Lowell Students Praise Bosserts' Dedication

When Lowell House Masters William H. Bossert '59 and Mary Lee Bossert retire at the end of the academic year, Lowell residents will lose mentors as well as friends.

Students said that the Bosserts, who have served as masters for the past 23 years, will leave a legacy of devotion to students and to the House community.

"They are such a part of what makes Lowell great," said Lowell House Committee Co-Chair Katherine A. Hamm '99.

"They are a part of the traditions, a part of the spirit and enthusiasm. The sense of family will be hard to replace," she said.

Many students cited the weekly masters' tea as evidence of the Bosserts' influence on students in the House.

"Lowell is a very warm and friendly place and that's reflected through their tea and how it's organized," said Felix Tollinche '99.

"It's funny because the first time you go to get tea [William Bossert] will ask you how much cream and sugar you want," Tollinche continued.

"He might ask you one more time, but then he'll always remember. When he does that, you can always feel that someone remembers you," he said.

Students said that the Bosserts, who opposed the 1996 randomization of the housing system, have worked hard to maintain the character of Lowell House.

"They seem House-orientated. They make it really easy for students to go in and get to know them," said Matthew F. Lawson '00. "They help bring Lowell House together in that way."

But Hamm said that the spirit of Lowell House has not been affected by randomization.

"[The Bosserts'] fear was that students would not want to be here, so they wouldn't care about the house," she said. "The exact opposite has happened."

"Because students had no choice, they want to make the best of their time at Lowell," Hamm said.

Allison M. Briscoe '98 said that the Bosserts were always friendly with residents. She remembered a funny story William Bossert once told.

"He told a story about how one Halloween he dressed up as a pumpkin and she dressed up as a cookie," Briscoe said.

Briscoe said that neither had arms in the costumes, so they had to ask students to open doors for them.

Hamm said that the House Committee hopes to take part in the search for the Bosserts' replacements.

"I see it as one of the House Committee's greatest goals to search out an appropriate replacement for the Bosserts, and to find a way of thanking them and celebrating their 23 years here," she said.

"We hope that students will have say in the process," Hamm said.