Eliot Senior Tutor Resigns

Eliot House Senior Tutor Donald D. Bacon '62 announced this week that he will retire in June to write poetry, teach part-time and spend time with his wife.

Bacon, who has seen the tenure of three different Eliot masters, has been affiliated with the house since he entered it as a sophomore in 1960.

In an interview yesterday, Bacon praised the changes that have taken place in College life over the last three decades, calling co-education "the greatest thing to happen to house life."

And Bacon said that the new non-ordered choice system of house selection, which assigns most students at random to one of four houses they have requested, has been another step in the right direction.

"Randomization has brought by far the broadest distribution of all kinds of people at Eliot House, ethnic and otherwise," Bacon said.

Bacon has been senior tutor twice, from 1967 to 1969 and from 1988 to the present. He has also served as an assistant professor of English, as assistant dean for administration and planning and as a research associate in the Office of the Governing Boards.

Bacon said stepping down will allow him both to pursue his own interests and to help his wife, Jennifer M. Raiser '84, further her career.

He said that he decided to retire two months ago when Raiser moved to California to manage her family's business.

'Big Chance'

"This was a big chance for both of us, and we weren't going to miss it," he said.

House residents and officials said yesterday that Bacon would definitely be missed.

"His role as senior tutor can't be exaggerated," said Eliot House Master Stephen A. Mitchell. "He's a wonderful, warm man and the students love him."

"We are certainly very sad Don is leaving," added Co-Master Kristine L. Forsgard. "He is wonderful to work with--a real team player."

Paul M. Secunda '93, who is active in the Eliot drama society and on the house committee, said that Bacon has been a dynamic element in house life.

"He is one of the most positive forces at Eliot House," Secunda said. "He has created an environment where everyone feels comfortable and at ease in the house."

Bacon said he thinks he is leaving with the University in very good shape.

"I think the academic quality of the students has risen with time, and I love it," Bacon said, noting the College's increased socio-economic and ethnic diversity.

"I have seen students coming from a deprived background become triumphant," said Bacon. "This is the great victory of life and I was glad to participate in it."