Several Noted Professors To Leave Harvard This Year

In describing his now status as professor emeritus, Howard W. Emmons, McKay Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Lawrence Professor of Engineering, says, "It's very simple, Harvard steps sending me a check every month."

Other scholars who will soon stop hearing from Harvard's financial office each month include Thomas Professor of English and American Literature Daniel Aaron, Porter Professor of English Morton W. Bloomfield, Porter Professor of Fine Arts Sydney J. Freedberg, Wales Professor of Sanskrit Daniel H. H. Ingalls '36, Babbitt Professor of Comparative Literature Harry T. Levin '33, Robinson Professor of Mathematics Lynn H. Loomis, and Porter Professor of Slavic and Comparative Literature Albert B. Lord '34.

Technically, the professors will be retiring, but most said they plan to continue writing, teaching and doing research.

"It's time to stop teaching," says Lord, who taught Comparative Literature 101a, "Heroic Poetry the Oral Epic." this year. Lord will be working on two books on the tradition of oral epic poetry in his Widener office. "I'm going to be writing. I hope, like mad," he says.

But Bloomfield, who says teaching "helps to keep one alive and vigorous," will continue teaching, starting with a Hebrew course at the University of Israel this fall. Reminiscing on his days as a professor here, he remarks, "I occasionally got mad at people...but it's been a great 22 years here."

Aaron says he will be completing work on his five-year project of editing the diaries of Arthur Inman, an invalid who believed he could win immortality by keeping an honest diary of himself and his world. Inman did so from 1919 until he committed suicide in 1963. After the diaries are published by the Harvard University Press next semester, Aaron will teach at the University of Texas for one semester.

"I rather like teaching," he explains. "Many lectures are dull to listen to--but not if you're talking." He adds, however, that Cambridge will remain his home base. "I expect to stay around here until I kick off," he says.

Emmons, too, will continue his work, in this case on fire technology. "The department doesn't plan to immediately throw me out," he explains. And Freedberg will become Chief Curator of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Drawing on more than a century of Harvard experience between them, several of the professors have wisdom to impart to the Class of 1983.

Bloomfield advises this year's seniors to remember that "All things are bad in some ways...but will get better...at least before they get worse again."

Aaron expresses a similar sentiment "Savor whatever is going to happen--whether it's good or bad, get the most out of it."

And Emmons elaborates on the practice of becoming a professor emeritus. "That's the way they get rid of old fogeys." he explains, adding that it is essential to bring in undergraduate with all ideas and fresh viewpoints.

"Asked whether he considered himself an "old fogey," Emmons answers, "Oh no--that's what others think of you."