Nobel Prize Ceremony at International House
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World Beyond the Headlines Lecture Annual 59th Street Spring Festival Series Mark Gevisser Festival Jazz Series Series—Indian Thabo Mbeki— of Nations March 22, Performing Arts The Dream Deferred Celebration April 4, May 2, April 23–25 May 5 May 17 and June 7 SPRING 2009 I-HOUSE LIFE Nobel Prize Ceremony at International House The 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics was and the Enrico Fermi Institute, was understandable whole.” After nearly presented to Professor Yoichiro Nambu born in Tokyo in 1921. Dr. Nambu fifty years, the Royal Swedish Academy on December 10—not in Stockholm, arrived in the U.S. in 1952 to study with of Science has honored Dr. Nambu’s but in Hyde Park. The Assembly Hall at J. Robert Oppenheimer at Princeton achievements as he takes his place as International House was the site University’s Institute for Advanced the 28th Nobel laureate in Physics at for this historic event, with the hall’s Study. He came to the University the University of Chicago. colorful flag display adding to the of Chicago as a Research Associate in pageantry of the trumpeters’ herald 1954, in part due to the reputation that opened the ceremony. of Enrico Fermi (himself a fellow Nobel International House not only laureate in Physics and a 1940–1942 International House Nobel Laureates provided an elegant setting for this resident of International House). high-profile occasion, but efficiently The scientific work that resulted International House proudly recog- who achieved the first controlled handled the innumerable details in Dr. Nambu’s Nobel Prize—“the nizes its alumni, who have been self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction associated with an event of this nature discovery of the mechanism of sponta- honored with Nobel Prizes in their under the west stands of Stagg involving matters of protocol. neous broken symmetry in subatomic academic disciplines: Field on December 2, 1942. The program featured remarks physics”—was conducted in 1960. from President Robert Zimmer, Physics Nobelist James Cronin (SM’53, James W Cronin, SM’53, PhD’55 Tsung-Dao Lee, PhD’50 Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström, PhD’55), Professor Emeritus and a I-House resident in 1954 I-House resident from 1946 to 1949 and and Professor Nambu, who delivered 1954 International House resident, James Cronin (along with Val L. Fitch) Chen Ning Yang, PhD’48 a talk entitled “My Road to Spontaneous who toasted Dr. Nambu following the received the 1980 prize in Physics for I-House resident from 1945 to 1948 Symmetry Breaking.” Dr. Nambu ceremony, has deemed his colleague’s the discovery of violations of fundamen- Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang, received the Nobel medal and diploma contributions “the cornerstone of tal symmetry principles in the decay of received the 1957 prize in Physics from Ambassador Hafström following the standard model of particle physics, neutral K-mesons, work done in part at for their penetrating investigation of a segment of video clips from the which unites the strong interactions, the University. Cronin has been a the so-called parity laws, which has Stockholm ceremony. the electromagnetic interactions, and member of the faculty since 1970, and led to important discoveries regarding The event was attended by 200 the weak inter actions all in a clear, is currently University Professor elementary particles. Yang was invited guests, including Dr. Nambu’s Emeritus, Department of Physics, the Instructor in the Department of Physics wife, Chieko and son, John as well as Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College. in 1948 and 1949. fellow Nobel laureates from the University of Chicago and other institu- Enrico Fermi George J. Stigler, PhD’38 tions and members of the University I-House resident from 1940 to 1942 I-House resident from 1933 to 1936 community. A live telecast was shown Enrico Fermi received the 1938 prize George Stigler was the Charles R. at Max Palevsky Auditorium and in Physics for his demonstrations of the Walgreen Distinguished Service on CTV1 and was streamed live on the existence of new radioactive elements Professor Emeritus in the Booth School University’s Web site. produced by neutron irradiation, of Business and the Department of Dr. Nambu, Harry Pratt Judson and for his related discovery of nuclear Economics. He received the 1982 prize reactions brought about by slow neu- in Economic Sciences. He was a mem- Distinguished Service Professor Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström and Emeritus of the Department of Physics Professor Nambu trons. Fermi led the team of scientists ber of the faculty from 1958 to 1991. