Smithsonian Museum Is Losing Its Leader

Acting Director Steps Down at Natural History

Nine months after taking over as acting director at the National Museum of Natural History, biologist Paul G. Risser has announced he is returning to an academic post in Oklahoma.

Risser, 68, joined the staff last April after Cristi¿n Samper, the museum's director, was named acting secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Samper moved into that job after Lawrence M. Small resigned in March amid inquiries into his expenditures.

Risser said he had planned to spend only six months in the job. "It has been a completely enjoyable experience but I have new responsibilities at home," Risser said yesterday.

What he described as a "delight" was working with the 130 senior scientists at the museum and seeing designers create exhibits for the museum's 7 million visitors. Risser had served on the museum's board for nine years.

He also said he was "pleased to see how many of our scientific papers are published in high-quality journals."

During his brief tenure the museum had a public squabble with the American Petroleum Institute over a $5 million donation for the museum's Ocean Initiative. The Smithsonian regents debated whether the gift from oil and gas interests was appropriate given concerns about industrial pollution of the seas. The discussion prompted the API to withdraw the gift.

"I've been the president of two universities, so I understand fundraising," Risser said. After the API reversal, Risser said, an anonymous donor promised the museum a match of up to $3 million.

Risser said his last day would be Friday, which coincides with the departure of Marc Pachter, the director of the National Portrait Gallery. Pachter has been a Smithsonian cultural historian, researcher and administrator for more than 30 years.

The leadership of the Smithsonian remains in flux. A new secretary could be chosen as soon as March. A successor for Pachter has not been named, and Carolyn K. Carr, the deputy director and chief curator, has been named acting director, starting Monday. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has been led by Kerry Brougher, the deputy director and chief curator, while a replacement for former director Olga Viso is selected. Risser said a new acting director would be appointed for Natural History.

The Oklahoma native goes back to the chairmanship of the University of Oklahoma Research Cabinet and will also be executive director of Economic Development Generating Excellence, a fund created by the state legislature to promote research and new business. He has been president of Oregon State University and Miami University of Ohio.