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THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF HAVERFORD COLLEGE

winter ’08

The Alumni Magazine of Haverford College WINTER 2008 H MRO R BEGINS ERA EMERSON THE

HAVERFORD COLLEGE Non-Profit Org. Haverford, PA 19041 U.S. Postage Address Service Requested PAID Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 5521 ITR2008 WINTER That Gummere Living Room Thing

For me, Fords remain, as a group, the most interesting, inter- ested, engaging people I’ve ever met. This office—figuratively and, at times, literally—is becoming the administrative equivalent of a Gummere living room (minus the puddles of Gennie Cream Ale): who knows where the conversation will go and who will join in; I just know I'm going to enjoy it. Judging by alumni reaction to both our more “peopled” web- site (which is quick and eager to showcase our lives and interests) and to the previous issue of the magazine (again, heavy on peo- ple) I don’t believe I’m alone in these feelings. Certainly, the web is mission-critical in our effort to do a better job of showcasing who we are. But print remains a key part of our plan, and I was recently reminded that many of us downright love it. Asher Spiller and Scott Sheppard, class of 2006, are launching a business and got in touch hoping to get some coverage. As their news release pointed out, their new baby is a literary magazine called Spur. But here's the thing: It’s a real magazine. Printed mat- ter, bound by a machine, distributed via the U.S. postal service and at select newsstands. As someone who witnessed at close range 32 the demise of the Knight Ridder newspaper chain, seeing a pair of Generation Web-ers jump into print made me gasp. And yet...Spur has what sends me into rapture every time this office gets samples of our printed product from the presses. For John R. Van Ness Contributing Writers starters, there’s the realness of it. The weight and texture of the Interim Vice President for John F. Anderies Institutional Advancement Jeanine Basinger stock and what that says about the message being sent; the utility Charles Curtis `04 of something that is portable, disposable, and doesn’t require elec- Chris Mills ’82 Douglas Johnson `71 tricity; and, for me, the killer attribute: its smell. Blame it on record Director of College Stephen Leonard `95 Communications John Lombardi albums I once bought, and how removing the shrinkwrap enveloped Caroline O’Halloran me in the world of the artist audibly, visually – and olfactorily. “Ah Brenna McBride Gail Sklar yes, I detect notes of Jethro Tull’s ‘Aqualung,’ with its faux-canvas Staff Writer Virtual surface...” I once claimed to my older brother that I could discern Acquire, LLC Communications by scent alone which of Capitol Records’ three plants (identified Graphic Designer www.AcquireVisual.com Committee on the jacket margins) had manufactured any given Beatle album... Norman Pearlstine ’64, Right! So. I invite you to flip the pages of this ultimate random- Chairman access document and find out why these guys are investing in print. Editorial Advisory And just to balance the ledger, that same page-space has the story Committee of another group of young Fords who are also launching a busi- Jody Romano ness: this one on the web and exploiting all of the Internet’s prom- John R. Botti ’92 ise. The online version of their story bears the superhead “Haverford Kaye Edwards Conversations” as in “Jawboning With Your Ford Friends Just Like Gregory Kannerstein ’63 Bradley J. Mayer ’92 You Used To.” William E. Williams In short, doing that Gummere living room thing. Best,

Chris Mills ’82 [email protected]

P.S. Send me a note if you and a friend or two would like to create a “Haverford Conversation” for us all to enjoy. winter 2008

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FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

24 It’s a Hope 2 View from Founders Dr. Bruce Agins ’75 has spent his career fighting HIV and AIDS, 4 Main Lines and training up-and-coming health professionals to do the same. by Charles Curtis ’04 11 Reviews 32 European (Re)Union 15 Ford Games Find out why these Fords call Europe home. 19 Faculty Profile by Stephen Leonard ’95 72 Notes from the Alumni Association 38 Building a Community of Scientists 85 Class News The Howard Hughes Medical Institute transforms today’s students and faculty members into tomorrow’s cutting-edge 100 Roads Taken and Not Taken research scientists. by Brenna McBride SPECIAL REPORT 44 Dances with Words Richard Lingeman ’53, distinguished biographer of 77 State of the College Theodore Dreiser and Sinclair Lewis, is one of the few true humorists and men of letters still editing magazines. by John Lombardi 50 The Emerson Era Begins Meet Stephen G. Emerson ’74, Haverford’s thirteenth president. by Caroline O’Halloran Haverford College Office of Communications 370 Lancaster Avenue • Haverford, PA 19041 64 Sudan Before Darfur (610) 896-1333 • ©2007 Haverford College The tragedy of Darfur, Sudan, is now well-known. Douglas Johnson ’71 has devoted much of his life to Haverford Alumni Magazine is printed three times a year. Please send change of address information understanding––and ending—another Sudanese conflict to Haverford College in care of Ryan Johnson, that was in the news so long it ceased to be news at all. 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041 By Douglas Johnson ’71 C Haverford Alumni Magazine is printed on recycled paper. Six months on the job and I’m here to report that it isn’t what I expected... by Stephen Emerson ’74 view from founders

Six months on the job and I’m here to report that it isn’t what Jack Coleman was president when I arrived here in 1970 I expected... as a 16-year-old from Long Island. The President was friend- In fact, it’s better. And while I certainly had high hopes for ly and personable, yes. But he was a firebrand, passionate the Haverford I’d be coming home to—realistic, yet high almost to distraction about an America at war—in Southeast nonetheless—frankly I’m astonished by where this community Asia and, in many ways, with itself. Jack forged a role that was finds itself, and the eagerness with which it is looking to the largely outward-facing and deeply engaged with the issues of future. I couldn’t be happier about returning, or more optimistic the day. This was a man who meant business, and the busi- about the days and years to come. ness often meant joining us in protest on the Mall in Blanket statement: Our college is thriving. Considering the Washington, or taking a sabbatical to study life as lived by students who come here (and whom I’m meeting every which those in blue collar roles. Such experiences informed his notion way I can) that isn’t surprising. It’s really very nice that this col- of stewardship and, in turn, inspired us to consider our place umn is called “View from Founders,” because I’ve set aside Friday in the world and how we can effect change—indeed, how our afternoons for students to come by and share their thoughts as we every action impacts upon others. sit on some newly-acquired rocking chairs on Founders porch. Three decades later, that uniquely Haverfordian commit- It is my favorite standing appointment, and our porch chats are ment to what I call “finding oneself in the process of making becoming better attended by the week as students introduce the world a better place” seems stronger than ever. In a world- themselves—and introduce me to their concerns and ambitions. wide-web of opportunity, it's possible to connect with difference (and work for change) in ways that those of us from older generations couldn’t have imagined. These idealistic, forward-looking students can bridge time, space and difference at will, and their lives speak to that end. To do right by them, I will try to give them the tools and resources to energize will to action, and live up to their standards as I use my office to enable their greatest success—inside and outside the classroom, here on campus and beyond. These students inspire confidence both in the future of our institution, and our world.

2 Haverford Magazine I am similarly, and profoundly, moved by our faculty. As a put in time and get a paycheck. Why do I believe that? Because, professor myself, I have a sense of what it takes for a depart- in my experience, people who smile this much and say “Thank ment or an entire academic institution to succeed. As I thank my you!” this much, who never seem to miss a co-worker’s birthday predecessors for preserving and enhancing a Haverford that and get excited by the beauty and magnificence of our campus- serves as a beacon to students whom I would easily consider as-arboretum, aren’t watching the clock. They care, deeply—just among the most gifted and giving I have met, so too am I appre- as those who founded Haverford College cared. People here work ciative of all that has been done to attract and retain such a hard and feel they are part of a mission; people here respect and dynamic and committed faculty. feel respected. I hope to serve with such dedication. It goes beyond their brilliance (goes without saying, I’m I will soon mark four decades as a Haverfordian. At times—and pleased to report!) as it goes beyond the currency of their expert- it’s often Friday afternoons, as my personal “view from Founders” ise. And it’s more than their accessibility, and their faith in an includes this newest generation of Fords—it takes my breath exclusively undergraduate setting that involves uttering state- away to think that the people here and the place we share have ments such as “These are my office hours; feel free to drop by” trusted me with this current role. So often, I am moved to silence. or “Here’s my home number if you need it; please call” or “I It’s great to be back, and great to be working with you all for liked the point you made in last week’s paper; have you con- an even brighter future. sidered exploring it further over the summer?” For me, it has to do with flexible, creative thinking that is grounded in the real Editor’s Note: As this issue was world—of both their scholarship and the lives of those with going to press, Haverford announced whom they interact while pursuing it. For them, it seems all a dramatic transformation of its about how academics matter, here and after students move on. Financial Aid policies. The text of In essence, the more you engage with our faculty, the more President Emerson’s letter to the exciting that engagement becomes. They are there for us, and community is reproduced on the I will be there for them. inside back cover of this magazine. And then there is the larger campus community above and beyond faculty and students, who sustain the College. While not claiming to speak for anyone else, I don’t get the impression that folks here regard this as a “designated workstation” where you

In essence, the more you engage “ with our faculty, the more exciting that engagement becomes. They are there for us, and I will be there for them.” Winter 2008 3 main lines

geologic era called Tertiary.” surprising trend. Most of the Scientists can tell when one era animals from that era are ends and another begins suspension-feeders; they sit at because of something called the the bottom of a body of water Iridium Anomaly. and wait for food to come to “Iridium is an element them. They are also extremely rare on Earth but planktotrophs, feeding mainly SMALL SPECIES abundant in asteroids,” says on plankton. What’s unusual Johnson. “When an asteroid hits about this, says Johnson, is that BIG Earth, it blows dust into the air according to most of the papers and spreads a thin layer of it all he’s read on this subject, there over the planet.” At the was a stark decrease in Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary, planktotrophs during the evidence of the anomaly can be Tertiary period. “It makes sense found in increases of parts per that when a huge asteroid hits Looking at Prehistoric Plankton-Feeders million of iridium. and blows dust into the air, it with Brian Johnson ’08 In New Jersey, Neil Landman blots out the sun, and plant life DIG was concentrating on the Cretaceous portion of the site Instead of just hat happened to project in Freehold, N.J., at a and asked Johnson to study the identifying species, life on Earth after near-shore marine environment Tertiary layer to determine what Johnson was more W that infamous where diverse forms of life from kinds of species survived in that asteroid hit the immediately preceding and era, as well as what made them interested in Yucatan more than 65 million following the asteroid impact thrive. They were fortunate in learning how years ago? That’s a question have been preserved. The finding that these layers formed that species evolved, Brian Johnson ’08 pondered researchers hoped to discover the floor of a creek, and were during his summer internship the kind of life forms that were worn down so thin that Johnson and what kind of with paleontologist Neil able to survive and thrive at the easily pried them off in slabs lifestyle it led. Landman at the American Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary: using a large axe called a Museum of Natural History in “Dinosaurs lived during the maddock. He then took those decreases or dies,” he says. New York City. Cretaceous period,” Johnson slabs back to the museum lab, “All animals that eat plankton Johnson is a geology major, explains, “but the impact of the broke them into segments the then suffer.” However, it but his true passion lies in asteroid brought about a new size of marbles or golf balls, and appears that nearly 70 percent paleontology—which, contrary extracted pieces of any fossils of the animals Johnson to popular belief, doesn’t always he found. discovered this summer feed off involve dinosaurs. “In fact,” he Instead of just identifying of plankton. says, “most paleontologists species, Johnson was more “So something different is focus on invertebrates.” One of interested in learning how that going on here,” he says. Johnson’s geology professors at species evolved, and what kind Johnson may spend the rest Bryn Mawr, Bruce Saunders, of lifestyle it led. This project is of his senior year attempting to knew Neil Landman as a now being continued as his solve this mystery, but after colleague and co-author and senior thesis. “I’m using these graduating in May, he hopes to recommended Johnson for the species and their lifestyles to leave the lab behind and break prestigious internship, knowing paint a picture of ecology in the into science writing and that Landman’s research would Tertiary era. What modes of life journalism. “I found that what I mesh with Johnson’s interests. Brian Johnson (foreground) works in the New were dominant, and why?” liked most was reading Johnson, Landman and their Jersey streambed where Neil Landman In seeking the answer to this research papers and writing up colleagues pursued their (right) identified fossil-bearing layers. question, he has noticed a my findings,” he says.

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H mai n welcomes Tenure-Track representation of five new tenure- marginal subjects as track professors to Professors New well as their dealings the faculty: to Haverford’s with power in Latin American Terrence LaMark narratives. Johnson has been Faculty This The religion promoted from Visiting hn department welcomes lso Year Assistant Instructor to de Assistant Professor n e Assistant Professor of Religion. M Travis Zadeh, k Johnson holds a bachelor’s a whose research r a degree in English from A focuses on the B u Morehouse College and a r formative periods of e l master of divinity degree from ia Islamic intellectual G Harvard Divinity School, and a ó history with particular m Ph.D. in religious studies from ez attention given to the Un Brown University. His research amuno intersections between religion interests include religious and literature. His work draws ethics, moral philosophy, and Journal of interstate and intrastate conflict. on Arabic, Persian, Syriac, Latin, African American religious Statistics, the New Instructor of Spanish and Spanish sources to explore thought and philosophy. He Journal of Probability and Aurelia Gómez Unamuno concepts of translation and received the Woodrow Wilson Statistical Science, and earned a licentiate’s degree alterity in premodern Islam, and Foundation’s Charlotte International Statistical Review. (with a thesis entitled includes studies on sacred Newcombe Dissertation Barak Mendelsohn joins “Revaloración del discurso geographies and cartography, Fellowship, and will soon have the department of political utópico americano”) in as well as theological issues an essay published in The science as an assistant Hispanic languages and surrounding the translatability of Souls of Black Folk: New professor. literatures from the the Quran. Zadeh holds a B.A. in Essays Reflections. A recent post-doctoral fellow Universidad Nacional literary studies and Spanish Weiwen Miao, new at Tel Aviv University, Autónoma de México and a from Middlebury College, and an Associate Professor of Mendelsohn holds a bachelor’s master’s in Hispanic languages A.M. and a Ph.D. from Harvard Mathematics, received a degree in Middle East studies and literatures from the University in comparative bachelor’s degree in from the Hebrew University in University of Pittsburgh, where literature. He has conducted mathematics from Beijing Jerusalem, a master’s in security she is currently a doctoral research in Europe, North University and a master’s and studies from Tel Aviv University, candidate. She is finishing a Africa, the Middle East, South doctorate in probability and and a master’s and Ph.D. in dissertation called “Marginal Asia, and South America. Zadeh statistics from Tufts University. government from Cornell Narratives and Politics in lived in Syria on a Fulbright-Hays She comes to Haverford from University. His research focuses Mexico after 1968.” Her areas dissertation research grant in Macalester College, where she on terrorism and the evolution of expertise include 20th- 2003-04. During the summer of was an associate professor in and ideology of the Jihadi century Latin American 1998, he walked over 500 miles statistics; she has also taught movement; hegemony and narrative and culture, the new on a medieval pilgrimage to the at Mt. Holyoke College and interstate cooperation; the historical novel, and Latin shrine of Saint James the Colby Colleges. She has been politics of the Middle East; the American criticism. In March “Moor-Killer” in Santiago de published in a wide range of proliferation of WMDs; religion 2006 she organized a panel on Compostela, Spain. journals, including The and international relations; “Narrativas marginales en American Statistician, Journal psychological theories of América Latina” for the Latin of Statistical Computation and decision making; theories of American Studies Association Simulation, Scandinavian foreign policy; and the causes of Conference. She is interested

Winter 2008 5 On Monday, the City Council acknowledged the miniature goat’s attributes as human companion, weed whacker and One small step for man, milk maker, and unanimously voted that the goats could be ant step kept as pets. e gi “One small step for man, one on giant step for goatkind,” said Councilmember Richard Conlin, who sponsored the legislation. for goatkindevails As of late, goats have Seattle gives them pet status, gained the environmental Goat Justice League Pr status of hybrid cars and bovine-growth-hormone-free milk, prized for their ability to mow lawns without using fossil fuels. University of Washington and Seattle City Light recently hired herds to clear slopes of blackberry brambles. Monday’s vote marked yet another gain for miniature goats, which are about the size of a large dog. Also known as pygmy or dwarf goats, the animals weigh between 50 and 100 pounds and grow to about 2 feet tall. Owners keep them as pets and sources of milk. People who Jennie Grant ’87, president of the Goat Justice League, with her minigoats in Grant’s Madrona backyard. The Seattle City Council voted Monday that miniature goats could be kept as pets. want to keep goats

Koffi Anyinefa, professor of Stephen Emerson, president of Hank Glassman, assistant pro- Emeritus Professor of French French and department chair, gave Haverford and professor of biology, fessor of East Asian studies, attend- Marcel Gutwirth’s article “Le a talk called “The Peace Corps was co-author of the article ed the American Academy of Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Comedie Novel and African: Atruistic “Osteoblasts support B lymphocyte Religion Meeting, November 17-20 a Double—a Triple Fond?” was Alterity” at the Internationales commitment and differentiation in San Diego, where he was a pre- published in Vol. 107, Issue 1 of the Humboldt-Kolleg 2007 meeting, held from hematopoietic stem cells,” senter on a panel covering journal Revue d’Histoire December 4-8 in Lome, Togo. which appeared in Vol. 109, Issue 9 “Screening and Streaming Litteraire de la France. Assistant Professor of Computer of the journal Blood. Japanese Religions: Integrating Laurie Kain Hart, Edwin and Science John Dougherty At the 41st American Chemical Visual Media into the Classroom,” Margiana Stinnes Professor of attended a meeting of the Society Western Regional Meeting sponsored by the Japanese Global Studies and professor of Consortium for Computing Sciences 2007, held October 9-13 in San Diego, Religions Group. His article “Shaka anthropology, contributed a paper in Colleges, held October 12-13 at Associate Professor of Biology Rob no Honji: Preaching, Intertextuality, and took part in a workshop on St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, Fairman gave a talk called and Popular Hagiography” “The Politics of Difference and N.Y., where he gave a talk on “Using “Effective Mentoring of Teaching appeared in Vol. 62, Issue 3 of the Boundaries” at the “Revisiting the Lyrics and Music to Reinforce Experiences Can Provide Invaluable journal Monumenta Nipponica. Political: Anthropological and Concepts.” This was also a paper Training for Future Faculty.” Historical Research on Greek published in the Journal of Society” International Computing Sciences in College. Symposium, sponsored by the

6 Haverford Magazine haverford college October 27-29inWuhan, China. Comparative Linguistics,held the 4thInternationalConferenceon Shizhe Huang ate thepast20yearsofresearch. r sium ofitskindtobringtogether Greece, andwasthefirstsympo November 7-11inMytiline, Itwasheld the Aegean,Greece. of SocialSciences,University Anthropology andHistory, School Department ofSocial dogs, cats,exoticanimalsand requirement treatsthemlike animals, andthenewlicensing animals ratherthanfarm classifies minigoatsassmall than 20,000square could notbekeptonlotssmaller code inSeattle,farmanimals legalizing thegoats. Everett havepassedlegislation graze intheiryards.Portlandand can belenttootherowners yard, withanexception:They or anywhereoutsidetheowner’s not beallowedinoff-leashareas and parkvegetation,goatswill say. To sidewalkgardens protect some findoffensive,goatexperts gives offamuskyscentthat neutered—the unalteredmale dehorned. Malegoatsmustbe dog orcatandgetthem will havetolicensethemlikea Modifier Type-matching Theoryonthe Studies, presented apaperon“A Professor andchairofEastAsian esear Light recently hir The lawpassedMonday Under thepreviousland-use and SeattleCity herds toclear chers inthefieldtoevalu- University of Washington -Modifiee Construction” at blackber brambles. slopes of , CV Starr feet. r y ed - Music Visiting AssistantProfessorof in 1840sFrance.” Music, andDiagnosticPathology Musical Disease:Tuberculosis, Poland. Hegaveatalkentitled“A held December6-8inWarsaw, by Academic Conferenceorganized Decade,” theVIIInter “Chopin inthe1840s:TheLast prefer toeatroses. escape anyenclosureandthey change, sayinggoatscan One personcriticizedthe goats atthehearingThursday testified infavoroflegalizingthe urban sustainabilityandchildr where foodcomesfrom.” “another linktotherealityof provide localmilkandserveas law becausethegoatscan Conlin said,heproposedthenew risks andfindingtheywere neighbors.” cheese andIbringittothe gallon ofdeliciousmilk.Imake day Snowflakegivesahalf harvest blackberrybushes.Every public hearing.“Everydaythey goats liketodo,”Grantsaidata enough spacetodothethings have eachother, theyhave Snowflake, “arehappy, they says has100members. Goat JusticeLeague,whichshe risks. Grantispresidentofthe about potentialpublic-health Grant’s goatsandcomplained neighbor alertedthecityto changing theoldlawaftera asked Conlin’s officetoconsider resident andoutlawgoatowner, potbellied pigs. the Fr Animal lovers,advocatesof After researchingthehealth Her goats,Brownieand Jennie Grant,aMadrona David Kasunic yder yk ChopinInstitute, national attended low . en , Yavapai College inPrescott,Ariz.; Philadelphia; the PrintsHallwayGalleryin the country: work inavarietyofexhibitsacr fessor offinearts,displayedher Fine ArtsCollection the Revealed: Selectionsfrom Fountain NewY Natur Images from Hee SookKim Natur UNM ArtMuseuminAlbuquerque; Indianapolis ArtCenter; Galler Degrees ofSeparation Haverford’s MagillLibrary. fence andarainshelter raising minigoats:Builda5-foot just outoftheirr reporter’ a seemed muchmoreinterestedin legal reprieve.Infact,they Brownie seemedoblivioustothe trees,” shesaid. andfruit vegetable garden chickens, goats,a minifarms with people couldkeep a were charming cityifwe would beareally minianimals. “We populated with future forSeattle indoors. SeattleTilth plansto them anddonotkeep least twogoats,donottether seemed oblivious Grant alsohandedouttipson At herhome,Snowflakeand Grant seesapastoral more interested y e in areporter’s seemed much and Brownie ...Snowflake in Brooklyn; and in Brooklyn; place In fact,they at theAr notebook... to thelegal reprieve. s Spiritual Medicine notebook thatwas Encounter t ork each. Galler , assistant pr e and at at the y Power of , at theChi Six at the of keep at o- oss at Issue 9ofthe Context” waspublishedinVol. 47, Teaching SacredMusicinaSecular the UnifiedLanguageofMusic: Thomas Lloyd Naomi Koltun-Fromm reprinted withpermission. of the in theSeptember25edition This article originallyappear Seattle Times Sharon PianChan, Associate ProfessorofReligion Associate ProfessorofMusic November 16-20inSanDiego. Religion meeting,whichtookplace Literature/American Academyof Society ofBiblical tions inlateancientSyriaatthe cerning JewishandChristianr invited respondentonapanelcon- sustainability.” achieved withurban are greaterheightstobe there isanargumentthat Why notsheep,llamas...?Ithink to bedone.“Whystopthere? Steinbrueck saidtherewasmore she said. provide classesongoat-keeping, Councilmember Peter Seattle Times Choral Journal. staff reporter ’s article“Hopein Winter 2008 Winter . It is was an ed ela- 7 faculty news main lines Many parents seem they have together once here incredibly anxious about the that defines and distinguishes us. college admission process, Our students have such an Getting In: and a lot of that anxiety extraordinary four years while appears tied to the notions here—they grow deeply America’s College that your child must attend a intellectually and personally, in “prestigious” school in order ways that impact them for the Admission Hysteria to succeed in life and that rest of their lives. They go on to A Q&A with Dean of Admission parents have failed if their lead full, engaged lives and make and Financial Aid Jess Lord children don't get in to such their mark on the many Has America gone college admissions mad? In a society a school. It’s almost as if communities they are a part of. that compulsively ranks doctors, neighborhoods, cars, sports “getting in” is the only goal. This is the sign of a good teams—and, online, everything from toaster ovens to cordless drills— I believe we are certainly education, and should be the it’s no surprise that college admission is also subject to hierarchical overemphasizing the importance standard for judging whether or ranking and, in turn, has become a means to acquire—or lose— of rankings and perceived not one’s college experience has prestige. prestige in the college admission been successful. But even if you don’t fall victim to status consciousness, is a process. It seems to me that over I am often asked about the parent being remiss by not hiring an SAT tutor? And what about time, a shorter and shorter list of pressures that exist as a part of that ad for an “application coach” that you saw in the local paper? schools is being deemed this process, and I’d like to be (Just what do they do, anyway?) “acceptable” or truly one of the first in line to find Jess Lord is Haverford’s Dean of “prestigious,” and that is a real ways to reduce the stress and Admission and Financial Aid. We sat shame. Students are made to feel anxiety that is so often created. down with him to get his take on the that the hard work they’ve done At the same time, however, I admission frenzy and how families and the great things they’ve think it is important to remember can avoid getting overwhelmed as accomplished should somehow that this is a challenging process they struggle to find the true meaning be diminished because they don’t to go through and it is not only of the word “best” when it comes to go to whatever school happens realistic to expect that parts of it choosing a college. to be #1 in US News in that will be hard but it is actually OK particular year. We are blessed that this is the case. In life, such as an institution to have such a important experiences and strong reputation and to attract decisions like this one are rarely such incredible students, but without their challenges, and I what makes Haverford such a think if this notion is embraced special and amazing place is not and you are prepared for it, the our prestige. It is the combination whole process goes much of the extraordinary individuals smoother. My aspiration is who choose to come to always for the college admission Haverford with the experiences process to truly be the first step

