fulbrightedge CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE | 1977-2013 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8 NOVEMBER 2013

programming and opportu- nities for alumni and visiting Fulbrighters to participate in panels, cultural events, net- working and a range of other activities. These chapters will also serve as the springboard to enhancing our advocacy efforts at a grass roots level, introducing valuable program- ming for young alumni, and 2013 Annual Appeal engaging with more universi- ties and institutions to help ex- pand our amazing network of IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO! Fulbright friends and alumni. We have a vision for BY STEPHEN REILLY Can you imagine a world Fulbright and the positive building stronger global con- AS A FULBRIGHT ALUMNUS I without Fulbright? impact it has in the world. We nections to extend the reach feel personally responsible for The Fulbright program have plans to build our advo- and engagement of Fulbright the promotion and protection works. We are the only organi- cacy efforts in 2014 but we will alumni. Moving forward we of the program. Fulbright zation that can truly advocate need some of your time and aim to introduce a virtual “changed my life.” I also be- on its behalf to ensure it is financial support. community enabling greater lieve it is the United States’ here for generations to come. As an Association, we con- global connectivity; introduce greatest and most effective The most recent budget re- tinue to host over 200 events a mentoring initiative to help implement of foreign policy. quest from the House of Rep- across the country through our open doors for our young As the Executive Director resentatives includes an almost 60 chapters nationwide. Our alumni; introduce new glob- of the alumni association, I am 25% cut to academic exchange annual conference last month al programming in unique deeply committed to raising programs, which fund most of brought interesting speakers, knowledge tracks to focus on the profile of Fulbright in the the Fulbright program, while new formats, and innovative specific themes; and build a world and demonstrating that the White House request in- sessions unlike previous con- Fulbright Corps to provide an Senator Fulbright’s vision al- cludes a cut of more than 6%. ferences. Speakers included a opportunity to continue a life- most 70 years ago is as relevant A 25% cut to the program U.S. Congressman, University long commitment to the ideals and important as ever today. I could mean that one out of ev- Presidents, representatives of the program through global also need your support more ery four of us would not have from Gallup Corporation, Doc- volunteer service. than ever as we transition to a opportunity to participate in tors Without Borders, Human We hope that you will more proactive and effective the program and advance our Rights Campaign, and even a support us financially towards organization with stronger objective of promoting mutual special appearance by Sheryl our annual appeal. We are at advocacy, innovative programs, understanding between peo- Sandberg of LeanIn.org. a turning point in our history new events and more. ples of the world. You really missed a great and as a private non-profit, In 2013 we have emerged Less than 1% of our elect- event if you were not able your support is critical to our with new leadership and vision ed officials nationwide are to attend but keep your eyes survival and success. Member- to serve our community in Fulbright alumni and the peeled for even more mov- ship dues provide very little more substantial ways. Though disagreement in Congress ing forward. In 2014 we will and we rely almost exclusively finances are currently very about spending continues to present the Fulbright Prize on contributions to move the tight, I am highly optimistic threaten annual ‘discretionary’ for International Under- organization forward. If you about our future and believe appropriations for exchange standing at a special gala have ever been planning to we can all ‘do more’ in the programs, including Fulbright. celebration (October – don’t make a generous contribution, name of Fulbright worldwide. The Classroom Teacher Ex- miss it!) and an innovative this is the year. If your means Please make a contribution to change Program has been TEDxFulbright event in April are modest, we welcome a our annual appeal to help us discontinued after 64 years in in Washington, DC. contribution in any amount. advance our objectives in the existence. We must continue Our chapters, led by vol- Thank you for your involve- alumni community. to enhance our capacity to unteer boards of alumni, ment. We look forward to a demonstrate the power of continue to provide great local terrific year in 2014.

