A Wunderkind Goes Home.(interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary - Lawrence Summers)(Brief Article)(Interview)

It was something of a homecoming when former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers was named president of Harvard University. Summers, 46, earned his Ph.D. there in 1982. A year later the economist became the youngest tenured professor in the university's history until he moved on to the World Bank and the Treasury. Last week he chatted with NEWSWEEK's Mark Starr about the global challenges of his new job. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: The word "brash" has often been attached to your name. Do you think that was an accurate description of the young Larry Summers? How do you think you've changed?

SUMMERS: Oh, I think I've probably evolved. Most of us do as we get older. I think I've learned in my time in Washington that important things are always the work of many people working together.

To what extent are universities like Harvard part of the "Americanization" of the world?

I'm more interested in globalizing Harvard than in any idea of Americanizing the world through higher education. I do think American uni-versities have had a very positive influence on foreign students. And in important respects, the competitive character of American higher education has had some influence around the world. Certainly, neither within the United States nor around the world is there a single template for higher education.

What moral responsibility does Harvard owe the countries that send their best and brightest? Do you worry about brain drain from places in Asia and Africa?

Harvard's greatest obligation is to provide the best education it possibly can to all of its students. Brain-drain questions are very difficult, but I'm inclined to think that large parts of the answer lie in countries creating economic environments that lead their most able citizens to return home.