Overseers Pick New Leader

The Board of Overseers unanimously elected this week as its president the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, the former president of the University of Notre Dame.

"I will bring whatever wisdom I have," Hesburgh said in an interview yesterday. "I just hope we can mobilize our efforts to make Harvard an ever greater place."

Hesburgh, who will take over in June and serve for one year, is the first Roman Catholic clergy member to occupy the position.

He said last night in a telephone interview that he intends to bring to Harvard "the best faculty not just in the U.S., but in the world," and to ensure that "every youngster who is accepted is able to come."

Hesburgh, who was first elected an Overseer in 1990, also praised President Neil L. Rudenstine's leadership and pledged the Board's support for him in the year ahead.

"We should be a strong arm for the president," he said. "Our main idea is to support the leader and do anything we can to uphold the honor of the University.

Rudenstine applauded the election in a University statement.

"Father Hesburgh is among the most extraordinary and accomplished educational leaders of our time, and it is Harvard's privilege to have him serve as the next president of the Board of Overseers," the statement says.

Hesburgh's tenure as president at Notre Dame began when he was just 35 years old and lasted 35 years, during which the school's annual budget increased from $9.7 million to $167 million before he left the office in 1986.

Fellow overseers expressed satisfaction with the election of Hesburgh.

"He is a man of considerable vision and I think that's a consensus," said Anne H. Richardson '51, a member of the nominating committee, adding that the decision was an easy one. "It didn't take long.

Overseer John A. Armstrong '56 said Hesburgh has a wide array of expertise in "government, social and business affairs."

He is a very wise and thoughtful person and will be a fine leader for the Boardof Overseers," Armstrong said.

According to the University press release,Hesburgh is listed in the Guinness Book of Recordsas the recipient of the most honorary degrees with127, including one from Harvard in 1973, when hewas the commencement speaker

According to the University press release,Hesburgh is listed in the Guinness Book of Recordsas the recipient of the most honorary degrees with127, including one from Harvard in 1973, when hewas the commencement speaker