Ana Lopez-Sanchez, instructor T. Wistar Brown Professor of Chair and Associate Professor Associate Professor of of Spanish, presented a paper Philosophy Danielle Macbeth of Political Science Steve Mathematics Weiwen Miao was called “Revisiting the Construction opened the conference on The McGovern presented a paper co-author of the article “Robust of ‘Self’in Light of Cross-culturally Philosophy of Pragmatism: Salient entitled “The Creative Class as a directed tests of normality against Differentiated Requestive Inquiries, held September 26-29 in Catalyst for Progressive Change in heavy-tailed alternatives,” which Behaviors” at the XXXVII Simposio Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with a paper American Cities?” at the Annual was published in Vol. 51, Issue 5 of Internacional de la Sociedad called “Pragmatism and Objective Meeting of the American Political the journal Computational Espanola de Linguistica, held Truth.” She also spoke at the Science Association, which took Statistics and Data Analysis. December 17-20 at the Universidad Diagrams in Mathematics place August 30-September 2 in Roberto Castillo Sandoval, de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. Workshop, October 4-6 at Stanford Chicago. associate professor of Spanish, University; the subject of her talk Barak Mendelsohn, assistant wrote a chapter titled “El was diagrammatic reasoning in professor of political science, cumpleaños de nuestra soledad” Euclid, presenting a new account attended the annual convention of for the book Writing Toward she has developed of the nature of the American Political Science Hope: The Literature of Human such reasoning. Association, held August 30- Rights in Latin America, published September 2 in Chicago, where he by Yale University Press. His chap- presented a paper entitled “God vs. ter deals with the “performance of Westphalia: The Longer World War.” historical memory in Chile.”

8 Haverford Magazine haverford college Jess Lordwithhisadmissioncommittee,includingMichaelKeaton. “Dogma andCritique.” ‘Stella’” aspartofapanelon Sara Sampson’andGoethe’s and EroticExcessinLessing’s ‘Miss Foucault, BeforeFreud:Polygamy she gaveatalkcalled“Before October 5-7inSanDiego,where the German StudiesAssociation, attended theannualconference of German V about themselves.Byputtingthe the opportunitytolearnalot to gothere;italsooffersthem school andwhatitmightbelike a learn students notonlythechanceto the admissionprocessoffers experience. Inthatlight,Ithink in astudent’s college isiting AssociateProfessor of can getyouintooneofyourtopchoices, “game tobewon,”orwhopromises they “guarantees” orabouttheprocess asa lot aboutaparticular Heidi Schlipphacke ...anyone whousesjargon about is someonetobesuspiciousof. book associatedwiththemeeting. submitted toappearinthepress as oneof700fromamongthe16,000 abstract ofthepaperwasselected dents Professor ofPsychology in SanDiego,ChairandAssociate Annual Meeting,heldNovember3-7 At theSocietyforNeur Stephen Selsor’07 Benjamin Le Sternberg advantage oftheextraor set themselvesuptotakefull what isimportanttothemand think studentsdogainasenseof r time andenergyself- near future. experience thatliesintheirvery Professor ofPsychology co-authored withAssistant Relationships, andPain,”whichshe Empathy, HumanSocial titled “AssociationsAmong eflection intothisprocess,I Heather Shafi’07 presented apaper and formerstu- oscience The . Wendy dinary and Professor ofPoliticalScience University. October 25-27atOhioState Graphic StorytellingMeeting, Cuckoo, andTheSpiralCage”atthe Discourses ofDisabilityinEpileptic, “Br fessor ofEnglish,gaveatalkcalled should Ihire one? from each,andinwhatcases What servicesdoesoneget an “applicationconsultant.” and everythird parent ishiring parent ishiringanSAT tutor, It seemslikeeveryother Politics ofSelfishness America andtheLimitsof Sidne Ther of students. primary objectivethecounseling anxieties anddon’ simply preyingonexisting that consultantslikethisare suspicious of.Itismyexperience choices, issomeonetobe can getyouintooneofyourtop be won,”orwhopromisesthey about theprocessasa“gameto jargon about“guarantees”or way with yourchildandyouinthis people outtherewhowillwork qualified andexperienced process, therearemanyvery approach thecollegeadmission some directiononhowto answer questionsandprovide attention fromsomeonewhocan a consultant. Ifyouarelookingfor interested inhiringsucha to askyourselfwhyyouare and soIthinkitismostimportant independent counselingarena apples andbadinthe most things,therearegood about suchconsultants.Aswith lished byLexingtonBooks. certain levelofpersonal eaking theFrame:Reviewing I . have somemixedfeelings But anyonewhouses esa T W y aldman ensuan t have astheir , sbook ’s assistant pro- was pub- Issue 3ofthe two piecespublishedinVol. 22, resources? about theuseofsuch office ofadmissionfeel How doestheHaverford Microprocessor Architecture.” Curriculum aroundaSimplified Undergraduate AppliedCS Implementation” and“Unifyingthe Teaching ofCompiler Designand “Attribute Grammarsandthe Computing SciencesinColleges better them tounderstandthemselves counseling astudent,helping withtruly going tobeconcerned process; notallconsultantsare be mostimportantinthis derail studentsfromwhatshould consultants hasthepotentialto concer previous comment,Idohave officers! Andgoingbacktomy counselors, evenadmission teachers, highschool sources—family, friends, advice andsupportfrommany outcome. Studentscanfind necessity inordertoreachthis don’t thinksuchacounseloris happen, thenthatisterrific.ButI counselor ispartofmakingthis them. Ifanindependent into theschoolsthatarerightfor the bestchancepossibletoget best selvesforward,givingthem students areabletoputtheir admission processisthat admission process,puttingat inequities intheoverallcollege consultants createsfurther concer “big picture”sense,Ialsohave schools arerightforthem.Ina gain abettersenseofwhich Science Associate Professor ofComputer My mainconcerninthe , and leadingstudentsto ns thattheuseof ns thattheuseofsuch David Wonnacott Journal of Winter 2008 Winter had : 9 faculty news main lines ...we try to evaluate some fairly deepest respect for the Haverford “family”—it is an generalized, and sometimes abstract, essential part of what makes qualities like intellectual curiosity, Haverford the special place that willingness to take risks, engagement it is. But in other ways, the legacy applicant experience with ideas and with others, motivation, today is very different as well. and desire to be a part of and We continue to receive more contribute to a community. and more applications to Haverford, making the admission process ever-more competitive. even greater disadvantage those curiosity, willingness to take How is the “legacy And while we feel a strong sense students and families that don’t risks, engagement with ideas applicant” experience of obligation to a legacy have the resources to take and with others, motivation, and different today than it was candidate, we do feel some advantage of such services. desire to be a part of and when most of our alumni obligation to every student who contribute to a community. The were Haverford students? has applied to Haverford—out of Is an admission officer more smoothed over and slick an In some very important ways, respect for the hard work they generally able to detect the application becomes, the more the experience is no different have done, for all that they have hand of a consultant? What the evidence of these kinds of today than it was in the past. We accomplished, and for their are the giveaways? qualities and characteristics continue to value deeply our feeling that Haverford might be This may come as a surprise, actually starts to disappear. Part legacy applicants. Their decision the right next step in their but most people who work in of this is because the aspects of to apply to Haverford is an education and life. As the college admission are incredibly an application that an outside incredible statement both on the applicant pool continues to confident in their ability to hand might help with (or lasting impact that Haverford has grow, it becomes more and more correct for the over-influence of interfere with!) the most—the had on the parent (or parents!) difficult for any individual to gain a consultant (or anyone else, for essays, the presentation of and on the present day admission, and for us to that matter) in an application. It extra-curriculars, and other resonance of that positive accommodate the many different may not always be clear that it elements of what we call the Haverford experience for the qualities and qualifications that was the hand of a consultant, “self-presentation”—will stop student. And we have the we value. per se, but I do think we can resonating with the other parts detect when an application has of the application. We won’t see From left to right: Admission Counselor Andrea Ravich and become inauthentic. This can the same qualities corroborated Assistant Director of Admission Lydia Dagenais ’04. happen for all sorts of reasons— in the teacher recommendations, it might be because of the over- for example, or in the course involvement of a consultant, or it choices, or in the interview. And could be that a parent has as a result, the individual parts of become over-involved, or it the application don’t come could even be just from a student together as a whole. We’re “trying too hard.” Our admission making an effort to get to know evaluations are fundamentally each candidate as broadly and about projecting what kind of as deeply as we can, based on a students and community great deal of information about members candidates might be them. In the end, we are looking once they arrive at Haverford. To for the consistent messages get a sense of this, we try to about an applicant, and an evaluate some fairly generalized, application that has been overly and sometimes abstract, packaged reads more like a qualities like intellectual sales pitch than anything else.

10 Haverford Magazine haverford college book reviewss

Howard Wood ’44 work, nor did he plan to spend all this time The Dendrobiums writing a book. Wood “hoped to produce a manual for identification and culture of A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., 2006 certain species of dendrobiums…” as his When opening the epic botanical tome initial project. True to Wood’s character, the The Dendrobiums, be prepared to travel on many different journeys. Take a trip to distant He was able to connect lands of high elevations and rain forests. Or, another of his avid interests, go back in time to an era before the photography, to this continents moved and in some cases, collided. A reader will not finish or digest this new passion and began book at one sitting or even after several photographing all his successive readings. It has much to offer orchids. those people who are interested in a variety of different areas: dendrobium orchids, more he studied, the broader his goals for geology, botany, environmental diversity of the book became. It wasn’t long before he birds, climate, or the fabulous 656 colored added orchids, especially dendrobiums, to plates (dendrobium orchids, map, and his list of beloved hobbies. He was able to historical items) included. There is something connect another of his avid interests, in this book from which all can learn. photography, to this new passion and began himself took all 656 photographs. Dr. Howard P. Wood, Haverford College photographing all his orchids. The book opens with a helpful list of class of ’44, spent 36 years writing this book, The book’s organization is intriguing. He abbreviations along with a listing of which is dedicated to L. Wilbur Zimmerman, does not attempt to list every dendrobium taxonomic changes that have been recently D.D.S., who introduced Wood to orchids. species, but rather discusses this sub tribe of acknowledged and the text is divided into 10 Wood’s love affair with orchids began in orchids by clades, which means family lines. sections: Introduction, Evolution and 1956, when he received his first orchid. He The photographic plates of dendrobiums at Distribution, Morphology and Anatomy, did not start out to study this wonderful the back of the book are similarly organized Cultivation, Scientific topics, Taxonomy and genus of orchids, dendrobiums, as his life’s and not in the usual alphabetical order. Wood nomenclature, Geographical

Want to grow your own dendrobiums at home? Here are some tips from the American Orchid Society (www.aos.org):

• Pot dendrobiums in porous, free-draining media. • Fertilizer should be provided on a regular basis during the active growing period. Apply a balanced • Provide them with up to 50 percent sunlight. In the home, (10-10-10, 12-12-12, or similar) set them in an east, west, or lightly shaded greenhouse, or fertilizer every week at one quarter place them directly under four 40-watt fluorescent tubes to one half the recommended and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs. dilution. • Mature plants need a 15 to 20 degree Farenheit difference • Potting should be done every two to between day and night. Night temperatures should be three years before the mix loses its between 60 and 65 degrees; day, between 80 and 90. consistency. Pot firmly, giving air and Temperatures below 50 may cause leaf drop. ample drainage, allowing enough • Dendrobiums need 50 to 60 percent humidity. It’s best to room for two years’ growth. place them on trays over moistened pebbles. In a Dendrobiums grow best in pots small greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry. for the size of the plant.

Winter 2008 11 survey, Genera and sections in the Victory essential reading for anyone Dendrobiinae, Notes on Species, and fifteen interested in Davis, even though much has Appendixes which range from Photographic already been written about her. Besides Notes to his Travel Notes. her autobiography, The Lonely Life, The section on cultivation is richly ghosted by Sanford Dody, and her Mother detailed and Wood’s candor about his Goddam, written with Whitney Stine, growing successes—and failures—is there are full-length books by Barbara refreshing. One often assumes that an Leaming, Charlotte Chandler, James experienced grower such as the author Spada and Charles Higham. never kills any of their plants, or that all of Mr. Sikov covers the familiar facts about their orchids thrive magnificently. Wood tells Davis with enough zing to make them fresh. the truth, pointing out that even seasoned His muse is apparently Addison DeWitt, the growers lose plants for many different acid-tongued columnist in the Davis film All reasons. He also spends time discussing About Eve. He writes vividly about Davis’s various growing conditions, potting mediums, New England birth in 1908 to a classic fertilizers—tremendously helpful to both show-biz mother and a cold, indifferent Ed Sikov ’78 novice and experienced orchid growers. father who abandoned the family (setting Dark Victory: The Life of “the course for Bette's relationships with Overall, The Dendrobiums Bette Davis men”). He describes Davis’s early passion is a fascinating reference Henry Holt & Company, 2007 for theater and dance, her arrival in text that addresses many The legendary film star Bette Davis was She was a bad drunk who related subjects in what might charitably be called “a real piece picked fights and threw a scholarly and of work.” According to Ed Sikov, author of Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis, many tantrums. She was mean to orderly manner. who knew her often put it more bluntly. her mentally ill sister, ran Barbara Stanwyck, no slouch herself in the through more than 18 Wood’s research is complete; apparently legends category, described Davis’s he has read every article connected to every “creative ruthlessness,” and her co-star agents and never passed aspect of this text. There are 45 pages of Brian Aherne said “nobody but a mother” up a chance to insult the listed references to more than 900 articles could have loved her. famous at cocktail parties. and books. He has also included 142 pages One beleaguered colleague reported that of notes on 537 species of this orchid family, on set Davis needed to be the entire band and Hollywood in 1930, her first movies, fights noting that there are 1400 “good” species in all the instruments, “including the bazooka.” with Warners, patriotic establishment of the all; we’ll take him at his word. (I had my own adventures with Davis. I was Hollywood Canteen in World War II, two Like some specimens of the plants once the goat elected to inform her that she Oscars, various affairs and four disastrous themselves, however, this text—though a couldn’t smoke at a dinner honoring Frank marriages. (Husband No. 3, an artist named treasure—does have flaws. For one, it Capra, whose asthmatic wife, Lu, had stored William Sherry, tossed a trunk at her and doesn’t have an index. As Wood puts it, “I just her oxygen tank under the table. “Well, get threw her out of their car. And that was on couldn’t face doing an index,” which, while her out of here!” Davis bellowed at me, by their honeymoon.) understandable given the scope of this epic, way of a suggested solution.) The value in Dark Victory lies in Mr. ultimately detracts from its value. Neither Mr. Sikov, author of biographies of Peter Sikov’s original analysis of the Davis films and does it list all of the species of dendrobiums. Sellers and Billy Wilder, is both a respected acting style. He suggests that her early study Overall, The Dendrobiums is a fascinating scholar and a delicious gossip, which of dance inspired the staccato speech rhythm reference text that addresses many related makes him perfect to chronicle Davis’s and odd physical “swing and strut” so subjects in a scholarly and orderly manner. bravura life. His research skills are worthy beloved by her imitators. “Davis,” Mr. Sikov While not a coffee table book, its offerings will of a truffle hound. (Who knew that Davis writes, “is one of melodrama's greatest interest many and for those who love had been a Girl Scout leader?) Mr. Sikov dancers.” He pinpoints her role as the dendrobiums, it is the most complete book studied Warner Brothers studio records and cockney waitress in Of Human Bondage written on this genus of orchids. Davis’s personal archive at Boston (1934) as “the first defining moment” when -Gail Sklar teaches at Temple University University. He conducted in-depth she began to “deliver her lines like punches,” and Harcum College, and has won interviews with her co-workers, lifelong giving audiences “the sweet chance” to ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower friends and employees. despise her. Show and Longwood Gardens. This new material, combined with his Mr. Sikov is particularly astute in own perceptive point of view, makes Dark providing insight into Davis as a gay favorite,

