Via the LAT: Students Hail Harvard President

If Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers was worried about how the undergraduates would greet him Wednesday night at his first scheduled event since announcing his resignation, those fears quickly were put to rest.

He got a standing ovation after he walked in. He got a standing ovation before he left. A row of students with red letters painted on their chests spelled out “Larry.”

On one level: how nice; on another: it’s just plain odd that students at any school would care that much about their school’s President. That’s the stuff of tv commericals, John Madden commentary and Seinfeld episodes…

So, run Larry! Escape while you can!

In all seriousness, I remember that the Chancellor (I think that was his title, rather than President) of the University of California, Irvine (my undergraduate institution) was Jack Peltason. I suppose I remember that because he was a political scientist by trade and co-authored some American Government text books.

I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the President (indeed, I think it was Presidents) during my time at the University of Texas (although the name “Cunningham” seems right).

Although, one of my dissertation co-supervisors was named Larry….