The HARVARD FOUNDATION Newsletter SPRING 2003 VOL. XXII, NO.2 Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa Receives Bishop Charles E. Distinguished Scientist of the Year Award Blake Receives Humanitarian Award

Students Perform in Cultural Rhythms

Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers welcomes 2003 Distinguished Scientist, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, and Harvard Foundation student hosts to Massachusetts Hall. (l to r) Priscilla Orta ’05, President Summers, Dr. Ochoa, Omar Urquidez ’05 and Wendy Caceres ’03. Queen Latifah Artist of the Year at Harvard

U.S. Ambassador Richard Murphy ’51 Speaks at Arab Students Conference 2 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Table of Contents

Greek and Turkish Friendship Dinner...... 3 Greek Singer George Dalaras Visits Harvard...... 3 Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa Receives Distinguished Scientist Award at Harvard Foundation Science Conference...... 4 “Partners in Science” Program ...... 6 Queen Latifah 2003 Artist of the Year at Cultural Rhythms Festival ...... 8 Bishop Charles E. Blake Honored for “Save Africa’s Children,” Orphans of the AIDS Crisis ...... 16 Minority Portraiture Campaign...... 19 Society of Arab Students Holds Conference on U.S. and Arab Relations ...... 20 Harvard South Asian Association Welcomes Film Director Mira Nair...... 22 Boys Choir of Harlem Luncheon ...... 23 The Harvard Foundation Annual Aloian Student Awards Dinner ...... 24 Bilalian: A Documentary on Black American Muslims ...... 27 Harvard RAZA’s Cinco de Mayo and Cesar Chavez Memorial Events ...... 28 In Memoriam: Professor Harold Amos ...... 29 & 30 Harvard Foundation Spring 2003 Grant Summaries ...... 30 Mathematics Professor Benedict H. Gross Appointed Dean of Harvard College 40

The Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations The Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations was established in 1981 by the President and Deans of Harvard University on the recommendation of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to improve “relations among racial and ethnic groups within the University and to enhance the quality of our common life.” The Foundation seeks to improve racial understanding and promote intercultural appreciation among students and faculty through a variety of educational events and activities that encourage interracial interaction and celebrate the identities and unique cultural backgrounds of all Harvard students. Dr. S. Allen Counter, Ph.D., D.M.Sc., Associate Professor of Neurology/ Neurophysiology, has served as Director of the Harvard Foundation since 1981.

“If you spend four years at Harvard College and develop no friendships with people of other races and cultural backgrounds, you will lose half the value of your Harvard degree.” Dr. S. Allen Counter Director of the Harvard Foundation HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 3 Greek and Turkish Friendship Dinner

students in attendance enjoyed kebabs cooked on the Adams House grill, Greek salad, Turkish yogurt, sweet custard desserts, and friendly conversation. Both the Turkish and Greek student organizations agreed to host similar and more expansive programs in the future under the auspices of the Harvard Foundation. Eraklis Stamelos ’04 Harvard Hellenic Society Representative

Eraklis Stamelos ’04, Harvard Hellenic Society Representative (l) and Erkut Kucukboyaci ’04, head of the Harvard Turkish Students Association (r). he Harvard Foundation said Erkut Kucukboyaci ’04, head of the sponsored a Greek Turkish Turkish Students Association. “We Friendship Dinner and program simply wanted to get to know each other T th on February 13 . “The purpose of the so that we may one day tackle the dinner was to foster friendly discussion problems of our past and future as and expose the cultural similarities friends.” The program, held in Adams between two ethnic groups whose House, included a crash course in governments have traditionally been at traditional Greek dances taught by odds with each other,” said Eraklis Vassiliki Yiannoulis ’04, and a Stamelos ’04, Hellenic Society backgammon tournament (won by Zeynep Darendelilier ’05). Students of Representative to the Harvard Harvard College students enjoy the Greek and Foundation. “We came together many ethnic backgrounds attended the Turkish Friendship Dinner at Adams House. specifically NOT to discuss politics, “ event. The Greek, Turkish, and other Greek Singer George Dalaras Visits Harvard extraordinary opportunity for the concerning the then current events of Hellenic Society to invite him to the US-Iraq war, which is hard to gauge Harvard College. We were able to do from overseas. He also discussed the so with the generous help of the Harvard mending role that musicians can play Foundation and Lowell House. during times of international and cross- One of our weekly Greek Table cultural unrest. meetings instantly became a once-in-a- By the end of the evening, we had lifetime chance to interact with the succeeded in getting to know the man singer. Dalaras, accompanied by his behind the singer. The event established Students welcome popular Greek singer wife and agent, joined the forty Harvard a warm connection between Dalaras, George Dalaras to Harvard. undergraduate and graduate students in the Harvard Hellenic Society (HHS) One of the most famous and beloved attendance to discuss music and current and the Harvard community. The HHS singers of the Greek music scene, affairs. The discussion gave us the board would like to thank the Harvard George Dalaras, found his way to opportunity to address topics such as the Foundation for facilitating this Boston this April during his tour of the musician’s future plans, Greek memorable gathering. East Coast. In his thirty years of singing, Americans’ love for authentic Greek Dalaras has captured the hearts of music, as well as the possible threat of Eirene Markenscoff-Papadimitriou ’05 Greeks both at home and abroad. His our alienation from its sound. Dalaras President, Harvard Hellenic Society upcoming Boston concert provided an updated us on the Greek opinion 4 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa Receives Distinguished Scientist Award hardware and robotics training. She has been an important contributor to the United States mission for space exploration through her shared knowledge and experiences. In addition to furthering the knowledge of scientists everywhere with her work in optics, Dr. Ochoa holds close ties with the Hispanic community. She has received the Hispanic Engineer Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Humanity and the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. Her luncheon speech provided insight into the nature of a space mission and the special characteristics and attributes of the men and women who Dr. Ellen Ochoa (c) accepts science award from Dr. S. Allen Counter (r) and RAZA members carry out the missions. She showed a (l to r) Oscar Hernandez ’06, Stephanie Paiz ’05, Priscilla Orta ’05 and Wendy Caceres ’03. video clip from one of her last missions r. Ellen Ochoa, NASA Ochoa. Ms. Orta, a Medieval History to the International Space Station which astronaut and mission concentrator, delighted the luncheon highlighted the flight crews’ robotics specialist, was honored during guests with her sincere and entertaining work. Dth the 10 Annual Harvard Foundation remarks. She mentioned how she The first day’s program was Science Conference (Advancing “quickly learned, [after] studying Dr. concluded with a science poster Minorities and Women in Science, Ochoa’s biography, that excellence presentation by Andre Kydd ’04, who Engineering and Mathematics) with the needs no interdisciplinary translation, presented his recent scientific research 2003 Distinguished Scientist award. A and in fact speaks for itself.” on “Polysubstance Abuse-Associated luncheon co-sponsored by Harvard During her visit to Harvard, Dr. regions of chromosomes 4 (RSA3) and RAZA, the Mexican-American student Ochoa was welcomed to Massachusetts X (RSA16).” organization, was held on Friday, March Hall by President Lawrence H. Stephanie Paiz ’05 14th. The event took place in the Summers, who talked with her about the Vice President, Harvard RAZA Hastings Room of Pforzheimer House, U.S. Space Program. She was also given where Masters James and Suzanne a tour of the University Hall Faculty McCarthy hosted the event and Room by Faculty of Arts and Sciences extended their cordial welcome to Dr. Dean and Geisinger Professor of Ochoa. The gathering included students History, Dr. William C. Kirby. and staff from around the Harvard Dr. Ochoa is a native of California, community, with many students where she earned her BS in physics representing the science, mathematics from San Diego State University and and engineering concentrations. her Masters and Ph.D. in Electrical Notable Harvard scientists in Engineering from Stanford University. attendance included physicist Dr. Lisa She has co-invented and patented Randall, Dr. Harvey Tananbaum, Dr. optical inspection systems for Robert Graham and Dr. J. Woodland performing information processing. She Hastings, who gave a welcoming joined NASA in 1990 and three years speech for Dr. Ochoa before the later became the first Latina astronaut Director of the Harvard Foundation, Dr. in space. She has since completed three S. Allen Counter, presented her with the additional space flights. Aboard the special 2003 science award. missions, her technical duties included Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean William C. Priscilla Orta ’05, President of flight and crew representation for Kirby gives Dr. Ellen Ochoa a history tour of Harvard RAZA, introduced Dr. Ellen software verification, computer the Harvard Faculty Room. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 5

(l to r) Professor Philip Sadler, head of the Science Education Department at the Harvard- Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Dr. Ochoa; and Professor Harvey D. Tananbaum, Director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-Ray Center.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa speaks with students and faculty about her experiences as a NASA astronaut.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa (l) and host, Pforzheimer House Co-Master Mrs. Suzanne McCarthy (r).

(l to r) Dr. Dudley Herschbach, Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science; Dr. James McCarthy, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Biological Oceanography and Master of Pforzheimer House; Dr. Ellen Ochoa; and Dr. J. Woodland Hastings, Paul C. Mangelsdorf Professor of Natural Sciences.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa greets Dr. Keith Motley, Northeastern University Dean and Director of the Paul Robeson School Program.

Harvard Foundation Staff Assistant Stacey Harrison Andre Kydd ’04 explains his biomedical research project to scientists at the luncheon. welcomes Dr. Ellen Ochoa. 6 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 “Partners in Science” Program

he second day of the Science Changed My Life” and Professor Conference-entitled Giuseppina Fabbiano on “The Hot T “Partners in Science,” took Universe.” Professor Alyssa Goodman place in the Harvard Science Center on concluded with “It’s Not Always So Saturday, March 15th. Activities Cold in Space: Infrared Astronomy throughout the day allowed over one from Above the Earth’s Atmosphere.” hundred children from public schools Following the faculty in the Boston and Cambridge area to demonstrations, the students were Dr. Robert Graham, Assistant Director of the Harvard Materials Research Labor- meet and interact with Harvard faculty divided into groups led by Harvard atory, works on a tough problem with a and students. During the first portion College student volunteer mentors. student during his presentation, of the day, students from Boston and Each group discussed themes from the “Exploring Your Physical World.” Cambridge after-school programs run faculty lectures and performed various by Dr. J. Keith Motley and Dr. Esther experiments, ranging from making Pearson attended lectures and miniature volcanoes to creating silly demonstrations from prominent putty. The experiments provided a great members of the Harvard science faculty. opportunity for the visiting students to The second part of Saturday’s schedule have fun while learning important involved hands-on activities where scientific concepts. Afterwards, students of the College guided the students and mentors continued their children through various fun and discussions and relaxed while enjoying informative science experiments. sandwiches in the Science Center. Following an introduction by Dr. S. The Science Conference was co- Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard chaired by Harvard Foundation Interns Dr. Robert Kirshner, Professor of Foundation, the students were Margaret Anadu ’03 and Dina Maxwell Astronomy, demonstrates a fun experiment welcomed to the College by physicist ’06. Over twenty-five Harvard College on “The Expanding Universe.” Dr. Robert Graham, who began the students volunteered for Saturday’s demonstrations by engaging students in conference, making the event a real “Exploring Your Physical World.” success. Professor Robert Kirshner then gave an Dina Maxwell ’06 enlightening presentation on “The Co-Chair, Science Conference Expanding Universe.” The students were next thrilled by presentations from (photo on right) Dr. Giuseppina Fabbiano, Professor Patrick Slane on “We Are Professor of Astronomy, lectures to public Stardust, or, How Exploding Stars school students on “The Hot Universe.”

Dr. Patrick Slane, Lecturer in Astronomy and Associate of the Harvard College Observatory, explains why “We Are Stardust, or, How Dr. Alyssa Goodman, Associate Professor of Astronomy, presents a lesson on “Infrared Exploding Star Changed My Life.” Astronomy” to public school students during the Science Conference. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 7

Mr. Daniel Rosenberg, Science Center Lecture Demonstrator, and Margaret Anadu ’ 03, Science Conference Co-Chair, welcome “Partners in Science” public school students to Harvard.

Harvard College “Partners in Science” volunteer mentors at the Harvard Science Center.

