What is a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University?

James Stockard in Loeb Fellow Class of 1978

Attached to Sally Young’s e-mail, was a two-page letter from James G. Stockard, who is the Curator of the Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University and, interestingly, completed a Loeb Fellowship, himself, in 1978.  His letter touched on the application processes, the stiff competition for Fellowships, and the deadlines.  It also covered the purpose of the Fellowship and indicated the website where more information could be obtained.



Frances L. and John L. Loeb, Benefactors

In summary, in 1970, John and Frances Loeb endowed the Loeb Fellowship through a generous contribution to the Harvard Design School.  John Loeb was a wealthy investment banker from New York City and, at the time, was the Chair of the Graduate School of Design’s (GSD’s) Development Program.  The goal and structure of the Fellowship was crafted with a great deal of help from William Doebele, the Associate Dean of Development at the Design School.

The historical backdrop for the Fellowship was the late-1960’s social upheaval and riots going on in American cities.  The goal was the betterment of the built and natural environments by helping promising design professionals become more effective leaders and practitioners.  The Fellowship would do this by: i) identifying about 10 mid-career professionals, each year, who have the potential to make a bigger difference in the future through their work and leadership; and ii) providing them with the time (i.e., one academic year) and resources (i.e., more or less, all the resources at Harvard University) to pause their careers and normal routines to build a platform from which to launch the second half of their careers.

William A. Doebele, Curator 1970 - 1997

At Harvard University, the Fellows would undertake a self-directed mix of studying, researching, writing, reflecting, discussing, learning, exploring, sharing, and generally seeking out what they would need to position or reposition themselves for the second half of their careers.  In return, while at Harvard, the Fellows would be encouraged to be a resource for the students and faculty.  William Doebele would become the Curator of the Loeb Fellowship from 1970 to 1997.  Jim Stockard has been the Curator ever since.  Since 1970, over 400 Loeb Fellowships have been awarded and have helped the recipients achieve many marvelous things, just as Frances Loeb, John Loeb, and William Doebele intended.