* Have something newsworthy? Email [email protected] 1 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of interna- tional education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. By sharing international cuisine, historical tours, lectures, festivals and receptions, a large number of the Fulbright Association chapters celebrate International Education week. The National Capital Area Chapter partnered up with the Embassy of Thailand to showcase internation- al education exchange. Hosted by his Excellency Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, Fulbrighters were treated to live jazz music and delicious Thai cuisine. The ambassador is also a Fulbright Alumnus. The joint reception was a great way to cele- brate Thai/U.S. educational exchange. Since the inception of the program more than 2,000 Thai students and scholars have traveled to the U.S. with Fulbright, and more than 1,000 American students have studied in Thailand. This year there are 21 Scholars and students from Thailand who are studying across the U.S. His Excellency Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, with two in the D.C. area —a­ lawyer who is (center) Ambassador of the Kingdom completing her LLM at Georgetown, and Scholar of Thailand, at the reception offered to working with the Smithsonian Institution on a Fubright scholars project titled “Spectroscopic Characterizations of the Ancient Glass Beads.” Celebrating IEW 2013 2 ALUMNA OF THE MONTH Janet Echelman AMERICAN ARTIST JANET ECHELMAN budget. While watching local fisher- reshapes urban airspace with monu- men bundling their nets one evening, mental, fluidly moving sculpture that Echelman began wondering if nets responds to environmental forces could be a new approach to sculpture: including wind, water, and sunlight. a way to create volumetric form with- Exploring the potential of unlikely out heavy, solid materials. materials, from fishing net to atom- By the end of her Fulbright year, ized water particles, Echelman com- Echelman had created a series of net- bines ancient craft with cutting-edge ted sculpture in collaboration with the technology to create her permanent fishermen. Hoisting them onto poles, sculpture at the scale of buildings. Ex- she discovered that their delicate sur- periential in nature, the result is sculp- faces revealed every ripple of wind. ture that shifts from being an object Today Echelman has constructed you look at, to something you can get net sculpture environments in metro- lost in. politan cities around the world. She Echelman first set out to be an sees public art as a team sport and artist after graduating college. She collaborates with a range of profes- moved to Hong Kong in 1987 to study sionals including aeronautical and me- Chinese calligraphy and brush-paint- chanical engineers, architects, lighting ing. Later she moved to Bali, Indonesia, designers, landscape architects, and where she collaborated with artisans fabricators. to combine traditional textile methods She built her studio beside her hun- with contemporary painting. dred-year-old house, where she lives When she lost her bamboo house in with her husband David Feldman and Bali to a fire, Echelman returned to the their two children. United States and began teaching at Recent prominent works include: Harvard. After seven years as an Art- “Her Secret is Patience” spanning two ist-in-Residence, she returned to Asia, city blocks in downtown Phoenix, “Wa- embarking on a Fulbright lectureship ter Sky Garden” which premiered for in India. the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, into 33 languages and is estimated With the promise to give painting “She Changes” on the waterfront in to have been viewed by more than a exhibitions around the country, she Porto, Portugal, and “Every Beating million people worldwide. She has also shipped her paints to Mahabalipuram, Second” in San Francisco Airport’s new served on the Board of Directors of the a fishing village famous for sculpture. Terminal Two. Fulbright Association. When her paints never arrived, Ech- Recipient of the Guggenheim Upcoming projects include the elman, inspired by the local materials Fellowship, Echelman was named Ar- University of Oregon Matthew Knight and culture, began working with chitectural Digest’s 2012 Innovator for Arena, and the remaking of Dilworth bronze casters in the village. “changing the very essence of urban Plaza in front of Philadelphia City Hall She soon found the material too spaces.” Her TED talk “Taking Imagi- — turning it into a garden of dry-mist. heavy and expensive for her Fulbright nation Seriously” has been translated Source http://www.echelman.com/about/

3 CHICAGO CHAPTER

Below Dr. Bruce Douglas, the first president of the Chicago chapter of the Fulbright Association