Chaperones and community role models for the children from the Paul Robeson Saturday Boys School Program who participated in the Harvard Foundation “Partners in Science” program. 8 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Queen Latifah 2003 Artist of the Year

After enjoying a wonderful meal, Queen Latifah heard tributes from Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation, Sloan Eddleston ’04, Chair of the Kirkland House Committee, and David L. Evans, Harvard College Senior Admissions Officer. The afternoon Cultural Rhythms showcase of Harvard College student performers was as spectacular as the beginning of the day. Students filed into Sanders Theatre as much as an hour before start time, eagerly awaiting the start of the show. This year’s guests were welcomed into the theater by a pre-show performance led by Claudia Queen Latifah electrifies the crowd at the Harvard Foundation 2003 Cultural Rhythms Festival. Garcia ’05 and Mariachi Veritas de Harvard, a remarkably talented This is going to be more fun members and the Harvard Marching Mexican musical ensemble. After a few than the Oscars!” exclaimed Band, which played an entertaining songs by Mariachi Veritas, show “ Artist of the Year Queen arrangement of musical pieces to honor directors Margaret Anadu ’03 and Latifah upon greeting the standing- the Queen. As is also tradition, students Roberto Gradilla ’03 welcomed the room-only crowd in Sanders Theatre on from the College performed skits to large Sanders crowd and prepped February 22nd for the 19th Annual roast the beloved guest. A Cultural Rhythms Show. Queen Latifah revised version of the - musician, television and film actress, theme song from Living talk show host, label president, artist Single humorously manager, author and entrepreneur - became “Living gladly visited the students and faculty Bachelor” and was sung of Harvard University to receive an directly to Queen Latifah honor previously bestowed upon other by evening cultural show great artists such as Jackie Chan, Will hosts Daryk Pengelly ’03, Smith, Halle Berry and Andy Garcia. Niles Lichtenstein ’05, Some of Latifah’s most recent stand-out Caleb Franklin ’05, work includes her role as Big Mama in Harpaul Kohli ’03, and the film Chicago, for which she Zachary Raynor ’05. The received nominations for a Golden high point of the Globe Award, a Screen Actor’s Guild afternoon came when Award, and a much sought-after Harvard Foundation Academy Award for Best Supporting Intern Melissa Luna ’03, Actress. She has also been lauded for dressed as a 1920s her role in the hit television series Living dancer, serenaded the Single and her 1989 musical debut audience with an Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation and album All Hail the Queen. extraordinary rendition of Harvard College Dean Harry R. Lewis (r) present multi-talented Queen Latifah with the 2003 Artist of the Year Award. Before dazzling the crowd in “When You’re Good to Sanders, Queen Latifah was welcomed Mama,” a song sung by Latifah in everyone for the guest of honor. After to the College with a reception and Chicago. saying a few words about the history of luncheon in Kirkland House. House Following a rousing welcoming the annual Cultural Rhythms Festival, Masters Tom and Verena Conley hosted reception in the Kirkland Junior Counter brought Queen Latifah onstage the events, which were also attended by Common Room, guests moved over to to a standing ovation. A few minutes over one hundred students, faculty the Kirkland Dining Hall for lunch. passed before the crowd quieted enough HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 9 for Latifah to say “Hello.” Like Jackie Chan and Blair Underwood before her, she sang with Kuumba, danced with Fuerza Latina and Un Poquito Más, and was greeted with flowers as each group entered the stage. Later in the program, Counter and College Dean Harry R. Lewis ’68 presented Latifah with the Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year Award, given in appreciation of Latifah’s humanitarian efforts, including her and her mother’s (Mrs. Rita Owens) support of college-bound students in the name of her late brother, Lancelot Owens. Upon graciously accepting her award, Latifah remarked that “if we could let these performers rule the world, we wouldn’t be at war Queen Latifah joins Harvard’s Kuumba Singers in a gospel song at the Cultural Rhythms Festival. right now.” Photo courtesy of the Harvard University Gazette. In addition to Queen Latifah’s enthusiastic participation, the shows Flamenco (Latin) and Kathak (Indian) Food Festival in the Science Center featured performances by over twenty- piece entitled “Baile-Nritya” to mezzanine. Many people then returned five student cultural groups from traditional favorites such as the South to Sanders Theatre for the Cultural Harvard College. From new additions African mining dance performed by Rhythms evening show which brought such as a Brazilian samba dance by Gumboots and a unique hip-hop dance together additional cultural Harvard Ballroom and a collaborative by the Expressions Dance Company, all performance groups that entertained the of the performances represented the audience. Hosted by four students who impressive diversity of cultural heritage mixed humor with informative among Harvard students. information about each group, the Following the first show, the second show featured groups such as participants were treated to a variety of the Hawaiian Club, Turkish Belly ethnic cuisines at the Cultural Rhythms Dancing, and the Asian American Dance Troupe. Food Festival and Art Showcase Following the student performances gave students an opportunity to display at the 19th Annual Cultural Rhythms visual symbols of their cultural Festival, hundreds of students, faculty identities. The Art Showcase and Harvard families had their tastebuds synthesized the Cultural Rhythms spirit Roberto Gradilla ’03, Show Co-Director, tantalized at the Harvard Foundation of music, dance and food. By all reports, congratulates students who worked at Food Festival. Held in the Science the students, faculty families and local making Cultural Rhythms a success. Center, the Festival was supported by Cambridge residents who attended the over twenty student organizations that Food Festival found it both enjoyable presented the crowd with a wide array and a valuable cultural learning of ethnic cuisines. This year, attendees experience. The Festival and Showcase were able to enjoy food that spanned were organized by Harvard Foundation the globe from the Middle East and Asia Interns Ellen Yiadom ’06, Jia Han ’05 to Latin America. Students decorated and Melissa Luna ’03 (coordinator). their booths with the vivid colors of Funds raised at this year’s Food international flags, as well as art and Festival were donated to student- posters exhibiting the uniqueness of selected charities, such as the their cultures. Massachusetts Society for Prevention Queen Latifah with Duane Meat ’05, Co- For the second year, the Harvard of Cruelty to Children. Chair of the Harvard Foundation Student Foundation held an Art Showcase in Melissa Luna ’03 Advisory Committee and member of Native Americans at Harvard College. conjunction with the Food Festival. This Harvard Foundation Intern 10 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Queen Latifah shows off her new Harvard sweatshirt to the audience.

Foundation Director Dr. S. Allen Counter gives a warm welcome to Queen Latifah at the Harvard Cultural Festival in Sanders Theatre. The cultural shows were for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. coordinated by Harvard Foundation Margaret Anadu ’03 Interns Margaret Anadu ’03, Roberto Gradilla ’03 Students gather around Queen Latifah during Roberto Gradilla ’03, Niles Harvard Foundation Interns and the annual Kirkland House reception. Lichtenstein ’05, Dina Maxwell ’06, Cultural Rhythms show Co-Directors Stephanie Paiz ’05, and Brian Sandoval ’06. The publicity was organized by Ethan Yeh ’03, Brian Clair ’05, Claudia Garcia ’05, and Saritha Komatireddy ’05. As in previous years, the proceeds from Cultural Rhythms were donated to student-selected charities Minnie Quach ’03 (l) and Lynn Huynh ’03 (r) Cultural Rhythms show Co-Director such as the Massachusetts Society share the Sanders Theatre stage with Margaret Anadu ’03 welcomes Queen Artist of the Year Queen Latifah. Latifah to Harvard.

Cultural Rhythms performers, organizers and volunteers thank Queen Latifah for hosting the show. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 11

Masters of Kirkland House Professors Tom and Verena Conley welcome Queen Latifah.

Harvard Foundation Intern Dina Maxwell ’06 presents Queen Latifah’s new advertisement for Cover Girl makeup in a skit at the annual Kirland House reception and roast.

Melissa Luna ’03 performs the song “When You‘re Good To Mama” from the movie Chicago for Queen Latifah’s reception.

The Harvard Marching Band plays “10,000 Men of Harvard” as Queen Latifah enters Kirkland House for her official welcome to Harvard.

Queen Latifah’s assistants Keith Sheppard and LaWanda Black enjoy the Kirkland House luncheon.

Over one hundred Harvard College students and faculty enjoyed a luncheon honoring Harvard Sloan Eggleston ’04 presents a Kirkland House Foundation Artist of the Year Queen Latifah at Harvard‘s Kirkland House. shirt to Queen Latifah at the luncheon. 12 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 13 14 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 15 16 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Bishop Charles E. Blake Honored for “Save Africa’s Children,” Orphans of the AIDS Crisis

Dr. Harvey Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity at the Harvard Divinity School, introduces honorary guest Bishop Charles E. Blake at the Memorial Church lecture/sermon. members of the Greater Boston community. Representatives of several religious communities from the Harvard United Ministry greeted Bishop Blake at the luncheon including the Reverend Bishop Charles E. Blake (c) is presented the Harvard Foundation Humanitarian Award by Mark Eddington, Epps Fellow, Foundation Director Dr. S. Allen Counter (r) and the Reverend Dr. Peter J. Gomes (l), Pusey Chaplain to Harvard College and Minister in the Memorial Church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals. Assistant Minister in the Memorial embers of the Harvard University President and Dean of Church, Rabbi David Kudan of Harvard community welcomed Harvard College, was presented at Hillel, and the Reverend Claudia M Bishop Charles E. Blake Harvard’s historic Memorial Church by Highbaugh, Chaplain at the Harvard Sr., one of the country’s most highly Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Divinity School. A number of respected ministers, on February 27th. Harvard Foundation, and the Reverend distinguished ministers from Boston Bishop Blake is the senior pastor of the Dr. Peter J. Gomes, Pusey Minister in also attended various events honoring West Angeles Church of God in Christ the Memorial Church and Plummer Bishop Blake. in Los Angeles, Calif. and founder of Professor of Christian Morals. Bishop Bishop Blake spoke with many the organization Save Africa’s Children. Blake was invited to the University by students about his efforts to save The West Angeles Church, founded by the Harvard Foundation, the Memorial Africa’s AIDS orphans. “Save Africa’s Rev. Blake in 1969 with fifty members, Church, and the Harvard Divinity Children is a people-to-people, church- has grown to 18,000. School. to-church initiative designed to allow Bishop Blake received the Harvard During a day filled with activities, God’s people to help save the lives of Foundation Humanitarian Award. The Bishop Blake met with students and children in Africa and provide them honor, which bears the signature of the faculty from throughout the University. He presented a talk at the Harvard Divinity School to graduate students in Visiting Professor Reverend Dr. Robert Franklin’s “Art of Preaching” class. A special luncheon was held in the Bishop’s honor at the Harvard Faculty Club for Bishop Charles E. Blake delivers his lecture/ students, faculty, and The Kuumba Singers of Harvard College sing a gospel tribute for sermon at Harvard’s Memorial Church. Bishop Blake at the Memorial Church. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 17

Reverend Eugene Rivers, noted Pastor of the Boston Azusa Christian Church (l), speaks with Reverend William Dickerson, Pastor of the Greater Love Tabernacle Church, during events honoring Bishop Blake at Harvard.

plan to work closely with Bishop Blake as he initiates his Save Africa’s Children project. Bishop Blake meets with members of the Harvard AIDS Coalition at a luncheon held in his honor. The Reverend Peter J. Gomes hosted with a brighter future,” he said. All a dinner at his Sparks House residence funds raised provide urgently needed in honor of Bishop Blake. The dinner care for AIDS orphans, children with was attended by a number of prominent HIV/AIDS and other children exposed Harvard faculty as well as distinguished to this pandemic. Bishop Blake ministers from the Pentecostal Church expressed his pleasure with the community and other guests. The initiatives of Harvard students who are elegant ambiance of Sparks House involved with projects to assist in the engendered conviviality and The Reverend Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, prevention of the spread of AIDS in enlightening conversation. Chaplain at the Harvard Divinity School (l), Africa. Ben Wikler ’03, Founder of the Eleanor Thompson ’05, President of Ms. Jan Randolph, Senior Administrator in Harvard AIDS Coalition, met with the Harvard African Student Memorial Church (c) and Ms. Irene Monroe, Bishop Blake to discuss the Coalition’s doctoral candidate at the Harvard Divinity Association, welcomed Bishop Blake to School (r) join the reception for the Bishop. programs to assist African AIDS Memorial Church with words of victims. Wikler and other student appreciation for his humanitarian work members of the organization joined in Africa. Bishop Blake at the honorary luncheon Following an introduction by where they shared information about Harvard Divinity School Professor their endeavors. Many of the students Harvey Cox, Bishop Blake delivered a involved with African AIDS projects lecture/sermon on “The Joseph

The Reverend Mark Edington, Epps Fellow, Chaplain to Harvard College and Assistant Minister in the Memorial Church (r), greets Bishop Blake.

Mr. David L. Evans, Senior Admissions Officer at Harvard College (l), and Dr. Sybil Knight, Principal of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High Rabbi David Kudan of Harvard Hillel and Harvard United Ministry (c) joins Dr. S. Allen School (r), meet Bishop Blake. Counter (r) in welcoming Bishop Blake to Harvard. 18 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Ms. Jackie Benson Jones, Associate Director of EEO Programs at Harvard (l), and Rabbi David Kudan of Harvard Hillel and Harvard United Minstry at Harvard College (r) take part in the luncheon for Bishop Blake.

Bishop Charles E. Brown of New Orleans (l) and Reverend Robert Franklin,Visiting Professor and President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta (r) greet Bishop Charles Blake.

