But the community college incident was anothercontroversy with Counter in the thick of it.
Representatives of the college announced inJune 1988 that Counter had officially accepted anoffer to head the school.
But two days later, Counter embarrassed theuniversity by saying it had "made a mistake."Counter said he had agreed only to be a candidatefor the post and he formally rejected the job amonth later.
Counter also blasted the school's standing."There is considerable doubt regarding thecontinued existence and viability of Medgar EversCollege as an independent institution," he said.
By the time of the Medgar Evers episode, manyconsidered Counter to be a leader in theAfrican-American community. He had already beenfeatured in the Dewar's ad, and his new book andfilm from his arctic trips--The North PoleLegacy Black, White and Eskimo--received aspecial NAACP Image award.
Counter has used this stature to bring minoritycelebrity speakers to Harvard.
Marius recalls "dazzling his children" with ameeting he had with Diana Ross that Counterarranged.
Indeed, the Foundation's office is plasteredwith posters of the luminaries that counter hasbrought to Harvard: Phylicia Rashad, Alex Haley,David Henry Hwang and Jimmy Smits to name just afew.
Marius and other faculty members say the guestspeakers have helped improve race relations andraised consciousness on campus. They creditcounter's personal style as charismatic and fullof energy.
"I think the work the Foundation has done underhis leadership has been very valuable for theHarvard community," says Radcliffe College DeanPhilippa A. Bovet, a member of the advisorycommittee.
Says Epps, "I don't think he's an anti-Semiticperson. I think we all must give him the benefitof the doubt. He's trying to guide us through themine field of race relations."