Mr. Fitzsimmons acknowledged on Wednesday that the students on the list, which he manages, were often put forward by Harvard’s development office, its fund-raising arm, and that some were from wealthy families. But he defended putting candidates on the list as a way of encouraging benefactors to underwrite the research and scholarships that were important to Harvard.

“Regardless of whether they are otherwise strong applicants?” Mr. Hughes asked.

The list is compiled at a point when it is too early to tell whether they are strong candidates, Mr. Fitzsimmons said.

Mr. Hughes then presented some emails that were addressed to the dean. One, from June 2013, had the subject line “My hero.” In it, David Ellwood, who was then the dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, told Mr. Fitzsimmons, “once again you have done wonders.” It went on to describe one person who “has already committed to a building.” He also congratulated the admissions dean on a donor who gave “major money for fellowships — before a decision from you!”

Another email from Roger Cheever, a development officer, talked about gifts totaling $8.7 million to Harvard and included the phrases “is the grandson of” and “who is married to.” The emails were projected on a screen, but significantly redacted and difficult to read clearly.

Another email in October 2014 came from a former tennis coach. “Thanks so much for meeting with ____ during his visit,” it said, with the name blacked out.