Paradigm” that dealt with his model of Middle Eastern Studies; THE program for supporting and providing Reverend Leroy Attles of Cambridge; for a better life for the millions of Mr. David L. Evans, Harvard Senior orphan children left behind by parents Admissions Officer; Mr. James Hoyte, who have died of AIDS. The lecture was Associate Vice President of Harvard; both informative in its content and and Sheldon K.X. Reid, Director of the Reverend Samuel Brown (l) and Reverend William Dickerson (r) of Boston’s Greater Love stirring in its delivery. A masterful Kuumba Singers of Harvard College. Tabernacle Church of God greet Bishop Blake. preacher, Bishop Blake evoked an Harvard Foundation Staff emotional response from an energized audience. “This was one of the most impressive sermons and lectures that I’ve heard,” said the Reverend Peter J. Gomes, “We must invite Bishop Blake back to Harvard to deliver a Sunday sermon at Memorial Church.” In presenting the award to Bishop Blake, Dr. Counter referred to him as a great “teacher of faith,” and praised his humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Bishop Blake is welcomed to Cambridge by the Anthony Jacobs, Research Assistant at Reverend Dr. Leroy Attles, Pastor of St. Paul’s the Harvard Biological Laboratories, orphaned victims of AIDS as well as AME Church in Cambridge. speaks with Bishop Blake. his distinguished leadership in the American religious community. Also attending the day’s events and meetings were Dr. William Graham, Jr., Dean of the Harvard Divinity School and the Murray A. Albertson Professor

(l to r) Amanda Alexander ’04, James Hoyte, Assistant to the President/Associate Vice President and Mr. David L. Evans, Harvard College Senior Admissions Officer. Luncheon guests listen to Bishop Blake’s talk on his efforts to assist Africa’s AIDS orphans. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 19 Adding some color to Harvard portraits: Project aims to give a face to By Ken Gewertz, Harvard University accomplishment Gazette Staff They look down on us from their Summers came up with $100,000 to gilded frames, the illustrious scholars support the Foundation's Minority and benefactors of Harvard's past, Portraiture Project. A committee of representatives from each of the four faculty and students has been formed centuries of the University's existence, to select the subjects of the first group from the earliest progenitors in their of portraits. powdered wigs and lace collars to 20th “These portraits will include persons century figures in their business suits of African-American, Asian-American, The late Dr. Nathan Huggins, W.E.B. Du and ties. Latino-American, and Native American Bois Professor of History and Afro- And they are everywhere - in backgrounds who have served Harvard American Studies and Director of the Du administrative offices, lobbies, meeting with distinction, and whom the Bois Institute. rooms, libraries, museums, committee believes worthy of such as Director of the Du Bois Institute from undergraduate houses, and dining halls recognition,” said S. Allen Counter, 1980 until his death in 1989. The - lending their countenances to the Director of the Harvard Foundation portrait will be placed in the Faculty school's collective identity. "The portraits will be placed at sites Room of the Faculty of Arts and But who are these people? Taken as of significance around the Harvard Sciences in University Hall. campus including the Faculty Room, Other names recommended by the the Harvard houses, and libraries." Committee are: the late Ewart Guinier, The Reverend Professor Peter J. Professor of Afro-American Studies and Gomes, Pusey Minister in the Memorial department chair, 1969-76; Karel Liem, Church and Plummer Professor of Professor of biology and former Master Christian Morals, serves as Chair of the of Dunster House; the late John Monro, committee, and Counter serves as former Dean of Harvard College who Coordinator. spearheaded an effort to recruit poor and Other committee members are Ali minority students; Rulan Pian, Asani, Professor of the Practice of Indo- Professor of East Asian Languages and Muslim languages and Culture; Mr. Civilizations and of Music emerita and David L. Evans, Senior Admissions former Master of South House; the late Officer for Harvard College; Mrs. Annemarie Schimmel, Professor Sandra Grindlay, Curator of the Harvard emerita of Indo-Muslim Culture; and University portrait collection; Dr. Sarah the late Eileen Southern, Professor of Afro-American Studies and of Music, Dr. Karel Liem, Professor of Biology Lawrence-Lightfoot, the Emily and former Master of Dunster House. Hargroves Fisher Professor of chair of the Afro-American Studies Education; Dr. Sandra Naddaff, Senior Department, 1975-79, and the first a group, what do they represent? Last Lecturer on Literature and Master of black female professor tenured at year a group of students decided to find Mather House; Mr. John Fox, Secretary Harvard. out. They conducted a survey of of the Faculty and to the Faculty According to Counter, the subjects Harvard portaits. The results? Of the Council; Dr. Pedro Noguera, the Judith of the portraits commissioned by the 302 portraits gracing the walls of the K. Dimon Professor in Communities committee will be predominantly, but University, only three were of persons and Schools; Dr. Naomi Pierce, not exclusively, persons of color. of color. Professor of Biology; Melissa Luna '03; The committee has also agreed to The students reported these results and Ethan Yeh '03. host a major exhibition in the fall of to S. Allen Counter, Director of the At the Foundation's most recent 2003 of photographic portraits of Harvard Foundation, the group that meeting it was decided that the minority faculty and administrators who seeks to improve racial and ethnic committee would commission a portrait have served Harvard with distinction for relations within the University. Counter of the late Nathan Huggins, who served many years. went to President Lawrence H. as the W.E.B. Du Bois Professor of Courtesy of the Harvard University Summers with the results. History and Afro-American Studies and Gazette. Reprinted from May 1, 2003 20 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Society of Arab Students Holds Conference: “Promoting Understanding Between the Arab World and the U.S.” n the weekend of the 12th and 13th of April, the Harvard O Society of Arab Students and the Harvard Arab Alumni Association held their first conference/symposium on “Promoting Understanding Between the Arab World and the United States.” The symposium was designed to provide an open forum for dialogue and discussion about the misunderstandings between the Arab world and the United States, and ways to correct them. The program was made possible through the generous support of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Harvard College students (l to r) Firas Al-Khatib ’04, Victor Lelyveld ’03, Hana Habayeb ’04, Relations, the Center for Middle Rita Hamad ’03, Lena Demashkieh ’03 and Dunia Abdul-Aziz ’04 welcome symposium speaker Eastern Studies and other sponsors. Arnaud de Borchgrave (c) Editor-at-Large at United Press International. and how these issues pertain to the provided a forum where the conference relationship between the Arab world participants could relax and enjoy a and the United States. cultural experience after a full day of The conference, which featured discussing economic, social and panel discussions, focused on channels political issues. through which misperceptions and The symposium provided a valuable misrepresentations of the Arab world experience for Harvard students and and the United States can be addressed. other participants, giving them an During moderated sessions, groups of opportunity to learn more about both Conference speakers: (l to r) Mr. Jerry Tully, delegates met with speakers to discuss Arabic culture and the issues most journalist and independent documentary and identify concrete methods to relevant to Arabs and Arab Americans producer; Dr. Ahmed Bouzid, founder and promote understanding and open today. Rania Succar ’01 and Ashraf President of Palestine Media Watch; Dr. John Quelch, Senior Associate Dean and Lincoln dialogue. These included the Hegazy ’01, Co-Presidents of the Filene Professor of Business Adminstration at the development of media projects in Harvard Arab Alumni Association Harvard Business School; Dr. Adib Farha, journalism, an Arab studies institute worked closely with the Harvard Professor of Economics at the Lebanese project, an Arab research center project, Society of Arab Students to organize the American University; and Arnaud de Borchgrave, Editor-at-Large at United Press International. a student exchange program, a work/ conference/symposium. The Harvard research linkage project, an Arab- Society of Arab Students hopes to make Students who attended the American umbrella organization project the symposium an annual event. symposium had the opportunity to hear and an Arab music outreach project. The Hana Habayeb ’04 from distinguished speakers including objective was to help participants to President, Society of Arab Students keynote speaker Ambassador Richard have a personal impact on Arab-US Murphy ’51, former Assistant Secretary relations beyond the symposium. of State for Near Eastern and South Students had a chance to further Asian Affiars; Dr. Thomas Bartlett, the discuss their ideas with the speakers and interim President of the American other participants at a Harvard University of Cairo; Dr. Atif Kubursi, Foundation-sponsored luncheon in the Professor of Economics at McMaster Science Center and dinner in the Eliot University. The speakers discussed House Dining Hall. The dinner featured issues that included education, study traditional Arabic food as well as a live Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of abroad, “brain drain,” the media, performance of both traditional and the Harvard Foundation, greets politics, language, geography, religion modern Arabic music. The dinner alumna Yasmin Alireza ’01. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 21

Co-Presidents of the Harvard Arab Alumni Association Rania Succar ’01 (l) and Ashraf Hegazy ’01 (r).

Harvard students welcome keynote speaker U.S. Ambassador Richard W. Murphy ’51 (Syria and Saudia Arabia) and his wife Ann Cook-Murphy, Radcliffe ’53.

Ahmad El-Gaili ’01 greets U.S. Ambassdor Richard W. Murphy ’51 at Conference.

Conference organizer and President of the Harvard Society of Arab Students Hana Habayeb ’04 (r) is joined by her family, who traveled from Jordan to attend the event.

Harvard alumna Betty Shamieh ’96, a playwright in New York, takes part in the conference.

Panel discussion at the conference to promote understanding between the Arab world and the Harvard Arab Alumni Association members and students enjoy a luncheon and United States sponsored by Harvard’s Society discussion of the symposium program at the Science Center. of Arab Students. 22 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Harvard South Asian Association Welcomes Film Director Mira Nair ’78 he South Asian Association was pleased to host a T morning with Mira Nair , director of the films Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala, and Salaam Bombay. Nair returned to Harvard to receive the Harvard Alumni Arts Medal from the Office for the Arts at Harvard. She follows in a fine tradition of notables such as Jack Lemmon ’47, John Lithgow ’67 and Bonnie Raitt [’72]. The medal was presented to Nair by Harvard President Lawrence Summers, actor John Lithgow and Jack Megan, Director of the Office for the Arts at Harvard. During the South Asian Association program, made possible by the Harvard Foundation and the Office for the Arts, Ms. Nair was treated to a showcase of the South Asian performing arts at Harvard, including pieces by our South Asian actors and Student members of the Harvard South Asian Association welcome film director Mira Nair ’78. actresses, dancers, and musicians. studio in New York. Nair is currently After the performances, including a working on several film projects, play by Kirandeep Deol ’04, students including Vanity Fair, Homebody/Kabul spoke with Ms. Nair about about her and The Impressionist. The members of professional experiences in film and the Harvard South Asian Association dramatic arts. During the question and and others present were delighted to answer session, students learned about have this opportunity to meet and Ms. Nair’s experiences as a South Asian interact with such a distinguished student at Harvard College and her start alumna. in the film-making industry. Ms. Nair, Deepa Dhume ’05 who was a residence of South (now and Saritha Komatireddy ’05 Harvard College alumna Mira Nair ’78 Cabot) House at Radcliff, expressed her South Asian Association members discusses her film work with Harvard students. delight in returning to her alma mater and her pleasure in learning that so many students were interested and actively involved in the arts. To students interested in pursuing careers in the arts, she gave her contact information at her

Students perform a play for Mira Nair ’78. Mira Nair ’78 (r) speaks with student play director Kirandeep Deol ’04 (l) about her creative work. Students looking on are (l to r) Ishani Ganguli ’04, Aparna Keshaviah ’04 and Amol Tripathi ’03. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 23 Boys Choir of Harlem Luncheon

Dr. Walter J. Turnbull, Founder and Director of the Boys Choir of Harlem, receives an award for “his outstanding contributions to American music and intercultural relations” from Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation and Harvard College Senior Admissions Officer David L. Evans. n Thursday, February 6th, enable students to excel in all areas of the Harvard Foundation academic training, as well as in artistic sponsored a luncheon in honor enrichment. The Academy serves choir O th th of the Boys Choir of Harlem and members between 4 and 12 grades. awarded their founder and Director, Dr. From February 4th through the 8th, Walter J. Turnbull a plaque in members of the Choir participated in a recognition of “his outstanding residency program at Harvard College contributions to American music and Members of the Boys Choir of Harlem attend sponsored by President Lawrence H. intercultural relations” over the years. the Harvard Foundation luncheon with Summers and the Office for the Arts at Students, faculty, and staff celebrated Harvard College students at Winthrop House. Harvard, under the direction of Mr. Jack the contributions of Dr. Turnbull and his Megan. This was an opportunity for the students at Winthrop House. choir members to experience student Dr. Turnbull has said, “Art has long life at Harvard and for the Harvard been a source of hope and inspiration community to experience the wonderful for those in less than ideal situations.” musical talents of the world-renowned This was his fundamental belief when Boys Choir of Harlem. he founded the choir in 1968. He Harvard Foundation Staff wanted to provide the young men of Harlem a place where they could find the discipline and the motivation to be Harvard College students attend luncheon (l to r) Nicole Laws ’06, Allana Jackson ’03, successful citizens. The choir began as Margaret Anadu ’03 and Kathleen McKee ’06. the Ephesus Church Choir with only twenty boys, and in 1975 was incorporated as The Boys Choir of Harlem, Inc. Today, the Choir is 500 strong and includes a female choir, the Girls Choir of Harlem. In 1933, the (l to r) Stephanie Paiz ’05, Claudia Garcia ’05 Members of the Boys Choir of Harlem enjoy the Choir Academy of Harlem was formed and Rashan Jibowu ’06 enjoy the luncheon. Harvard Foundation luncheon. 24 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Harvard Foundation Student/Faculty Awards

Harvard College students honored for their contributions to race relations and the intercultural life at Harvard with (front left) Mr. David L. Evans, Harvard College Senior Admissions Officer; Harvard College Dean Harry R. Lewis (front center); and Harvard Foundation Director Dr. S. Allen Counter (front right). Also pictured are Quincy House Masters Professor Robert Kirshner and Ms. Jayne Loader; Currier House Masters Professor William and Dr. Barbara Graham; and Winthrop House Master Professor Paul Hanson. Awards for Contributions to Intercultural Relations

