Nationality Rooms Newsletter Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs at the University of Pittsburgh http://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/news-events Volume 93 Spring 2013 THE SWISS ROOM Dedicated April 22, 2012 THE SWISS ROOM The Swiss Room depicts a common room of the late Medieval style, circa 1500, and is modeled after a room at the Fraumu nster Abbey on display at Zurich’s Landesmuseum. The 26 “stabellen” style chairs bear the coats of arms of the Swiss Confederation’s cantons. The four trestle tables and the display cases represent the language and cultural regions of Switzerland (German, French, Italian, and Romansch). The furniture and bay area benches are white oak while the rest of the room is of pine. The leaded windows highlight the first three cantons that formed the Swiss Confederation in 1291, making Switzerland the world’s oldest continuous democracy. The doorstraps, hinges and latch hardware were inspired by medieval examples. The beamed ceilings feature nature and agricultural motifs. The rosettes that house the warm lighting, the beam ends and much of the decorative frieze in the crown molding display nature themes. The kachelofen (tile oven) has uniquely Swiss figures, animals, and colors. This is a recreation of a 1640s design created by HH Graaf displayed at Schloss Wu lflingen, Winterthur, Switzerland. The theme of the room is education for all children regardless of status or means, embodied in the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) of Geneva Kachelofen (tile oven) and Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) of Zu rich. Their portraits on the rear wall display the sketch style of Hans Holbein the Younger of Basel (1497-1543). On the window wall, the antique tinted map of Switzerland, known by its ancient name of Helvetia, completes this tribute to academ- ic excellence. Notables Jean-Jacques Rousseau Johann Pestalozzi (1746-1827). A (1712-1778). A Gene- romantic who believed in the essen- van writer, composer, tial goodness of man, developed a and philosopher, he was unified system of education in the father of French Ro- French and German schools for stu- manticism. His thoughts dents from all socio-economic back- on the equality of man grounds. Einstein, who attended influenced both the Jaco- school in Aarau, said “it made me bins in France and clearly realize how much superior Thomas Jefferson in the an education based on free action fledgling United States. and personal responsibility is to one relying on outward authority.” Here are few of the Swiss cantons’ coats of arms: 2 EDITOR: E. Maxine Bruhns ASSISTANT EDITOR: Maryann H. Sivak REPORTERS: Michael Walter, Cristina Lagnese Anita Gallagher Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs 1209 Cathedral of Learning We are pleased to announce that our NEWSLETTER is now University of Pittsburgh available on line at the following address: Pittsburgh, PA 15260 http://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/news-events Phone: 412.624.6150 FAX: 412.624.4214 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR E. Maxine Bruhns, Director We breathe a collective sigh of relief when we have completed the months required to announce; hold training sessions for; read 185 (more or less) applications; select finalists; make 127 phone calls to line up panelists; spend four days a week the entire month of February in the Braun Room administering selection panels; several days in March meeting with each scholarship win- ner and grantee; and, finally, in April, an all-day Saturday briefing and Bon Voyage event where the awardees meet last year’s win- ners and the donors of their awards. It is always a rewarding series of tasks when we realize the im- portant studies and research our awardees will carry out and what excellent representatives they will be of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs and the University of Pittsburgh. E. Maxine Bruhns Special thanks to Cristina Lagnese, Susan Langer and Maryann Sivak for their many days of ef- fort to make this happen. Eternal gratitude to our Room Committees, affiliated organizations, individuals and families who enabled us to fund 37 awards this year totaling $128,500. The grand total since 1948 is 1,160 scholarships which total $2,447,872. 