HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

Epps To Step Down

Archie Epps conducts the Harvard Band at halftime of the Harvard-Yale game. Photo by Jon Chase.

Archie C. Epps III, whose Harvard career as student and administrator spans four decades, announced last week that he will retire as Harvard College Dean of Students in July. Epps will continue as half-time senior associate dean for another three years.

During his tenure as Dean, Epps presided over a 300 percent growth in student organizations, played a fundamental part in Harvard's race relations efforts, and helped reorganize student government. "The opportunity to help shape Harvard College . . . has been a tremendous challenge and a rewarding role," Epps said in a Thanksgiving message to colleagues. "My greatest joy has been the work with undergraduates and those faculty and staff who care especially about them." Dean of Harvard College Harry R. Lewis said in a Nov. 23 statement that Epps "has had an extraordinary influence on the College through his long tenure, . . . through his participation in some of the most momentous periods in Harvard's modern history, and through his steady guidance of the College during quieter times."

"I am profoundly grateful for his contributions to Harvard and his help to me," Lewis said, "and I am glad that Harvard will continue to have his support and good counsel."

A graduate of Talladega College, Epps came to Cambridge in 1958 to study at the Harvard Divinity School. He was a teaching assistant in the University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies and assistant conductor of the Glee Club, and in 1964 he became assistant dean of the College. In 1971 he was named dean of students. He has been a trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and served on the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct.

"Archie Epps has been a wise counselor, thoughtful colleague, and valued friend to literally thousands of students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Harvard community, dating back to well before most of today's undergraduates were born," said Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine. "His longtime devotion to the College and its students has left an indelible imprint on Harvard, and for me he has been a continuing source of friendship, helpful advice, and judgment born of experience. He has done a great deal to help set the right tone, in order to bring people together and to create a spirit of living well together in the College. Fortunately, he - and his bow tie - will still be a regular presence in and around the Yard, in his important continuing role. All of us owe him our sincere thanks for all he has done, and continues to do, for Harvard College."