Interview with Thomas A. Tombrello - Caltech Oral Histories

Tombrello–136
dean at MIT, or you’re division chair at Caltech. It’s like being quarterback of a really good
football team. You know, you go out there. The crowd cheers. You throw the long ball and
score a touchdown. They carry you off the field on their shoulders. You know, hey, you get to
do big things. You call the plays. The crowd loves you.” He said, “But what’s the provost?” I
said, “Middle linebacker. You’re there to keep the division chair, the dean, from scoring the
touchdown. You know, you’re protecting the resources of the institution.” I said, “Nobody
loves the middle linebacker.” Wiesner is practically rolling on the floor, it is so funny. He says,
“I told you, John. I told you.” [Laughter]
In some sense, the reason you don’t love provosts is that they end up being the backstop.
They end up having to tell a lot of people no. That’s why it’s very hard for a provost to become
president, and I’m very curious as to what will happen at the University of Southern California.
You had an enormously popular, successful president, Steve Sample. He’s a wonderful man.
ASPATURIAN: So I’ve heard.
TOMBRELLO: I got to know him a bit at Bohemian Grove. He’s very interesting, very, very
successful. His provost, Max Nikias, has now become president.
ASPATURIAN: Interesting.
TOMBRELLO: I’ve talked to people who were on the committee. Kevin Starr, the state historian.
Very enthusiastic, said the committee did a very careful job, looked at everybody. It was not a
foregone conclusion they were going to promote the provost. Still, Max has his work cut out for
him. He’s now got to be successful in some way that distinguishes him from Sample. Those are
big shoes to put your feet in.
ASPATURIAN: So, moving back to Goldberger.
TOMBRELLO: Goldberger, yes. Students, I think, liked him. As I say, he had a popular touch. I
think he was rude to people.
ASPATURIAN: Intentionally or unintentionally?
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