Letter to the Editor: Diversity in Winthrop House

To the Crimson Editors:

As a former Master of Winthrop House (2003-9), I read with great interest the op-ed by Robert Proctor, “The Unsung Story of Diversity at Harvard.” I was proud of Winthrop House then and I am just as proud of it now. My pride moves me to record two observations that may be of interest to historians of the House.

Current Winthrop House dominance of the Straus Cup began in 2007-2008, when an Australian economics resident tutor, Anthony Niblett, inspired the undergraduates and the tutors to show up for intramurals. At a dinner at the end of the year, a senior asked everyone, "Who here has done at least one IM event?” Nearly everyone raised a hand, including my wife and I. Winthrop House went from last place to first place and stayed there.

Mr. Proctor makes reference to a 2008-9 photo of Winthrop House tutors and staff that includes the “sole African American building manager.” He has a name. He was David Simms, Buster to his friends and family. He gave over 30 years of his life to Winthrop House before passing away on the job, and he was a far more important and loved figure in the House than I was. He was a friend to me, and I believe I was a friend to him. He wanted to be in that picture, and I am honored to be in it with him.

Stephen Peter Rosen '74 is Harvard College Professor and Beton Michael Kaneb Professor of National Security and Military Affairs in the Department of Government. He was master of Winthrop House from 2003-2009.