Fisher Named Dudley Master

A physics professor originally on a search committee to select the new master of Dudley House has himself been tapped to assume the position.

Daniel S. Fisher, professor of physics and former Harvard graduate student, takes over for Paul D. Hanson, who left last spring to become master of Winthrop House.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to further develop things in the House, particularly in getting more faculty involvement," Fisher said yesterday.

Fisher, who accepted the post last week, declined to discuss his plans for the house, saying that it was "too early to tell." But members of the search committee said they were impressed by the plans he mentioned in his interview.

Student members of the committee said they were particularly impressed with Fisher's ideas for involving more faculty members in house activities, said Margot N. Gill, dean for student affairs of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and chair of the search committee.

Scott Erickson '94, search committee member and former Dudley House committee chair, said Fisher will try to expand the house's tutoring system which now primarily helps those students who plan to enter graduate schools.

The search committee was also impressed with Fisher's familiarity with the lives of both undergraduates and graduates at Harvard, Gill said.

"It's a great match," said Susan Zawalich, Dudley House Administrator. "He's very interested in the students and he wants to improve both their academic and social life."

Fisher's predecessor also offered praise.

"He is a highly esteemed professor in the University who has a broad range of interests both in his own scientific field and in other areas that will help build bridges with other departments in the University," Hanson said.

This academic "breadth" is an essential quality for the master of a house "that seeks to provide graduate students and non-traditional undergraduate students with a more integrated educational experience," Hanson said.

The search committee went through a "drawn out process" before selecting one of its own, said Margaret L. Newhouse, a member of the Dudley Senior Common Room and assistant director of the office of career services.

Many of the professors suggested by the committee to fill the post were "reluctant to take on such a daunting task," Erickson said.

Fisher's first official event as master will be a dinner and discussion on scientific understanding at the Dudley Senior Common Room on Monday, October 3.

Fisher, whose appointment was announced by President Neil L. Rudenstine at an orientation meeting for incoming GSAS students Friday, graduate summa cum laude in physics from Cornell University in 1975.

He earned his M.A. in physics from Harvard in 1978 and his Ph.D. one year later.

He came to Harvard as a professor in 1990 after spending four years as a physics professor at Princeton University.