12 Haverford Magazine haverford college question thatcan’ keeps him from ultimatelyansweringa Davis drunk—onecannevergetenough.”) but she’ Forest Eve respects campclassicslike emotional depth”),Mr. Sikov nevertheless roars out of controlfor shouting (“mistaking character. Admittingthatshesometimes and disappointmentshechannelsintoher story.” Hegraspsthegenuinepain,anger interpreting interpreting cheerfully presents thisappallinginformationalmost br caught bugsandsuf illnesses. Shefelldownstairs,brokebones, caused delays,storming of schedule andoverbudgetbecauseshe studio recordsmanyDavisfilmsranover portrait oftheagingactressin performances aheadofher:her perfect signature films.Shehadtwoenduring where shehadmadethemajority ofher to betrulyimpossible”),herhomestudio, “borderline personality.” discusses thepossibilitythatshehada Mr.judgment. sobering Sikov only briefly subjected toelectroshocktherapy, it’s a mad.” Consideringthathersisterwas suggests ananswer:Shewas“essentially she’s BetteDavis,notbecause she’s a star,” r Lindsay Anderson,thedirectorandcritic, reader. Whattheheckwaswrongwithher? r something aboutyourskin?”sheonce parties. (“Whythehelldon'tyoudo chance toinsultthefamousatcocktail more than18agentsandneverpassedupa mean tohermentallyillsister, ranthrough picked fightsandthrewtantrums.Shewas Davis warts.Shewasabaddrunkwho pulp fiction.” emarking that Davis was “difficult because emarking thatDaviswas“difficult oar Despite hertemperament— eakdowns. Dogsbither or possiblybecauseofit— Mr. Sikov’s passionateappreciation In 1949DavisleftWarner (“free Brothers Mr. Sikov doesn’t flinchindescribingthe ed atAndyW (1950), andherseriously cuckoooneas Davis trooped onward (1949): “Madame Bovary played as played (1949): “MadameBovary s until theveryend. his monster . Davis mayhavebeenamonster Now, Voyager t ar help butoccurtoany hol.) Accordingto fer . (“Speaking asa ed ner . Mr. Sikov as “acoming-out f Beyond the sets andfaking vous All About , never boring. anger, buthisbook,liketheladyherself,is understand” whatcausedherunr hurt.” Headmitsthat he couldnot“fully personal lifeforthesakeofherwork,andit Davis asawoman“whosacrificedher professional untilherdeathin1989at age81. Davis warned, butsheremainedaworking and breastcancer. “Oldageisnotforsissies,” disinherited) aswelladebilitatingstroke by herdaughter survived thepainofamommie-dearestbook Davis troopedonwarduntiltheveryend.She temperament—or possiblybecauseofit— her indestructible superstardom. Despiteher anecdote. Hestopsshor Broadway stage,heabandonsanalysisfor her foraysintotelevisionandontothe Sikov coversDavis’ a Victory Davis” phaseofhercareer( of Davis’ and to BabyJane? gorgon didn’ sobecominga risk unpopularityforherart, and Davis hadbeenwillingtolookterrible The Nanny r Wesleyan CinemaArchives, andauthorof egained itsconsistenthighquality former childstarin nine booksonfilm,including f the “Iamamonster, butI'mstillBette A Davis’ Hush ...Hush,SweetCharlotte Pr University caring biographer, Mr. Sikovsumsup s (1999) and ofessor ofFilmStudiesatW own Norma Desmond,anditkicked own Norma follows thatpattern.AlthoughMr. -Jeanine BasingerisCorwin-Fuller s post-W in 1965).Evenasayoungwoman t stopher. , , (1962). BabyJanewas B. D.Hyman(whowas founder andcuratorofthe ar The StarMachine s ners career never later moviesaswell Whatever Happened t of afulldissection Dead Ringer Silent Stars elenting , and esleyan in 1964, (2007). Dark differ form, tone,andcontentoftheessaysisas institutions includedinthebook.Thelength, ther and otheracademicsfrom the essaysarewrittenbyarchivists,historians Charles L.Cher further distinctions. distinctive group it’ a with aclaimto“Quakerheritage”—certainly differ genesis, historyandpresentstateof15very Scarecrow Press, 2007 Universities Colleges and of 15American The QuakerHeritage Founded byFriends: L. Cherry, andCaroline L.Cherry Edited byJohnW. OliverJr., Charles Haverfor freshmen thisfallsurelybelievetheypicked was specialinsomewayandthe315incoming overwhelmingly believethattheireducation see theirstoriesasunique.”Haverfordgrads Thomas D.Hammpointsoutthat“allcolleges introduction tohischapteronEarlhamCollege, essays in College, SwarthmoreCornell Haverford College,Guilford Earlham include, intheorderoftheirfounding, founding Quakercommunities. relationships betweentheschools andtheir controversies, andearlyongoing liberal artscurricula,townandgown versus seculareducation,vocational addition, essaysaddresstheaimsofreligious performance oftheQuakerpeacetestimony. In racial andethnicdiversity the institutions’recordsongenderequality, disparate collectiontogether. Theseinclude selection ofissuesclearlymeanttopullthe have. asmucheditingtheymight have received even disappointinglyshortandothersmaynot issues topically. Somearetightlyorganizedor the historyoftheirinstitutionswhileotherstreat chronologicalviewof present astraightforward “unique” quality The collectioniseditedbyJohnOliverJr What makesacollegeunique?Inthe The 15schoolspresentedinthiswork Woven throughout eachoftheessaysisa ent astheschoolstheyr ent Americancollegesanduniversities d Founded byFriends for itsdistinctivequalities.The r y and Caroline L.Cherry,and Caroline and . s And yetevenwithinthis possible todrawstill , and their epr describe the espective Winter 2008 Winter esent. Some ., 13 book reviews University, Wilmington College, William Penn daughters. While the schism between George Fox enforces for its students a strict University, Johns Hopkins University, Bryn Orthodox and Hicksites took more than 125 code of abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, Mawr College, George Fox University, Whittier years to be reconciled, the efforts toward such drugs, and extramarital sex. Yet it is a highly College, Malone College, Friends University, a reunification were underway by the time of successful educational institution, the fastest Azusa Pacific University, and Barclay College. Swarthmore’s founding and the long-standing growing of all the colleges included in this Such an assortment of colleges and relationship between the two schools is book. universities include those originally founded as evident. Founded by Friends is, first and foremost, a secondary boarding schools, same-sex as well Bryn Mawr’s story is particularly fascinating insight into the religious and as co-ed schools, sectarian and non-sectarian interesting. While it was founded by trustees educational strivings of Quakers across institutions, elite liberal arts colleges and from both Haverford and Johns Hopkins, its America. It also shows how the institutions we evangelical schools, vocational schools and know today have been profoundly affected by Bible colleges. Readers may be surprised their roots. And if we consider not only what an The stage for understanding this diverse to find Johns Hopkins institution is, but also, by comparing it to others, group of schools is set in an introduction by what it is not, it is clear that each college has Hamm called “The Search for the Quaker University as well as Cornell a right to see its story as unique. College.” Hamm outlines the historical and University in this book. - John F. Anderies is Coordinator for theological principles that preceded the Special & Digital Collections founding of the first Quaker College, Haverford early impetus was to be a women’s version of at Magill Library College, and how Quaker movements (both Johns Hopkins rather than of Haverford. As geographic and theological) shaped the such it dropped most of its connections to the founding and development of the other Quaker community under the long and fourteen schools. passionate leadership of its second president, Additional Alumni Titles In short, the present characteristics of the M. Carey Thomas. Gurdon Brewster ’59 schools owe a great deal to the theological Readers may be surprised to find Johns No Turning Back: controversies and divisions that characterize Hopkins University as well as Cornell University My Summer with Daddy King 19th-century Quakerism in America. An early in this book. Neither was intended to be a Orbis Books, 2007 controversy divided American Quakers into Quaker institution, but in both cases their Orthodox and Hicksite groups. Later, Orthodox founders were Friends. Cornell University is Richard Lederer ’59 Friends divided into Gurneyite and Wilburite perhaps the greatest stretch in this book, as Literary Trivia groups. Additionally, Southern Quakers who Ezra Cornell was a disowned Quaker, and while Classic Literary Trivia were increasingly uncomfortable with the his upbringing affected his life’s pursuits, few of Presidential Trivia: The Feats, practice of slavery began a great migration his religious views found their way into his Fates, Families, Foibles, and across the mid-west and west. Following the university. Firsts of our American Civil War most Gurneyite Quakers (except Johns Hopkins was a devout Quaker and Presidents those still located in the northeast) were left the funds to establish his university and Gibbs Smith, 2007 influenced by the evangelical revivalism hospital upon his death. Like Cornell, Johns The Ants are My Friends: sweeping the country. Hopkins was intended to be non-sectarian, but A Punderful Celebration Haverford’s institutional history is familiar to in this case some Quaker influence may be of Song (co-written with our community but it never hurts to be presumed from the seven Friends who sat on Stan Kegel) reminded. Those who have special feelings for the original Board of Trustees. the presidential portraits often hung in the In direct contrast to these non-sectarian Marion Street Press, 2007 library’s Sharpless Gallery will be pleased to universities are a set of evangelical colleges Rob Riggan ’67 get an overview of the College given by College and universities located throughout the mid- The Blackstone Commentaries Archivist Diana Franzusoff Peterson. Peterson west and west. For instance, Malone College, John F. Blair, 2007 divides her essay into eras marked by terms of located in Canton, Ohio, was founded by the college’s principals and presidents. One Quakers who were part of the 19th-century Mike Rogers ’79 might even visit the gallery with her essay in Holiness movement. Malone has a long and The Third Eye hand for a particularly informative reading distinguished history of training Christian Edicions 30 km/s, 2007 experience. missionaries and today its students continue to Essays on Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr be prepared for careers of service in fields Edward O. Shakespeare ’49 Colleges will also appeal because of such as nursing, theology, and education. Sex and Consequences: Haverford’s close ties with these institutions. George Fox University, in Newberg, Oregon, A Bioethical Guide for Youth Swarthmore was established in 1864 by a also grew out of the Holiness movement and is and Parents and Teachers group of Hicksite Quakers who wanted co- still owned today by the evangelical Northwest AuthorHouse, 2007 educational instruction for their sons and Yearly Meeting. Like most evangelical colleges

14 Haverford Magazine haverford college A League of games d

Their Own for

Three members of the Class of ’07 help inaugurate baseball in Israel. by Charles Curtis ’04

Top, left to right: Travis op of the sixth: The home team holds The light pole in right field serves as a metaphor for Zier, Nat Ballenberg, a 4-2 lead, the heart of the visitor’s order what players experienced in the inaugural season of the Ben Field. T is due up and it’s key to get three quick Israel Baseball League (IBL)—professional baseball in Above: Travis Zier signs outs. Bright lights shine down on the uniformed play- its nascent stages, with a league working out the kinks baseballs for fans. ers as the scattered crowd relaxes, enjoying the game that arise from unusual field conditions, disorganized from the stands. With a crack of the bat, a lazy fly ball team travel and other start-up issues. But for Ben Field, sails toward right field. The outfielder takes a few steps Nat Ballenberg and Travis Zier, members of Haverford’s forward as he calculates where the ball will land. But class of ’07, the fact that the fields weren’t up to profes- first, he must contend with the giant light pole that sional standards, living conditions were cramped and stands in his way. He runs around it, while attempting overheated, and only a smattering of fans attended every to keep his eye on the white missile heading toward game didn’t matter. They got to experience what base- his glove. Finally, after avoiding the obstacle, he makes ball-crazy kids everywhere grow up dreaming about: the catch. playing a game they love for a living. Furthermore, they

Winter 2008 15 will go down in history as part of Israel’s IBL’s Advisory Committee along with such first-ever professional baseball league. luminaries as Major League Baseball According to a recent article, the IBL was Commissioner Bud Selig and New York created in part as a way for founder Larry Yankees President Randy Levine. Baras “to support Israel without sitting on After Kannerstein took on his role with committees,” as well as create a sport to the league, the IBL began its search for play- generate homegrown Israeli players. Ideally, ers to fill six teams overseas for a two-month, the teams would be supported by a grow- 45-game season. A draft took place on April ing national fan base. As the idea began to 29, 2007, with the biggest headline coming and I realized that we had no plans for after take shape this past year, Haverford’s Dean from the final symbolic pick—former graduation and decided it would be great to of the College and former Athletic Director Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers great Sandy try out,” says Field. Ballenberg agrees: “It’s Greg Kannerstein ’63 got involved. “I sent Koufax, known as one of the greatest left- always been a dream of mine to play profes- an email to Larry and told him my back- handed hurlers in baseball history as well sional baseball, so obviously I jumped at the ground and asked if he would like my help as one of the sport’s more observant Jews. opportunity.” in any way,” says Kannerstein, who had pre- Around that time an email from both Within weeks, both made their way down viously helped start a baseball league in Kannerstein and Haverford’s head baseball to Miami for a workout in front of former Ireland and brought the Haverford baseball coach Dave Beccaria reached the seniors on Major League General Manager Dan team to Poland and the former the team, mentioning an open tryout for the Duquette. “Each pitcher got to warm up and Czechoslovakia as head coach in the late league taking place in Florida. Field and show what kind of stuff they had,” remem- 1980s. “Larry responded, ‘Great! With that Ballenberg, roommates at the time, knew bers Ballenberg. “After about 11 pitches, the kind of experience, we want you to be on immediately they wanted to join the IBL, coach told me he had seen enough. I thought the board.’” The dean was appointed to the almost without a second thought. “Both Nat my tryout, just five minutes old, was over.”

Five Alumni Inducted Into Thomas Glasser ’82 Hall of Achievement

The Haverford Athletic Department held its first annual John A. Lester, Sr., Class of 1896 E. Hambleton “Ham” Welbourn, Jr., ’38 Thomas Glasser ’82 Hall of Achievement Awards Called “one of the great figures in American cricket” by Welbourn starred on the mound as a sophomore, Banquet on September 29, recognizing outstanding Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, Lester was a star of Dr. winning four of his team’s five 1936 victories against St. athletic accomplishment across all fields of play. James Babbitt’s incipient athletic program. Besides his John’s (Md.), Stevens Tech, Guilford and Swarthmore. Named in honor of a Haverford track star who lost his varsity exploits, he played baseball, wrestled, won the He limited both the Johnnie and Garnet nines to a team- life on 9/11, the inaugural event brought dozens of Fords College singles and doubles tournaments in tennis, and low two runs in those season-opening and season- and their families to the Douglas B. Gardner Integrated established school records in the hurdles, long jump and finale wins. Pitching nearly half his team’s innings in the Athletic Center (Gardner was also a victim of 9/11), shot put. A guard and field goal kicker in football, he field, he sported a 7-2 record over the next two regular where they shared recollections and renewed helped shut out Swarthmore, 24-0, as a senior to snap seasons, with wins over Johns Hopkins and acquaintances. For student athletes, it was also a his team’s five-game losing streak versus the Garnet, in Swarthmore as a junior, and Lehigh as a senior and chance to meet living legends in their sports and which it had been outscored, 196-18. In cricket he captain. He was the winning pitcher in 11 of the Fords’ compare notes about how play has changed over time. averaged 100.5 runs per innings as a freshman, the first 15 wins during his three years as a baseball letterman. of four years he won the Cope Prize Bat. He captained In his soccer career, Welbourn and his teammates were “Haverford College has a strong tradition of athletic the College XI on its first overseas tour in 1896, and undefeated against Lehigh and notched winning marks excellence and the opportunity to hear the stories averaged over 84 runs including 105 against the MCC on against Princeton, Navy and Cornell. As a sophomore in about these stellar athletes and their accomplishments his first appearance at Lord’s. Before his death in 1969, 1935, he scored against Navy and Penn as the team told by former coaches, friends, and the athletes the pavilion at Cope Field was renamed in Lester’s honor. struggled under first-year head coach Jim Gentle. He themselves made for an extremely memorable Earlier, as author of the 1951 book, A Century of scored three of his five goals as a senior in consecutive evening,” says Athletic Director Wendy Smith ’87. “I Philadelphia Cricket, he had proposed the library annex wins over Ursinus, Lafayette and Lehigh. have very distinct visions of a legend in Haverford’s that was eventually dedicated in honor of his fellow oldest varsity sport, cricket, our men’s basketball team Haverford cricketing great, C. Christopher Morris, 1904. using flashlights to look for their one basketball in the woods behind Ryan Gym after it had bounced through a window during a practice, the white football used during practice to increase visibility as darkness fell with only three 250-watt light bulbs for help, a pitcher ensuring, the hard way, that a base runner would not steal home, and a pioneering female athlete setting the stage for an intensely competitive women’s athletic From left to right: Lydia A. Martin, program at the newly coed institution.” Ham Welbourn, Jr., and Phil D’Arrigo

16 Haverford Magazine Opposite page, left to right: Nat Ballenberg and Ben Field at Masada. Left: Travis Zier in the dugout.

Huron for second on the college’s all-time Hakfar Hayarok, in what Ballenberg describes wins list with 19 total. Zier said he was as “a boarding school, camp, farm—and cir- approached by Kannerstein and asked if he cus. The rooms were about the size of an wanted to play. Zier didn’t make it to Miami average-sized double dorm room at games to try out, but with a resume that also boast- Haverford, and each housed two to four play- Field also found the audition nerve-wrack- ed 203.2 career innings pitched and 163 ers.” Most mornings began at 5:30 a.m., to d ing. A few days later, both received another strikeouts, according to Kannerstein, he was the sound of peacocks shrieking near the email inviting them to play. However, because accepted “sight unseen.” Zier learned he had dorms. The pay wasn’t that much better they were still playing in Haverford’s spring landed on the Express with close friends either. Field reports that he and the other for season and on the way to giving their team a Field and Ballenberg. “When I found out players received $2,000 for the summer, plus 22-13 record, neither could sign a profession- that all three of us were going to play on the compensation for airfare. al contract for fear the NCAA might punish same team, I was ecstatic. It was a relief.” Ranging from Israeli players with barely the team and college for rule violations. After In mid-June, just weeks after graduation, a year of experience to a shortstop who had the Fords’ final game of the season, Field and the three landed in Israel after 31 grueling played in Major League spring training, the Ballenberg left the field, walked to their dorms hours in transit due to travel delays. They IBL and its hodgepodge of international par- and signed contracts to don the green and quickly found that the living conditions they ticipants could at times be mistaken for a yellow uniforms of the Ra’anana Express. would endure for the next two months were New York City public school league or a The third member of the Haverford trio as tough as their initial trip overseas. Because group of single-A teams. “It was the widest to play in Israel was pitcher Travis Zier. The the league was a startup with very little range of skill I’d ever seen. There were guys San Francisco native was nearing the end of money to spend, teams were placed into a literally inches away from being part of a a Haverford career in which he tied Adam bungalow colony in a youth village called Major League roster and then there were

James R. Grosholz, ’49 Grosholz showed Philip “Phil” D’Arrigo, ’56 Lydia A. Martin, ’86 promise in his initial year at Haverford with a 10th D’Arrigo lettered in football his first three years at Haverford’s first female Varsity Cup winner recognized place finish in the 1942 IC4A freshman cross country Haverford, scoring two touchdowns in 1952 and as the sole outstanding athlete in her class— run. His academic and athletic career interrupted by another in 1954. Emerging as a basketball star, he set a regardless of gender—and the college’s first female World War II, he lowered the college records in the Haverford single-game record with 41 points against All-America selection, Lydia Martin was lacrosse’s mile and half-mile upon his return to college as a 22- Drew early in his junior season. As a senior, team Most Valuable Player all four years she played. She year-old sophomore, new husband and father. He won captain D’Arrigo reset the standard to 48 points in a recorded 19 goals, 13 assists and 186 ground balls in the MAC harrier title in 1948, then recorded the year’s 132-91 win over Pennsylvania Military College (now lacrosse, and was the team’s leading scorer as a fastest intercollegiate 1,000-yard run time at the Widener University) on Feb. 15, 1956. Three nights freshman. A team captain and Philadelphia Boston AA Indoor Meet. Outdoors, he tied and later later, he then upped his game-mark to 52 points in a Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women all- lowered to 49.7 seconds the Haverford record in the 115-89 win over the University of Delaware. D’Arrigo’s star each of her last three lacrosse seasons, she was quarter-mile held by Walter Palmer since 1910. 100 points in the two games combined, and his team’s all-Middle Atlantic Conference, all-region and first Grosholz (1:53.3) held off Michigan State’s Jack 247 points, are likely to stand as Haverford team Brine and United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Dianetti at the wire to win the IC4A 880 at Randall’s consecutive-game records for many years to come. Association All-America as a senior. Playing defensive Island in New York City. Grosholz saved his best for His 21-of-37 shooting from the floor against the Blue wing, she led the Fords to an undefeated regular last, however, winning his preliminary 880 heat (1:54) in Hens, meanwhile, and his 18-of-25 free throw shooting season, MAC and PAIAW championships, and the the all-divisions NCAA Track & Field Championships on versus the Cadets, remain the most highest-ever totals NCAA Division III tournament in 1986. Martin was field June 17, 1949, at the Los Angeles Coliseum. He placed at Haverford in those categories, as does his 27.8 hockey’s MVP and a repeat PAIAW all-star in 1984 for fifth in 1:51.2 in the 880 final behind Olympic champion points per game season scoring average. D’Arrigo’s posting eight defensive saves and one assist on coach Mal Whitfield (Ohio State) and fellow Olympian Herb 1,300 career points, the college record upon his Penny Hinckley’s PAIAW Division III championship Barten (Michigan) the next day to come within three graduation, still ranks sixth all-time, and his career team. She had scored a goal with three assists and seconds of the then-world record. scoring average of 23.2 is second only to the 23.4 four defensive saves on field hockey’s nationally average of Dick Voith ’77. A three-year tennis ranked ECAC tournament team that went 11-2 in 1983. letterman, D’Arrigo had a 9-2 singles record for the 9-3 Fords in 1954, then won the Virginia Cup as tennis’ top player despite a 7-8 record in 1955. D’Arrigo went 7-1 in singles as a senior.

Winter 2008 17 You have to call it chutzpah to decide in can’t have a 40-game-plus schedule in two months with 25 guys and no minor league January or February to system to draw from. It was incredibly phys- ically demanding. It’s not like college base- Travis Zier (left) and a friend at a put a league together ball where you get days off. Your arm hurts, concert at Masada. but you have to throw because they’re paying and play that summer in you.” Despite spending the rest of the sum- in Edison, N.J., and is the pitching coach for mer watching games from the bench, Zier nearby Linden High School. another country that has still enjoyed an experience that included “Leaving was bittersweet. I miss a ton of bonding with Dominican teammates over people I met over there, but it was good to no baseball tradition. games of dominos and trading stories about come home,” says Ballenberg. And Field their respective cultures, despite the language took pride in the history he and his team- people who would have struggled to make barrier. “We became extremely close,” he mates made. “It took me a while for the my high school team,” Field recalls with a remembers, discovering “they had to send whole thing to sink in,” he says. “I can now laugh. The Express’s first game was a no- their money home to take care of their kids.” say I was able to be the starting point of hitter through the sixth inning—for both Unlike the Americans, they weren’t in Israel spreading the game in Israel.” teams. Ra’anana managed to squeak out two just to play ball. But it wasn’t only the players who were hits, and at the end of the regulation seven Off the diamond, there were moments of raving about the experience. Kannerstein innings, as the IBL rules state, the game was deep meaning for the three Fords as they reflected on the season and saw a future for decided on a home run derby. The Express explored Israel. All of them cite trips to the league. “Considering they faced some real won, but not without the opposing man- Masada, an ancient fortress on a rock plateau obstacles, I thought they did very well,” he ager unsuccessfully protesting that the hit- overlooking the Dead Sea where hundreds says. “The league brought Americans over ter used an illegal bat made of composite of Jewish revolutionaries committed suicide into a situation that’s going to be stressful and material. Clearly the Fords weren’t in rather than be captured by the Romans. In a put them through six or seven games a week. Pennsylvania — or on the Class of 1916 blog about his experience (http://haver- You have to call it chutzpah to decide in Field — anymore. fordalumnibaseball.blogspot.com), Field January or February to put a league togeth- To these three alumni, the playing con- wrote a description of the early morning trip er and play that summer in another country ditions, sparse crowds and less-than-desir- he took with Ballenberg: “The spectacular that has no baseball tradition. They did it and able fields (including a ballpark with the sunrise revealed a pristine view of the sea, the they made it work. Next year, they can get aforementioned light pole in right field) rugged mountains where the original Roman the bugs out.” Already there are announce- were a fair exchange in order to experience encampments are visible and the region where ments popping up for tryouts for the 2008 a small taste of life in professional baseball. the Dead Sea has retreated over the years and season and perhaps improvements in the Zier remembers receiving celebrity treat- formed a field of desolate peaks and valleys. works for the fields. Kannerstein believes ment when he and his teammates were rec- You can really feel something special in the other Fords will be interested in participat- ognized and allowed to cut lines at local air as you climb this mountain and explore ing in future seasons of the IBL. clubs and bars. Field found the newfound the place where the Masada martyrs spent League founder Baras, in a statement star status surreal. “During my entire career, their final days.” Zier, in a separate trip, written after the season, spoke of some from high school to Division III baseball, I watched a midnight concert below that Jewish themes that might sound like the never had thousands of fans watch me play,” included singer/songwriters Jackson Browne Quaker themes Haverford students says Field, who was inundated by children and Shawn Colvin while he stood atop the encounter daily: “There is a popular asking for autographs after games. That’s summit of Masada. He described the moment phrase in Hebrew…Hineh Ma Tov U’ma because Field had a terrific season for the of watching the sun come up during the con- Naim, Shevet Achim Gam Yachad. How Express, batting .330 with five home runs cert as his best night in Israel. good and sweet it is, brothers sitting and 35 RBIs in 40 games; he was subse- While all six teams made the playoffs together. That wistful phrase became per- quently named to one of the All-Star teams. regardless of record, the Express lost in their sonified at the baseball field in Israel. He also recorded the first outfield assist in first round matchup against the Netanya Grandparents and grandchildren, IBL history. Ballenberg led Ra’anana in Tigers. Soon after the championship game Americans and Israelis, religious and sec- appearances with 15 games pitched and a was played, the three headed to their respec- ular, men and women…it didn’t really respectable 5.12 earned run average. tive hometowns to begin their American matter. Everyone was there as one com- Zier was less fortunate. After posting a 1- post-college lives. Field works in the hotel munity, reveling in the splendor of base- 2 record with a 3.86 ERA and holding oppo- industry in Charleston, S.C., and plans to ball being played in Israel.” Someday, nents to a .190 average, he injured his shoul- attend graduate school in the near future. when Israeli fans fill up Israeli stadiums der and sat out the rest of the season. “The Zier is working as a contract specialist for and watch Israeli athletes play ball, problem was that the league didn’t put the U.S. Navy, and lives in Washington. And Haverford can claim a share of glory in enough players on each team,” he says. “You Ballenberg is teaching at the Baseball School the birth of this historic new league.

