FDO Announces Assistant Dean Appointments

Two current College administrators--Philip Bean and Wendy E. Franz--have been named the new assistant deans of Freshman, the Freshman Dean's Office (FDO) announced on Friday.

Bean and Franz were chosen from a group of five university-affiliated finalists after a yearlong nation-wide search.

"The candidate pool in this search was the strongest for the...position in several year," Dean of Freshmen Elizabeth S. Nathans wrote in an e-mail message. "It was also unusual, in that all candidates ultimately chosen by the Committee for final round interviews, are currently teaching or working at Harvard."

Bean and Franz will join other new faces at the FDO when they assume their posts on June 1. Two of the three assistant deans this year were in their first year on the job.

But high turnover is not unusual, according to Nathans.

"Because Assistant Dean positions represent an entry point to university administration and service, turnover in these posts is frequent and expected," she wrote.

Bean will serve as assistant dean for Crimson Yard, which includes Hurlbut, Pennypacker, Greenough, Grays and Wigglesworth Halls.

"I spent a number of years as a college lecturer and I really enjoyed the opportunity that gave me to work with undergraduates," said Bean, who has taught at Hamilton College and at Utica College of Syracuse University.

"Sine coming to Harvard I've been looking for more opportunities to do that," he added.

Bean is currently the executive assistant to Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, where he said he has worked as a "jack of all trades" on projects such as the installment of cable television in some dorms and improving quad-to-river transportation.

"I am feeling very sorry for myself. I will miss his great support in my office," Lewis wrote in an e-mail message. "He has earned a reputation among students for knowledgeability and helpfulness, and will be a great addition to the FDO."

The assistant dean position will involve different responsibilities than his previous position, Bean said.

"The only plan I have is to get to know my proctors well and to find ways to help them make as big a contribution as they can," said Bean, who is currently a proctor in Mower Hall.

Franz, who will serve as assistant dean to the Elm Yard dorms Weld, Matthews and Canaday Halls, is a doctoral candidate in the Government Department and is currently serving as an assistant senior tutor in Eliot House.

Like Bean, Franz said she was drawn to the position because it offers the opportunity to work with students.

"I've been a teaching fellow in my department and the Core program for four years and I've really enjoyed my interaction with undergraduates," Franz said. "This job seemed like an opportunity to do more of the same work."

Franz fills the spot left open by the departure of Eleanor A. Sparagana, who left Harvard at the end of last semester to serve as director of orientation programs at the University of Virginia. A temporary dean filled her post this semester.

Bean will replace Ian D'Aoust, who is leaving the assistant dean post after one year to teach and research his scholarly monograph on the idea of barbarism in 18th-century America, according to Nathans.

Bean will replace Ian D'Aoust, who is leaving the assistant dean post after one year to teach and research is scholarly monograph on the idea of barbarism in 18th-century America, according to Nathans.

Bean and Franz were selected by a search committee made up of five College administrators. They met with the Undergraduate Council first-year caucus and College administrators through the selection process.