Fithian Named Assistant Dean

Senior Tutor of Adams House David B. Fithian was named assistant dean of Harvard College this week--a new College post in which he will supervise the training of new staff members and oversee official College publications.

He will remain in his current position as Adams House Senior Tutor until the end of the school year as he begins to assume his new duties.

Fithian will immediately take over as secretary of the administrative board, with responsibility for maintaining consistent policy across the various Houses. He is replacing Senior Associate Registrar Thurston A. Smith in that role.

In addition, Fithian will train new members of the College administration, oversee major College publications and devise ways to use technology to facilitate College operations. He said many of these jobs have been neglected over the past few years.

"The Handbook for Student Publications, for example, should be reorganized and updated. No one has had a chance to do that," he said.

Leaving Adams House strikes Fithian as a "bittersweet" prospect.

"It's not going to be easy, but it's nice that I'm leaving the same class that I started with," Fithian said. "I feel like I've come full circle."

But he said his experience as a senior tutor has prepared him well for his new duties.

"It is important to have someone for residential tutors to consult with who has first-hand experience," he said of the position of secretary of the ad board.

Fithian has also served in the Freshman Dean's Office and been a lecturer in Sociology and Social Studies.

"We adore him," said Adams House Master Judith Palfrey '67, "He was a spectacular senior tutor. But growth and moving forward are what academic institutions are all about. It is a tremendous thing for Harvard College."

Adams residents praised his concern for students.

"He'll be great for the administration, because he's very efficient, but he also cares about people's personal lives," said Marc R Romanoff '01.

"He makes a point to know everyone's name in the class. He's very friendly, and he knows what he's doing," said Dan Krockmalnic '02.

Fithian's students said he also takes a great interest teaching.

Adam Lauridsen '01 said Fithian "combines passion for the material with respect for the students that makes ideal classroom environment," of his junior tutorial. "He'll make an exceptional assistant dean."