18 Haverford Magazine ofile pr When Worlds

Collide faculty

The intersection of religion and politics is Assistant Professor of Religion Terrence Johnson’s forte. By Brenna McBride

Terrence Johnson eligion and politics have long been con- ticularly its affect on African-American politics. “But encourages discussion sidered the two most taboo subjects to I had no idea what to do with a religion degree,” he and debate in his R discuss at a social gathering. But feel says. “While I loved to wrestle with ideals, I still “Religion, Ethics and free to broach these topics if you’re talk- needed some sort of guidance.” Politics” class. ing with newly appointed Assistant Professor of After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Johnson spent Religion Terrence Johnson. In his courses at Haverford four years as a business reporter for newspapers and in the book he’s currently writing, Johnson including the Dayton Daily News and the Cleveland explores the influences people’s religious and moral Plain-Dealer. Although he loved having the oppor- convictions exert on their political motivations, par- tunity to hone his writing skills and meet influential ticularly with African Americans both past and present. leaders of the business world, he sensed a void in his Johnson majored in English at Morehouse life. “I was trying to find my next path. I wanted to College, but was always intrigued by religion, par- push the envelope a bit, and do something that to

Winter 2008 19 “I’m trying to build in areas of politics and religion,” others might seem frivolous, but was def- initely out of the ordinary.” The rising he says, “and I use Du Bois as a starting point for popularity of religion sections in newspa- pers inspired his decision to attend understanding the relationship among politics, class, Harvard Divinity School for a master’s, and then Brown University for a Ph.D. in and poverty.” religious studies. Now, he is in the process of expanding dates back to antebellum times, when Du Johnson. “What I argue is that moral his dissertation, “Tragic Soul-Life: W.E.B. Bois believed that, post-slavery, there was convictions support our views on race, Du Bois and the Redemption of American a possibility for poor whites and former inferiority and difference.” As a contem- Democracy,” to book-length. His goal is slaves to unite for common causes. porary example of this, he cites the push to bring Du Bois into a larger conversa- However, the sad reality was that poor for welfare reform during the Clinton tion about justice. “I try to use him as a whites joined with landowners. era: “The ‘welfare queen’ became a sym- model for imagining how religion and race “One reason Reconstruction didn’t bol of an overweight, lazy black woman, influence our political discourse, to show work is because the moral conviction of lazy not because there were no jobs but how in many ways our moral convictions racism had more influence than issues because of something about her black- cause us to act politically.” This concept like class in uniting workers,” says ness.” Even Du Bois, during his land-

Johnson poses challenging questions to his students.

20 Haverford Magazine “...it’s certainly difficult to mark 1890s examination of African Johnson also brought Du Bois into a

Americans in Philadelphia, found that fight for people out- speech he recently gave for the Politics, ofile the problems affecting the people he Communication, and Society Workshop studied were equated with the color of side of your context— at the University of Chicago, titled “When pr their skin. Silence is Betrayal: W.E.B. Du Bois and “When we look at crime today in North you have to question the Moral Crisis of the Talented Tenth.” or West Philly, it becomes an issue of, ‘Well, Johnson retrieved Du Bois’ criticism of it’s black crime,’” says Johnson. “But when your own existence the Talented Tenth—a term popularized there’s a shooting at a high school by some- by Du Bois to describe the phenomena of one white, we never say, ‘Oh, those are and livelihood...” one in 10 African Americans becoming issues with white men.’ Instead, it’s a soci- influential in the world—as a starting etal problem. That’s where our moral much more accessible to a larger group point for, he says, “illuminating the blood faculty understanding of blackness informs our of people.” Ultimately, with his book, that drips on our hands when we remain political reality.” Johnson wants to use Du Bois in two silent and refuse to stand against evil. I Johnson also focuses on how Du Bois ways: to explore methods of discussing use Du Bois to think more broadly about used African-American religion and spir- human suffering and giving it “a moral moral accountability and how to deter- itualism to shed light on the idea of free- vocabulary that is palatable within the mine when our silence symbolizes our dom, and how it was achieved. Du Bois public sphere and deepens our political implicit support of injustice.” Du Bois used the metaphor “veil of blackness” to life in America,” and to show how Du criticized the Talented Tenth for ignoring describe the separation between the black Bois used black religion to build an ethi- the plight of poorer blacks as they pur- and white worlds in the late 19th centu- cal framework rooted in African- sued their own ambitions and acquired ry; “The veil,” Johnson explains, “repre- American traditions like spirituals. economic and political stature; he sents ways in which African Americans Johnson hopes his book will inspire believed they had a moral obligation to were forced into a marginalized space, readers to imagine new possibilities for disrupt the systems that perpetrated from which they could see the white dialogue and deliberation in public African American oppression. ‘other.’ But they could never lift the veil spaces. “Now, in some ways, our politi- “I’m trying to build in areas of politics and to engage the white world in their own cal imagination is somewhat limited religion,” he says, “and I use Du Bois as a context.” Behind that veil, Du Bois said, a because we presume that we can only starting point for understanding the relation- small world emerged, where the black present one type or representation of the ship among politics, class, and poverty.” church (which Du Bois saw as a public self in public,” he says. “I want to argue Johnson himself deals with these issues sphere) played a prominent role, particu- that in order for us to have a deeper, more in his Haverford courses on “Religion, larly in its use of spirituals. meaningful debate, we have to look at Ethics and Politics” and “Religion and “The spirituals spoke to Du Bois about ourselves as a body circumscribed by all American Public Life” (which he taught the existence of black life in ways he had kinds of traditions.” And, by using spe- during the fall semester), where he tries never heard or imagined, coming from cific traditions to speak to a broad audi- to rethink how political discourse might New England,” says Johnson. “He argues ence, he wants to amplify marginalized be imagined outside the contexts of such that the spirituals represent the ‘Negro’s voices, often neglected because they are categories as political liberalism. “That’s gift to America;’ it’s a raw, authentic believed to be addressed solely to a sim- my next project: how I can respond to the expression of human suffering that was- ilarly marginalized group. old political religious debate, whether or n’t found outside the church.” The church “Du Bois allows us to see how a par- not it’s appropriate.” became a safe haven where individuals ticular world view can speak to human Is there an ideal way for politics and could express their frustration with problems,” he says. “If we can begin to religion to intersect? Johnson isn’t sure. racism, or convey messages that helped see how African Americans are afflicted But he points to one of his heroes, Rev. slaves escape. with the same problems as everyone else, Martin Luther King Jr., as someone who While his dissertation examined spir- then possibly we can see beyond black- exemplified the use of religion in the ituals as a form of discourse but didn’t ness as an ontological problem.” public sphere. “He’s applauded for using delve deeply into African-American reli- gion, Johnson plans to deal specifically Elana Bloomfield ’08 on Johnson: with this topic in his book. “I want to show that there isn’t really one sort of “A professor such as Terrence Johnson is unusual not Christian tradition, that Du Bois used only in his ability to foster an intellectual community black religion to pull out some fragments of a black morality that can be used in a within class but also in his desire to create a more moral broader debate—not just in loaded Christian terms, but in a vocabulary society within the Haverford community-at-large.”

Winter 2008 21 “His classes epitomize the interdisciplinary study of ior administration and the Department the fundamental issues of humanity—issues that of Religion,” says Tracey Hucks, associ- ate professor of religion and chair of the intertwine religion, spirituality, and morality...” department. “We were very supportive of the collective student opinion which stat- religion where appropriate, because in began the course with an appreciation ed that ‘Professor Johnson’s presence at many ways he pushed democratic ideals,” of religion’s impact on society—of the Haverford affirms the college’s commit- says Johnson. “The problem is, what hap- way in which religious belief can act in ment to the academic and communal val- pens when religion begins to push us out a dualistic way to oppress and, converse- ues of social justice, ethical living, and of our comfort zone and really challenge ly, to react against oppression—but I interdisciplinary connections’ and that ideas like the redistribution of wealth or understood it from an observer’s perspec- Professor Johnson ‘is academically chal- basic capitalism? That’s when people say tive,” says Bloomfield, who, as research lenging, supportive of students inside and you’ve gone too far.” But it’s at this junc- assistant for the religion department, is outside of class, and openly invested in ture, he argues, that real political debate aiding Johnson with his research this the integrity of his courses and in the should begin. year. “I had no theoretical basis nor any well-being of the Haverford community.’ “I think King, and the civil rights way to ground what I had read in the Terrence Johnson, along with our new movement, are eloquent examples of newspapers or observed in daily life.” Islamicist Travis Zadeh, brings increased how in many ways religion pushed a Johnson took the emotional observations rigor, intellectual breadth, and invaluable movement and forced people to adopt a held by Bloomfield and her classmates interdisciplinary foci to the department’s political language,” he says. “I think and led them into a scholarly debate current curriculum.” today we need a moral vocabulary that about the political, moral and philosoph- Looking ahead to his first year as a really allows us to face our deep flaws ical meanings of those observations. full-time tenure-track professor, Johnson and begin to attend to some of them. “He challenged us to question our hopes, he says, to “grow as a teacher and Clearly we can’t build a utopia, but how assumptions about what we noticed from learn how my research can best serve do we deal with the fact that we sit with- our individual experiences and to rework Haverford and work as a tool for in a country that’s viewed as an empire? them within an intellectual framework,” improving the intellectual lives of stu- How do you, at a point of privilege, she recalls. “More than anything else, he dents on campus.” He also wants to see begin to talk with people who are poor provided us with a vocabulary with how his courses can connect with the and in prison? I want to argue that it’s which to think about and to discuss major academic centers (such as certainly difficult to fight for people out- these issues of oppression and libera- Humanities and Peace and Global side of your context—you have to ques- tion.” Bloomfield was so impressed with Citizenship) on campus. tion your own existence and livelihood Johnson that, when she learned of the “I recognize this year as the starting and recognize that you’re implicit with- impending end of his contract with point for what I hope will be a long, pro- in a system that oppresses other people. Haverford, she collaborated with fellow ductive relationship with the College It takes a lot of courage to admit this, student John Duronville ’07 to draft a and the students,” he says. and then it becomes a matter of how do letter to then-Provost David Dawson urg- you address that issue?” ing him to offer Johnson a tenure-track In all of his classes, Johnson makes position. The letter was signed by many sure his students know that he wrestles of their classmates. with the meaning and implications of “A professor such as Terrence Johnson the readings as much as they do. “There is unusual not only in his ability to foster are competing debates about our texts an intellectual community within class and I’m not looking for one particular but also in his desire to create a more answer,” he says. “My job is to open the moral society within the Haverford com- text to the student, problematize the munity-at-large,” says Bloomfield. “His arguments that I’ve learned, and use classes epitomize the interdisciplinary these arguments to fuel discussion and study of the fundamental issues of allow their own intellectual hunger to humanity—issues that intertwine reli- drive our debates. I try to open up about gion, spirituality, and morality—and the my own intellectual vulnerabilities so questions we posit in class spill into the they know I’m learning as well.” worlds that each of us lives in daily.” Elana Bloomfield ’08 first encountered “The student letter crafted by religion Johnson as a visiting professor during majors Elana Bloomfield and John the fall of ’06 in a class called “Black Duronville was a further affirmation of Religion and Liberation Theory.” “I the sentiments already shared by the sen-

22 Haverford Magazine Connecting with alumni at www.haverford.edu/conversations

he Haverford website now “I was dating a girl who I really liked has a regular feature called but I was troubled because I really wanted “Haverford Conversations.” to impress her and I couldn’t think of good Intended to capture the places to take her,” notes Larry in the chat. T spirit of dialogue we “And I said to myself, ‘I wish there was a enjoyed while students, these interviews website that would just tell me where to and canned online chats are a first step go’ so I wouldn’t have to stress about this toward relaunch (late in 2008) of a more stuff. So I searched and I searched and robust alumni website where we can con- couldn’t find a thing. The closest stuff I nect on any number of levels, in real time. found on the web were sites like ‘Bob’s web- We recently featured conversations site for great date ideas’ which were far too with two sets of alums, each of whom are general and then directory sites like launching labors of love in the commu- Citysearch and Yelp but Citysearch and Yelp nications market; notably, each takes a don’t tell you whether or not a particular diametrically opposite approach in the location is a really good place for a date.” media used. Two weeks later, Asher Spiller and Scott Sheppard (both ’06) delivered their start- up bombshell: They were launching a mag- azine—in print. “I’m sure there is an ele- ment of nostalgia in our decision to print the magazine,” reports Asher. “Though on Clockwise from top left: Larry Bomback, another level, I think there are certain Eric Acton, Jason Coleman and kinds of writing that still lend themselves Charles Curtis more to the printed page than the com- puter screen. Different mediums demand different stylistic choices. You are less like- “For now, our hope is merely for the Left to right: Scott Sheppard and ly to print out a blog and read it on the project to sustain itself. It is a labor of Asher Spiller subway on your way to work than you are love and we’d love to keep it going ad- to grab a book. Perhaps someday novels free. We are currently looking for outside Datespaces.com is brought to you by will be rolling by like stock-tickers on your sources of funding to assist our produc- Larry Bomback, Eric Acton, Charles Curtis iPod screen for you to read while you’re tion of our second issue scheduled for and Jason Coleman, all class of ’04. Not a watching a television show or surfing the print in the spring of 2008.” Find out personals site, it’s set up to help you find— Internet. Who knows? Right now I still more at www.spurjournal.com. and share news about—the right place for like to read fiction on sheets of paper. whatever sort of date you desire. Loud, intimate, outdoor, romantic, fun...you’ll Read more conversations at find it at Datespaces.com. www.haverford.edu/conversations

Winter 2008 23 “IT’S A HOPE”

Dr. Bruce Agins ’75 has spent his career fighting HIV and AIDS, and training up-and-coming health professionals to do the same. By Charles Curtis ’04 AIDS

24 Haverford Magazine A HOPE” Imagine a young doctor fresh from medical school, working in a hospital dur- ing an internship or residency, experiencing a level of responsibility completely dif- ferent from the previous hours of classes and taking tests. This is the real world, complete with sick patients, an overworked hospital staff and long, killing hours. But what if, just as this first exposure to professional medicine begins, there’s a crisis in the making. Patients are showing up very, very sick and no one knows why; there is a mystery as to how this as yet unknown disease is spread and which pop- ulation is most vulnerable. As the medical world puzzles over this epidemic, it con- tinues to spread at an alarming rate. Dr. Bruce Agins ’75 experienced precisely this confluence of events. As he puts it, his career “paralleled the HIV epidemic.” But entering the field was- n’t an obvious career choice. And there were many doctors who turned away from treating patients, as Agins remembers some of his colleagues doing in the early days when not much was known about the disease. Ultimately Agins rose to the challenge and has continued to fight the HIV and AIDS epidemic head-on. He now commands a top position at the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute as the organization’s Medical Director. The Institute coordinates programs for HIV and AIDS prevention and care, hoping to reduce new infections through education, and provides quality care to those in need. As Medical Director, Agins runs programs that include monitoring and improv- ing quality care for HIV patients throughout the country and now, in nations all over the world.

Winter 2008 25 “It’s a Hope”

Sitting in a conference room in his downtown New York offices, Agins tells his stories with a slight, shy smile beneath his graying mustache. Beginning with his accounts of HIV going back to the early days when it was called Gay Related Immunodeficiency Disease (GRID), he conveys an endearing ease; call it a clas- sic “good bedside manner.” But when asked about his memories of working closely with some of the first cases of AIDS in New York City in the early 1980s, the smile disappears. There is a pause, pregnant perhaps with memo-

ries of dying patients, families and friends et Palumbo losing loved ones and the cure that has gar still not been discovered. When he speaks again, his voice wavers as he talks about

that period: “It’s really hard to put it into Photo by Mar words. It was a profoundly intense time for those of us who were on the front lines. ories illuminate the side of Agins that This led him to Case Western Reserve There was a sense of being able to provide inspired him to dedicate his career to fight- University and, post-graduation, to a res- service and comfort to people and fami- ing and containing the AIDS epidemic. idency at Roosevelt Hospital in internal lies who were experiencing this grief and Agins didn’t intend to work in the field medicine. Unsure if he wanted to do a sub- loss. We developed a certain level of inti- of medicine when he first arrived at specialty, he chose to go into infectious macy and closeness with our patients Haverford. Born in Oak Park, a suburb of diseases, for very particular reasons. “I like because they were often disowned by their Detroit, he went to the College to study the problem-solving approach to diagnosis families. Our teams in these hospitals anthropology. He was attracted to the of infectious diseases, hunting for the right became a surrogate family. They would school’s sense of social justice and Quaker pathogen, trying to synthesize the clinical confide things about their lives and expe- values, two qualities that Agins believes information into an appropriate diagno- riences that I think they told to few peo- go hand in hand with his career choice. “I sis,” he explains. “At that time, infections ple because of that level of what was hap- was totally comfortable and impressed with were treatable. There was this wonderful pening to them.” Haverford and what it stood for,” he says. feeling that if you could just identify the He explains that the role of doctor can “The year before, the entire campus com- right bacteria, you could find the right become more than just concern about and munity had packed up and marched in antibiotic and treat someone.” That phi- care for physical health. “For those of us Washington to demonstrate against the losophy changed during his time at the on the front lines, we were doctors, sup- Vietnam War. There was a political com- hospital, as he began to see and treat cases porters for our patients and advocates, mitment to peace and progressive think- of AIDS and HIV, some of the first in New functioning at both a societal level and a ing.” Agins originally intended to become York City as the epidemic had just begun governmental level advocating for better an academic, specifically in anthropology, to spread. Neither Agins nor his coworkers care and services for people with HIV and but during his sophomore year he found knew exactly what they were treating. “At AIDS,” he says. Those feelings and mem- another interest: medicine. the time, it was called GRID. We didn’t

A TIMELINE: MILESTONES IN THE TREATMENT OF AIDS

June 1981 1985 September 1986 The U.S. Centers for Disease The FDA approves a screening Drug company Burroughs Wellcome begins clinical trials on Zidovudine, Control recognizes a rare form test for HIV that detects better known to the public as AZT, a drug scientists hoped might help of pneumonia in men in Los antibodies to the disease. keep HIV from further spreading in the human body and thus prolong the Angeles that turns out to be life of the patient. It will become clear that AZT, combined with other related to what would later be medications, does indeed help stave off further infection. Today, as called AIDS (Acquired Immune Agins says, the drug is a “mainstay of both post-exposure prophylaxis Deficiency Syndrome). regimens and those used to prevent mother-to-child transmission.”

26 Haverford Magazine Left to right: Kagadi Hospital AIDS Project Building; Bruce Agins (top right) and the Uganda HIVQUAL Team in front of a clinic.

where they are without treatment and most clinicians do not want to treat them,” says Acharya, who is currently a medical student at Yale University. Agins continued treating patients in his new job as the director of the infectious disease clinic at the Nassau County Medical Center. As a young doctor in New York he was rising fast, which he says had become something of a trend among his colleagues at that time due to the fact that they, as infectious disease specialists, had the most hands-on experience dealing with know if it was infectious disease or onto- tremendous intellectual excitement about patients suffering from AIDS. logical. There was a sense of being on the finding out what’s going on and discover- That experience is what finally led him cusp of something going on. And because ing something new about disease,” he says. to the New York State Department of we thought it was only a gay-related dis- “It’s coupled with a sense of service or Health in 1990, where he was asked by the ease, we didn’t realize that we were treating social medicine. At the time, people were state to set up a program for quality HIV women too. We were treating their infec- being discriminated against terribly. It was care. Agins became the principal architect tious complications without understanding a struggle to get some staff to walk in the of what is now known as the HIVQUAL the primary nature of the disease.” Agins door and bring food trays to people with program, established in 1995. He says the had encountered something new in his AIDS.” Agins reflects for a moment on the purpose of the program was simple: “Find experience with infectious diseases: a prob- not-so-distant past and finally says, “It real- people who have HIV, get them into care, lem without a solution. ly was a very different time.” and get them on treatment for their own Agins followed up his residency with a Bibhav Acharya ’06, who interned with health, to help prevent further transmis- fellowship at the Veteran’s Administration Agins from 2006 to the summer of 2007, sion. It’s an issue of service, coordination, Hospital in New York City, declining a fel- says that those stories felt especially close system strengthening, and the organiza- lowship in oncology in order to continue to his own experience. “The most mem- tional components of health care that need his work in HIV. Agins believes that there orable stories he shared described the to really be focused on.” More specifically, were important reasons, both medical and advent of the AIDS epidemic in the early the program works with clinics to put personal, why he and other doctors con- 80s when no one knew what they were structures in place to care for patients and tinued to care for AIDS patients. “In the dealing with and patients were shunned build an infrastructure that can be utilized history of medicine, it’s not often that a by doctors and left to die. Sadly, those are even when the staff turns over. Additionally, major epidemic occurs. There’s always a very similar to my experience in recent the program provides metrics so staff mem- sense of paradox: On one hand, there’s this years working with HIV patients in Nepal, bers are able to measure their performance.