On April 29th, the Harvard ’04, Catherine Honeyman ’04, Allana Foundation held its annual Aloian Jackson ’03, Monique James ’03, Dinner in Quincy House to honor those Tiffany Samara McNair ’03, Clarence involved in the promotion of David Meat ’05, Priscilla Jolene Orta intercultural and race relations at ’05, Johanna Paretzky ’03, Scott Alan Harvard. This awards dinner is named Rechler ’03, Victoria Anne Shannon in honor of David S. Aloian, former ’03, Judith Vasquez ’03, Gerald Master of Quincy House and early Williams, Jr. ’03, and Jason Williams Foundation supporter. This year, the Young ’04. The highest student honor, Candice Chiu ’04, Foundation honored a total of thirty- Co-President of the the Distinguished Senior Award, went Asian American nine students and six Faculty members, Catherine Honeyman to the following seven students: Association ’04, Advisory Board all of whom have provided invaluable Margaret Chinwe Anadu ’03, Marcel L. Member of the Race support towards the growing diversity Anderson ’03, Roberto Gradilla ’03, Culture and Diversity throughout the Harvard community. Melissa Yvonne Luna ’03, Kathleen Initiative Sixteen students received Harvard Robinson ’03, Brian Alejandro Foundation Certificates of Recognition, Sandoval ’03, and Ethan Yih Yeh ’03. including Leyla Bravo ’05, Dennis Faculty Awards were given to Chira ’05, Brian Clair ’05, Claudia retiring House Masters Professor Paul Garcia ’05, Jia Han ’05, Julia Amanda Hanson and Dr. Cynthia Rosenberger, Hiatt ’03, Dennis Hsieh ’03, Saritha Masters of Winthrop House; Professor Komatireddy ’05, Sophia Lai ’04, Niles William and Dr. Barbara Graham, Xi’an Lichtenstein ’05, Dina Maxwell Masters of Currier House; and Professor ’06, Stephanie Ann Paiz ’05, Gigi Parris James and Dr. Janice Ware, Masters of ’03, Minnie Quach ’03, Alonzo Cabot House. In addition, a special Sherman ’03, and Ellen Yiadom ’06. An award of appreciation was given to Dr. Ellen Yiadom ‘06, additional sixteen students received the Harry R. Lewis, Dean of Harvard Harvard Foundation Intern and member of Harvard Foundation Award, including College and Gordon McCay Professor Dennis Chira ’05, Co- the Kuumba Singers Chair of the Harvard David Anderson ’03, Wendy Caceres of Computer Science. Foundation Student ’03, Candice Chiu ’04, Hana Habayeb Harvard Foundation Staff Advisory Committee HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 25

Foundation Honors Advocates of Diversity

he Harvard Foundation’s annual Student and Faculty Awards T Dinner, which honors students and professors who have worked towards cultural understanding and unity, had a special tone, as outgoing Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68 was lauded by speakers for his contributions to student life. In accepting his award, Lewis said that Harvard must be careful to strike an appropriate balance between diversity and unity to avoid becoming Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation, congratulates Distinguished Senior “a pureed politically correct soup.” He awardees (clockwise from back left) Ethan Yih Yeh, Roberto Gradilla, Brian Alejandro Sandoval, warned that the efforts to achieve Melissa Yvonne Luna, Margaret Anadu and Katie Robinson. tolerance towards racial and ethnic Quincy House Masters Professor Robert Kirshner and Ms. Jayne minorities sometimes leaves others Loader (l) congratulate retiring open to criticism—but added that Winthrop House Master Harvard has not succumbed to this Professor Paul Hanson (c) and tendency. “On many college campuses, retiring Currier House Masters Professor William and athletes are the last group that is safe to Dr. Barbara Graham. The stereotype,” he said. “We just don’t do Winthrop and Currier House that here.” Masters were honored for their S. Allen Counter, Director of the contributions to intercultural Foundation, said the annual dinner is relations at Harvard. important for acknowledging and celebrating the improvements Harvard has made in courting diversity. “I credit the students who are making this the kind of environment that is racially harmonious,” Counter said. David L. Evans, Senior Admissions Officer and member of the Foundation’s Faculty Advisory Committee, said in his closing remarks that the freshman Leyla Bravo ’05, Fuerza Latina facebook serves as a “time-lapse Liaison to the Harvard Foundation photograph” for the progress Harvard has made in diversifying its student body.“This College has not always been as it appears this evening,” he said. Progress towards diversity will necessarily be slow, Evans said, but he encouraged all of the evening’s undergraduate honorees not to fear controversy. “As my grandmother once said, it’s not wise to torch the house of evil when you can put a termite in there day by day.” Priscilla J. Orta ’05 and Clarence D. Molecular and Cellular Biology Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Professor William Gelbart joins student Languages and Culture Ali Asani ’77, “Duane” Meat ’05 were the only two honorees at the Aloian Dinner. Ph.D. ’84 enjoys the Awards Dinner. 26 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

promoting multiculturalism.“We believe that every building at Harvard is a multicultural center,” he said. Hanson said he appreciated the honors given to himself and to his fellow masters but felt that the “spotlight” was, appropriately, on Dean Lewis.“Allen Counter is remarkably caring and sensitive so he acknowledges us, but I think the high point tonight was Harry Lewis,” Hanson said. “He received a genuine tribute for which he was very much deserving.”

Article courtesy of the Harvard Crimson (with modifications). Originally published on April 30, 2003 by Contributing Writer David B. Rochelson. Director of the Harvard Band Thomas Everett (r), Brett Wortzman ’06 and Julian Goodman ’03 play a musical salute to the 2003 Harvard Foundation award recipients. sophomores honored with Harvard Foundation Awards. Orta, the President of RAZA, said she was surprised to receive an award that usually went only to juniors and seniors. Winning as a sophomore, she said, raises expectations for next year.“I don’t know what I’m going to do now,” she said. Though Counter said he credits the students, the evening also honored several faculty members, including Lewis and the Masters of Winthrop, Currier and Cabot Houses, who are all stepping down at the end of the academic year. Winthrop House Master Paul D. Hanson, upon receiving a The Harvard Foundation student/faculty awards reception in the Quincy House JCR brought the bouquet of red roses, said, “I feel like Harvard family together. an opera singer. ” Counter said the Foundation recognizes the Masters because without buildings on campus set aside to promote different cultures, the Houses play an essential role in

Mr. David L. Evans, Senior Admissions Officer (l), and Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation (r), congratulate student awardees and members of Black Men’s Forum (l to Award recipients Tiffany McNair ’03 r) Alonzo Sherman ’03, Brian Clair ’05 and David Anderson ’03 for their contributions to race (l) and Minnie Quach ’03 relations at Harvard College. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 27 Bilalian: A Documentary About The Experience Of Black American Muslims In The United States are African American. “If it weren’t for the Bilalians, Islam in America would still be a mystery to many. For the Bilalians’ heart, soul, strife and continuous sacrifice has shaped present day Islam in America. Thus, the Bilalian has contributed toward the strength of the Civil Rights Movement and ultimately, the foundation for America’s historic and ever-changing culture,” said Abdul-Jabbaar. The film and Ms. Abdul-Jabbaar have received much industry recognition, including the Visionary Award at the 2002 Pan African Film Festival as well as the Best Director award at the 2002 Dahlonega International Film Festival. After discussing the process of making the film, Ms. Abdul-Jabbaar Hebah Ismail ’06 presents documentary filmmaker Aminah Abdul-Jabbaar with a Harvard answered questions from the audience. sweatshirt to welcome her to campus. Abdul-Jabbaar is the producer and director of Bilalian. To a diverse group of students and n Saturday, February 1st, 2003, intensified after the death of the leader faculty, she explained the significance the Harvard Islamic Society, of the Nation of Islam, the Honorable of the film and the conflicts she faced O the Association of Black Elijah Muhammad. His successor and while trying to make the film. Bilalian Harvard Women, and the Harvard Black son, Imam W. Deen Mohammed was her brainchild, her story. Like most Students’ Association co-sponsored a renamed the group the Muslim credible filmmakers, Ms. Abdul- screening of Bilalian, a documentary American Society (MAS) and Jabbaar had a vision. She wanted to tell film about the black American Muslim attempted to move the organization in the story of black American Muslims experience in the United States. The a more orthodox and less political with a personal touch. Her film is a three organizations, with the assistance direction. Those members who wished reflection of her life and is presented of the Harvard Foundation, also brought to adhere to the philosophy of the through the lens of a personal family the producer and director of the film, original African American Muslim experience. The film director was Ms. Aminah Abdul-Jabbaar, to campus. group separated from the MAS and kept joined in her discussions with students Ms. Abdul-Jabbaar, who received her their identity as the Nation of Islam. by former Harvard Divinity School B.A. in Cinema Television from the The MAS half of the schism became student and author Ms. Precious University of Southern California and known as “Bilalians.” The term Muhammad, who helped to organize the her M.F.A. in Theater Film and Bilalian was coined by Imam W. Deen event. Television Directing from University of Mohammed in reference to the African The question-and-answer segment California Los Angeles, takes audiences Bilal, the first muezzin, or caller to was followed by a reception where on a filmic journey through her early prayer, of Islam. The word embodied audience members continued to discuss life in an Islamic school in California the dual identity of being black issues raised by the film amongst to her visit, as an adult, to a black American and Muslim. The term fell themselves and with the producer/ American Islamic village in Senegal. out of use when some Muslims director while enjoying Middle Eastern Growing up during the rise of the confused the term with the formation cuisine. The event served as a Nation of Islam, Ms. Abdul-Jabbaar, of a new sect. Although the two halves wonderful testament to the power of art like many members of the black Muslim were later reunited, there were still in building intercultural bridges and group, experienced a dual identity: identity issues concerning the understanding. black American and Muslim. Identity intersection between race and religion. Ellen Yiadom ’06 conflicts among members of the black Today, of the seven million Muslims Harvard Foundation Intern American Muslim community living in the United States, two million 28 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 Harvard RAZA Celebrates Mexican American Heritage

Cesar Chavez Memorial Day

th On April 9 , in celebration of Cesar the most part neglected,” Ramirez said. Chavez Day and the Farm Workers “People assume that all the gains of Labor movement, RAZA sponsored a Cesar Chavez have been sustained, but Harvard RAZA (back l to r) Victor Cervantes’03, Rocio Garza ’05, Elijah Hutchinson ’06, Ed lecture and film in the Science Center. it was proven otherwise by Greg Shell.” Rocha ’06, Martha Casillas ’05, Joe Florez ’06 In 1965, Chavez founded and led the Indeed, Shell illuminated the inequities (front l to r) Zuriel Chavez ’06, Priscilla Orta first successful farm workers’ union in still prevalent on many of the farms ’05, Stephanie Paiz ’05, Greg Shell ’76, JD ’79 U.S. history. Greg Shell, Director of the across the nation. Shell emphasized the Director of the Migrant Farmworker Justice Project (guest) and Claudia Garcia’05. Migrant Farm Worker Justice Project, changes that have occurred since the spoke about the conditions of farm 60’s and the regression that has taken emphasized the importance of workers today, labor laws, immigration, place in the farm workers movement. continuing the struggle and maintaining and Cesar Chavez’s efforts to secure “I was surprised to hear that the hope for the future. “The other farm workers rights. Students from the conditions have gotten more difficult,” corporate lawyers may have better undergraduate community, the Harvard said RAZA Vice President Stephanie Xerox machines, or better phones, but Law School, Alianza and the Boston Paiz ’05. “The film showed that because what you are doing for these people is area gathered to discuss the impact of more of the farm workers are now incredible,” Shell said. “They are the Chavez’s efforts and the struggle to gain illegal, it is more difficult to get the best clients -- they are so thankful for farm workers’ rights. workers to press charges. There are so what you do for them, because they Harvard RAZA member Zachary many problems.” don’t demand much, they just want to Ramirez ’05 found the event Despite these problems, Shell offered get paid for their honest work. And we informative and enlightening. “It hope. Having fought and won legal will keep fighting for their rights.” brought attention to an issue that is for cases on behalf of farm workers, Shell Martha Casillas ’05 Member, Harvard RAZA Cinco de Mayo On Saturday, May 3rd, Harvard Independence Day (which is celebrated to stand a chance (the French weapons RAZA sponsored a Cinco de Mayo September 16th) but a date of great and military strategies were superior), celebration to commemorate Mexican importance for the Mexican and but the Mexicans won the battle by American culture and the Mexican Chicano communities, marking the showing to the world their perseverance tradition. Lowell Dining Hall was and demonstrating that they were transformed into a Mexican fiesta filled willing to defend themselves against with red, green and white streamers, foreign intervention. colorful paper flowers, and, of course, The celebration also included the Mexican food. Hosted by Maribel American aspect of the Chicano culture. Hernandez ’04 and Martha Casillas ’05, The renowned Tejana singer Patsy the event illuminated aspects of the Torres sang patriotic American songs Mexican and Mexican American while the audience joined her. Among culture. the students and Harvard community The celebration had a wide range of members in attendance were Ruben performances from an Aztec solo Miralanera ’03, who took a leave from Ballet Folklorico de Atzlan members perform Harvard to attend military training, and performed by Raudel Yañez ’06 to the at the 2003 Cinco de Mayo Celebration. traditional Mexican dances of Ballet Latina beauty queens Miss Folklórico de Atzlán, and Tex-Mex victory of the Mexican Army over the Massachusetts and Miss New Jersey. Cumbias. “There was a lot of energy,” French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Harvard RAZA would like to thank said Roberto Acosta ’05. “They Although the Mexican army was everyone for their support and invite the incorporated a lot from the Mexican eventually defeated, the “Batalla de entire Harvard community to the next culture.” Puebla” became a symbol of Mexican Cinco de Mayo celebration. The celebration emphasized the fact unity and patriotism. Against the Priscilla Orta ’05 that Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican French, the Mexican army did not seem President, Harvard RAZA HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 29 Harold Amos, first African-American department chair at HMS, dies at 84: Made significant research contributions to many fields Harold Amos, the Maude and Lillian “Dr. Amos has been an inspiration, Presley Professor of Microbiology and mentor, and career counselor for young Molecular Genetics Emeritus at scientists and physicians-in-training for Harvard Medical School (HMS), died decades,” said John Mekalanos, chair Feb. 26. He was 84. of the Department of Microbiology and A faculty member for nearly 50 Molecular Genetics. “He has been the years, Amos made significant research consummate teacher: available, contributions to the fields of animal cell approachable, knowledgeable, and culture, bacterial metabolism, and wise. Members of the Department of animal and bacterial virology. He was Microbiology and Molecular Genetics the first African American to chair a are forever grateful that Harold Amos department at the Medical School and has been our adviser, colleague, teacher, is remembered by generations of and friend.” students and colleagues as an Amos devoted much of his time and extraordinarily dedicated and caring effort to supporting and encouraging teacher and mentor as well as a staunch minorities in biomedical science and (Photo by Liza Green, HMS Media Services) advocate for minorities in biomedical medicine. He supported the science. establishment of the Hinton-Wright degree from Harvard University in A native of Pennsauken, N.J., Amos Society in 1983, a graduate student 1996, and a Harvard University graduated from Springfield College in body at the Medical School and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Springfield, Mass., in 1941. He had School of Dental Medicine that supports Centennial Medal in 2000. He was a gone there on an academic scholarship, and encourages minority scientists in fellow of the American Academy of something few African Americans the Boston medical community. In Arts and Sciences, and in 1991 was received at that time. He served in the 1999, he was awarded the first annual elected a fellow of the American U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps in Harold Amos Faculty Diversity Award Association for the Advancement of Europe during World War II. Following for his continuous contributions to Science and a member of the Institute his military service, he earned an M.A. diversity efforts at the Schools. of Medicine. from Harvard, then received his Ph.D. On the national level, for more than He also served on the President’s from the Harvard Medical School a decade he directed the Minority Cancer Panel and the National Cancer Division of Medical Sciences in 1952. Medical Faculty Development Program Advisory Board, and for more than 30 From 1951 to 1952, he was a Fulbright of the Robert Wood Johnson years served in various leadership scholar at the Pasteur Institute in Paris Foundation, and he was instrumental in positions with the American Cancer and, in 1954, he joined the Medical creating minority programs at the Society. School faculty as an instructor in the National Institutes of Health and the He is survived by one brother and Department of Bacteriology and Federation of American Societies for four sisters, Howard R. Amos, Iola Immunology. From 1968 until 1971, Experimental Biology. In 2001, the Thomas, Joyce Hester, Florine and again from 1975 until 1978, he Harold Amos Fund, an endowed Williams, and Margaret Johnson. His served as chair of the department (now graduate student fellowship for students family resides in New Jersey. called the Department of Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology and Courtesy of the Harvard University and Molecular Genetics). He was Molecular Genetics, was established by Gazette. Reprinted from April 11,2003 named the Maude and Lillian Presley his many friends and former students. Professor of Microbiology and Amos was one of the first two Molecular Genetics in 1975 and became recipients of the Dr. Charles R. Drew emeritus in 1988. He also served as World Medical Prize, awarded by chairman of the Division of Medical Howard University to distinguished Sciences from 1971 until 1975, and minority biomedical scientists. He was from 1978 until 1988. Amos received also awarded the Public Welfare Medal an honorary Sc.D. degree from Harvard of the National Academy of Sciences in 1996. in 1995, a doctor of science honorary 30 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

