Summers Chosen as Harvard President

Lawrence Summers, once a star academic who became the Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, will return to Harvard University as its 27th president, the school announced.

Summers will replace Neil L. Rudenstine, who is stepping down in June after a decade at the helm of the nation’s oldest university.

“It’s good to be home. I accept,” said Summers, 46. “Harvard is a very complicated place. Its sheer complexity and diversity will take some time to absorb.”

Summers has close Harvard ties, earning his doctorate there in 1982. A year later, he became one of the youngest faculty members ever granted tenure. The other finalists were University of Michigan President Lee C. Bollinger and Harvard provost Harvey V. Fineberg.