1987 1995 2003 AZT is approved by the FDA. Treatment known as Highly President George W. Bush Active Antiretroviral Therapy creates the Presidential 1994 (HAART) is introduced and helps Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief AZT is recommended for HIV- reduce AIDS-related deaths in (PEPFAR), which provides money positive expectant women to subsequent years. to help other countries control help reduce the transmission of their HIV and AIDS epidemics. the disease during pregnancy.

Winter 2008 27 “It’s a Hope”

Agins moved from the front lines as a foot soldier in the war against HIV to the offices and responsibility of a general, map- ping out battle. The fight against AIDS sent him to the top medical post at the AIDS Institute while, at the same time, he earned his master’s degree in public health. His administrative work also helped him dis- et Palumbo cover that although it was a sacrifice, he gar could give up working day to day with patients while he developed full-scale treat- ment programs. “I really liked being Photo by Mar Photo by Rangsima Lolekha involved at the system level. I was encour- aged to go forth and set up programs. It The other source of pride and interest ly thought through different ways to be a was hard to give up clinical care, but I had for the doctor is the Institute’s internship physician.” Those three days inspired him to,” he says. program. This year, Agins’ interns will to share the same experience with Agins’ new responsibilities gave him become part of what the AIDS Institute Haverford students, and he tries to take at the opportunity to treat thousands of calls desk support, which means they will least one applicant from the school per patients. The AIDS Institute implemented year for the internship program. Agins uses the HIVQUAL program in 150 locations “We’re not opening the experience to open the eyes of his throughout the country, hiring consult- somewhat sheltered interns, such as when ants to work with AIDS and HIV care pro- up offices in these he took two of them to an AIDS confer- grams and teaching them to implement ence in Toronto last year. “I think it was quality and improvement programs. This countries; we ultimately an incredible experience for them, to see consolidation gave Agins a way to provide this whole international community of a consistent standard of care for clinics and want this to be a people meeting to focus on HIV, on social hospitals that utilized the Institute’s pro- science and clinical medicine. They came gram; prior to HIVQUAL, no such uni- sustainable activity back energized and motivated to do a lot,” form system existed. whereby these countries reports Agins, who believes the internship During the past five years, as the pro- serves to demonstrate the reality of work- gram became successful, the U.S. govern- will be able to monitor ing in health care. “It’s an eye opener for ment began to explore solving the AIDS them to go out in the real world and see crisis overseas through HIVQUAL, to be and manage their own what it’s like to provide care in a commu- funded by the Presidential Emergency Plan nity center in the Bronx or an adult day for AIDS Relief (PEPAR). Agins’ lifelong quality programs for program in Manhattan or a community work was going international. hospital in Brooklyn.” “An opportunity arose where the gov- HIV services.” The former interns agree with their ernment was looking for a program that mentor. “My experience gave me a broad- provides technical assistance to countries work with the aforementioned countries, er understanding of what it takes to that were building HIV services and some- coordinating conference calls and helping address a major public health issue,” says body suggested to Thailand to consider prepare documents to assist in improving Shehzaad Zaman ’03, a medical student at looking at HIVQUAL,” he says. Soon after quality care overseas. One of the interns the New England College of Osteopathic that global breakthrough, the program will be able to travel with Agins to take a Medicine and a National Disabilities expanded from 12 to 142 sites, including look at one of the clinics served by the Coordinator at the American Medical Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, Namibia, Institute. Student Association. “The experience at and Haiti. The internship itself was actually the AIDS Institute convinced me to pur- “We’re not opening up offices in these inspired by Agins’ experience at Haverford. sue a master’s in public health along with countries,” he says. “We ultimately want The school’s externship program had just my medical training and also got me this to be a sustainable activity whereby started when he attended the College in involved in collaborating with other med- these countries will be able to monitor and the 1970s. Agins went to New Haven for ical student leaders from across the coun- manage their own quality programs for three days to spend time with a pediatri- try on key public health issues. In addi- HIV services.” While Agins doesn’t direct- cian, Dr. Morris Wessel, who was also a tion, I feel that the quality of care focus at ly say so, he seems proud to see the suc- father of one of his classmates (David the Institute will also allow me to look cess of the national HIVQUAL program Wessel ’75). “He showed me different beyond just the medical aspect of a dis- slowly become a worldwide standard. things about health care providers and real- ease when working with patients.”

28 Haverford Magazine Left to right: Flowcharts detailing clinical processes to determine the best areas for improvement during QI training in Uganda; Agins and patients waiting at a TASO clinic in Gulu, Uganda; meeting with a District Health Officer in Oyam in Northern Uganda before orientation with providers in the district; meet- ing with providers in Gulu District. Bottom: Visiting a clinic in Neak Loeung in Cambodia. Photo by S. Srisongsam

“Dr. Agins is a wonderful mentor, master’s degree at the Harvard School of South Africans,” she reports. “I came to teacher, and friend,” Gavin Imperato ’02, Public Health. She now works for John the AIDS Institute wanting to think about a medical student at SUNY Downstate Snow, Inc., a public health care consulting the intersections of health and social life College of Medicine, reports. Imperato firm, where she is working on a national and was given projects there that helped benefited from his summer internship HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for the U.S. me explore those interests. The projects I with Agins to such an extent that he Department of Health and Human worked on with Dr. Agins also helped returned after graduation to serve the Services, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. Agins’ frame some of the challenges that I would Institute as a research assistant. “The pop- interns all seem to feel they receive a great later encounter.” The AIDS Institute intern- ularity of AIDS Institute internships is deal of extremely useful on-the-job edu- ship is more than just a job; it’s a classroom due to his warmth, attentiveness, and cation and experience that help them even and a launching pad. excellence as a mentor. I was amazed to if they don’t choose to stay in the public With all of Agins’ achievements and the see how much Dr. Agins valued the health field. advancements in HIV care he has devel- thoughts and input of his oped, one would think he’d students. He views them all pick one of them as his as junior colleagues, and proudest accomplishment. insists they address him by But instead of speaking about his first name. I was always his own personal success in impressed with his ability to his life work, he chooses to hold an intellectual ‘dual cit- discuss the success of the izenship’ in the disparate Institute. “I think we’ve been worlds of medicine and able to contribute a frame- anthropology.” work for people to monitor Jennie (Epstein) Anderson the quality and care of servic- ’01, who spent two years at es, with the hope that by the Institute, can’t agree doing this some improve- more. “I had a great experi- ments were made and had an ence working at the AIDS impact for people with HIV,” Institute—one of the high- he explains. But then he uses lights was going out into the a word that ties together field and seeing the array of what he has given to his the services people with HIV interns—and thousands of and AIDS were receiving,” HIV and AIDS patients she says. “I visited a wide around the world. range of places from methadone clinics, And even when the interns didn’t ulti- “It’s a hope,” he says. to a syringe exchange program, to a prison mately pursue a career directly involved Agins helped to improve an entire sys- on Staten Island—Bruce provided me with in medicine, Agins’ worldview still had its tem of health care and, in so doing, has many opportunities to see the issues. It’s effect. In fact, Abigail Baim-Lance ’01 has given hope for the future to HIV and AIDS easy to sit at a desk and write papers, combined two of Agins’ passionate inter- patients as well as to those who will ulti- but talking to people who are providing ests. “I am currently a Ph.D. student in mately care for them. direct services and care made me want to anthropology, conducting fieldwork in pursue public health even more.” Indeed, South Africa around home-based care and Anderson’s experience led her to pursue a HIV/AIDS among rural, impoverished

Winter 2008 29 Fords at the AIDS Institute Many Haverford students have benefit- healthcare delivery systems in low-resource Abigail Baim-Lance ’01, currently a ed from their experiences interning with settings.” Ph.D. candidate in the anthropology Bruce Agins and witnessing the fight During the summer of 2007, Acharya department at Johns Hopkins University, against AIDS from the front lines. went to Achham, Nepal to help set up a has begun dissertation research in South At the AIDS Institute, Bibhav Acharya free clinic as a member of the Board of Africa. Her commitment to using social ’06 developed a deep and broad under- Directors of Nyaya Health, an NGO com- science to understand the dimensions of standing of the role of the State Health mitted to improving healthcare in rural HIV/AIDS as a complement to medical and Department in working with healthcare Nepal. He is currently a student at Yale public health approaches was nurtured by facilities that provide HIV care. “My expe- Medical School. the projects she participated in as an intern riences at the Institute have deepened my A graduate of Harvard School of Public at the AIDS Institute. interest in public health and helped me Health, Jennie Anderson ’01 is cur- appreciate the impact that policy and the rently a consultant at John Snow, Inc. “My time at the AIDS government can make in improving (www.jsi.com) in Boston. Recently, she healthcare,” he says. has been working on a national HIV/AIDS Institute showed me that Under the mentorship of Bruce Agins, it is possible to pursue a he pursued an independent project to understand the work that healthcare facil- life that is intellectually ities are doing to help HIV-positive patients who are on treatment but not showing bet- stimulating while being ter clinical outcomes. He corresponded with several facilities and developed a set of passionately committed recommendations to improve ARV man- agement, both for the healthcare facilities to one’s concerns for and for the AIDS Institute. Acharya was also involved in piloting an individualized the world.” profile for every healthcare facility in the state, assisting with the international work –Abigail Baim-Lance of the AIDS Institute, and managing a col- laborative of community health centers Baim-Lance was involved in the devel- that focuses on common problems to find opment of a best practice booklet follow- practical solutions. ing New York State guidelines for the test- Acharya’s experience at the AIDS ing of pregnant women for HIV, so that Institute was enriched by the relationships awareness campaign for the U.S. they could be offered prophylaxis to pre- he developed with the staff, interns and Department of Health and Human vent mother-to-child transmission. She especially with Bruce Agins. “The intern- Services, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. She traveled to various hospitals to interview ship was a great learning experience,” he learned a lot about HIV during her time at staff and administrators and learned their says, “and it will help me perform inter- the AIDS Institute and that has been very strategies to encourage testing and moni- national public health work focusing on useful for her current work. “I had a great toring of HIV. “This was a tremendous experience working at the opportunity to understand how hospital AIDS Institute and I’m thankful institutions deal with the complexities of to have been exposed to such people’s lives,” she says, “and the way HIV a wide range of activities,” she testing becomes situated within routine says. She especially enjoyed prenatal care.” visiting various health facilities Another significant project for Baim- and interviewing people for a Lance was the planning of the parallel ses- best practice guide. sion sponsored by the AIDS Institute for “Working at the AIDS the UNGASS special session on AIDS, held Institute confirmed that pub- during the summer she worked at the lic health was the right path Institute. She planned a meeting of inter- for me, and strongly influ- national health care providers to discuss enced my decision to go to the process and status of developing graduate school in public guidelines for HIV/AIDS in their respec- health,” she says. tive countries.

30 Haverford Magazine for this research proj- order to assemble a large group of people ect, which focused to work together to help accomplish an on the molecular important goal.” and cellular biology Most of Zaman’s work involved putting of a novel therapeu- together a best-practices manual aimed at tic modality for HIV promoting mental health care for those infection. with HIV and improving the quality of care As a medical stu- and prevention services for HIV patients dent, he spends one who are deaf or hard of hearing. As a part afternoon per week of this project, he visited hospitals, com- assisting in the care munity health centers and drug treatment of patients living programs, interviewing medical staff and “My time at the AIDS Institute showed with HIV/AIDS at a clinic in Manhattan. collecting important information. He also me that it is possible to pursue a life that is “It is a tremendously rewarding experi- organized a successful provider training intellectually stimulating while being pas- ence to be able to translate much of what workshop for those working with deaf and sionately committed to one’s concerns for I learned at the AIDS Institute toward the hard of hearing clients, gave a presentation the world,” she says. care of patients,” he says. “As an intern, I at an Office of the Medical Director Staff Currently a medical student at the State gained an appreciation for Meeting, helped to select University of New York Downstate College the all the work the AIDS members of the consumer of Medicine in New York City, Gavin Institute does to develop and advisor committee and Imperato ’02 believes that the insights maintain myriad programs developed a laminated on the medical, social, economic, and polit- and initiatives that aim to card with communication ical dimensions of the care of people liv- improve the lives of people tips for clinicians working ing with HIV/AIDS he gained from his living with HIV/AIDS.” with deaf and hard of hear- internship greatly enrich his perspective as For Shehzaad Zaman ing clients. a medical student. At the AIDS Institute, ’03, working at the AIDS All of these experi- he was inspired by the degree to which the Institute and collaborating ences, in addition to col- members maintained the core principles with other health officials to laborating with other of the Institute’s mission in their everyday address key public health members of the AIDS work. “It was great to be part of an institute issues was “a great eye-open- Institute and sharing ideas, whose culture is suffused with an unwa- ing experience.” It convinced him to pur- helped Zaman to develop the skills that he vering commitment to improving the lives sue a master’s degree in public health along believes are important for anyone interest- of others,” he says. “Being a part of this cul- with his medical training. Now he is ed in a medical career that intersects with ture reinforced my calling a medical student at the public health, as well as those necessary for to medicine.” University of New England handling his current national leadership As an intern, Imperato College of Osteopathic position with the American Medical Student worked on projects related Medicine in the DO/MPH Association/Foundation, where he makes to prevention and quality program frequent visits to Capitol Hill, serves on the improvement. He assist- “The internship gave Community Public Health Action ed with the compilation of me increased understand- Committee, and chairs the Committee the clinical guidelines for ing of the way a state on Disabilities. post-exposure prophylax- health department can “The internship is unique,” he says, is for HIV, which sparked address the clinical reali- “because of Dr. Agins’ willingness to train an interest in the wonders ty of diseases such as and mentor recent or current students of HIV pharmacology. As HIV/AIDS through the from Haverford as they transition from aca- a graduate student in the development of an insti- demia to young professionals in pursuit of biological sciences at New tute with individuals ded- their career goals.” York University, he completed his master’s icated to the cause and implementation of -Bibhav Acharya ’06 qualifying paper on the topic of immuno- various programs to help accomplish a toxin therapy for HIV infection. His expo- mission,” he says. “It also gave me a bet- sure to the clinical and public health-relat- ter understanding of some of the issues ed aspects of HIV prevention and treatment and difficult decisions that are made in the at the AIDS Institute were the springboard process and the tools that are needed in

Winter 2008 31 32 Haverford Magazine European

(Re)Union by Stephen Leonard ’95 Many Fords have found a number of reasons to call Europe home.

Europe. To American ears, the very word conjures up Kevin Bishop ’83 a rush of images: the bustling streets of London, the delectable and Ishi Buffam ’94 patisseries of Paris, the majestic Tuscan countryside. For many, it Kevin Bishop ’83 never intended to leave America. “I just went is an exotic playground, which we discover first as young adults, away for a year, and I never came back,” he says, happily “studying” abroad in its universities’ hallowed halls, or back- ensconced in Sweden for the past 21 years. Bishop, Professor of packing our way across the continent. For some Haverfordians, Environmental Assessment at the Swedish University of Europe brings another image to mind. Europe has become home. Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, originally went to Cambridge, Haverford graduates pepper the continent, many having arrived England, to work on a master’s in the mid-1980s. There he became rather serendipitously, some to take jobs that turned into careers, involved in acid rain research, the popular environmental concern others for love, and at least one came because he “heard Sweden of the day. Lab study in England led to field work in northern needed music teachers.” Others are native Europeans attracted Sweden, where he first noticed how even though acid rain was less to Haverford because of its academics or its sense of cooperative predominant in the north than in the southern part of the coun- spirit, who have since returned to their home continent. For what- try, the streams became very acidic after the spring snowmelt. ever reason, each who has forged a life in Europe has met unique Deciding to hunt for the cause of northern Sweden’s stream challenges, be they language barriers, cultural differences or tax sys- acidity problem, Bishop went to work on a Ph.D., spending sev- tems that could flummox the heartiest accountant. But each has eral years in such lonely outposts as Svartberget (pop. 8), and also found those challenges worth enduring, the Abbortjärn (pop. 40). While Bishop felt immediately at home in rewards outweighing the difficulties. the tiny, remote villages from which he conducted his water Haverford’s European alumni commu- research, his Swedish wife Karin was less enthusiastic. Thus, nity is a small but diverse eventually they moved to the teeming metropolis that is bunch, these “Eurofords” Flurkmark (Population 400). reflecting the College Bishop’s studies showed that it was not so much acid rain that itself. And while was lowering pH levels in northern streams, but organic acids one’s post-Haverford found in the soil. His research has begotten more research, as life travels may have one problem has yet to be solved. “There still aren’t a lot of fish… taken him or her You can get the pH levels up… but you don’t get back the com- far from Founders plete ecosystem.” Hall and Lloyd Green, Enter Ishi Buffam ’94, a researcher brought in by Bishop five lessons learned years ago to work on his own Ph.D. and tackle the question of at Haverford, in how landscape elements such as forests and mires affect the neigh- more cases than boring aquatic ecosystems (streams and lakes). Benefiting from not, seem to have his fellow Ford’s research, Buffam has aimed to get “a little more made the voyage specific about how these soil patterns affect acidity… and look- as well. ing at how acidity among other factors affects acid-sensitive fish distributions.”

Winter 2008 33 European (Re)Union

Buffam lives in the northern universi- same time, he works out of his father’s stu- with Jess… We communicate on the ty town of Umeå, where he has also close- dio. It’s very much a family business. It same wavelength.” ly monitored the snowmelt-driven spring does not have a corporate feel, which is After around 75 trials, Dunne and flood. Over “a period of one to one-and- why it appealed to me. Many celebrity Roudnitska arrived at Ellie. “It’s an updat- a-half months, streams increase by a hun- scents are created in a lab in ed version of a clas- dredfold, and the chemistry changes a the middle of Manhattan... I sic,” Dunne says. “It lot…It’s a trying time of the year for many wanted to go the tradition- does have some floral aquatic species… Almost all streams in al route.” notes that make it the region experience a pH decline during Dunne emailed him, old-fashioned, but at spring melt, with pH in many streams outlining her idea. He the same time, it’s dropping from around 6.0 to around 4.5. responded, and a few emails youthful.” That’s a 30-fold increase in hydrogen ion later she was on a plane to Ellie hit the shelves concentration.” France, where she made her of upscale New York Bishop is proud of his fellow alum and way to Grasse, the world boutique Henri Bendel colleague. “It’s really been a pleasure to give capital of the perfume in January 2007, and Ishi a chance to work with this… and see industry, a 40-minute drive has already made in- that he did so much more than anyone north of Nice. There, she Kevin Bishop ’83 and roads into Los Angeles could have expected from a Ph.D. student.” and the master perfumer Ishi Buffam ’94 and Florence, with More than colleagues, the two Haverford began the difficult task of talks underway for grads—both from upstate New York—have developing a new fragrance Jessica Dunne ’98 distribution in London become good friends. Buffam remembers based on Dunne’s childhood and Moscow. a connection from their first phone con- memories. “It’s hard to have Dunne has proven versation. “I just felt like I was talking to an idea and to be able to an excellent multi- an old friend. I think it’s partly because we express it—with the lan- tasker. While she was shared a Haverford experience, and also guage barrier—then to be working on Ellie and we came out of Haverford with perhaps the able to get a sample and to adapting to London same goals… about what we wanted to do know what you want to life, she was also car- next in life.” Bishop and Buffam—scien- change,” Dunne says. “You rying another of her tists, colleagues, and friends—are proof it’s know it’s not perfect, but creations, her daugh- good to have the help of a friendly Ford you have to be able to know ter Laine, born in when fording life’s next stream. what to do to make it right.” September 2006. Dunne detailed her Firmly installed in Jessica Dunne ’98 grandmother’s favorite London with husband As a child, Jessica Dunne ’98 used to notes, the individual com- Brian and one-year- mix perfume from flowers she found in ponents that make up a scent, such as lily old Laine, Dunne looks forward to a sweet- her yard and sell the intoxicating concoc- of the valley, gardenia or jasmine. Wanting smelling future. tions at her lemonade stand. “It’s always “to create something classic and bold, been part of my life, but I thought it was- based on these notes,” Dunne and Daniel Katz ’82 n’t practical. I never thought I’d make a Roudnitska picked a base and began work Daniel S. Katz ’82 was so bored with career out of it,” she says. in earnest. the Jewish Sunday School his parents sent With the launch of her first perfume, When Dunne’s husband Brian Reshefsky him to that by the age of 10 he told his Ellie, last January, and its follow-up fra- was offered a job in London a few months father, “Enough already!” grance Ellie Nuit last fall, Dunne is doing after her visit, it gave her the chance to The instruction, he says, “was poor. I just that. Inspired by her grandmother pursue the idea full-time. “It was the per- wasn’t learning and I didn’t find it inter- Eleanor Dunne, from whom the perfume fect opportunity to make a clean break esting.” Without much religion in the takes its name, Dunne has seen her and take a risk.” home to give sense to what he heard dur- dream come to fruition through collab- In Roudnitska, she found a kindred ing his weekly lessons, Katz let his Jewish oration with master French perfumer spirit, one who valued her dedication to roots wither, “basically ignoring being Michel Roudnitska. the work at hand. Says the master per- Jewish” during his adolescence and Dunne’s idea started to take form in fumer, “She really knew what she want- through his Haverford years. early 2005 while she worked for an art ed and ably defined that in precise terms, It was only in Bologna, Italy, in 1985 gallery in New York. “I started doing it on something that is not often the case, even on a Fulbright grant while working toward the side, putting feelers out.” with [more experienced] professionals. a Ph.D. in musicology at Duke University, She was aware of Roudnitska’s reputa- I prefer working with people who have that he discovered a different perspective tion. “He’s very well known. But at the a passion for perfume, which is the case on being Jewish. Soon after his arrival,