In Memoriam: Professor Harold Amos: Mentor of Mentors The students and faculty of the about social conditions and ways in relationships with people of all ethnic Harvard Foundation mourn the recent which we could improve the quality of backgrounds from throughout the passing of Dr. Harold Amos, the Maude life and opportunities for the world. But I shall remember him most and Lillian Presley Professor of disadvantaged. I will have fond as a exemplary mentor and friend. In Microbiology and Molecular Genetic memories of the numerous occasions fact, many of us referred to him as the Emeritus. Dr. Amos was a man of when he visited me at the Harvard “mentor of mentors,” since those of us extraordinary erudition and culture. He Biological Laboratories and in who have profited from his guidance was a man who shunned grandiosity in University Hall to discuss aspects of have attempted in our own ways to carry favor of simplicity and refinement. academic life and his deep concern for on his fine tradition of mentoring and During his half century at Harvard, he increasing the number of minorities in encouraging talented young people to was a magnificent teacher, superb the sciences. But through these reach their highest potential. scientist and a mentor to scores of meetings and conversations, I also came It was reassuring to know that in his students and young faculty. He to know a man who had through pure final moments he was in the respectful enthusiastically participated in the scholarship and determination managed care of a number of his students at the annual Harvard Foundation Science to attend Springfield College in 1941, Massachusetts General Hospital, Conferences and was always more than when the enrollment of African particularly Dr. Verne Caviness, who happy to provide advice and guidance Americans in most predominantly white saw to it that every possible comfort to our undergraduate, graduate and schools was restricted and extremely was provided for Dr. Amos by the medical students. He was also widely limited — a man who had served in the attending medical staff, including the respected for his ability to find and military, as had my own father in World playing of his favorite music. A fitting provide financial resources for talented War II, fighting for freedoms and memorial service, held at the American but needy students, particularly human rights in Europe that he did not Academy of Arts and Sciences in underrepresented minority students. enjoy in his native America. He was Cambridge, was attended by hundreds I came to know Dr. Amos early in an ambassador of African America to of colleagues, former students, family my academic career at Harvard and European American society at all levels and friends from around the world. Our from the very beginning held him in the – and, like many African Americans of students should know that we have lost highest esteem. He contributed his generation, he was a man who had a great scholar and a remarkable considerably to the advancement of my spent much of his life trying to humanitarian who genuinely cared for academic career and to the very end was demonstrate to white Americans that people and who dedicated himself to one of my most enthusiastic supporters. black Americans could also be great providing educational opportunities for He was always helpful and scientists, distinguished citizens and all, especially for the underprivileged. encouraging, frequently providing worthy colleagues. He was a man who Thank you, Harold Amos, for all that sound career advice and recommending had hidden or disguised even the you were and all that you did for us. exciting new areas of study in the slightest vestige of bitterness and had sciences. He was equally concerned moved on to establish wonderful Dr. S. Allen Counter Director of the Harvard Foundation Harvard Foundation Spring 2003 Student Grants community to Asian American issues film festivals.After the screening of the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian and concerns while presenting the two films, Mr. Lin answered questions American Association (AAA): growing genre of Asian American posed by the audience and also engaged 1st Annual Asian American films. in conversation with the board Arts Gala Film Festival Eric Lin Showcase members. The opening day of our film festival Justin Lin Showcase The Film Festival, held on April 28th, featured two films by Eric Lin, The second day of our film festival April 30th, and May 1st, made up a major Chinatown and Fortune. Eric Lin is a featured Justin Lin, director of Better portion of the Arts Gala. Each day was rising Asian American director Luck Tomorrow, which was featured at devoted to a certain director or theme. attending the NYU Film School whose the Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Lin has The mission was to expose the Harvard films have been at many prestigious enjoyed tremendous success, with BLT HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 31 shown in theaters across the country, could effect them. The event served its that less successful students justified garnering extremely positive reviews purpose in engaging students in a their deviation from the stereotypical from critics and audiences.AAA dialogue about current Asian American norm by regarding themselves as decided to devote a day to Justin Lin to issues. “different” and “lacking.” Dr. Louie expose the Harvard community to his spoke on subjects very pertinent and earlier film, Shopping for Fangs.We personal to most of the attendees and also showed “BLT Genesis: The she was very open in her question-and- Making of Better Luck Tomorrow.” answer-session afterwards. We were Documentaries Showcase pleased with the attendance of about Our third and final day featured two fifty people at the event. AAA hopes documentaries devoted to marginalized to hold even more speaker events in Asian American groups and the future. communities.aka Don Bonus features a Cambodian teenager living in San Asian American Association: Francisco.The film documents his Coffeehouse struggles with his family and school, the disadvantages faced with being a recent With coffee and pastries helping to immigrant to a foreign country, and the generate a “coffeehouse atmosphere,” seeming hopelessness that exists when the event allowed a venue for various one is poor. Fall of the I-Hotel artists and performers, such as the documents the fight for the International Variasians, Janet Kim, Lee Chung, the Hotel in San Francisco, which housed David P. Illingworth ’71, Associate Dean of band PBJ, and Angela Makabali to many senior Filipino residents.The Harvard College, welcomes Harvard perform in a relaxed setting.The hotel was a cheap form of housing for Foundation Science honoree, astronaut Dr. coffeehouse itself served to present the many low-income Asian Americans, so Ellen Ochoa to University Hall. Dean Illingworth retires from Harvard this year various works of Asian Americans to when real estate developers, along with after 22 years of service in Harvard College, the Harvard community. From the the city government, tried to force the at both the Office of Admissions and Financial performances, it could be seen that residents out, the whole city came Aid and University Hall. Dean Illingworth will Asian Americans here participate in an together to keep the hotel alive. join his parents in Maine where he will serve as priest in the local diocese. We all array of activities at the University. Although these films focus on the Asian appreciate his good nature, warmth and Many of the performers were members American experience, all ethnic groups kindness to students of all backgrounds. Dean of musical groups on campus (Lee could relate to the joys and frustrations Illingworth will be missed by the students and Chung, PBJ, Variasians) while others of immigration. faculty of the Harvard Foundation and by the entire Harvard community. took the spotlight in the theatre (Angela Makabali). Paintings by HarvardVES AAA: Asian Americans and students were also displayed to Affirmative Action AAA: Asian Americans and compliment the performances. Higher Education: Trends, Organizer Lily Tung ’06 commented On March 4th, Professor Angelo Challenges, and Prospects on the event by saying, “I feel that Ancheta, head of the Harvard Civil coffeehouse is a great way for students Rights Project and lecturer at Harvard On April 21st students gathered for a to see what other students are doing in Law School, spoke to students about talk with Professor Vivian Shuh Ming the Harvard community without the affirmative action and how it relates to Louie from the Harvard Graduate pressure of a large audience.The food the Asian American community. He School of Education in Ticknor Lounge. and coffee make the atmosphere a lot addressed why Asian Americans should The dinner with Professor Louie went more mellow.”W ith more than fifty support affirmative action and gave a very well. Dr. Louie spoke for about people in attendance, it appeared that brief survey of the history of affirmative half an hour on her fieldwork with Asian most students appreciated the event action. from Brown v. Board of American college students and what she and hopefully its tradition will continue Education to Bakke v. Regents of UC found about the attitudes of Asian for years to come. Davis to Hopwood v. University of Americans towards higher education. Texas, to give a context for the current She found that mostAsian American affirmative action issues involving the students, whether they were from University of Michigan case. About affluent or lower-income families, thirty people attended, and students ascribed to the stereotype of academic were made more aware of how the success as a unique feature of Asian current University of Michigan cases American culture. Dr. Louie explained 32 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Asian American Association the alumni offer a unique Asian hope that a stronger relationship with Cultural Spotlight: A Taste of American career perspective. Finally, Beida students and students from other Filipino Culture and Dance our organization benefited from prominent Chinese universities will forming a stronger alumni network, allow us to provide more exchange On March 18th, over twenty people allowing more cohesion among our events in the future. gathered in Loker Coffeehouse to learn members both during and after college. the traditional Tinikling dance of the Overall, this event was a great Phillipines and enjoy the traditional success and we greatly appreciate the Filipino dessert Halo Halo at the Foundation’s support. We hope to Cultural Spotlight on the Phillipines continue this annual tradition to help Workshop. Participants were able to foster better unity within our alumni watch performers do the Tinikling structure and to provide a valuable, dance and then try it themselves. unique experience to undergraduates at Throughout the event, ice shavers were Harvard. constantly whirring as participants were encouraged to use the various Chinese Student Association: On April 26, 2003, Harvard students attended a ingredients, such as sweet red beans, Beida University conference on the Aremenian Genocide, sponsored by the Harvard Aremenian Society. coconut milk, tropical fruits and corn Students Reception This annual program was well-attended and to create their own Halo Halo dessert. brought together students, faculty, scholars and It was a fun-filled night as students The Beida University Students members of the greater Boston community. The experienced first-hand the “active and Reception was held on the 7th of event was followed by a dinner and discussion at Lowell House. Photo courtesy of Veero sweet” part of Filipino culture. February in Ticknor Lounge in Derkarabetian, Assistant Editor of the Boylston Hall. This was a very unique Aremenian Weekly. Chinese Student Association event, and a first for CSA. The event (CSA) Alumni Reunion had an attendance of fourteen Beida students and about fifty Harvard Chinese Students Association: The 1st Annual CSA Alumni Reunion undergraduates. Beida is one of the Fusion Dance was held on the 12th of April in the most prominent universities in China, th Leverett Junior Common Room. The if not the world. In fact, many call it Fusion was held on the 26 of April event had an attendance of over twenty “the Harvard of China.” The visit of in Eliot Dining Hall. Despite fierce CSA alumni as well as about eighty these fourteen students offered the competition, it turned out to be a great Harvard undergraduates throughout the Harvard undergraduate class a unique event. The turnout was very good with evening. opportunity to learn more about the around 1000 people throughout the The two-hour event featured a guided lifestyle and experiences of students at evening, fifty percent of whom where discussion in which the alumni shared an elite Chinese institution, and pre-frosh. This event was sponsored by some of their post-graduate experiences compare with our own. various campus organizations including with current Harvard undergraduates. The two-hour event featured a panel TCS, AAA, Vietnamese Association, Also, the reunion offered a small catered discussion of Harvard and Beida Holoimua O Hawaii, Japan Society, reception from Spice, with a number of students as well as an open discussion Hong Kong Society, Harvard African appetizers and entrees. The food helped in which students voiced their own Students Association, Native Americans generate a comfortable social questions and opinions. Discussion at Harvard College, Woodbridge atmosphere as alumni met past peers topics included the Chinese education Society, Texas Club, Race, Culture, and and our current undergraduates. system, college entrance requirements Diversity Initiative and California Club. We felt the event benefited the in China, the college lifestyle of It truly exemplified the fusion of alumni, the students, and CSA as a students, common aspirations of cultures represented here at Harvard. whole. The alumni were able to meet Chinese students. This led to an We invited two MTV award winning with their past classmates, relive their interesting debate over what a DJs to play music for the night. We treasured moments at Harvard, and find university education should offer to wanted to make the event free to pre- out what the CSA is currently doing. students. The event closed with a small frosh to warmly welcome them to Undergraduates at Harvard were given pizza reception and exchange of contact Harvard and Harvard social life, and our the opportunity to meet with these post- information so that students from both diversity it has both inside and outside graduates and gain some valuable universities may continue their of the classroom. We thank the advice and hear about interesting post- exchange of ideas after the event. Foundation for supporting us with this graduate experiences from the alumni. We attribute the great success of this great closing activity for the school year. We feel this is especially important, as event to the Foundation’s support. We HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 33

