Father J. Bryan Hehir, professor of the practice in religion and society at the Divinity School, is serving as chair of an Executive Committee that oversees the day-to-day administrative and academic affairs at the Divinity School during its search for a new dean.

The committee is made up of Hehir and Associate Deans Clarissa Atkinson, Nancy Richardson, and Tim Cross. Ronald F. Thiemann, the School's dean since 1986, announced in November that he was stepping down to return to teaching and research after a sabbatical next year.

Father Hehir is an internationally renowned theologian specializing in studies on Roman Catholic social teaching. In addition to various appointments at Harvard, Hehir serves as counselor to Catholic Relief Services (Baltimore, Md.), the relief and development agency of the Catholic Bishops of the United States.

President Rudenstine has written to members of the Divinity School community inviting their views on the opportunities and challenges the School must address in the years ahead and on the most essential qualities to look for in the next dean. In addition, he is meeting personally with representative groups of faculty and students. Anyone wishing to share views or recommendations concerning the search for a new dean is invited to send a personal and confidential letter to President Rudenstine c/o Associate Vice President Clayton Spencer, who is coordinating the search.