratory space, managing personnel and teaching and counselling undergraduates. Law will also act as advisor to the faculty and manage the department's finances.

Associate Registrar Thurston A. Smith said yesterday that Law's presence will be missed at the registrar's office.

"She certainly will be a hard act to follow," Smith said. "She's an extraordinary registrar and I'm sure she'll be extraordinary at whatever she does."

Smith said he did not know who would replace Law.

To find a replacement for Vanelli, the Physics Department posted advertisements and asked faculty members for recommendations, according to Physics Department Chair Bertrand I. Halperin. Law was chosen when she expressed interest in the post, Halperin said.

Members of the Physics Department said they were enthusiastic about the choice. Professor of Physics William H. Press complimented Law on her superb teaching and administrative skills.

Professor of Physics Sheldon L. Glashow said that he was "absolutely the delighted" Law would be returning to the department.

"It's a wonderful choice," Glashow said. "She's an old friend of the Physics Department and I'm absolutely delighted to have her return to our fold."