Fred Siegman leading the “Fulbright Branding Effect on Membership Development” workshop at Columbia College Chicago Exploring six degrees of separation in Fulbright branding workshop

BY MARY MARES-AWE to get to know one another LEADERSHIP, CONNECTIONS, through a series of commu- relationship building, common nication exercises. Because of values…these are some of the workshop we now know the concepts discussed at last where the term “six degrees Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 work- of separation” comes from. It’s shop entitled “The Fulbright all about finding commonality Branding Effect on Mem- with complete strangers and bership Development” that building new relationships. took place in the journalism For me personally, it was department at Columbia Col- fun to learn, in just a few lege Chicago. seconds, that I had something The workshop was possible in common with the person thanks to a small grant from sitting next to me. It turns the National Fulbright Asso- out we both are life time ciation and led by Fred Sieg- members of the Fulbright As- man, a branding expert and sociation. She had a Fulbright consultant to major corpora- to Warsaw, Poland; my best tions and nonprofit organiza- friend in college was born in tions. Thirty five people at- Warsaw, and the Cultural and Participants tended the workshop includ- Educational Attaché at the during ing eight members of the Ful- American Embassy in Macedo- breakfast bright Chicago Chapter board. nia, the country where I had prior to the Organized by Chicago Chapter my Fulbright, taught ESL in workshop Director of Membership Ana Poland before joining the For- Gil-García, and President eign Service. erational communication and duced himself as 88-year-old Ron Harvey, the purpose of Siegman also emphasized shared interests. Dr. Bruce Douglas, the first the four-hour training session the importance of sharing “We have here age groups president of the Chicago was to develop a strategy to experiences and learning from spanning 40-50 years” Sieg- Chapter of the Fulbright As- promote the Chicago Chapter, each other especially from man observed. Just then some- sociation. Dr. Douglas will be expand awareness of its activ- those who’ve been part of one chimed in “65 years… or interviewed in an upcoming ities among Fulbright alumni, Fulbright for many years. He more.” All heads turned in post that will appear on the ELIO LETURIA and increase membership. said the workshop provided a his direction. To everyone’s www.fulbrightchicago.com hotos

P Participants had the chance great reflection of cross gen- surprise and delight, he intro- website. 4 ALABAMA CHAPTER Scholars visiting Huntsville, Nine foreign scholars which included visit Huntsville trips to the U.S. Space BY PAT AMMONS the University of Alabama at & Rocket AUNG PHYO LIVES in a city of Birmingham or Birmingham Center six million people in the South- Southern College for the pe- and Burritt east Asian country of Myanmar. riod of their program, Nicole on the It’s a teeming city full of traffic, Harper, a board member of Mountain, pollution and apartment com- the state’s Fulbright alumni were from plexes. chapter said. China, That’s why a stroll through About 8,000 Fulbright schol- Ivory Coast, the quiet, tree-filled Big Spring ars and fellows from more than Kenya, International Park this week- 155 countries are chosen each Kazakhstan, end left such an impression on year. A fellow is still a student Myanmar, Phyo, who is in Alabama for and is using his or her fellow- Vietnam a year as an International Ful- ship to work toward a degree and Yemen. bright Scholar. while the scholars are working Phyo is a medical doctor professionals, Harper said. The in Myanmar and is working scholars visiting Huntsville were on a master’s degree in public from China, Ivory Coast, Kenya, health at the University of Ala- Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Viet- bama at Birmingham as part of nam and Yemen. his fellowship. He’s staying with Harper helped arrange a host family in Birmingham for the tour of Huntsville, which visiting scholars this year, in- know Huntsville has an open his time in the states, his first included trips to the U.S. Space cluding two in Birmingham, mind to let artists express trip out of his native country, & Rocket Center and Burritt on one in Montgomery and the themselves. It’s great.” he said. He visited Huntsville the Mountain. Glenn Dasher, one in Huntsville. “It’s a cultur- Dr. Stacey Nickson, who is for three days as a guest of the chairman of the art de- al enrichment opportunity,” the assistant director of teach- the Alabama Chapter of the partment at the University of Harper said. ing and learning at Auburn Fulbright Alumni Association Alabama in Huntsville, led