Larry Summers — former Harvard president, current gadfly

Though no surprise, his vocal criticism of the school is still outrageous

From what i experienced personally of larry summers as president of Harvard, he was just as cocksure of his opinions and as bullying in imposing them as his current behavior indicates (“still at Harvard, summers still speaks his mind,” page A1, march 24). He was a deeply unpopular president, not only because of his perceived attitudes toward women and people of color but also because he was seen as dismissive of others. i recall that at my 35th reunion what should have been a festive and thoughtful class meeting with the president of the university was a disaster. summers showed disdain for criticism, rudeness in discussion, and a persistent refusal to listen.

His appointment to the office in the first place was a shock to many who already knew of him as a public figure and thought he would be a terrible fit as president of our school. For him to have criticized Claudine gay as unqualified is laughable given his own apparent lack of preparedness for university leadership.

Thus his current behavior is no surprise. not only does it violate the protocol and etiquette of the office but it is also blatantly unprofessional. His contacts with Harvard faculty and alumni that the press does not hear about are exactly the kind of insidious past-president conduct anathema to any organization. But i imagine he will dismiss this critique in favor of his invariably indisputable opinions that he apparently thinks we all need to hear.

THOMAS EDWARD FRANK Asheville, N.C.

The writer, a member of the Harvard class of 1970, is university professor emeritus at Wake Forest University and editor of the Journal of Black Mountain College Studies.