Ouch—Top 5 Zingers from the Summers Showdown

University President Lawrence H. Summers recently faced the wrath of some of his harshest critics. No, not Maureen Dowd and the gang—the Harvard Faculty. This Tuesday’s faculty meeting featured cheers and jeers (actually, mostly jeers) from Harvard’s heavyweights. Here are a few of FM’s favorite jibes from the distinctly hostile roast.

1.“Do you, in fact, prefer fear to reason?” Professor of Sociology Mary C. Waters, Chair of the Sociology Department

2.“The President always seeks to blame and humiliate others.” Professor of Sociology Theda Skocpol

3.“He is openly dismissive of entire academic fields and research subjects.” Professor of Anthropology Arthur Kleinman, Chair of the Anthropology Department

4.“Harvard University was not broke when you arrived. Radical surgery was not needed. Encouragement of development and growth was.” Professor of History of Science Everett I. Mendelsohn

5.“How will you respond to what is clearly a widening crisis of confidence in your fitness to lead our university?” Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies Diana L. Eck