Hogle Becomes Master of Dudley House

Harvard’s only non-residential House has a new leader this fall.

James Hogle, Harkness professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School, began his tenure over the summer as co-master of Dudley House along with his wife, Doreen.

Hogle said he hopes to strengthen the sense of community in the House, which is open to both graduate students and undergraduates living off-campus, but said he has no major plans for change.

“My responsibility is to make their House a home,” Hogle said.

Hogle will replace Professor of the History of Science Everett I. Mendelsohn, who served as Dudley’s master since 1997.

Hogle said he has begun to enjoy getting involved in the daily life of the House and is interested in being able to provide its residents with all the social, academic and support services of the residential house system.

He said that since graduate students spend much of their time in individual research, the socializing Dudley House provides is particularly valuable.

“Graduate students are multi-talented students like most people in the University community,” Hogle said. “I hope that Dudley House will continue to offer opportunities to students to share perspectives with different types of people.”

Beyond strengthening the graduate student community, Hogle said he hopes he and the other Dudley House affiliates will serve as strong advocates for students with personal or academic concerns.

“We are immensely pleased to welcome Jim Hogle,” said Margot Dill, administrative dean of Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and head of the search committee that picked Hogle. “He is a respected scientist and dedicated teacher and advisor who has worked closely with graduate students.”

While students said their early impressions of Hogle have been positive, many noted that Dudley House is not their primary resource for academic advice—nor their main social destination.

Hogle said his own positive experience in the Houses—serving as a non-residential tutor in Leverett House and holding his wedding reception in the Lowell House Senior Common Room—will inspire him.

“I think that Dudley House can do a great deal to decrease the barriers between the campuses and increase the sense of community among all GSAS students and faculty,” Hogle said in a statement on the Dudley House website.