Monitor Scribe Named Principia President

George Moffett, the Monitor's diplomatic correspondent, was named president of Principia College in Elsah, Ill.

Dr. Moffett will succeed David Pfeifer, who requested a return to full-time teaching in Principia's Philosophy Department.

Dawn Larmer, chairman of the college trustees, says: ''We feel confident of [Moffett's] ability to lead Principia into the 21st century.'' He takes office July 1.

Moffett, who says he has cherished Principia's ideals since his student days there, served as assistant to the chief of staff in the Carter White House. He is the author of two books and has also been an associate at Harvard's Center for International Affairs.