34 Haverford Magazine Palestine Liberation Front members didn’t know what they meant or what their I’m sure if I had thought all this over to hijacked the Italian liner Achille Lauro, liturgical connection was.” begin with, I would have taken a more killing a wheelchair-bound American Jew, Katz worked increasingly within the direct path, but it probably wouldn’t have and in December of that year, terrorists universities’ Jewish com- been so interesting.” bombed and opened fire on the El Al tick- munities until he com- In 1996 Katz received et counter at the Rome airport, killing 17. pleted his Ph.D. in a second Fulbright for the In addition, Katz could not help noticing 1989. Then he enrolled program “Germany and the many plaques on buildings around as a cantorial student at Jewish Studies Today.” A Bologna that memorialize Jews and others the Jewish Theological year later he began work- killed by Fascist terrorists of an earlier era. Seminary in New York. ing as a rabbi within Katz began attending synagogue regu- Around the same time, German Jewish commu- larly for the first time, while police patrolled he changed the focus nities. Today, having com- outside. “We needed 11 for a minyan of his research from pleted five years of work [prayer quorum, which usually consists of medieval Latin writings in Duisburg, he has 10], because one of the congregation had about notating musical endured the frustrations to stand guard. It was all very new to me. It rhythm (“a hot topic of a Jewish community in was a very different atmosphere.” in the 14th century”) to the midst of an identity Upon finishing his research, he returned historical synagogue crisis. A large influx of to the U.S. and became more involved in music. “I realized I knew Daniel Katz ’82 Russian Jews after the fall the Jewish community at Duke and neigh- a lot more about of the Iron Curtain has boring UNC-Chapel Hill. A friend asked Christian music than Jewish music.” greatly changed the face of German him to help lead services during the High His cantorial work led to rabbinical Judaism, and according to Katz, both the Holidays, and Katz agreed, though he studies. “My interest in music is ultimate- leadership and the congregants have had admits, “I knew only two melodies and ly what brought me into the synagogue.... difficulty adjusting. “There’s a lack of what

Meet More Fords in Europe

Barbara Navé ’92 credits Haverford pro- Germany, before moving to Oxford, inally to earn a master’s in music business fessors as inspirations in determining her England in 1999, is a computer help center management from the University of career path. “Until I started doing biochem- manager at Oxford University. Thanks to Westminster and stayed because of “excel- istry at Haverford, I always thought I would Haverford, she gained “the skills to build a lent career opportunities” and social ben- be a doctor… but there I was encouraged motivated team by respecting individual efits not available in the U.S., such as 28 to try new things and realized that I really opinions and requirements and treating vacation days per year and a less stressful enjoy doing science much more than being people fairly.” working environment. a doctor, and it set me off on the career Fourqueux, France, a quiet village of Sharing the continent with his fellow I have now.” Navé, who was born in 4,000 located 15 miles west of Paris, is Eurofords is Jonathan Lutz ’74, who has Philadelphia but grew up in Munich, home to John Schoonover ’67, who along called Ekenäs, Finland home for the last 23 Germany, is a researcher screening new with his wife moved to Paris in 1983 “on a years. He has raised a family in the Baltic compounds that can be used in agri- whim.” Having raised his children there, he island town, where he teaches music. When cultural products, and currently lives in now looks forward to impending retirement, he isn’t traveling the world conducting his Deidesheim, Germany. when he will stroll through the old village choir, Lutz can be found picking berries and Mark Sadoff ’82, a lawyer in Paris and center, with its Romanesque church and mushrooms in the woods around his house. resident of France since 1989, cites the small-town coziness. Lutz, who originally came to Scandinavia to overall Haverford experience as having Gioia Marini ’90, originally from help combat the aforementioned Swedish marked him personally and professionally. Tokyo, Japan, has called Amsterdam, the music teacher shortage, has stayed for the Haverford’s “influence goes well beyond my Netherlands, home for 12 years. An invest- “shared society” lifestyle as well as the fact actual studies… The College and my class- ment writer at a bank, she likes Amsterdam that as a foreigner, he is “expected to be a mates instilled such a sense of community… for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well little ‘different,’ and can be different to [his] The most important thing that I feel I came as its “magical canals and brick buildings.” heart’s desire and blame it on that.” away with is the need to learn and to chal- Caroline Hansen ’00 is a relative new- Haverford’s European residents, to one lenge your own ideas and those of others.” comer to the European scene, having lived extent or another, have all found that it’s Katherine Craddock (née Wipf) ’87, for four years in London, where she works embracing the “different” that has made who spent eleven years in Hamburg, for Universal Music Group. She came orig- all the difference.

Winter 2008 35 European (Re)Union

I can only call ‘American initiative’ to try Afghanistan alone, the foundation con- cumstances of… people in some of these and do different things, to experiment, to tributing nearly a quarter of that sum. countries… and here in Europe.” see what works.... In many instances, Concentrated in the country’s northeast While Kessinger is admittedly “delight- nobody is really serious about religion. quadrant, the foundation chiefly works ed” to be in Geneva, one wonders if he Some people think that the blacker your to rebuild the rural health and education could ever settle down there… or any- coat and the longer your beard the more system, as well as improve agriculture and where. “I’m certainly comfortable with liv- authentic you are.” rural livelihoods. Attempting to combat ing and working where I am, but I am get- In an effort to support a variety of poor, small farmers’ temptation to grow ting old, and at some point I guess I’m approaches to Judaism and discuss solu- poppy, Kessinger says, “We’re trying to going to have to retire. I don’t frankly look tions to these problems, Katz became a continually provide forward to that, because founding member of the General alternatives so that I really do love what I’m Rabbinical Conference in Germany. farmers can indeed earn doing.” “Whether Judaism can be saved in a living without having As long as that Germany, I don’t know... but if you want to… get involved with remains the case, expect to belong to a minority religion, you have the drug culture, which to find Kessinger pretty to take action.” The Jewish year 5767 is as rough at that level much anywhere, from (2006-2007) ended on a positive note in as it is at any other. here to Timbuktu. Germany: At the end of August, Katz We’ve got our necks out attended the rededication of the coun- in a few places.” Koïchiro try’s largest synagogue, with 1,200 seats, The risk is worth it, Matsuura ’61 in Berlin. says Kessinger, when he Koïchiro Matsuura ’61 sees the good being cre- may be the only Haverford Tom Kessinger ’63/65 ated. “Going through Tom Kessinger ’63/65 alumnus who can claim “There really is a place called Timbuktu, parts of rural central Asia honorary citizenship in and I have been there,” Tom Kessinger and looking at what’s Koïchiro Matsuura ’61 the city of Mostar, in ’63/65 says nonchalantly. He could prob- coming off the fields and Bosnia and Herzegovina. ably announce he’s been to the moon just available at roadside mar- Matsuura, Director- as casually, and it would not sound at all kets that simply wasn’t General of the United outrageous. One gets the idea that the for- there… in Afghanistan Nations Educational, mer Haverford president has set foot on five years ago… is really Scientific and Cultural just about any piece of land—terrestrial or quite extraordinary. The Organization (UNESCO), otherwise—imaginable. resilience of people in the was bestowed with that Kessinger, who left the leafy confines developing world is truly title by Mostar’s mayor of Haverford in 1996 after an eight-year amazing.” upon the classification of tenure, has lived in Geneva, Switzerland, One of Kessinger’s the town’s bridge as a with wife Varyam for the last 11 years, in proudest accomplish- UNESCO World Heritage charge of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture ments through his Site in 2005. and then, since 2002, the Aga Khan AKDN work is a park in The Mostar bridge, a Foundation. The foundation, part of the a densely populated, run-down quarter of pedestrian passage spanning the Neretva larger Aga Khan Development Network Cairo. The park, nearly two-thirds the size River, had united the two parts of the mul- (AKDN), is a group of non-denomination- of Haverford’s campus, is a green oasis tiethnic community for more than 400 al, private, development agencies which amidst a sand-colored expanse of low-rise years when it was destroyed in 1993 by a encourage social and economic develop- buildings. “Every time I go back and see Croatian tank during the civil war that ment and cultural revitalization, primari- it as the vegetation is maturing… I find it rocked the Balkans at the time. One of ly in Asia and East Africa. In his role as very touching, there’s no doubt about it.” UNESCO’s main purposes is the protec- general manager, Kessinger spends near- The juxtaposition between the places tion, and when needed, the rebuilding of ly 200 days on the road each year, visiting of poverty in which the foundation works culturally significant monuments around sites in all the countries in which the foun- and his residential life in Geneva is pro- the world. UNESCO lent its technical and dation works. found. Kessinger speaks of driving around scientific knowledge in helping the city A mid-summer visit to Afghanistan Kabul in an armored vehicle with an armed reconstruct the bridge in 2004. afforded Kessinger the opportunity to guard at his side, and a few days later More than bricks and mortar, Matsuura work in the country where the founda- strolling through the botanical gardens says, the bridge stands as a “reconnection tion has its largest operation. The AKDN outside his Geneva office. “You cannot but between various ethnic groups. This is one as a whole has a yearly operating budget be profoundly touched and moved by the of the examples of which I am very proud. of around 200 million dollars in great gap between the day to day living cir- Cultural heritage is important in itself, but

36 Haverford Magazine many cultural heritage sites have political Trisha Thomas ’86 at the time. “It was my dream job, and I importance as well.” Trisha Thomas ’86 has written a book. didn’t want to just say, ‘Hey! I’m pregnant!’” Matsuura seems the perfect man to lead She just doesn’t know it yet. When they eventually found out, AP hired the call for rebuilding. After all, it was he A journalist working in Rome, Italy, her anyway. After five months’ maternity who, after his 1999 election as UNESCO since 1993, Thomas has a natural flair for leave, she proved her dedication by taking Director-General, found he had a lot of assignments in war-torn Liberia and Sierra rebuilding to do within UNESCO itself. Leone before realizing she had to make After internal audits revealed that too some compromises. “I sort of got a grip much money was spent on salaries for and said, ‘Okay, I really can’t do everything highly placed officials and not enough was I want to do.’” going to fieldwork, Matsuura instituted While evading most wars, Thomas has mass reforms within the organization, not shied away from hotspots within resulting in a refocusing of UNESCO’s Rome. Spending about half her work time financial and manpower resources. At the covering the Vatican, the non-Catholic, end of a successful six-year term, Matsuura American woman has run up against the was reelected to a four-year term in occasional barrier but now proudly counts November 2005. Trisha Thomas ‘86 with Pope John Paul II cardinals and Swiss Guards among her Six months after his reelection, contacts. As a woman, she is expected to Matsuura had the opportunity to return storytelling, reflecting her chosen career wear dark pants or skirts past the ankles, to Haverford and receive an honorary as well as the attitude of southern Italians. and cannot reveal her shoulders when on degree at Commencement, where he gave Though she didn’t speak much of the lan- official press visits to the Vatican, basical- a speech to the class of 2006 and spoke guage when she arrived, she dove right in ly “dress(ing) like a nun.” of the importance of building bridges. It and found that despite her limitations, she But such sacrifices have their heaven- was only the second time since the Tokyo had plenty of willing interlocutors. ly rewards. Thomas has traveled with two native graduated that he had had the “Italians love it when you try and speak popes, personally meeting John Paul II on chance to revisit the campus, but he cites their language,” she says, remembering one occasion. Current Pope Benedict XVI, the College as having a dramatic impact one of the first stories she covered in Italy. she says, is remarkably different from his on his chosen profession. “Looking back “A bus full of tourists crashed along the famously gregarious predecessor. “His through my Japanese diplomatic career, Amalfi Coast near Naples, and I was talk- background is that of a university profes- then as the head of an international ing to the fire department in Naples about sor. He’s not comfortable kissing babies, organization here in Paris, what I learned the crash… Neapolitans have really strong whereas John Paul II would stay all day… at Haverford was a very important asset… accents, and I wasn’t understanding any mixing with the crowd. He loved it. This I learned how to participate in discussion. of what they were saying, and they were pope is more shy, timid, intellectual.” I couldn’t get that kind of training back passing me from fireman to fireman. Whether covering world religious lead- in Japan. In my day, we didn’t have that Everyone wanted to explain it to me, and ers or loquacious local firefighters, Thomas kind of interaction between professors they were so patient… having so much is happy to have found “an exciting and and students.” fun, and that’s the Italian way.” stimulating job.” And as she continues to Dating back to shortly after his own Though her original career goal was to accrue anecdotes, she looks forward to a graduation day in 1961, Matsuura has be a CNN correspondent in Vietnam or day when she has time to write them all beaten a winding path to Paris, with Cambodia, plans changed when during down. “When I retire from my job, I’ll try notable stops in Ghana, Hong Kong and graduate school at Columbia University, and find the time to do it.” Washington, D.C., working in various she met an Italian named Gustavo Piga, Until then, each day in Rome is just diplomatic roles. A resident of Paris since whom she married in 1993. She and Piga, more grist for the mill. 1994, Matsuura remembers arriving in the an economics professor at the University of French capital to take up the reins as Rome-Tor Vergata, have three children: Stephen Leonard ’95 is a writer who has lived Japanese Ambassador to France: “After Niccolò, Caterina, and Chiara. in Russia and Italy and currently resides in having visited most of the capitals in Although it’s not always easy, Thomas Paris, France, with his wife Odile. Europe, I believe that Paris is a unique city, has managed to balance home life with her and I’m very happy to live here. In France career. When three months’ pregnant with they give priority to preserving cultural Niccolò in the fall of 1994, she found out heritage.” the Associated Press was starting up a tel- Though the mayor of Paris has not yet evision wing. During her interview, she given him honorary citizenship, Matsuura’s was told how the Rome bureau was a trav- UNESCO work indicates he is one of its eling job, and that she would likely be sent most honorable residents. to places like Sarajevo, in the throes of war

Winter 2008 37 Haverford H M e d i c a l I n s t i u e d

College H o w a r H u g h e s

38 Haverford Magazine The Howard Hughes Medical Institute transforms today's students and faculty members into tomorrow’s cutting-edge research scientists—and Haverford is the only institution to twice receive HHMI’s maximum grant award.

ernan Sanchez ’08 was 15 when he took his go on to declare a math minor) also helped him understand first chemistry class. “Everything clicked,” different functions and models used for structures and statis- he says, realizing he wanted a career in tical processes. “There’s so much interdisciplinary potential to research. But because such jobs were difficult what we do,” he says. “It really enriches our understanding of to find in his home country of Argentina, the research.” he planned on attending college in the U.S. Now applying to graduate school for chemistry, Sanchez feels He turned to the International Institute of that HHMI and the Interdisciplinary Scholars program have pre- Education (which recommends foreign stu- pared him well for the road ahead. “I can understand science dents to small liberal arts colleges in the better because I’ve been exposed to more areas,” he says. “The United States) and picked Haverford from principles I’ve learned here have led me to think of unique solu- a list of 10 schools because “it had the best tions to problems on my own.” chemistry department of all of them.” Sanchez is just one of numerous students who have ben- HAfter working in the labs of several professors during his efited from the generosity of HHMI, one of the nation’s first two years at the College, he applied for and received fund- largest philanthropic organizations, which awards $80 mil- ing from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) lion a year in grant support for science education. Interdisciplinary Scholars program to continue his research Haverford has received approximately $5.85 million since with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Alexander Norquist. 1988, and has the distinction of being the only institution Working on a project involving oxomolybdate crystals, Sanchez to receive the maximum award from HHMI for two con- and Norquist often use techniques borrowed from physics and secutive grant cycles—$1.7 million in 2000 and $1.6 mil- biology. The math classes Sanchez had been taking (he would lion in 2004.

e

Buildingby Brenna McBride a Community of Scientists Winter 2008 39 Building a Community of Scientists

The HHMI grant also affords Haverford the opportunity to groom future faculty members—and introduce different areas of expertise into the curriculum—by bringing postdoctoral fellows to campus.

One of the main inspirations for this find methods of integrating the life sci- that’s best realized is through faculty devel- extraordinary occurrence is the College’s ences with other disciplines such as math- opment seminars.” science faculty, says John Mosteller, ematics and computer science. HHMI Bringing faculty from across disciplines Assistant Vice President for Academic wants its grantee schools to hire faculty together to learn about new issues in a spe- Resources. “In part because of the history of members in emerging disciplines, pur- cific field and create new course modules, HHMI support, and also the culture of the chase cutting-edge laboratory equip- the semester-long faculty development sem- institution, the faculty actually do collabo- ment, recruit and mentor underrepre- inars were first proposed seven years ago rate with each other,” he says. “It is very sented students, and improve pre-college by former professor of physics Lyle Roelofs; real and complex, not what you see at most science teaching. they were later incorporated into an HHMI institutions. It’s extensive and integrated.” Haverford’s own grant proposal was grant proposal, in the hopes that an explic- Rob Fairman, associate professor of completed in October, and was primarily it space for faculty to gather and share ideas biology and HHMI faculty advisor, also written by Rob Fairman; Suzanne Amador could be created. “One of the challenges credits the innovative ideas Haverford Kane, Associate Professor of Physics and of small colleges is that you don’t have the has put forth in previous grant proposals. director of the Koshland Integrated Natural same density of speakers or opportunities “They are consistent with HHMI’s long- Sciences Center (KINSC); and instructor for enrichment as larger institutions,” says term views of undergraduate education,” of biology Kate Heston, with help from Kane, who has been involved with the sem- he says. “For example, in the last grant- John Mosteller. “We needed to make sure inars from the beginning and helped coor- ing cycle, HHMI wanted applicants to that there was a thematic coherence,” says dinate last fall’s presentations on imaging think seriously about developing post- Mosteller, “which is critical for having a in science. “You have to create those oppor- doctoral programs, and we proposed a competitive grant.” tunities, and we didn’t think we had to go significant set of ideas to pursue this Many of the hopes and plans outlined off-campus to do this.” interest.” Haverford’s program offers in the new grant proposal build on the The first seminar, “Computing Across postdocs valuable teaching opportuni- success of programs and initiatives that the Sciences,” was held in the spring of ties: “Many colleges these days are look- have been made possible with HHMI’s 2001, followed by sessions on bioinformat- ing for significant teaching experience help. The Institute’s years of funding have ics in the fall of that year, science and soci- in hiring faculty.” enabled Haverford to support the academ- ety in 2002-2003, and statistics in fall 2003. In February of 2007, HHMI invited ic development of faculty members and Often these seminars have resulted in tan- more than 200 colleges and universities postdoctoral fellows; encourage interdis- gible changes to the college curriculum; to compete for $60 million in science edu- ciplinary research, courses and activities for example, the presentations on comput- cation grant funding; the awards for undergraduates; and enrich outreach ing across the sciences led to the design of will be announced in May. opportunities for elementary and second- two new courses in scientific computing, According to the Institute’s ary school students and teachers, as well the hiring of Assistant Professor of Physics website, small or undergrad- as groups traditionally underrepresented Peter Love, whose research is focused on uate colleges receive in the sciences. computational science, and the creation of less than five per- a scientific computing working group and, cent of all federal Faculty Development: in 2006, a major in computer science. research money, Opportunities for The fall 2007 seminar on imaging in so HHMI hopes Interdisciplinary Dialogue science brought together professors not this competition “When people ask me what it’s like only from the natural sciences, but also will strengthen working at a place like Haverford,” says the social sciences and humanities. the teaching and Suzanne Amador Kane, “I explain to them Corresponding events included talks by research capacities that I don’t work in a department of six Penn neurologist Geoff Aguirre, who of college science people. I work in a science center of 33 spoke about the use of functional MRI in departments, and people. I feel like we have this larger sci- neuroscience; University of California, encourage them to entific community, and one of the ways Davis anthropologist Joseph Dumit, who Geoff Aguirre

40 Haverford Magazine Left to right: Postdoctoral fellow Matthew Willmann (left) with a poster by Jennie Hwang ’09; Josh Havassy ’04 (in baseball cap) and his MAST group in a chemistry lab; Adaobi Nwaneshiudu ’03 (in gray sweater) with her MAST students. revealed how medical images from PET biology department, runs labs, and works Science and Society, for students interest- (positron emission tomography) scans with the Sunday evening undergraduate ed in exploring cultural issues raised by take on meanings in a broader culture as HHMI fellows seminar, with this year’s goal modern science (such as public health or metaphors for mental illness; and noted to give Haverford students exposure to life biomedical ethics). science photographer Felice Frankel, at a research university. Willmann also led Claire Roden ’07 applied to be a Science whose work was exhibited in Haverford’s a seminar in November on the use of and Society scholar during her junior year, Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery along with microarray technologies in the study of when she had a chance to intern with a student - and faculty-generated scientific plant gene expression, and is working with hospital in Paris serving an HIV-positive images. Professor of Biology Karl Johnson to cre- African immigrant population. As an S&S “These seminars are a wonderful oppor- ate a new lab module based on this topic. Scholar, she received funding for the intern- tunity for us to have true intellectual dia- Willmann enjoys teaching in general, ship from HHMI, and the experience logue across departmental lines, on interdis- but loves doing it at Haverford: “The stu- marked a turning point in her life. “It was ciplinary topics that are of genuine interest dents are very intelligent and genuinely the most amazing thing I’ve ever done,” to us,” says Kane. “We can offer the out- enthusiastic. It’s rewarding to help guide says Roden, now a research technician at side world this vision of true interdiscipli- undergraduates as they decide what to do Thomas Jefferson University who hopes to narity; we approach things as a common next with their lives.” Although he spends study public health and medicine in the community of scientists.” his mornings at Penn pursuing his research, near future. “I can’t stress enough how fun- Faculty development initiatives ulti- his afternoons at Haverford are, he says, damental it was to the way I see the world mately benefit students as well as profes- “the best part of my day.” And, as someone right now.” sors. “The faculty get busy with the admin- fresh from graduate school, he feels well- The Multicultural Scholars Program istrative and curricular needs of the equipped to answer questions and give (MSP) is another HHMI-funded initiative College,” says Fairman, “and start to fall advice for students with similar aspirations. that has given students countless opportuni- behind if they’re not keeping up with the ties in research and leadership. Serving as a newest trends and fields. Faculty develop- Student Research: Cutting-Edge, mentoring system and resource for all stu- ment is a way of invigorating ourselves in Cross-Disciplinary dents, MSP offers workshops on such topics certain areas. For example, we may want Of the $1.6 million awarded by HHMI as graduate school applications, time man- to bring systems and network biology and in 2004, at least one-third goes towards stu- agement, and choosing courses, and assigns genomics into the biology department, but dents. HHMI is particularly invested in upperclass students to be “buddies” with we don’t have a faculty member with this interdisciplinary research of the kind in freshmen. Multicultural students in the pro- specialty, so we need to learn more about which Hernan Sanchez is involved; this has gram can take subsidized summer classes it. As we develop our own understanding been the case as far back as 1992, when and receive stipends for summer research. and skills in this area, we can communi- Kate Heston first became administrator of Akriti Mathur ’08 has been involved cate it to the students.” the grant. “Interdisciplinary Scholars has with MSP since her first year at Haverford; The HHMI grant also affords Haverford been a flagship program from the begin- now she is head coordinator of the pro- the opportunity to groom future faculty ning,” she says. “This approach strength- gram. With the help of MSP, the biology members—and introduce different areas ened the connections between biology and major was able to spend two summers of expertise into the curriculum—by bring- chemistry and led to the creation of the working with Professor of Biology Jenni ing postdoctoral fellows to campus. biochemistry concentration.” This was a Punt on her T-cell projects, one of which Matthew Willmann, currently a visiting time when the biology and chemistry is the basis for Mathur’s senior thesis (she’s assistant professor of biology, received his departments weren’t even in the same studying Notch, a specific protein in T- Ph.D. from Harvard in 2004 and special- building; now, not only do they share close cell development). “Haverford has a izes in plant genetics and development; he quarters and resources in the KINSC, they unique research program for science is, at present, the only plant scientist on collaborate with the Center for Peace and majors,” she says. “Sometimes, at other staff at the College. He co-teaches two Global Citizenship on public health initia- schools, the students leave college never courses with faculty members from the tives, internships, and programs like having set foot in a lab.”