Chinese Students Association: Caribbean Club Carnival CAUSA’s goal was met when we heard Pearl Milk Tea Night students with limited knowledge of the The Harvard Caribbean Club island comment on how the The Pearl Milk Tea night was held Carnival also turned out well. The photographs had transformed their on Wednesday, the 8th of May in Loker weather was beautiful, and over a conceptions of Cuba. One student in Commons. The turnout was very good hundred students came out including particular said, “The news presents such with around one hundred people many pre-frosh, Quincy House a different view of Cuba. I never attending throughout the evening. This residents and other student groups on imagined that there was such beautiful was one of the last events of the year campus. The Carnival featured a limbo colonial architecture there.” and was both a great cultural event as contest, a whining/dance contest, two well as study break opportunity for domino tables, double-dutch, a Expression’s Spring Show everyone. barbeque, and other Caribbean food We rented a Karaoke Machine for the treats. Everyone enjoyed themselves The Spring Show was a great evening and Mahjong games were set immensely and had a great time with success. Many have hailed it the best up to allow people to further understand the Caribbean Club. Expression’s show in the last five years. favorite age-old pastimes of Chinese We put on a variety of pieces that varied culture - all the while enjoying Pearl Cuban American Under- from lyrical to ballet to hip-hop. The Milk Tea. These games attracted graduate Student Association: show was completely sold out and novices and experts, divas and non- “Raíces de esperanza” – received great reviews. We would like to thank the Foundation for their help singers. Vocalists singing in English and Photography Exhibit Chinese enjoyed themselves and and consideration. learned more about each other while The Cuban American Undergraduate having a good time and being refreshed. Student Association sponsored an Fuerza Latina: Bring Your There was a great exchange of ideas exhibit of Cuban photography displayed Roommate to Fuerza Day and cultural impressions. Because of the at Hilles Library during the months of diversity of the activities, the event November through March. This Our Bring Your Roommate to Fuerza th attracted people with various interests: exhibition of Cuban culture presented Day, held on February 13 , turned out some came to sing Karaoke; some came by American photographer Dan Heller to be a great success! We barely had for Mahjong, and some just wanted to was originally intended as a supplement enough room for people in the Adams watch, laugh, and relax in the middle to the conference that CAUSA held in Small Dining Room; more than 75 of the festivities. Those who came for conjunction with the Georgetown people, above the number we expected, one activity often stayed and acquired University Cuban American Students participated. We had great catered food newfound interest for other activities. Association in February. Due to the from El Oriental de Cuba, a Cuban We thank the Foundation for increasing interest of Cuban issues and restaurant in Jamaica Plains. Many providing us with support for this great culture, CAUSA decided to keep the Fuerza members brought their finishing activity for the school year. photographs up longer for the Harvard roommates and friends to the event and community to enjoy. This exhibit many attendees there had no prior Caribbean Club’s First Annual presented the beautiful architecture and connection to Fuerza Latina. We got to “Caribbean Splash” the rich culture of the island while also share some of our ethnic food and conveying the racial and religious information about our organization with The Harvard Caribbean Club’s First diversity of its people—an uncommon many diverse members of the Harvard Annual “Caribbean Splash” on April portrayal of the poverty-stricken island community. We finished off the event 11th was a success! This show featured often depicted in contemporary art and with a short version of one of our amazing acts such as the Caribbean literature. Forty-two photographs meetings, to let people know what we Club Dance Troupe, Soulfege, Steel featured architectural landmarks of the are about and what we were planning Band, N.I.C. from the Justice League, island, as well as religious ceremonies, for the semester. Spoken Word and a fashion show memorials, and people on several featuring Caribbean clothing and Cuban streets. There were photographs Fuerza Latina: accessories. The audience attracted which represented the decay of some Candela and Caribbean Club over one hundred students. The Harvard of the older buildings and the common Cultural Night Caribbean Club looks forward to sight of older models of Cadillacs which attracting a larger audience for the have frozen Havana in the automotive On May 2nd, Fuerza’s Candela Dance Caribbean Splash in years to come. technology of the 1940s. Troup and the Caribbean Club had a Beyond what value the members of pleasant night of interesting cultural the club found in these photographs, exchange and great food. Members of 34 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 both organizations made a variety of Harvard Hillel Holds Chinese rule and to regaining their appetizer-like dishes, which were Discussion on “Exile: Jewish homeland. The third event was a enjoyed by all in attendance. We and Tibetan Reflections” viewing of the award-winning film learned how to make each other’s food Kundun, which tells the story of the and taught each other traditional dances In 1959, nine years after the Chinese Dalai Lama. In the final event, and games. Approximately fifty Army occupied Tibet, the Dalai Lama participants learned from classical students participated in the event, which was forced into exile and fled to Jewish texts on exile and applied these was a great chance to learn about each Dharamsala, India. In this town in ancient teachings to the experience of other’s cultures and traditions. Northern India, a Tibetan Buddhist the Tibetans. community has developed and has Each part of the series revealed how been struggling to survive outside of much members of both cultures could their homeland. To better understand learn from each other and from their how he could ensure the survival of own cultures and long-established his people and his religion, the Dalai traditions. Like the participants in the Lama studied the exile experience of dialogue with the Dalai Lama, the other cultures. He became especially participants in this dialogue at Harvard interested in the two-thousand-year gained a greater understanding not only exile of the Jewish people, and he of each other but also of themselves. sought the “secret of Jewish spiritual This event was supported by a grant survival in exile.” In 1989, the Dalai from the Harvard Foundation. Karen Avery ’87, Assistant Dean of Harvard Lama initiated a dialogue with Jewish College, is joined by her parents Dr. Bill and rabbis and scholars, and since then, Harvard Society of Black Mary Avery of Albany, New York at a Harvard Jews and Tibetans have come together Scientists and Engineers College farewell gathering in her honor. Dean to learn and share from each other’s Avery served Harvard College for 16 years in Table Tent Display the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and experiences. as Director of the Ann Radcliffe Trust and This ongoing conversation that During the first two weeks of Assistant Dean for Co-Education. Dean Avery began almost fifteen years ago February, the Harvard Society of Black and her family will move to Washington, DC . inspired the recent Jewish-Tibetan Scientists and Engineers (HSBSE) held She will be missed by her colleagues, the Harvard community and the students who have dialogue series, titled “Exile: Jewish its annual Table Tent Display in been a part of the Radcliffe Trust network. and Tibetan Reflections,” at Harvard. celebration of Black History Month. Sponsored by Harvard Hillel and the Each week, the accomplishments of Harvard Divinity School, this series of three African American scientists were Fuerza Latina: Celebration of events consisted of four gatherings. highlighted to inform students of all Dominican Independence First, Professor Rodger Kamenetz, backgrounds about the contributions of author of The Jew in the Lotus and African American scientists. The On February 27th, Fuerza Latina, participant in the dialogue between the display featured the following persons: originally known as Fuerza Dalai Lama and Jewish religious and Elijah McCoy (1844-1929)- Quisqueyana, celebrated the roots of scholastic leaders, gave a lecture titled inventor of the lubricating cup for Fuerza, which started as a group of “Inner Exile: A Jewish Buddhist locomotive engines; the term “the real Dominican students, by giving a history Dialogue.” His honesty and warmth McCoy” was coined for the superiority lesson on the beginnings of Dominican touched every member of the audience of this design. Republic and its independence. We also and was a wonderful beginning to the Roger Arlinger Young, Ph.D. prepared several traditional Dominican series. In the next event, “Testimonies (1899-1964) – First African American dishes for students to enjoy while they from Tibet,” audience members female to earn a zoology Ph.D. from the learned something about the Dominican watched a film describing the present University of Pennsylvania; one of the Republic. We decorated the Eliot House situation of the Tibetan Buddhists and few black female scientists of her time. Junior Common Room with Dominican listened to the accounts and opinions of Garrett A. Morgan (1877-1963) – flags and pictures of the founding three Tibetans: one man who had fled Inventor of the first traffic signal and fathers and different areas of the Tibet with the Dalai Lama, one man the first gas mask. country. After the history lesson, we who had been in a Chinese prison for Kenneth Olden, Ph.D. (1938- ) – had an informal dance and game lesson over thirty years, and one man who is a Cell biologist/biochemist, expert on to give everyone a taste of the culture. student at Harvard Law School. Their cancer research; became first African Approximately 50 students attended stories were truly inspirational, and their American director of the National from all different backgrounds and views revealed the debate among Institute of Environmental Health ethnicities. Tibetans regarding their response to Sciences (NIEHS), of the National HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 35

Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1991. Dr. The demonstration was highly success at Harvard this year. Over one Olden served as resident tutor at interactive. Students were called to the hundred students from all over New Harvard-Radcliffe in the 1970s. stage to try out their budding England and as far south as UPenn Shirley A. Jackson, Ph.D. (1946- ) calligraphy skills. An exhibit of his attended this two day celebration of – First black woman to earn a doctorate artwork was also displayed in the Japanese culture. This year's theme was in physics (Ph.D.) from MIT. She was lecture hall to accompany the “Globalization and Japanese Food also the first woman and first African presentation. This event was sponsored Culture.” The keynote speaker was American to chair U.S. Nuclear by a grant from the Harvard Foundation. John Kochevar, an ECJAL veteran and Regulatory Commission. Currently, Dr. connosieur of Japanese food. He gave Jackson is president of Rennselaer Harvard Islamic Society: a very informative talk on the history Polytechnic Institute. Spring Dinner of Japanese food and its recent Mae Jemison, M.D. (1956- ) – First evolution.The other speaker was black female astronaut in NASA Members of the Harvard Community Harvard Japanese Studies Professor history; a chemist, scientist and enjoyed an evening of excellent food, Theodore Bestor, who gave a light- entrepreneur, Dr. Jemmison has had interesting company and thoughtful hearted talk on sushi, especially how it extensive involvement with the reflections on April 26th. The Spring has become accepted in mainstream PeaceCorp in numerous countries, Dinner provided a final opportunity for American culture. including Cuba, Kenya, Thailand, and the Muslim students and faculty at Participants were treated to a bento Liberia. Harvard to get together and experience lunch box and sushi buffet. After lunch, This project sought to enlighten the the sense of community that the they had the chance to participate in a community about just a few of the many Harvard Islamic Society seeks to foster. Japanese ceramics workshop where contributions of African Americans to Capping off one of the most they learned the basics of pottery, the fields of science and technology, successful Islam Awareness Weeks in glazing, and firing. Also, many saw a both past and present. This event was recent years, the Spring Dinner served demonstration of a Japanese tea sponsored by a grant from the Harvard as a reminder to all of the shared bonds ceremony for a first time, and were Foundation. of the community. Amir Rehman, a treated to sweets and samples student at the Harvard Business School afterwards. This event was sponsored Harvard Islamic Society and graduate of Harvard College, spoke by a grant from the Harvard Foundation. (HIS): Haji Noor Islamic on the importance of serving one’s Calligraphy Art Exhibit community and the many ways that this Harvard-Radcliffe Kendo can be done through a religious Club: 7th Annual Spring Haji Noor Deen, master of Arabic organization on campus. In reflecting Gasshuku, Harvard-Keio calligraphy at the Islamic College in on the evening, Harvard College Cultural Exchange Zhen Zhou, China, visited Harvard on freshman, Rameez Qudsi, said “The April 12th. In an event organized by the Spring Dinner was exactly what I Now in its 13th year, the Harvard- Harvard Islamic Society, he gave an needed at the end of a tough month – Radcliffe Kendo Club (HRKC) is illustrative lecture on the art of Islamic I’m excited about H.I.S. activities next dedicated to the promotion and practice Calligraphy, accompanied with a live year.” His sentiments were shared by of the ancient Japanese art of the sword, demonstration of his skill. Haji Noor many of those in attendance. kendo. For seven years, the HRKC has Deen discussed the relationship This event took place in the Kirkland been proud to enjoy a strong between the form and the message of Dining Room and attracted over 140 relationship with the kendo department Arabic calligraphy, one of the most people throughout its three hour at Keio University in Japan, and to take important forms of Islamic art. He gave duration. A number of undergraduate part in a cultural exchange program with the audience a brilliant window into the students not affiliated with the Muslim that institution. Every summer a number world of Islam with the dexterity of his faith took this opportunity to learn about of Harvard undergraduates visit the brush. He illustrated the famous verse Islam by interacting with Muslims and Keio campus in Tokyo where they of light in the Qur’an: “Allah is the enjoying the fine ethnic cuisine. This experience Japanese student life while Light of the heavens and the earth. The event was sponsored by a grant from practicing kendo at a variety of Parable of His Light is as if there were the Harvard Foundation. locations, including the Imperial Palace. a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp In turn every February Keio students enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were Japan Society Hosts East come in turn to Boston to get a taste of a brilliant star” in the form of a lamp. Coast Japan American League American college life. With seamless ease, he dazzled the In February, as we settled into the audience by creating beautiful The East Coast Japan American new semester, the delegation from Keio calligraphic forms before one’s eyes. League (ECJAL) 2003 was a great University arrived for a wonderful but 36 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 fast paced seven days. Eleven Keio Korean American students in the Harvard College (NAHC) come from students accompanied by Prof. Fumio Boston area through a series of various tribes across the US and Ueda (7th dan kyoshi), arrived February interviews. Perhaps what some will Canada, from distant reservations and 19th and began a rigorous schedule of remember to be the highlight of the busy cities. The Powwow is the main practices with Harvard students. There culture show was a guest performance event that lets us truly unite and share were two-hour practice sessions each by famous Korean pop star Jinusean— our collective Native culture with the day for six days, that were attended by Korean pop culture was a strong theme student body, while embracing our students and alumni, and observed by balancing the theme of Korean special sort of celebration and numerous Harvard spectators. traditional culture. preserving the Powwow for future However, many of the most valuable After the show, the audience moved generations. Even though NAHC experiences of the exchange occurred to Loker Commons to partake in Korean members come from different tribes and outside of practice. In addition to the pastries and refreshments while having hometowns, we are a united group on welcome and farewell dinners, Harvard a chance to interact with performers and the day of the Powwow. students met and interacted with our with each other. All in all, the show was As part of this celebration, there were Keio visitors during parties, classes, even more successful than anticipated, “round dances” in which spectators, tours of Boston and Cambridge and and the audience was able to take home students, and Native dancers all joined even at Cultural Rhythms. Friendships a greater appreciation for Korean and hands and danced in a circle were quickly made, and our farewells Korean American culture. This event symbolizing the continuity of life on our on February 25th were filled with was sponsored by a grant from the planet. One of the Native students at sadness. We took comfort, though, in Harvard Foundation. Harvard is from the Taino Nation, and all that we had learned during our week he and several members of his tribe with our visitors and in the opportunity Native Americans at Harvard came to the powwow and presented an to see them again in the summer. College: 8th Annual Harvard exhibition dance from the Taino tribe. University Powwow and This dance started out with just the three dancers, but it soon grew and included Korean Association Culture Indigenous Arts Fesitval Show and Banquet many students and spectators. After a day of dancing, drumming, The 8th Annual Harvard University singing, and browsing arts and crafts, The annual Korean Culture Show Powwow and Indigenous Arts Festival th we had a free dinner for Native students, and Banquet was held on April 5 , and was held on Saturday, April 12th in the family members, Powwow drummers its exceptional success is indicative of QRAC gymnasium. Approximately and dancers, and friends. We enjoyed the promise of the resurgent and fifty dancers from the US and as far delicious food from Real Taco while innovative Korean Association under its away as New Brunswick and Ontario, socializing and sharing our Native new, ambitious, and active executive Canada attended. culture with many of our non-Native board. A diverse crowd of over 300 Three drum groups from New York friends here at Harvard. The dinner also people from the greater Boston area City, Connecticut, and Maine came to gave us the opportunity to catch up with filled to maximum capacity the Lowell celebrate at the Powwow, and eight other friends from different tribes in the Lecture Hall to watch quality Native vendors displayed and sold their area. performances by Han Ma Eum (the authentic arts, crafts, and other wares. Harvard Pungmul Drum Troupe) and The Powwow was open to the public the Chunsa Fan Dance Troupe. and advertised to the Harvard and Orthodox Christian The Culture show opened with the Cambridge communities. Fellowship: Ethopian, Korean and American National Approximately 300 people, including Russian, and Bzyantine anthems. A funny skit showcased the students and families attended to Iconography Symposium musical and theatrical talents of the participate and watch the Powwow. Korean Association’s freshman class. In The Harvard Powwow is an annual Members of Orthodox Christian order to address modern Korean tradition. It is put on by students in the Fellowship set out to better understand American issues while celebrating the undergraduate and graduate schools, the ways in which icons are painted, 100th anniversary of Korean with the undergraduates doing the bulk learn how they are used in Ethiopia and immigration to the United States, a of the fundraising and organization. Byzantine influenced countries and to video was shown outlining the Powwows are a time of celebration and become familiar with the icon related achievements of influential Korean everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, theology. Through a variety of th Americans during the 20 century. is welcome to visit and join in. The resources, attendees learned how Another video portraying present day Powwow truly embodies the spirit of various styles of iconography Korean American culture was included, the Native presence on campus. The influenced different cultures. “Before, providing glimpses of the lifestyles of Native students in Native Americans at I had always thought icons were nice HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 37

but I never realized how important they topics such as women’s ordination and enriched by the conversation and are. I now understand that it’s whatever women’s roles in the church. Everyone appreciated the openness of the works for the individual and that seemed to walk away with a clearer discussion. While the discussion was something may be considered an icon understanding of the issues and each focused on a specific minority group, if it moves you to pray; whereas before, others’ views. We were very satisfied those representing other ethnicities also I thought it was just a tradition,” said with the way the symposium participated and were able to contribute Andrew Yousef in describing his materialized and are very thankful to the freely to the discussion with no revelation as a result of the symposium. Harvard Foundation for helping us to problem. Overall, the event was a The program emphasized beauty put on this program. success and a good start for the through diversity by looking at each The event brought together people Discussion Circles. Our hope is that the tradition’s contribution to the larger from all different backgrounds to look programs to follow will be even better. picture of iconography. at the often-overlooked role that women have played in the church. South Asian Association: Othrodox Christian Classical Arts Lessons Fellowship:Easter Celebration Classical Dance Lessons: During this program, members of the Kathak is a classical dance from the OCF celebrated the glorious holiday of northern regions of India that is heavily Easter, which marks the highlight of the influenced by the Mughal courts. Orthodox year. Since Orthodox Easter Kathak is known for its intricate is held on a different date from Western footwork and fast twirls. Our teacher Easter, the holiday often passes without is Guru Dulal Talukdar, a master of notice to non-Orthodox Christians. We Indian Classical Dance who studied and met in Adams Dining Hall and taught for many years in Bangladesh celebrated by eating special foods such before coming to the United States. He as Tsoureki and eggs dyed red to has been teaching members of the symbolize the blood of Christ. We also Harvard community for over twenty enjoyed traditional Easter desserts, after five years. Classes were held every having abstained from them for forty Saturday morning in Adams LCR. It is days prior to the celebration. worth mentioning here that not all Scott Alan Rechler ’03, members in the intro class were Advisory Board Member of the members of SAA, but were from Orthodox Christian Race, Culture and Diversity Fellowship: Women and Initiative, receives an award at diverse ethnic groups who were Early Christianity the Harvard Foundation intrigued by the dance form itself. student/faculty awards dinner. Classes have been held for eight The Women and Early Christianity Saturdays this semester and have event was held on Friday May 2nd in the benefited seven students who are Leverett House JCR. The event began Race, Culture and studying the art as well as those with with a panel discussion that included Diversity Initiative: whom they have been able to share this noted scholars Frederica Mathews March Discussion Circle important art. Green, Author and Lecturer on Orthodoxy and Women and Friar The theme of our March Discussion Tabla Lessons: Antony Hughes, Pastor at St. Mary’s Circle was “What does it mean to be Tabla Lessons this year have taught Antiochian Orthodox Church. The Asian in the United States?” It was students not only the tabla techniques discussion was continued at a reception, held on Thursday, March 6th in the and stroke mechanics, but have also where attendees enjoyed Mediterranean Grays Common Room. About fifteen introduced them to the fundamental food. Each guest received a copy of the people attended; the majority were rhythmic theory of Hindustani music. book Women Deacons in the Orthodox freshmen. Refreshments were served The class organizers succeeded in Church and each speaker received a and Asian food was provided. The stimulating interest in Hindustani music copy of Byzantine Women and their discussion was extremely productive. by announcing upcoming concerts each World from the exhibit in the Harvard Issues such as self-segregation, week in the Boston area, which many Sackler Museum this past year. discrimination, racial stereotypes, and of the students then attended. Because The discussion was fantastic, though the Asian as the “model minority” myth of what they had learned in the classes, at times it became heated, as people were all discussed. As they were the students were pleased to be able to expressed their differing views on leaving, students said they were follow along and understand what was 38 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 happening musically during the South Asian Association: other authors. Next, select students concerts. Authors Symposium offered workshops to present their Some of the students have performed works in progress, receiving this semester, accompanying various On Friday, April 25th, the South Asian constructive criticism. The workshops pieces in Ghungroo, the South Asian Association, in conjunction with the ended with a writing session to facilitate Associations’ Cultural Show, as well as Asian American Association, hosted the a continuing thought and writing in Taraana, a South Asian and fusion Asian American Literary Caravan.The process. musical show held in mid-March. In Caravan brought to Harvard emerging The average workshop size was addition, two of the students played for writers Bushra Rehman and Helen Yum, about fifteen students. The student an audience in Eliot House and were poets who confront issues of race, participation rotated, depending on able to explain to the audience some of culture, and identity through their work. schedules. The society provided the basics of the tabla. There is a Rehman and Yum each read several of snacks, guidance from professional potential for cross-cultural exchange, as their pieces, after which they engaged writers, and a “family” dinner, where the Harvard African Students the students in a question and answer members of the workshops would come Association was very interested in session and discussion. The informal together, relax, eat and share their works doing a fusion piece with the tabla class setting encouraged candid discussion. of the semester in an in-group reading for their cultural show. By next year, Students appreciated the opportunity to session. Many students found it SAA students hope to be ready to express themselves and openly speak gratifying to finally have a place where expand their campus involvement and about issues facing members of the they could get away from the Harvard performances. Asian diaspora. Several students even grind and openly express their feelings shared their own artistic talents with the in the forms of conversation and/or South Asian Journal writers. Interacting with the Literary writing. Caravan turned out to be an enriching To encapsulate the essence of South experience for all students involved. Speaking Life II Event Asian civilization is truly an impossible Our Semesterly open reading at the task.The culture is far too diverse, the end of the year is held intentionally the politics far too complex. In theSouth weekend before finals to give Harvard Asian Journal, we attempted to express students a chance to decompress, eat, the intricacies within South Asian relax, talk and share whatever is in communities in the Subcontinent and their minds and hearts. As usual, we Diaspora.At the same time, the Journal packed the Kirkland House Junior is designed not merely for reflection but Common Room and needed extra also for creative celebration of the South chairs to accommodate the sizeable Asian ethos.The works featured in the audience. We provided an open mic Journal address a diverse array of which allowed the students who were themes — including racial identity, involved in workshops to share the ancient legend, ethnic conflict, and work they had been composing over cultural norms – intertweaving cultural, the last few months. political, and societal perspectives.The Harvard Foundation Interns Ellen Yiadom ’06, The event itself was interactive and Journal also provides an opportunity to Melissa Luna ’03 and Claudia Garcia ’05 per- performance turned to dialogue. The share knowledge, reveal talents, and form in Cultural Rhythms skit at Kirkland House. crowd and performers fed off each bring awareness to the greater Harvard other’s energy. We also were able to community. Spoken Word: The Finding provide food and music to create a The Journal is for anyone and Freedom Through Language fitting ambiance. The purpose of the everyone interested in South Asian Project event was accomplished through matters, not only for those of South enabling students to break away from Asian descent.The Journal is intended Workshops the grind, build a community, relax and to celebrate South Asian culture, not In this academic year, the Spoken listen/share their many stories. merely South Asian people. We Word Society was able to offer free anticipate that this issue of the South workshops for undergraduate students Finding Freedom Through Asian Journal, the first of its kind, will to come together and share their creative Language CD prompt a long tradition of academic and works. Workshops began with check- The Finding Freedom Through political discourse in future additions. ins on each other’s weeks, then Language CD recording was initiated The journal was supported by a grant progressed into the exchange and in April 2003. We reviewed the last two from the Harvard Foundation. sharing of inspirational literature from years’ recordings to select a final CD, HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 39 which will be replicated and polished booths, the event turned out to be a great ready to set a new record for egg- over the summer. We plan to have a success. Instead of being just a banquet, custard sizes, our master chef Benjamin large reading and celebration to present the TCS Winterfest gave its participants Lee ’06, soon created two marvelous our oral publication to the Harvard a hands-on opportunity to learn about pie-size egg-custards. (If any of you are community. The tracks thus far Taiwanese culture. This event was familiar with egg custards, they are demonstrate the myriad voices that this sponsored by a grant from the Harvard usually the size of cupcakes.) It was as campus holds. From rap to short story, Foundation. easy as one, two, and three: all you need this anthology of oral literature is eggs, milk, white sugar, and tart crust compiles stories of love, discrimination, Taiwanese Cultural Society (any deep dish/shallow dish pie crust balancing tradition with modernity, Dumpling and Egg-Custard would do too), mix them all up, put into coping with Harvard, and finding Tart Workshops the tart, bake, and – voila – ready to community and freedom through serve! language. The smell of fried dumplings and The workshop was an informal event potstickers was detected over large that attracted over thirty people. Taiwanese Cultural Society’s distances as the Taiwanese Cultural Although it officially started at eight o’clock, people continuously trickled in 6th Annual Winterfest Society’s Dumpling and Potsticker Workshop welcomed hungry students and out during its entire duration. Those On Friday, March 7th, the 6th Annual to Mower kitchen. Many people, who decided to abandon their textbooks Winterfest presented a cultural ranging from hardened veterans of TCS on a Thursday night were rewarded with showcase and culinary celebration in cooking events to curious parents of egg-custard tarts from Chinatown, the style of a traditional Taiwanese night freshmen, hovered around the stove as fresh-from-the-oven homemade egg- market, a mainstay of Taiwanese Master Chef Jennifer Hsieh fried and custard slices, and a night of relaxation. culture. Cultural booths, traditional deftly served fried dumplings and dance performances, and arts-and-crafts potstickers to the hungry masses. Taiwanese Cultural Society: demonstrations highlighted various This event was not a one-woman The Cultural Impact of the aspects of Taiwanese culture. TCS show as over fifty people, some visiting Democratization of Taiwan members explained the cultural and from various colleges, participated in and Future Directions historical significance of these the making of the dumplings and traditions while providing hands-on potstickers, which they would later Dr. Joseph Bosco, Law Professor at instruction. This festival presented an voraciously consume. In order to Princeton University, gave a wonderful enjoyable and engaging educational welcome more members of the Harvard seminar on how democracy in Taiwan opportunity for the Harvard community community, traditional Taiwanese-style affects US-Taiwan and Taiwan-China to learn about Taiwanese food, culture, and vegetarian dumplings were all relations. He stressed that the biggest and history. created. For the health-conscious types, change in the past fifty years for the The event was a success; about 250 the option of boiling the dumplings was Taiwanese people is the transition of people attended. In addition to our offered as well as pan-frying them. Taiwan from a pawn caught in the Cold twenty-two course meal, we had several In addition to learning the art of War to a pesky problem for policy cultural booths set up, including knitting choosing and mixing the material to makers in Taipei, Beijing and (macramé), calligraphy, traditional make the filling within the dumpling, Washington, simply because the people costumes, dessert-making, and several everyone also learned how to wrap and of Taiwan now have a say. Taiwan’s traditional games. While the guests seal the dumpling in order to prevent democratization began in the early were eating, there were performances them from breaking during the cooking 1980s when the government opened up by the Traditional Dance Troupe, the process. Everyone at the event was able to local elections under pressure from Asian American Dance Troupe, a to talk and mingle while making the the US government and grassroots puppet show by the students in the dumplings – it was truly an interethnic opposition. This led to the lifting of Taiwanese class, the Chinese Yo-yo social and cultural event. martial law in 1987, the first round of group, and the Kung Fu organization. The Taiwanese Cultural Society also Constitutional reforms in 1991, the first The most impressive part of the entire held its first ever egg-custard tart direct election of the President in 1996, evening was probably the cultural workshop on April 3rd, in Strauss and the first transition of power from booths. These fun and engaging Common Room. Besides a few edible one political party to another in 2000. activities actually made the guests want examples (50 to be exact) from After the seminar, Professor Bosco to explore each different aspect of Chinatown to help us envision what engaged in a question and answer Taiwanese tradition as presented by the egg-custards should look like, the rest session with the audience, who asked booths. Because the guests were so was up to our creativity. A full questions ranging from Taiwan’s actively involved in all the cultural proponent of the economies of scale and economic ties with China to Taiwanese 40 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Professor of Mathematics traditional attire, followed by the members of his family. Following, the bride was carried into the hall inside her Dr. Benedict H. Gross Appointed carriage accompanied by her entourage. Upon stepping out of the carriage, the Dean of Harvard College bride performed various rituals. For instance, after handing a “red envelope” to the male from the groom’s side of the family who aided her in stepping from the carriage, she stepped over fire for purification, and then broke a tile to ensure a peaceful marriage. Only after doing so did the fully-veiled and dressed-in-red-bride approach her future husband to continue the rest of the rituals together. Upon arriving on the dais separating the parents from the family members and friends in attendance, the pair bowed to their ancestors, their parents, and finally to each other. After bowing to each other, the groom used a red stick to lift up the red veil of the bride. Once these formalities were over, celebrations and festivities ensued in the hall as both Newly appointed Dean of Harvard and ethnic backgrounds during his years guests and the newly-weds played College, Benedict H. Gross, Ph.D. at Harvard, and is widely praised as an games, drank, and ate banquet-style Leverett Professor of Mathematics excellent teacher and a respected food. addressed students and faculty of the colleague. As a distinguished With an attendance of over one Harvard Foundation Advisory mathematician, musician (and excellent hundred people, the Wedding Banquet Committee on April 16th, 2003. Dr. tennis player) Dr. Gross has traveled was undoubtedly a successful event – Gross spoke eloquently of his own widely and interacted with people of full of fun, entertainment, drama, and background and personal experiences in many different cultural backgrounds. traditions. The first ever of its kind, it intercultural and race relations, as well He received his A.B. from Harvard wowed audiences from Harvard and as his commitment to the mission of the College in 1971 and his Ph.D. from the beyond, the Wedding Banquet will be Harvard Foundation. The students and Harvard Department of Mathematics in something to watch for in years to come. faculty in attendance were delighted 1978. The students and faculty of the This event was sponsored by a grant with his expressions of interest in the Harvard Foundation look forward to from the Harvard Foundation. race relations programs of the Harvard working with Dr. Benedict Gross in his Foundation and his thoughtful position as Dean of Harvard College. Harvard Thai Society responses to their questions. He has Treasures of Siam: advised and taught students of all races Harvard Foundation Staff A Thai Cultural Show media. Professor Bosco remains very Taiwanese Cultural Society Treasures of Siam: A Thai Cultural optimistic about Taiwan’s political and Wedding Banquet Show took place on Friday, March 7th economic future. at Lowell Lecture Hall. Although the The panel was part of an ongoing On May 2nd, Harvard experienced show featured a variety of series in the Taiwan Culture Showcase its first ever Asian Wedding Banquet performances, the show was presented that also featured a seminar on the under the auspices of the Taiwanese as part of a long story entitled ,“Wizard Japanese influences in postwar Taiwan, Cultural Society. First, the pre- of the Oz in Thailand,” in which a little and the cosmopolitan cultures of Taipei ceremonial show featured Taiwanese girl Dorothy tries to find her way home City. This event was sponsored by a aboriginals as they offered their from the land of Siam (the ancient name grant from the Harvard Foundation. benevolent wishes through dances and of Thailand). songs. Then, the ceremony began as Both Dorothy and the audience the groom “rode in,” arrayed in journeyed through the land of Siam. HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003 41