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE NEWS AND INFORMation Celebrating 100 Years of the Idea of International House “We soon became aware that … generation of Dodges—Cleveland E. Dodge and a miracle was taking place. The Frederick Osborn—joined the Cosmopolitan Club fact that they came from different board. Through Edmonds’ appeal the Dodge family countries lost its significance… donated funds to purchase six lots on Claremont They were just students— Avenue in New York City in 1920. Message from friendly, jovial, talkative.” Later that year the great philanthropist John D. —From the Memoirs Rockefeller, Jr. addressed the Club at one of its the Director— of Harry Edmonds Harry Edmonds Sunday Suppers. Impressed by the students and seeking a way to foster global peace in the These are troubling economic times for Throughout 2009 International Houses Worldwide wake of World War I, he agreed to purchase the the University of Chicago. This is not are celebrating 100 years of the International remaining property on Riverside Drive, and a startling revelation that I am sharing House idea. International House was inspired by to finance construction on the majestic site over- here. This problem has been building a chance encounter on the steps of Low Library looking the Hudson River. Ground was broken in the U.S. and around the world for at Columbia University. There in 1909, Harry in August 1922, and International House of New months, and as we look to the future, Edmonds—a 26-year old YMCA secretary—greeted York opened its doors in 1924. it is imperative that International a Chinese student in passing. Surprised by The opening of International House of New House address these issues head on in Edmonds’ warm recognition, the young man York was heralded throughout the world. From order to protect this valuable experi- responded “Thank you for speaking to me. I the outset, residents were offered a wide range ence for future generations of students. have been in New York three weeks, and you are of opportunities to interact. Sunday Suppers, The dramatic drop in the stock the first person who has spoken to me.” Deeply with guest speakers, immediately became part of market has affected the payout of our affected by the encounter, Edmonds and his wife the program, as did other activities which remain endowment which supports many of Florence invited a group of international students in one form or another to the present day at all the programs and services that enrich to their country home for simple suppers. International Houses Worldwide: national nights, the International House Chicago experi- These gatherings continued, and in the winter dance parties, interest groups, noted speakers ence. Our senior management team at of 1910–11, the Edmonds held the first series of of the day and excursions. International House has been working Sunday Suppers in Earl Hall at Columbia University, The idea of the “world under one roof” was on these issues for several months and to which American students were also invited. such a success that in 1926 John D. Rockefeller, Jr. has already begun to take steps to mini- I-House I-House News In 1912, Edmonds established the formed a committee to “determine the needs and mize the financial impacts of the current Intercollegiate Cosmopolitan Club with student offi- opportunities” for others. With intense consultation economic downturn. We are looking for cers and a regular program of activities. In time, his by Harry Edmonds and financing by Mr. Rockefeller, opportunities to encourage new partner- goal expanded to include the promotion not only International Houses opened in Berkeley in 1930, ships with local colleges and universities of friendship among individuals, but greater under- Chicago in 1932, Paris in 1936 and Tokyo in 1954. to increase our occupancy and further standing and respect among nations. Although Today there are scores of International Houses in diversify our resident population. We the Club had quarters at 2929 Broadway, Edmonds countries throughout the world, all promoting continue to explore new partnerships dreamed of a permanent home. The concept was qualities of leadership, tolerance, respect and to increase our public lecture and per- radical: men and women of all races, nationalities friendship among individuals of forming art revenues, such as the new and religions living and dining together as gradu- all nations and backgrounds. 59th Street Jazz Series which will bring ate students under the same roof. A more formal organization of four jazz concerts to International House Members of the Dodge family—Cleveland H. International Houses Worldwide this spring. We are investigating several Dodge and his sisters, Grace H. Dodge and Mrs. has been established in energy saving projects that will help William Osborn—were early supporters of the effort, recent years further extending us minimize costs in the future, as well helping to furnish the clubhouse. The younger John D. Rockefeller the International House idea. as help conserve valuable energy resources. Lastly, we are searching for efficiencies at all levels of our operation as we seek ways to protect and pre- serve this wonderful institution. International Houses Worldwide—Directors Meet in Sydney Your enduring support through these Representatives from International Houses Worldwide (IHWW), an organization of difficult times is greatly appreciated.