India, June 8 -- Kannon K. Shanmugam '93, J.D. '98, a prominent and prolific appellate attorney and alumnus of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, will join the Harvard Corporation as its newest member, the University announced on Thursday. Shanmugam will succeed Theodore V. Wells Jr., J.D. '76, M.B.A. '76, who departs the board after 12 years of service.

Citing his "deep devotion to Harvard and to the importance of academic values and academic freedom," President Alan Garber and Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker announced Shanmugam's election in a message to the Harvard community on Thursday afternoon.

"Kannon Shanmugam is one of the nation's most accomplished and admired appellate attorneys, who has also served an array of educational ...