Professor, NPR Editor Named to Head Eliot House

When Dean of College Harry R. Lewis '68 offered Professor Lino Pertile and his wife, Anna Bensted, the chance to be co-masters of Eliot House over lunch last week, Pertile was on the run.

He accepted the position of master, but didn't stay to chat. Pertile had to leave for an Eliot House crew practice.

Pertile and Bensted, who is managing editor for Boston's National Public Radio affiliate, will take over for current Eliot House Masters Stephen A. Mitchell and Kristine L. Fosgard, who have held the post since 1991.

The future masters are no strangers to Eliot House.

"We weren't always sure why the potential candidates wanted to be masters of Eliot House, but [Pertile] really has a presence," said Sarah L. Park '02, a member of selection committee. "He's made a point to be connected with Eliot House."

The couple, along with their two sons, Giulio and Piero, first came to Eliot House in 1994. The family lived in the House's J entryway while Pertile served as a visiting professor.

In 1995, Pertile was granted tenure in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, and the family moved into a house off of Garden Street.

Yet they still retained their ties to Eliot House.

"I have always kept that habit of going to lunch at Eliot House at least once a week," Pertile said.

According to Winnie M. Li '00, a member of the selection committee, a crowd of students always surrounds Pertile's lunch table.

Park said she expects Pertile to continue his close connection with students, and Bensted to forge new ties.

"Anna is a really wonderful complement," Park added. "She came across as being really interested in what's going on."

The Eliot House advisory committee, composed of students and faculty, informally interviewed several candidates before recommending Pertile and Bensted to President Neil L. Rudenstine, who gave final approval to the choice.

"Everybody was really impressive, but we just liked them," Eliot House Senior Tutor Margaret Bruzelius '74 said.

Although the decision is still pending approval by the Corporation, Lewis said this is merely a formality.

Bersted said the couple's two sons, aged 12 and 14, are enthusiastic about their return to Eliot House.

"As soon as they heard a rumor that this was a possibility, they were gung-ho about it, lobbying for us to do it," she said.

Pertile and Bensted said they do not yet have concrete plans for the House. Their first priority is to become more involved in House life.

"The House is a very happy community, and we hope to keep it that way," Pertile said.

They acknowledge that succeeding the current masters will not be an easy task.

"I don't think we can compete with the Mitchell's cheesecake," Bensted said.

But the couple said they intend to continue the tradition of excellent Eliot House leadership.

"I know the students really enjoyed the mastership there," Bensted said. "We hope to maintain that."