Winter 2008 41 Building a Community of Scientists

“It’s such a jump to go from learning something in a classroom to seeing it put to use in an experiment.”

Mathur, like many of her peers, plans chemical components of aspirin. Gradually, Philadelphia high school students and to apply to graduate school, and feels that the Haverford students saw how the pro- teachers come to campus during the sum- MSP has helped her not only prepare for gram was making a positive difference. mer and join in lab research. The program the future, but also get the most out of her “In the beginning, parents would just takes its name from its cascade approach, past four years. “The workshops I attend- drop their kids off and pick them up, but assembling teams consisting of a Haverford ed freshman year gave me a feel for how soon they would come in and talk with us faculty member, a Haverford student, a the campus works, and I got insight into about the difference we were making and high school teacher, and up to two high academic resources I didn’t even know the excitement their kids were showing,” school students. were available.” Morris recalls. And the kids themselves, at “We taught them about lab techniques first solemn and taciturn, began to open and chemistry,” says Kate Clancy ’07 of her Community Outreach: The up: “They had great ideas. They talked us own Cascade team in the lab of Associate Next Generation of Scientists into dissecting sharks and fetal pigs.” Professor of Chemistry Fran Blase. “Many Assistant Professor of Biology Andrea Before she became involved with MAST, of the students hadn’t had any exposure to Morris, who graduated from Haverford in Morris had never considered a career in aca- chemistry in high school.” Clancy was 1991, was present for the birth of the MAST demia; “I thought it would be horrifying to excited to see her high school group view- (Mentoring and Student Teaching) program, stand up in front of a classroom and pro- which offers Saturday morning laboratory fess something.” But being a part of MAST experiences and writing tutorials for reminded her what she loved about science: Philadelphia-area middle and high school discussing new ideas, testing theories. students. MAST was the brainchild of “I loved research and being in the lab, Emeritus Professor of Biology Slavica Matacic, but being able to share my research made it who saw the program as a way not only to more exciting,” she says. provide tutoring to local children, but also Today, as a professor at her alma mater, to reinforce what Haverford students were Morris finds her classroom style influenced learning in their own classes and labs. by her MAST experiences. “When I design “She saw what we struggled with as stu- new courses,” she says, “I try to let my stu- dents, and thought this would be a good dents take ownership of the class, and I Joseph Dumit way to make us stand up and talk about invite them to tell me what they loved science,” says Morris. about previous classes.” She is also buoyed ing an authentic college laboratory with It has always been the responsibility of to see her own shyer students participat- the same awe she had felt as a freshman. the Haverford students participating in ing in MAST and, as a result, speaking up “It’s such a jump to go from learning some- MAST to prepare the course curricula and in class and leading discussions. thing in a classroom to seeing it put to use create and teach the science labs. Haverford has recently taken ownership in an experiment.” Now in graduate school During that first year, Morris and for the program’s budget, which had previ- for chemistry at Duke, Clancy says Cascade her classmates tried to devise ously been covered by HHMI. “What’s helped her become a better teacher. experiments that would be important,” says Rob Fairman, “is that now When Ami Naik ’06 worked with her fun for middle-schoolers: the College has guaranteed that this pro- Cascade team in Rob Fairman’s lab, she They isolated DNA from gram will continue in the foreseeable future.” found that the program improved her onions (“We figured “It’s in recognition of the fact that MAST teamwork and communication skills. anything smelly and is part of the fabric of the College,” adds “Coming to understand the research on weird would get them Kate Heston. [Fairman’s] level, and being able to relay excited”), made soap MAST is just one example of the com- it back to the high school students, boost- in a chemistry lab, munity outreach initiatives that have been ed my confidence.” Her interactions with and studied the supported by HHMI. There’s also the the younger members of her team weren’t Cascade Mentoring Program, where limited to science alone; they sought her Felice Frankel

42 Haverford Magazine Left to right: Shawn Alexander ’03; Adolfo Cuesta ’10; Hernan Sanchez ’08; Alex Davies ’09, Shivani Gandhi ’09 and Akriti Mathur ’08; current biology professor Andrea Morris ’91 with some of the first MAST students. advice on college admissions and SATs, Through this grant proposal, Fairman Most HSSI participants are from groups and one even asked her to write a recom- and fellow authors also want to find ways underrepresented in science, or are the first mendation letter. “I never had mentoring,” of enabling faculty members to pursue in their families to attend college. Today, says Naik, a student at the University of scholarship and maintain research credi- says Tecosky-Feldman, “they’re the ones Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, “so bility at conferences and meetings where sitting in front of the classroom asking it was great to give back and help them they can present and discuss their work questions, and are comfortable interacting through the process.” with peers. “This may involve restructur- with professors during lectures.” ing course loads and hiring people with Looking ahead long-term, Fairman says The 2007 Proposal: expertise in our topics to come in and give that Haverford is still developing the over- What Lies Ahead lectures,” he says. all mission of the KINSC, and the HHMI The major themes of the 2007 proposal “It’s good for students to experience dif- grant proposal is an opportunity to test are the College’s plans to develop the ferent styles of teaching,” says Heston. ideas that will result in visionary academ- strengths of its computational sciences— “Getting other faculty to come in and inter- ic approaches for the science center. Also, the use of computational techniques and act with students gives them a glimpse of the final bequest of late biochemist and methods and how they’re used in other dis- research in other environments.” Haverford benefactor Dan Koshland has ciplines. “It’s pretty clear how math and com- Haverford is also seeking funding for recently established a significant endow- puters are used as tools in other disciplines, two new outreach programs. The College ment to support further development of and students without that quantitative train- wishes to continue its collaboration with the KINSC programming. This endowment ing will be less successful professionally,” Bryn Mawr College in coordinating and will allow the Center to build upon much says Fairman. Therefore, he and the grant hosting Summer Institutes for K-12 teach- of the work that HHMI grants have helped committee are proposing faculty develop- ers, bringing them together with college make possible. ment training to enhance their skills in this faculty members to share perspectives on “The 2000 grant cycle was about the field, and hope to hire postdoctoral fellows enriching math and science education. emergence of the KINSC,” says John with this expertise to work with the com- These Institutes have usually been based Mosteller. “In 2004, it shifted to HHMI as puter science department in developing new at Bryn Mawr, but in 2007 two professors a grant for the Center itself. Now, it’s all courses and fortifying the current offerings. from the computer science department, merging—how does HHMI become one “It’s important in fields like genomics John Dougherty and Steven Lindell, host- piece of a bigger entity?” to understand how to come up with the ed a session at Haverford for the first time, Heston adds, “[The grant] makes it pos- alignments and mathematical formulas on the topic of computing in education. sible for us to try out certain things that behind the science,” says Heston. Then there’s the Haverford Summer might otherwise be more difficult to According to Fairman, computer tech- Science Institute (HSSI), which has been achieve.” She points to the popular bio- nology is fundamentally changing the face jointly funded by both HHMI and the chemistry concentration: “When it was first of biology as we know it. “For a period of Koshland Access Achievement Fund. This implemented, people thought it was too time it was driven by genetics and biochem- pilot program brings incoming freshmen to sophisticated to teach in an undergraduate istry, it was deconstructionist, tearing things campus for five weeks the summer before curriculum. But the HHMI grant has apart and seeing how pieces work. Now their first year to take college-level science allowed us to pursue programs we couldn’t we want to reconstruct cells to see how classes and get acquainted with the academ- mount otherwise, all of which seem to fit they function in total. That’s what network ic and social realities of higher education. “I well with the kinds of students we have and systems biology represent, a way to wanted to create an intense science experi- and the things they want to do. model the entire organism with informa- ence for entering freshmen who didn’t have “Above all,” she says, “HHMI wants to tion we currently have. That requires com- much exposure to rigorous science training,” influence how students are taught.” putational approaches and sophisticated says Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Jeff computer and mathematical algorithms.” Tecosky-Feldman, who began HSSI two years Such methods can also be used in ecology ago. “They get mentoring from faculty and and environmental science. students in a supportive environment.”

Winter 2008 43

Richard Lingeman ’53, distinguished biographer of Theodore Dreiser and Sinclair Lewis, is one of the few true humorists and men of letters still editing magazines. by John Lombardi

he Nation’s offices at 33 tious and said ‘I rise like a kite against the wind’ [portending great Irving Place, between 14th angst] . . .” Lingeman smiles wanly. The late Alfred Kazin, writing Street and Gramercy Park in the New York Times Book Review on At the Gates and An in New York, have a slight- American Journey, the second Dreiser volume (1990), described ly dusty quality. Not dirt. Just a leisurely Lingeman as “more of a social historian than a literary biogra- coating of bygone times. Of words over pher,” and quoted Mark Van Doren on Dreiser as “lacking every- images (despite the snazzy redesign of the thing but genius.” I ask if that’s pretty accurate: “Dreiser was a magazine itself) . . . of real thought over genius,” Lingeman chuckles. spun perception/news-cycle wisdom. He’d come to The Nation, the oldest weekly journal of politics Richard Lingeman, the former executive and culture (1865) in America, from the Times, in 1978. Lingeman editor, former publisher Victor Navasky’s and Victor Navasky, the former editor/publisher and current emer- save from the New York Times , up on West itus adviser, whom he’d met at Yale Law School, had started 43rd Street, comes mildly to the 8th floor Monocle, a humorous, irregular periodical along with Jake reception desk to greet you; he ushers you Needleman (then a philosophy grad student), Larry Pearl (a law into his modest office overlooking the school classmate) and Michael Dukakis, the future Massachusetts honking traffic, inquires if you need tea or governor and presidential candidate, who sold ads. decaf, and remarks that biographers lack “I wrote my first piece, a parody of T. S. Eliot’s ‘The Wasteland,’ personalities of their own. called ‘The Fleeced Land,’ in a fit of despair after studying for a “His sense of humor is subtle,” says his tax law exam,” he remembers. “The act of parody is a kind of pur- old friend, the cartoonist and illustrator Edward Sorel. “You don’t gation of something that bugs you, including the author’s style, necessarily get that from reading those long books of his [Dreiser which you assume like a borrowed coat as self-protective cover- was published in two volumes at 350,000 words, before being age. It allows you to escape, at least in fantasy, from the world, vacuum-packed into an ‘abridged’ version of 250,000 words].” In and also to fight back symbolically. The parody began: ‘April is At the Gates of the City (Putnam’s,1986), the first part, Lingeman the accrualist month . . .’ Maybe you had to be there . . . recreates a 19th century slowness of pace, covering the years 1871 “One could say it introduced me to the joys of expression, and – 1907, that gives you an anthropological sense of Dreiser’s gawky, the great need I had for it.” As the son of a “closet-liberal”small- Indiana schoolboy demons: repressive father; landlocked imagi- town doctor, he’d joined the Army after graduating Haverford— nation; the escape of sex; relative poverty. Lingeman, a Hoosier Phi Beta Kappa in sociology, English and creative writing—and himself from Crawfordsville, acknowledges that he shares some of worked in counter-intelligence for three years, two of them in Japan. Dreiser’s anxieties: “He had a gift for amassing, concentrating and But the reception of “The Fleeced Land” encouraged him to drop out synthesizing the truth, life as it is. At the same time, he was ambi- of the safety of law school. Then, in 1960, with Navasky whisper-

Winter 2008 45 Dances with Words

ing into his ear about the joys of Manhattan Haupt, a well-known Times book review- wasn’t it!’ ‘Yes it was!’ Natalie shrilled; ‘I think and an executive editor job, they moved er and older brother of Sandy Lehmann- it was . . .’ I started to say … ‘SHUT UP!’ Monocle to New York City after leaving Yale. Haupt, a Merry Prankster who’d made it Richard abruptly shouted, his eyes still “It never made any money,” Lingeman says part way across America on Ken Kesey and closed. And we all looked at him like he was now, “and was always undercapitalized, but Neal Cassady’s “Furthur” bus back in the crazy: ‘He explained,’ Richard continued, it allowed us to work together as a sort of heyday of psychedelics, was wooing his perfectly calmly, his eyes fluttering a little, writing commune. There was Marvin future wife, Natalie Robins, and fending off providing the end of the last Lardner line Kitman, then a funny columnist for a rac- visits from her ex, the writer Dan authoritatively. That was Lingeman humor.” ing paper—I forget which one—later a TV Wakefield. Weekends would see everyone A gentleman’s wryness, a genial verbal columnist for Newsday, Ed Sorel [now a New kind of piled up together for boozy litchat pratfall…such mild assertiveness provid- Yorker contributor]…” Calvin Trillin, anoth- sessions and freeform culture sets. ed a key to his personality: “In order to sup- er New Yorker man, also contributed briefly: This was ’62-’64. Bob Dylan’s second and port my writing habit—which I’d recog- “You could say Monocle was impecunious,” third albums were out, the French Nouvelle nized by then as a kind of addiction—I had Trillin says dryly. “I once got a check from Vague movies were playing down on to take editing jobs, and even when I did them for $3. Another time Lingeman sent Bleecker Street, and at the Waverly on Sixth write, a lot of practical considerations came me a bill for all the work he’d had to do on a piece of mine that never ran.” Later, Trillin would joke that Navasky had “ruined Richard twice: Once, when he’d persuaded “He was so funny and perceptive him to give up a potential $400,000 a year as and dry—completely unaggressive a future Wall Street attorney” to follow the but penetrating,” says Christopher literary life; the next when he wooed him Lehmann-Haupt; After graduating away from the Times to work at “the obscure from Haverford, Lingeman joined and impoverished Nation.” the Army and worked in counter- “Yes, yes, too true,” Lingeman admits. intelligence for three years, two of “We were all aware of the absurdity of them in Japan; Marvin Kitman and things—the Ionesco factor. But—it had Edward Sorrel describe Lingeman something to do with the spirit of the times, as an “unusually sensitive editor, which was about spontaneous creation— with an almost ‘selfless’ quality somebody would have an idea and then when it comes to bringing out his someone else would expand on it – as TV writers’ voices.” writers do for shows – but much more ‘lit- erary.’ It was all a lot of fun.” Wan smile again. *** Avenue, tambourine & guitar music seemed into it.” Lingeman was answering awkward When Monocle proved unsustainable as to gladden the edges of consciousness. e-mail probes about why he’d chosen the a way to earn a living, Lingeman, who’d Warhol was running The Factory, the non- scholarly, exhaustive forms his four big been freelancing for the Times anyway as fiction novel was cranking up, The Lion’s books took—Don’t You Know There’s a War a reviewer and writer of features for the Head, Odeon and an uptown bar called On? (Putnam’s, 1971), about the home Sunday Magazine, went uptown for nine Elaine’s were all metamorphosing. Lehmann- front, 1941-45; Small Town America years (1969). He wrote a weekly bookchat Haupt, who still teaches writing and works (Putnam’s, 1981), a history, 1620 to the column for the Sunday Times, “Book Ends,” for the Times, sighs and laughs: “We weren’t present; Gates and Journey, the Dreiser frequent daily and Sunday reviews, and kids but we were young, and the times they epics; and Sinclair Lewis: Rebel From Main magazine pieces. The job was prestigious were a-changing, to recoin a phrase. . . I Street, (Random House, 2002). “I had a and paid well, and allowed him and wife remember that Natalie loved Richard, he was good agent, Lynn Nesbit, just starting out Anthea Nicholson, a British graphic design- so funny and perceptive and dry—complete- then, and she set me up with Harvey er whom he’d met and married in 1965 ly unaggressive but penetrating . . . I recall Ginsberg at Putnam’s, who wanted a book while working on the Outsider’s Newsletter during one Sunday, Lingeman had staggered on the WWII years . . . It was one of my (a weekly addendum to the eccentrically- off somewhere to ‘sleep,’ we’d been hitting most vivid boyhood memories, so I did it— scheduled Monocle), to get an apartment the various bottles pretty well, and simple as that. I wrote Small Town America uptown, in the West 90s. Wakefield, Natalie and myself were urgent- because I’d always felt inferior coming from This was a huge improvement over the ly arguing about some line from Ring a small town [he was thinking of Lewis at shared digs he and Christopher Lehmann- Lardner Jr., one of Richard’s favorite authors, Yale, and his own days at Yale Law, where Haupt had been living in on West 13th the kicker of some scene that we all remem- the William F. Buckley-slightly-honking- Street in Greenwich Village. Lehmann- bered differently: ‘No!’Dan said, ‘Nooo, that accents and attention to hairstyles and

46 Haverford Magazine footwear were practically Oxfordian]. do with patrolling the streets of the Bowery who can hear your voice, and have the abil- Earlier, when I was at Haverford, too, and the Five Points [the intersection of ity to help you perfect it today . . . In fact, among the suave preppies—or so they Park, Worth and Baxter Streets, present site you have to protect yourself from techy illit- seemed to my untutored eye—I guess [this of Foley Square, the hellish center of what erates—this doesn’t apply to my editors, of feeling was nascent].” For that reason, was, in the 19th century, a lower Manhattan course, they’re all sweethearts . . .” Putnam’s editor Phyllis Grann proposed paradigm for the evils of capitalism, a Kitman makes a point of separating Theodore Dreiser, at which he leapt. dumping ground for Irish, Italian, Jewish himself from the principals of Lingeman’s It took him nine years, however, to com- and Slavic immigrants, completely unpre- old Monocle crowd—“All Yaale and Haw- plete this forensic examination of Dreiser’s pared for lives in the quintessential mod- vud types,” he pronounces. “Navasky was hard life and terrible struggle—surely the ern city]. Dreiser would walk those streets a guy with a pedigree. But I was from City most fraught career of any serious American with his various female companions and College of New York—which I have to tell writer, with the possible exceptions of positively become charged, laden with you was a tougher school intellectually than Melville and Poe. Sister Carrie , Dreiser’s first empathy and inspiration . . . I hung around some of those silver-spoon places . . .” great “woman’s novel,” was bought and then with Victor, and Lehmann-Haupt, and Ed Navasky went to Swarthmore, Kitman savagely cut by its original publisher, then Sorel . . . a much headier scene.” thought (he did), and of course “Richard was a Have-a-fud man.” Kitman used to exaggerate a Brooklynese way of talking, just to make the Monocle ‘Oracles’ sweat in their martinis . . . Some kind of old English propriety operating there, he thought, that “always made you feel they wrote their pieces buttoned up in suits and ties . . . Lehmann-Haupt—a really funny guy.” This was true of everyone but Trillin: “He’s ea pur performer. He talks in that same, gentle- manly, privileged-but-droll-about-it-way that sends everything up”—especially the delicate filigree of status . . . “When you talk to him, it’s like reading one of his pieces. “Many times I’d come in, I’d have a half- assed idea, and Richard would conjure and wrinkle his brow a little, and later he’d show me a better worked-out wording with suppressed , an author’s worst nightmare. *** a beginning middle and end, and I’d get Dreiser despaired, and came close to a nerv- Both Marvin Kitman and Edward Sorel credit.” ous breakdown, as had characters in Sister describe Lingeman as an unusually sensi- “Oh, he’s giving me too much glory,” Carrie and Jennie Gerhardt, his second novel. tive editor, with an almost “selfless” qual- Lingeman returns, modestly. “Editors plant Dreiser, who worked as a hack reporter for ity when it comes to bringing out his writ- seeds with good writers. Major surgery is papers around the Midwest but longed after ers’ voices. It’s a unique talent today and reserved for not-such-good-writers, and we artistry, roused some feeling in Lingeman continues a long line of editorial sensibili- didn’t have many of those around Monocle, that resonates today, though he won’t dwell ty—a few years back you could find The Nation, or the Times.” on it, and doesn’t believe in analyzing too Maxwell Perkins [Scribners]; or Burroughs Among those writers Lingeman worked much: “Oh, I think I meant we were both Mitchell [Scribners]; Willie Morris with at The Nation was Christopher from Indiana and both came from a [Harper’s]; Carey McWilliams [The Nation Hitchens, the Tom Stoppard of present-day German-American heritage, or maybe I was – Hunter Thompson’s editor on the original Vanity Fair, the “Charlie Rose Show” and thinking about his early shyness, and later magazine story that grew into Hell’s Angels]; cable TV (current book, God is Not Great). in life his anxieties, and search for a loving Dan Wolf [old Village Voice], or Diane A Brit of quicksilver wit and copious learn- universe . . .” Fischer [old Village Voice]; Harold Hayes ing, whose mental processes are so accel- But on some level, weren’t Lingeman's [Esquire]; Gordon Lish [Knopf]; Jack erated that he must apply the brakes when own career choices dictated by expedien- Nessle [New York]; Alan Halpern, being interviewed by what he may consid- cy, too? Philadelphia Magazine. Kitman, who is still er more ordinary mortals – Marty Moss- “Oh, I don’t think we can go there, prof- high off his latest book on Bill O’Reilly (The Coane, say, of “Radio Times”—where one itably,” Lingeman replied. “And anyway, Man Who Would Not Shut Up, St. Martins), can see him reluctantly settling down into my early days in New York City had little to says: “You don’t have editors like Richard, an intellectual backdraft, like a fast ciga-