the For Fuyi Zhu, the tour of University, was accompanying and the International Services group on a tour of the SPACES the 36 sculptures that make the scholars on their tour of Council of Alabama. Sculpture Trail, and local fami- up the SPACES trail was one Huntsville. She, like Harper, is “It was amazing,” Phyo said lies hosted the scholars during of the highlights of her trip to a Fulbrighter having spent her of Huntsville’s downtown park their stay here. Huntsville. She is working on time in . She said as he prepared to eat lunch “It’s fantastic for us to a research project about the bringing the scholars to differ- at Hudson Alpha Institute for showcase something here history of modern landscape ent cities in Alabama is also a Biotechnology. He and his in Huntsville that they may architecture while at Auburn way to develop relationships fellow scholars were making a not see anywhere else in the University this year. She’s also among the local alumni and stop there to learn about the state,” said Harper, who spent learning about the American those currently in the program. institute’s work as well as to a year in Slovenia as a Fulbright national park system, a concept “It’s culturally enlightening extract DNA from macerated Fellow in 2007-2008. She was that does not exist in her native but also enlightening on a strawberries. finishing her doctoral work in China. very humanistic level,” Nickson All nine of the visiting Ful- curriculum studies for her fel- The idea of a trail devoted said. “It’s a forum to be human brighters, as they are called, lowship, she said. to public art was also a new together” through shared ex- are teaching or doing research The Alabama chapter had concept to Zhu and one she periences and through getting at either Auburn University, plans for four events for the found exciting. “I am glad to to know each other. 5 Support the Fulbright Association: FINANCIAL OPTIONS THAT WORK!

WHILE THE FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION will always be very pleased to accept cash gifts, here are some other financially prudent options for donating other assets in support of the association. ›› Gifts of cash are fully deductible – up to a max- imum of 50% of your adjusted gross income. For example, if your adjusted gross income for this year is $100,000, up to $50,000 of charitable gifts may be deducted. ›› Gift of Stock is often more tax-wise to contrib- ute than cash. This is because a gift of appreciated stock generally offers a two-fold tax saving: a) you GREATER NEW YORK CHAPTER avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock, and b) you receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock. Help music filmDeath In order to qualify for these significant tax advantag- es, you have purchased the stock more than a year Metal Angola take ago. Gifts of appreciated stock are fully deductible – up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income. resilience on the road ›› Gift through your Will or Bequest is one of BY ANDY MARKOWITZ economic and natural disasters,” the simplest and most common ways to support the IT’S BEEN A BUSY FALL for according to the freshly launched Fulbright Association. The association can be named Death Metal Angola. Jeremy RocketHub crowdfunding cam- as a beneficiary of your Will. You may choose to Xido’s music-based documentary paign to support the project. designate dollar amount or percentage of your about how one of the most fero- If they make their $50,000 estate as an outright gift. You can also make a gift cious forms of rock is reshaping goal by December 15, the tour will of all or part of your property remaining after all lives in one of the most war-rav- kick off with limited theatrical other bequest has been paid, or a gift that takes aged places on Earth has been engagements in New York and LA effect only if your beneficiaries do not survive you. ubiquitous at music film friendly then roll out to Detroit, New Or- Any charitable bequest to the Fulbright Association festivals across Europe in recent leans, Baltimore, Oklahoma City, is automatically excluded from your taxable estate weeks, and in the days to come it and a fifth city that produces the and thus is not subject to estate taxes. You can easily will screen at Sound Unseen in most RocketHub pledges. Money add the Fulbright Association to your will through Minneapolis/St. Paul, DOC NYC raised beyond the 50K target will an amendment to your will called codicil: thus your (with current New Yorker Xido in be used to take the doc further entire will does not have to be redrafted. attendance), and –perhaps most afield and even bring some of ›› Gift of assets in your Individual Retirement important– the Luanda Interna- its featured Angolan musicians Account (IRA) or