3 SWISS BON MOTS In this issue we are featuring the Swiss Nationality MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL Room. We asked Swiss Room Committee members Jennie-Lynn Knox, Chair to list the ten characteristics which would absolutely identify one as being Swiss. The committee was Greetings to all! more than willing to oblige us and responded. They found, however, that a mere ten items was inade- Another busy year came to quate to the task. They generously supplied a few a close with the highly suc- more. We thought you would be interested in read- cessful Open House held ing what makes the Swiss so special. on December 2, 2012. A wonderful day of celebra- You know you are Swiss if: tion! And now we begin a new year with prepara- You think Nestle chocolate tastes better than Jennie Lynn Knox tions for yet another new Hershey’s. classroom, the Korean Heritage Room, as well as the Until you were 18, you thought the only two di- awarding of scholarships for summer study abroad rections were uphill and downhill. and the Cabaret Ball. You complain if your bus/train/tram is more Without the continued dedication and support from than five minutes late. Make that one minute. our Nationality Rooms Program Director, Maxine You’ve ever been confused with a Swede. Bruhns and her enthusiastic and committed staff, we, as members of our respective committees, You have learned three to four languages and would not have the successes that we continue to think this is completely normal. produce. We cannot do it without them. So I urge all committee chairmen and members to participate You can pronounce “Chuchicha schtli” and you know what it means. enthusiastically and give your support to their com- mitment for this exceptional program. Not only do You know what “Ro sti” are. we now have 29 classrooms, but this year we award- ed 37 scholarships to students for study abroad this You get amused when you see Swiss German summer. How exciting! people being subtitled on German television. You firmly believe it is more important to do We also look forward to the Cabaret Ball on April 21, things accurately than to do them quickly. 2013 when seven rooms will celebrate anniver- saries. You grew up believing all cows must wear bells. Since the completion of the newest classrooms , the You think it is normal that your guests help with Nationality Committees have continued to bring into dishwashing and cleaning at the end of the party. the University an infusion of the cultural values of You think spontaneity is OK, as long as it’s the countries they represent. As one visitor was planned. quoted: “This is a unique opportunity to travel the World in one day.” You approve of school on Saturday mornings. You take a foreign language course, in German. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the community in this capacity, and continue to pledge my enthusi- You decline an invitation because you have to astic support on behalf of all the committees. clean your apartment. You laugh when you see the “mountains” at western Pennsylvania ski resorts. You think that all trains are spotless and always run on time. You find it completely normal to consume 25.6 pounds of chocolate per year. 4 AFRICAN HERITAGE ROOM rence Glasco, Pitt history professor and chair of the Lora Ann Bray, Treasurer AHC design committee. The AHCC is overwhelmed by Dr. Proctor’s generosity to the classroom! This The primary purpose of the African Heritage Class- gift and other items will appear on a rotating basis room Committee (AHCC) is to raise scholarship in the Room’s display cases. The permanent display money to enhance the world-view of Pitt students items are the Malawi carved wooden plaque, which by sending them to study abroad in Africa. We are has been in the classroom since its dedication in pleased to announce this year’s undergraduate 1989, and the beautifully beaded Yoruba tunic, a scholarship recipient is Ms. Melissa Delia who will more recent gift. travel to Madagascar to learn about the intersection between traditional and modern medical practices Lastly, members of the AHCC hosted an African among urban and rural residents. Melissa is an An- Wares booth at the Nationality Rooms Open House thropology/French major, minoring in Chemistry. event on December 2, 2012. We sold traditional Af- She plans to become a physician working with un- rican clothes and jewelry with the proceeds benefit- derserved populations in the U.S. and abroad. ting our scholarship fund. Committee participation also included member attendance at other National- The Beulah Glasco Memorial Award, funded ity Room dedications, a Kenyan tea sponsored by mainly by Professor Laurence Glasco, went to gradu- UCIS African Studies, and Pitt’s annual Black History ate student Ms. Kendra Brumfield who is eagerly Month Program at the Heinz History Center. We awaiting her country assignment from the African remain an active committee always welcoming the Bureau USAID Program. Kendra is a graduate stu- support of new members! dent in GSPIA where she is pursuing a Masters of Public Administration degree with a minor in Public and Non-Profit Management and a certificate in Afri- FRENCH ROOM COMMITTEE can Studies. Kendra’s career goal is to facilitate sus- Alanna Muir tainable development throughout Africa through effective public management. The AHCC wishes Save the date for a SUMMER SOIREE to benefit the French Nationality Room Committee’s Study Abroad Program and the Aliance Française de Pittsburgh.