She met many people in different Woodbridge Society increasing prominence of Koreans on regions who welcomed her with a Fiesta Mondiale the international stage. Articles number of traditional dances and songs. examined prominent Korean figures One of the dances involved the use of Woodbridge’s landmark event, Fiesta (such as cellist Hanna Chang), the candles, which were a fire hazard and Mondiale, a magical evening of experience of the World Cup, and the could have triggered smoke detectors. international food, music and dance, Korean diaspora - not only as However, thanks to our friends at MIT took place on Saturday, April 19, 2003, immigrants in the US but also in Africa. who helped in the show, we made between 8:30pm and 1am in Dunster In general, Yisei is a forum to express candles that ran on batteries! When House Dining Hall & Junior Common the tensions of immigrant and minority stage lights dimmed, the shine from Room. Just as in previous years, Fiesta Koreans in the US, through various these artificial candles looked realistic. proved a great success with about 150 media: art, photography, poetry and Judging from the applause, the most students and other members of the prose. In this sense,Y isei seeks to speak exciting performance was undoubtably Harvard community in attendance. for more than Koreans, but rather, to the swordfighting, performed with real We began with a big celebration of voice the concerns of multiculturalism, metal swords. As the swords struck, the international cuisine from two dozens dual identities, and political inequities sound and the sparks of light captured restaurants from all around Boston. that can resonate with all marginalized everyone in awe. In addition, we also While our guests were enjoying the or minority groups. had guest performers who demonstrated food, a jazz band was providing a Muay Thai or kickboxing. relaxed musical atmosphere. At about Other Student Group Projects The show lasted for about two hours 10pm, the dancing began with music Funded by the Harvard and was followed by a reception of Thai provided by a DJ. The DJ impressed the Foundation Food at Loker Commons. We served students with the variety of four appetizers, the favorite noodles Pad International music that he played. The In addition to the above listed Thai, and Thai iced tea. gathering was enjoyed by all who Harvard College student organizations The organizers and performers were participated. This event was sponsored that received funding from the Harvard very happy with the event. We had a by a grant from the Harvard Foundation. Foundation spring semester 2003 grants very diverse audience of 200 people. for their cultural programs, as reflected Most importantly, we felt the event Woodbridge Society Barazas in their submitted summary reports, the allowed us to demonstrate our culture (Festive Gatherings) and following student organizations also and educate others in an entertaining Movie Nights received funding from the Harvard way. This event was sponsored by a Foundation spring grants: grant from the Harvard Foundation. Throughout the semester, the Woodbridge Society held four themed Asian American Brotherhood Woodbridge Society of Barazas (festive gatherings) including Asian American Dance Troupe International Students Middle Eastern, Thai, Italian, and Association of Harvard Black Women Speaker Series Japanese. Students, including many Black Students Association freshman, enjoyed food, fun, and Bhumi: Harvard Inrernational During the Spring semester, as part educational presentations on the region Development Group of Woodbridge Society’s Speaker of interest. Our Movies Nights DHARMA Series, we organized a faculty/student featuring East is East, Les Rivieres Diversity & Distinction Magazine lunch with Zadie Smith, a British Pourpes ( Crimson Rivers), and Cinema Harvard Black Mens Forum novelist, author of White Teeth and a Paradiso were also popular with the Harvard Dramatics Club fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Harvard community. After viewing the Harvard Hong Kong Association Advanced Study. On February 27th, Ms. films, students had an opportunity to Harvard University Black Arts Smith read to the gathering from a novel discuss their feelings and thoughts Festival that she is currently working on, as well about the international feature. These Harvard Vietnamese Association as piece from her theoretical essay. The events were sponsored by grants from Harvard Wushu Club students in attendance enjoyed the the Harvard Foundation. Latinas Unidas event, which was sponsored by a grant Organization of Puerto Rican from the Harvard Foundation. Yisei Magazine: Voices of Students Korean Americans at Harvard Tai Chi Tiger Crane Club Women In Color The pertinent issue of Yisei celebrates the centennial of Korean immigration to the United States and the 42 HARVARD FOUNDATION SPRING 2003

Harvard Foundation Staff

Stacey E. Harrison, Staff Assistant Mardi J. Klein, Student Activities Coordinator

Student Interns: Margaret Anadu ’03 Brian Clair ’05 Claudia García ’05 Roberto Gradilla ’03 Jia Han ’05 Saritha Komatireddy ’05 Niles Xi’an Lichtenstein ’05 Melissa Luna ’03 Dina Maxwell ’06 Stephanie Paiz ’05 Brian Sandoval ’03 Ethan Yeh ’03 Ellen Yiadom ’06

The Harvard Foundation would like to express its appreciation to photographer Marcus Halevi.

Faculty Advisory Committee Members Dr. Gary Alpert, Environmental Biologist Reverend Peter J. Gomes, Dr. Robert Lue, Director of Undergraduate Dr. Ali Asani, Professor of the Practice of Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Studies in Biological Sciences Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures Pusey Minister in Memorial Church Dr. Sandra Naddaff, Director of Undergraduate Ms. Karen E. Avery, Assistant Dean of Ms. Robin Gottlieb, Senior Preceptor in Studies and Master of Mather House Harvard College and Director of the Ann Mathematics Dr. Donald H. Pfister, Asa Gray Professor of Radcliffe Trust Dr. David Haig, Associate Professor of Systematic Botany Dr. John E. Dowling, Maria Moors Cabot Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Mr. Daniel Sanks, Administrator, Professor of Natural Sciences Dr. J. Woodland Hastings, Paul C. Mangelsdorf The Memorial Church Dr. Göran Ekström, Professor of Geology Professor of Natural Sciences Dr. Michael Shinagel, Dean for Continuing Mr. David L. Evans, Senior Admissions Officer Mr. Marvin Hightower, Senior Writer and Archi- Education and University Extension Dr. William Gelbart, Professor of Molecular vist, Harvard News Office Dr. Robert Woollacott, Professor of Biology and Cellular Biology Dr. Harry R. Lewis, Dean of Harvard College and Professor of Computer Science

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