Carnesale knew everyone. He would "walk into your office and say 'Richard, how are you doing and how's that project going,'" says Ramsey Professor of Political Economy Richard J. Zeckhauser. "When you got a grant, he would drop you a little note."

The dean also worked to bind schools more closely together, and faculty members say they want his successor to continue the effort.

For instance, Clark says Carnesale personally released him from some Kennedy School duties to allow time for work with the University committee on the environment.

Perhaps only an insider can duplicate that kind of personal contact and interdisciplinary work, and help a school still on the mend to decide exactly what it wants to do with itself.

Branscomb says that even after three years under Carnesale, his school still doesn't have a "groove swing" on some key identity questions.

"The business school tries to train CEOs," Perkins says. "The Kennedy School definition is not quite as clear yet."

Professors want an easy transition and a continuation of Carnesale's spirit.