Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: City

"Larry Booth is a renowned architect," Brian Moran, chairman of civil and environmental engineering, wrote in an e-mail. " Larry brings a wealth of knowledge and substantial teaching experience to the position."

University President Henry Bienen told The Daily about two weeks ago he was not concerned that appointing Booth would cause more controversy between the city or the university.

"We appoint who we please," Bienen said. "We don't ask anyone about our appointment outside the university."

Even Vito Brugliera, McCormick '55, a member of the anti-tower group Evanston Coalition for Responsible Development , said he thinks Booth's appointment is a smart move by NU.

"It broadens the spectrum of fields that Northwestern has, and I'm sure it competes now with Illinois universities that also have schools of architecture," Brugliera said.

Booth is known for restoring and adapting older buildings, which runs counter to the tower proposal, Brugliera said. But Booth's involvement in the tower carried no weight in the decision to appoint him as director, Schofer said.

"In retrospect, it makes him an interesting person because I suspect every great architect is involved in controversial projects," Schofer said.

kirstinmaguire2007@u.northwestern.edu

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