Peter Gomes on Harvard Presidency

The resignation of Harvard President Lawrence Summers last week has sparked speculation about who will be chosen to succeed him. University officials have remained silent on the topic. In the meantime, Derek Bok, who was president from 1971 through 1991, will temporarily return to the office.

For a look at what Harvard's future president might face, we decided to look to the past for some guidance. We spoke with Professor Peter Gomes, a Baptist minister at Harvard's Memorial Church and professor of a course on the history of Harvard presidents. In his office yesterday, we started by asking Professor Gomes if there's been a precedent for this kind of public end to a Harvard presidency.