other qualified retirement plan can tional Film Festival in Angola’s to perform in the States. As the be the basis of your future gift to the Fulbright As- capital. Fulbright Association is a 501(c) sociation, if you or your family does not need all the Well, Xido is just getting start- (3) nonprofit, contributions to the funds in this retirement account. You may utilize this ed. And like his subjects– the campaign are tax-deductible. type of gift by naming the Fulbright Association as a metal-loving women, men, and Raucous, moving, and beau- beneficiary of all or a designated percentage of your children living in and around an tifully shot, Death Metal Angola IRA or other qualified retirement plan. This gift has orphanage in the scarred city of ought to serve well as a start- the unusual advantage of avoiding potential future Huambo who set out to hold An- ing-off point for conversations income taxes as well as estate tax. gola’s first national rock concert and community action to renew ›› Gift of Life Insurance provides an easy way to – he is, in his own words, “dream- places hit hard by adversity in all make a gift to the Fulbright Association if you or ing big.” The Detroit-born film- its forms, with or without screech- your family no longer needs the protection of your maker and artist has teamed up ing guitars and throat-shredding life insurance coverage. You can irrevocably name with the Fulbright Association growls (although, as the movie the association as owner of the policy and receive an on the DMA Resilience Tour– “a makes clear, those don’t hurt). income tax charitable deduction. Depending on the series of screenings, town-hall For more on the film and the peo- type of policy, you may or may not be required to discussions, and concerts in com- ple at its heart, check out the May continue payment of premiums. You can also desig- munities throughout the United 2013 interview with Xido. nate the association as beneficiary of your policy and States that have been hit hard by receive an estate tax deduction.

6 Alumni recent accomplishments Using large-format photography, Regina Mamou’s Unfortunately, It Was Paradise BOARD OF DIRECTORS explores JOHN VOGEL historical utopian President communities PATRICIA A. KREBS established Past President-ex officio by secular MARY ELLEN SCHMIDER and religious Vice President movements JOHN F. AUSURA throughout the Treasurer Midwest and mid- MANFRED PHILIPP Atlantic regions. Secretary ›› Regina Mamou is a exhibited in group and solo shows worldwide. BOARD MEMBERS Chicago-based visual artist Among other honors, she has received a Ful- JEROME M. COOPER working at the intersection bright Grant for her photographic work. KIM DAVID EGER of photography, installa- Her prints are in the permanent collection tion, and research practices. of the US Library of Congress Prints and Pho- PAULINE M. EVEILLARD Mamou is currently ex- tographs Division and the Smithsonian Insti- KRISHNA GUHA hibiting “Unfortunately, It Was Paradise” at tution National Museum of African Art Eliot ROBERT W. HELM the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower, Elisofon Photo Archives. KEISUKE NAKAGAWA 806 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois Her book 333 Saints: A Life of Scholarship in H. ANDREA NEVES 60611. This photo exhibit will remain open Timbuktu / 333 Saints: l’esprit du savoir à Tom- EVERETTE PENN until January 19, 2014. bouctou, is now published and available for PHILIP RAKITA In 2009 she received a fifteen-month Ful- sale. Huddleston worked on this book for over RAMESH RAMAKRISHNAN bright fellowship to Jordan to explore naviga- six years —since her Fulbright grant made the ROBERT RUMINSKI tional methods and memory in Amman. She research and photographs possible in 2007. JOHN SARGENT has exhibited her work nationally and inter- HERMA WILLIAMS nationally. Selected exhibitions include Makan ›› Kathleen Mulligan has GWENDOLYN WILLIS-DARPOH Art Space in Amman, Jordan (2010); Action been named a recipient of Field Kodra’s 11th Exhibition of Contemporary The International Alliance NATIONAL OFFICE Art in Thessaloniki, Greece (2011); and The of Women (TIAW) World STEPHEN REILLY Chicago Project online at Catherine Edelman of Difference Award for Executive Director Gallery (2012). her project “Wheels for SHAZ AKRAM Mamou holds an MFA from the School of Women”, which benefits the residents of the Director, Chapter Relations the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA from Sakhi Shelter for victims of domestic violence KAMILLA HASSEN the Rhode Island School of Design. For more in Kerala, India. Office Coordinator information visit reginamamou.com While on a Fulbright-Nehru grant to Ker- Mamou is also a 2012 Fulbright U.S. ala in 2010, Kathleen taught her workshop Student Program Alumni Ambassador and “Finding Your Voice” to residents of the Sakhi currently the Director of Academic Relations shelter. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the As a result of that experience, Kathleen Please, contribute to Fulbright Association. and her husband David created “Wheels for our Annual Appeal Women,” producing annual benefit student ›› Alexandra Hud- cabarets at Ithaca College to purchase auto http://www.fulbright. dleston is an American rickshaws for the shelter and provide driver org/donations/ photographer who was training and licensing to its residents. To date, born in Freetown, Sierra “Wheels for Women” has funded job training FOLLOW US ON Leone, and grew up in the for seven residents, providing them with the Twitter Washington, DC area and skills to move towards financial independence in West Africa. and away from their abusers. The fourth an- Facebook She holds a BA from Stanford Universi- nual “Wheels for Women” Cabaret will be ty and an MS in broadcast journalism from held in late January 2014 at Ithaca College. LinkedIn Columbia University. Her work has been Kathleen will be presented with the award published in The New York Times, Zeit Maga- during TIAW’s Global Forum in Washington Edition & Design ELIO LETURIA zine, and National Geographic Explorer, and D.C. in March 2014. 7 Ogata Aquino Aylwin Gates Powell Tutu CALL FOR NOMINATIONS J. William Fulbright Prize For International Peace and Understanding

Nominations are now open for a person (or group) who exemplifies the vision of the Fulbright Program for this award. The Fulbright Association —the official U.S. association for alumni and friends— began awarding the Prize in 1993. Past recipients include: All members and friends of the Association are invited to 1993 2002 participate by nominating a potential awardee. All are President of South Africa, United Nations High further encouraged to offer their financial support and to 1994-1999 Commissioner for Refugees, join in the celebration of the spirit of international service 1991-2000 1994 through educational and cultural exchange. The 2014 prize President of the United 2003 Fernando will be awarded at a gala ceremony in Washington, D. C. on States of America, Henrique October 18, 2014. SAVE THE DATE and plan to attend! 1977-1981 Cardoso President of , TO NOMINATE, SEE FORMAT AND CRITERIA: 1995 1995-2003 Format: l Significant international Austrian Federal In ONE page: reputation for sustained Chancellor, 1986-1992 2004 Colin L. Powell l Name and contact of nom- work toward peace and un- Secretary of State of the inee. derstanding with effects not 1996 Corazon C. United States of America, l Brief biographical state- limited to a single country. Aquino 2001-2005 ment focused on activities l Ability to travel to Wash- President of the , exemplifying the purpose of ington, D. C. and to give a 1986-1992 2006 William Jefferson the award. major speech at the award Clinton l Statement of Rationale. ceremony on October 18, 1997 Václav Havel President of the United l Name and contact of per- 2014. President of the Czech States of America, son nominating potential l Nominees cannot be cur- Republic, 1990-1994 1993-2001 awardee. rent government employees. Criteria: The awardee will be chosen 1998 Patricio Aylwin 2008 Desmond M. l Represents the ideal of in a non-discriminatory man- Azocar Tutu service in the international ner. President of , Archbishop Emeritus of educational and cultural are- l Nominations will be held 1990-1994 Cape Town, Anglican na which furthers peace and in confidence until the win- Church of Southern Africa understanding among the ner has been notified and 1999 peoples of the world, the vi- acknowledged acceptance of United Nations High 2010 Bill & Melinda sion underlying the Fulbright the Prize. Commissioner for Human Gates Program. Rights, 1997-2002 Co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 2000 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS President of , 2012 Médecins Sans December 31, 2013. 1994-2000 Frontières/ Send completed one-page nomination statement to: Doctors Without Mary Ellen Schmider at [email protected] 2001 Borders Secretary-General of the International medical United Nations, 1997-2007 humanitarian organization The 2014 J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understand- ing awardee will be chosen by an International Committee of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is the first distinguished alumni and friends of the Fulbright Program. To organization to accept the Endowed Prize of $50,000 for its extraordi- avoid politicizing the process, committee members will remain nary international work as a humanitarian organization. anonymous until the winner has been announced. 8