Open Letter to Dean Deming

Dear Dean Deming,

Don’t be scared. Being name-dropped in Flyby is a good thing, I promise. In fact, this probably certainly takes the cake when compared to your recent appointment as Harvard College Dean. Sorry! Speaking of, I should probably introduce myself before making any more lofty claims about you or your new role as a campus celebrity.

I’m Ava, Flyby’s self-proclaimed expert on all things Danoff Dean: from mastering the perfect Harvard-Yale photos (which may or may not include kneeling on all fours next to two furry friends) to spotting a photo op miles away (#beenfeaturedontheKhuranagramfivetimesbutwhoiscounting). With the changing of the guard on the horizon (did I say congrats, by the way?), it’s finally time for me to ditch my Khurana mood board in favor of a new era of intellectually vital dhall run-ins and transformational Housing Day cameos (Kirkland HoCo is currently plotting their 2026 comeback, I’m sure).

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard everything under the sun since being appointed in May. Curate a well-loved social media presence like Khurana. Take awkward selfies with students like Khurana. Become a meme-able staple at sporting events or dance performances like Khurana. However well-intentioned these pointers are, they often miss the mark, because — as any younger sibling can tell you — living in someone else’s shadow is unfulfilling and frankly boring. So, while I’m sure you already have a detailed game plan in place, I figured I’d take a stab at lending you a few suggestions that are actually fun and can help you become the most beloved person on Sidechat.

Starting off strong, it will be key for you to find your niche early on. To that end, before you completely swear off having a social media presence like Khurana’s, may I suggest implementing a weekly “D(e)M-ing with David” Instagram story segment? Rather than following in the steps of taking selfies with students, you can put a punny twist on a classic Q&A session and have students respond with any questions, reflections, or photos from their week. This low-stakes option may very well have you becoming the only Harvard influencer people care about in no time.

If you are really against using social media at all, don’t fret. Another great option would be to put your passions to use for all to bear witness to. And no, I don’t mean your interests in economics or political science; I’m talking about your prowess on the stage. As a singer. Start taking vocal warm ups more seriously, because you might need to belt Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On” again if you’re not opposed to hosting a talent show or karaoke night for students to bond with you. Just saying…

Instead of continuing to throw more ideas at you, I’ll leave you with this. I have the utmost faith that you will end up finding your schtick and making students feel seen and valued. After all, with Kirkland House fiercely by your side, I know for a fact that you must have a stellar personality. So it’s hard to imagine that other students won’t come around to you soon.

Congratulations, again, and keep Flyby updated on what you end up deciding to do!

Sincerely,

Your 16th Instagram Follower #og

By Ava H. Rem