Summers Tempers His Groove

Larry Summers traded the daily grind for the bump and grind last night at his annual study break for freshmen in Annenberg Hall. But in his first hoedown since tying the knot, the University president proved to be a New man.

Nearly half the Class of 2009 took a breather from their books for the chance to hobnob with the Big Man on Campus over a lavish spread of coconut cream pie, eclairs, and hot cider.

But Summers, who was joined by his wife of three weeks, Professor of English Elisa New, spent less time on the dance floor this year. Asked to account for his reticence, the president called himself a “married man.”

Standing at the edge of the dance floor, Summers complimented the students’ moves.

“It’s a very spirited class,” he said, nibbling on a piece of fried chicken. “Many of the students seem to be more settled into break than studying.”

Moments after Summers arrived, Diane N. Ghogomu ’09 approached him to ask for a dance as the DJ played “Don’t Cha,” by the Pussycat Dolls.

The former World Bank chief economist, however, turned her down.

“But you can tell that he wanted to,” Ghogomu said.

Nearly a half hour after entering the dining-turned-dance hall, the music quieted so Summers could make a brief speech to the freshmen in attendance.

The president welcomed them to the study break and thanked the dining staff for preparing treats for the annual shindig. But just a minute into his speech, Summers seemed eager to finish up and get jiggy with it.

“I think it’s time to get back to the music,” he said, stepping onto the dance floor with New as the Black Eyed Peas sounded through the cavernous hall.

Gretchen M. Krueger ’09, one of the lucky few who got to boogie down with the president, said she was impressed with his dancing prowess.

“He exceeded my expectations,” she said. “He’s a natural.”

When Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” blared over the speakers, Nicole J. Bass ’09 locked hands with the former treasury secretary for a slow dance.

“It was the thrill of my life,” she said. “He’s a sex god.”

Early in the evening, New offered a concise appraisal of her husband’s dance style.

“It’s unique,” she said.

Robert M. Cronin, who has deejayed the event since 1997, said that Summers brings more punch than his predecessor, Neil L. Rudenstine.

“With President Summers, it’s kind of more kicking from the very beginning,” said Cronin, who is an administrator in the Freshman Dean’s Office. “He’s always totally game for it.”

After nearly an hour of mingling on and off the dance floor, Summers called it a night shortly before 11 p.m., leaving his wife’s side to grab one final piece of fried chicken on his way out the door.

—Staff writer Nicholas M. Ciarelli can be reached at ciarelli@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Javier C. Hernandez can be reached at jhernand@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Daniel J. T. Schuker can be reached at dschuker@fas.harvard.edu.