Congressman Frank Builds on Harvard Record

After almost 30 years in the political game, Rep. Barney Frank '61 (D-Mass.) has found that the value of a Harvard degree lies in the learning, not the name.

"The reason to go to Harvard is for the education. That is the value," Frank says, speaking from his Washington, D.C. office. "If I was to list the significant factors in my career, Harvard would not be one of them, although it would definitely be a significant factor in my life."

In the early stages of his career, Frank did his share of studying at Harvard. After getting his undergraduate degree, he returned to work on a Ph.D., but left before he finished. He later served as an Institute of Politics Fellow in 1971 and received a degree from the Law School in 1977.

In politics particularly, Frank says, the Harvard name is not nearly as important as the reputation built after taking office.

"You are judged once you are in office by your record in office," he says. "Even if you were running for another office, your record from previous jobs is still more important than where you went to college."

But Frank says that at the beginning of his career, his Harvard affiliation did provide a boost.

"I think having gone to Harvard helped initially in establishing my credibility. People know that it is a first-rate institution, and that adds to your credentials," he says.

Frank's first job was as an assistant to then-Boston mayor Kevin White, a connection which he said was made through friends and professors such as Weatherhead University Professor Samuel P. Huntington.

And in running for his first political position in the Massachusetts state legislature in 1972, Frank said his Harvard connection gave him credibility in a Massachusetts community familiar with the University.

"When I first ran for office I ran in places like the Back Bay and Beacon Hill," Frank says. "Harvard was highly regarded there, and the fact that I had graduated from there helped a little bit."

While his Harvard roots are less important now, many of the personal connections he initially forged during his time at Harvard still come in handy for fundraising, he says.

"The people you meet [at Harvard] can help you with contacts later on," Frank said. "I've never quantified [how much alums donate]. Harvard graduates may have more money."

Frank says, however, that he does not give preference to Harvard graduates when selecting his staff.

"Some are alums, some aren't. "I have had a mix of people. I don't really consider [Harvard connections]," Frank says.

So while he is happy he went to Harvard, Frank maintains that the Harvard name has only had marginal benefits in his political life.

"I think in general, it has helped me in a very pragmatic way. [But] your resume is really only important when you first start," he sums up.