Winter 2008 47 Dances with Words

rette boat with its engines abruptly cut: lic spaces, at times. But even when verbal “There’s a lot below the surface that has “I’ve always admired Christopher,” action occurs, talking is done diffidently, to do with being from the small town Lingeman says. “He always filed his copy with real circumspection, so as not to unbal- Midwest,” Lehmann-Haupt offers. “I mean ahead of time and in pristine shape – the ance the group identity that Quaker sensi- for all the years he’s lived in New York City, most thorough professional I think I’ve had bility favors. (This is all complicated by the I don’t know that he’s ever got used to it. the honor of working with,” he asserts. “He fact that Lingeman is not a Quaker, more a Of course he’s a New Yorker, but he does- is a master provocateur, great writer and fallen-away Methodist, who has troubles of n’t act or think like a New Yorker—which formidable debater and polemicist . . . He his own with Quakerism as a religion, is what? A little peremptory? Quickness eventually ran afoul of the liberal thinking though he admires some of its beliefs.) that seems rude in other parts of the coun- here [Nation], around the time of 9/11 and Anyway, I asked his friends if Lingeman’s try? A certain assumed privilege that verges the invasion of Iraq,” but by then someone reticence enabled him as an editor while on the ruthless? That’s just not him. He’s else was editing Hitchens. “His position limiting him as a writer? Was he attracted to an old-fashioned man of letters.” was a principled one: He felt the editors, Haverford in part because it embodies ret- “We got Richard on at Monocle because writers and readers of The Nation were icence as a virtue—or to Navasky because of he was smart and talented, mature for his blaming the World Trade Center disaster Navasky’s natural dominance? years—maybe from his experience in Army on long-time American foreign policy and “Navasky sort of formed Richard’s career, intelligence,” Victor Navasky remarks, multinational business activity, instead of through his Machiavellian, entrepreneurial, somewhat gruffly. “We brought him back on ‘Islamo-Fascism’—a term he coined, by guy-with-the-big-rolodex personality,” from the Times to The Nation [1978] after the way, and which Bush later took up . . . Marvin Kitman offers, “though I don’t think I took over, because he was ready for a I always thought his objections to The Nation’s opposition to impeaching Clinton and to the Iraq invasion were deeply flawed, by the way . . . and so he resigned [from Calvin Trillin on Lingeman: “He’s a The Nation].” pure performer. He talks in that “Did he have to do it quite so publicly?” same, gentlemanly, privileged-but- I asked Lingeman. (Hitchens’ resignation droll-about-it-way that sends every- was headlined and televised.) “And at a thing up—especially the delicate time when the whole country was swinging filigree of status…“; “I was very right, fanned by the major media’s unal- happy to land at The Nation,” says loyed acceptance of the Wolfowitz/ Lingeman (far right, with Victor Perle/Rumsfeld/Cheney/Rove/Bush school Navasky). of geopolitics, with its manifest faith in WMD, a Saddam Hussein/Bin Laden col- lusion (at least in the public mind), and America’s right to impose democracy, espe- cially on oil-rich locales? The infantilizing of American popular thought? No hint of provocative personal opportunism there?” that has much to do with Haverford. I mean change, and because I’d arranged to match “It’s a question you should put to [Navasky] gets people into networks sort of, his salary. As to why he decided to come, Christopher,” Lingeman says, loyally and and uses them – all benignly, I’m sure . . .” you’ll have to ask him. What? Which of adroitly. “I thought [his reasons for resign- “Yes, there was something of the ‘organ- his books do I like best? I like ‘em all, son. ing] were absolutely sincere. And that this izer,’ shall we put it, about Victor’s man- We done?” story was about me?” ner,” agrees Christopher Lehmann-Haupt. *** *** “Richard is enormously talented and moti- As it turns out, Lingeman left the And so it is. I thought I’d use the goad vated and steady, and Victor recognized Times for several reasons. He’d been of Hitchens to crack through the formalism that, though I’m not suggesting he was passed over for a better job—daily review- a little. But the trouble is Lingeman’s natu- manipulated . . .” er—losing out to then-managing editor ral reticence, a most Haverfordian quality “I don’t think you could say he held Arthur Gelb’s protégé Anatole Broyard. that was reinforced on Founders Green. Richard against his best interests or any- He and the late Walter Clemons had been Talking about oneself somehow goes against thing,” says Edward Sorel. “There’s some- vying for the powerful position, but were Quaker notions of modesty—the “Moved thing in [Lingeman] that’s willing to be a both rejected by the late executive editor, to Speak” element at Quaker Meetings, for little grey—to use an art director’s term— Abe Rosenthal, in typical fashion. example, where no one assumes promi- but he’s rather hard to know naturally. I Rosenthal, a short bulldog, called nence until somebody is moved to say don’t think you can ascribe that to ‘influ- Lingeman into his office and told him something—eventuating in great blank pub- ence.’ Anyway,I don’t envy you your task.” with some satisfaction that he ‘just wasn’t

48 Haverford Magazine up to the job.’ His eyes sparkled as he pro- for George Horace Lorimar’s Saturday At this point, Wharton cut in: ‘Oh, please, nounced sentence. With Clemons, the Evening Post, a magazine that relentlessly do ask him where the King’s Road is.’ reason was widely believed to be his sex- sold the American Dream—as, say, Rolling ‘Ah –? The King’s Road? Just so! Quite ual persuasion—there was still some Stone, in its “Fear & Loathing” era, relent- right! Can you, as a matter of fact, my good homophobia at the Times in the 70s. “I lessly sold its obverse, the book paints Red man, tell us where, in relation to our present thought Clemons was better qualified for as a neurotic writing machine, revved like position, the King’s Road exactly is?’ the job than I was,” Lingeman recalls, and a motorcycle by the forces that moved him ‘Yer in it,’ replied the ancient.” told him so. against American pieties, were fueled by Maybe the best critique of James’s wordy Then there was the elimination of rebellion against his own hackdom. style on record. Lingeman’s “Book Ends” column, with- Lingeman shows that his break with He renders the relentless egotism that out warning, after he’d participated in a Lorimar was a kind of cliff-jumping, forc- both drove Ernest Hemingway to write 1977 newspaper strike: “I felt at the time ing out his greatest art, and also his darkest superlatively and dominate all those close that that may have had something to do insecurity, self-medicated by binge-drink- to him, with a dark humor suggestive of with it, but of course it’s unprovable.” ing, and landing him at last in Rome, wife- both Balzac and Anatole France. His wise More important was his growing impa- less and foolish, the prey of charlatans. One descriptions of the mutual attraction and tience with the Times’ institutional liber- of the best descriptions of the creative repulsion of Dreiser and H.L. Mencken, alism, somewhat right of Lingeman’s own process written in the U.S. turning on the former’s need for transcen- political and cultural beliefs, and its In his more recent book, Double Lives dent beauty, and the latter’s Hitchens-like Byzantine office politics: “When Victor (Random House, 2006), about writers’ insistence on chilly rationalism and a sense of how to play the literary game, are as funny as Charlie Chaplin. Asked to sum up his friend, Lingeman’s old colleague Calvin Trillin rendered a few quotes, then called back to read this poem, which he said he felt did a better job: “Unsticking sticky academic prose, He was the man the God of Lefties chose To rework all the dross that we create Into the words that [Martin] Peretz loves to hate. The muse, I guess, thought Richard was content To straighten out the words that others bent. And then our Richard really did surprise her: He wrote the final word on Teddy Dreiser.”

was able to match my salary, there was friendships, the early Monocle Lingeman really no question,” he says now. “I was gets resurrected. He delights in the mild- very happy to land at The Nation.” ly scurrilous sex gossip involving Edith Navasky as a friend, and Katrina van- Wharton, bisexual journalist Morton den Heuvel, the current editor and pub- Fullerton, and Henry James, and doesn’t lisher, as a sympathetic boss, have afforded refrain from showing James as a bookish Lingeman time to work on his major opus- old man, fecklessly seeking road direc- es: Rebel from Main Street, the Sinclair Lewis tions from an aged, dead-practical peas- book, clearly shows the calming influence ant in Sussex: of security, being 554 pages, but not “‘My good man, if you’ll be good enough to Ferberish or Michener-esque, as the two- come here, please, a little nearer – so. My volume Dreisers were, and painting “Red” friend, to put it to you in two words, this Lewis more intimately and novelistically. lady[Wharton] and I, have just arrived here From the first frozen day of his homecom- from Slough; that is to say, to be more strict- ing funeral in Sauk Center, Minnesota ly accurate, we have recently passed through [1951]; through his brief, collegiate reli- Slough on our way here, having actually gious fanaticism; to his rebellion against motored to Windsor from Rye, our point of the hackish heights he’d reached working departure . . .’

Winter 2008 49 50 Haverford Magazine T he Haverford Emerson Era Begins

By Caroline O ’Halloran

On October 7 at 3 p.m., with a record crowd of well-wishers bearing witness, Dr. Stephen Gould Emerson ’74, officially and with great fanfare, came home to Haverford. In truth, he’d been returning to campus for years. With a job at Penn and a home on the Main Line, Steve had become an almost fanatical fixture at Haverford basketball, soccer and lacrosse games, so vocal he’d risked getting tossed by the refs on more than one occasion. He was a regular, too, at reunions and alumni gatherings, talking up the college with gusto to all who would listen. He’d think nothing of dialing up one of his old professors or find- ing time to befriend a new one. (Five years ago, in fact, he had arranged for his son, then a high school senior, to take one of Aryeh Kosman’s philosophy classes.) And barely a Sunday passed when he couldn’t be spotted dashing around the Duck Pond or lapping Walton track, tuning up for half-marathons. Truly, in the more than three decades since his graduation, Dr. Stephen Emerson had remained a most loyal son of Haverford College.

Winter 2008 51 Emerson Era Begins “Steve understands the best parts of Haverford and the traditions of nals; and he had just been tapped to direct Blanchard and his bride, Beatrice, lived in Haverford, but more importantly, he a pioneering stem cell institute at Penn. Manhattan’s Stuyvesant Village, where understands the potential of Haverford. In his early 50s and at the peak of his pro- Blanchard would practice general dentistry He understands where we could go, fession, he had no reason to change and orthodontia until his death in 1983. what we could be, how we could real- course. Or did he? Shortly after their first child was born, ly cement our place as one of the top, The story of Steve Emerson is decided- the couple moved to the prosperous sub- if not the very top, liberal arts educa- ly unconventional. It is a story punctuated urb of Great Neck, lured by the easy com- tional institutions in the country.” with quirky passions and unique roads mute and outstanding public schools. Like —Barry Zubrow ’75, Board of taken. It is a story of a man ruled, in equal most women of her day, Beatrice Emerson, Managers co-chair measure, by his heart and his intellect. a Columbia University graduate with a And, fundamentally, it is a story about degree in social work, opted to stay home Haverford College. with her sons, Ronald (now a pediatric Just 15 years before Haverford entered neurologist at Columbia Presbyterian and forever changed his life, Steve was Hospital) and Stephen, who was three born on Long Island, N.Y., the son of sec- years younger. ond-generation Russian Jewish immi- Despite the family’s many gifts, there grants. Indeed, the Emerson family name was neither arrogance nor a sense of enti- was the more ethnic-sounding “Gold” tlement in the Emerson household. “My until 1937 when Steve’s grandfather, dad didn’t want us to be spoiled brats. He despairing over his lackluster paper busi- wanted us to get a good education, but ness, dispatched his 17-year-old son to he didn’t like the idea of having my broth- the local authorities. His instructions were er and I grow up in an affluent suburb. vague: Have the family name changed to He’d say you two didn’t earn this; this is “something more American.” The eyes of an accident of birth. Your mother and I young Blanchard Gold fell upon an work hard.” The last time Steve took part in a cer- Emerson radio on a nearby table, and a Steve recalls a happy childhood, con- emony at Haverford he was a Phi Beta surname was born. sumed by twin passions: sports and num- Kappa 20-year-old double degree candi- Blanchard Emerson was a New York bers. “I drove my mother nuts throwing date who had garnered rare summa cum University-trained dentist and World War balls around the house. I’d use the stair- laude honors and an esteemed academic II veteran, “a big bear of a man with a heart case in our split-level as my backboard for prize. Since then, he had received an as big as the Empire State Building…who practicing… When I was around seven, I M.D./Ph. D. from Yale, taught medicine pulled himself up from his bootstraps and got caught up in the Mickey Mantle/Roger at Harvard, Michigan and Penn and made a fabulous home and living for his Maris homerun race and I was cemented as founded a biotech company. His hema- family,” remembers Roberto Rivera-Soto a sports fan. A few years later, Bill Bradley tology/oncology practice and his stem cell ’74, Associate Justice of the New Jersey caught my imagination because he was the laboratory were renowned; his research Supreme Court and one of Steve’s closest ultimate scholar-athlete, a Rhodes schol- had appeared in leading scientific jour- friends. In the early post-war days, ar from Princeton who also played for the

1. Hero from history: Winston Churchill 2. Movie(s) that moved you: Do the R 20 Q&A time around: Niccolo Rising by Dorothy Dunnett 4. Guilty pleasure: Sudoku ( with Steve Emerson about the American educational system: Mandarin and computer code offered ubiquitously 8. Most memorable sports moment: Scoring a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach, in the dark disease 10. TV show worth watching: “House” 11. Excluding your current and prior positions, your dream job: that the guidebooks and admissions office don’t tell you: IHOP is right around the corner and is open very late would it be and in what position? See #11 14. Favorite vacation destination: for all Haverfordians: Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy 16. No one should graduate from Haverford without… figure you most admire: Al Gore 18. In heavy rotation on your I-pod/CD changer: Indigo Girls tunes 19. Favorite source of news/information/commentary: Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert

52 Haverford Magazine “He’s just a gem, the kind of guy who can put anyone at ease. As a student he had a wide circle of friends: chemistry and phi- losophy majors, lacrosse majors, music lovers. Today, he can sit down in a room full of truckers or a room full of Ph.D.s and be equally comfortable… He has the expe- rience, the personality, the love of the col- lege—it’s a perfect fit.” —George Till ’74 HP ’08, Burlington, Vt. obstetrician-gynecologist, lacrosse teammate and friend

Knicks. I remember spending lot of time, But I was cut. I immediately went up to a great soccer player. I hear you’re a great for $1.50 a ticket, in the blue deck of Coach Hess, who also happened to be my swimmer…go swim.’” Madison Square Garden.” soccer coach (I was our starting left wing Steve never did join the swim team, but It was Steve’s obsession with basket- and leading scorer), and I said, ‘Coach, he never forgot Coach Hess’ candor. “It was ball that led to what he considers perhaps what can I work on over the summer? a really good lesson for me in terms of edu- the most formative experience of his What can I do so I make the team next cation. I learned that it was O.K. to be real- youth. “I played in local basketball year?’ And he said, ‘What you can do is istic and tell people the score about the leagues and I desperately wanted to play give up. You are not, and will never be, a world…because not everybody can dance, for Great Neck South High School’s team. basketball player—you’re too slow to be but everybody has things to give. It wasn’t I worked incredibly hard in preparation a guard and you’re not tall enough to be that he was telling me I was hopeless, it for tryouts and thought I performed well. a forward. It’s not going to happen. You’re was just that my talents lay elsewhere.”

Right Thing, Manhattan, Casablanca, Meatballs 3. Book that’s a better read the second (super-fiendish) 5. Best Haverford hideaway: Rufus Jones’ study 6. One thing you would change ubiquitously 7. Song you’re most likely to sing in the shower: “Sometimes” by Jonathan Edwards t Pebble Beach, in the dark 9. Chronic disease(s) most likely to be cured in your lifetime: Peptic ulcer and prior positions, your dream job: Point guard for the NY Knicks 12. Something about Haverford the corner and is open very late 13. If you could play on any professional sports team, which one : Anywhere with my son Blake and/or my daughter Abby 15. Book that should be required reading e should graduate from Haverford without…taking courses at Bryn Mawr 17. Contemporary world D changer: Poco, Deliverin’ ; Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall; and my daughter Abby’s mix of n Stewart and Stephen Colbert 20. Your personal credo in ten words or less: “Rest when you get there.”

Winter 2008 53 Emerson Era Begins It was the early ’70s; Haverford’s social and academic exchange with Bryn Mawr was in full flower…“I spent a lot of time…talking with my best friends about what was important in life, about the Vietnam War, about where the world was going.”

Foundation in the wake of Sputnik.” He some big place. We wanted a place with a spent six weeks at San Diego State family feel.” University immersed in intense, college- Early that fall, Steve and his father level abstract algebra, geometry and com- embarked on “the small college tour as puter programming. “It was nirvana. I was well as the usual Ivies tour.” They were living in a dorm full of 15-, 16- and 17-year- instantly smitten with Haverford. “I old boys and girls who all liked science. It thought the undergraduate focus—the was 1969 so we listened to Judy Collins, fact that the smartest professors would the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Beach be teaching me as a freshman—was Boys, and we did nerdy things—we learned remarkable. And the curriculum in the to give each other backrubs, we played areas I cared about at the time—math, bridge, we went to the beach, we disobeyed physics and astronomy—was more Among those copious talents, a preco- all the rules, we just had a total ball.” advanced at Haverford than at any other cious facility with numbers had emerged When his charged-up son returned to place I’d visited. It looked like Caltech’s, first. “I discovered math when I was five. I Great Neck, it was obvious to Blanchard only better.” just loved numbers—they seemed to be that Steve shouldn’t be forced to spend any the underlying fabric of the world. I knew more time in high school than was neces- the batting average of every player—before sary. “Sure you could stay here and take “For as long as I can remember, Steve it was in books.” While Steve calls himself all these AP courses,” his father had said, has loved everything about Haverford. “a math nerd,” his mother remembers an “but why would you want to do that when It would get to the point where I’d say, unusually mature, athletic kid with plen- you could go to college and be taught by ‘O.K. that’s enough. I don’t want to hear ty of friends, “who, if he had nothing else real professors?” about Haverford’s field hockey team any to do, could sit in a corner and read the Steve was an easy sell. “The idea of more’… Steve is incredibly energetic, encyclopedia and be happy.” When a going off to college was in no way daunting has fantastic people skills, is a creative teacher, sensing his boredom with tradi- to me… I don’t know how to say this with- outside-the-box guy, and genuinely tional literature in junior high, directed out sounding wacko, but I felt as adult and cares about education and people…He him to the science fiction shelf, his infatu- mature at 15 as I did at five—I just read was clearly looking for a new challenge, ation with mathematics spilled over into more stuff.” Because he skipped senior year but he wasn’t going to walk away [from physics and chemistry. He put aside his and never fulfilled graduation requirements, Penn] for the sake of doing something beloved Marvel comic books in favor of Steve never received a Great Neck South different. It had to be something spe- Bradbury and Asimov, eventually clearing diploma. “I dropped out of high school in cial.” out the science fiction shelves in the Great part because I had learned one of the —Laurence Turka, Neck public libraries. important rules of life. You know how they Penn colleague, 20-year friend School had always been a breeze for say ‘by permission of instructor’? If you Steve, his homework accomplished in no want something, you ask.” time. At one point in early high school, his While his guidance counselors suggest- mother became so concerned about his ed Harvard, MIT, Caltech or Yale, his father apparent lack of effort that she went to had other ideas. One of his patients, the school to confront his teachers. “I asked dean of New York University’s business them if he was doing O.K. because he school, had suggested to Blanchard that never did any homework, and they said, his gifted son might be best served by a ‘Are you kidding? He’s fantastic. He’s the small liberal arts school, and said he knew best we have!’” just the place. Had he, by any chance, A seminal experience came after 10th heard of Haverford College? grade, when Steve was accepted into what Beatrice seconded the suggestion. “He he calls “one of those summer science nerd was so young – just 15 – and applying to camps sponsored by the National Science college. I didn’t want him to get lost in

54 Haverford Magazine Emerson on Philosophy Professor flower and students on both campuses were passionately engaged in the issues of the Richard Bernstein: day. “I spent a lot of time – hours over ping- “I remember walking out pong tables at three in the morning – talk- ing with my best friends about what was of that first class my important in life, about the Vietnam War, about where the world was going.” sophomore year and my Steve recalls a pivotal conversation in jaw hitting the floor. I the living room of a Bryn Mawr dorm. “We were sitting around and my suitemate’s said, ‘Oh my God, what girlfriend, Debby, asked, ‘Isn’t it true that just happened?’” philosophy is the queen of the sciences?’ I was shocked and only a little outraged as only a 17-year-old can be because I had That November, before he even sat for on a completely unexpected career path. known from the age of two that mathe- the college boards, Steve applied to For once, school was challenging. “I matics was the key to the universe. Haverford, Amherst, Swarthmore, Williams loved it here, but it was really hard. My Problem was, I didn't know what philoso- and Yale (which he still believes “offers the first three grades were D-minuses on phy was! I remembered something about best education in the Ivies”). The basket- French quizzes. My first grade in my best togas and Greece, but that was it.” ball coach who had rejected him wrote rap- subject, chemistry, was a 60. I remember Debby’s challenge prompted Steve to turous recommendations. He was accept- shooting baskets in the gym for five hours enroll in Richard Bernstein’s Introduction to ed everywhere. (He did eventually take the to calm down when I got that test back.” Philosophy class. “I remember walking out SATs, but did not receive a perfect score: Steve lived in Gummere Hall his first of that first class my sophomore year and “I did fine.”) year, spent the next four semesters at Bryn my jaw hitting the floor. I said, ‘Oh my While its stellar academics were his pri- Mawr’s Rhoads Hall (“for obvious social God, what just happened?’” He had been mary reason for choosing Haverford, the reasons”), then returned to campus senior transfixed by Bernstein’s passion and elo- Vietnam War also played a part. “All the year to share a Leeds Hall suite. It was the quence and the fundamental questions he campuses were in turmoil that spring, but early ’70s; Haverford’s social and academic was posing about truth and knowledge. Haverford was the only place where stu- exchange with Bryn Mawr was in full Steve vowed to spend as much time in phi- dents, faculty and staff were in losophy as he could, pursuing the disci- dialogue…This was in sharp contrast to pline with the same vigor with which he places like Harvard and Columbia where had devoured baseball stats, science fiction students were locking administrators in “I see a guy who’s not just a narrow sci- and astrophysics in years gone by. To this their offices...That spring, after the entist, not just an administrator. He’s day, Steve enjoys books on philosophy, logic Cambodian invasion, when the College someone who’s always questioning, and math theory the way most people curl closed and the entire campus took buses thinking deeply and working at issues. up with Newsweek or The New Yorker. down to Washington for teach-ins with It’s what his philosophy training has After those first wobbly weeks in the their congressmen to try to find out what done for him.” fall of 1970, Steve’s grades rebounded the hell was going on, well, that made an —Aryeh Kosman, quickly. He began taking a heavier-than- impression. It sounded like the right Retired Professor of Philosophy average course load (“I just liked taking response to me.” Steve didn’t fully appre- stuff”) and was eligible for graduation after ciate it at the time, but Haverford’s Quaker just six semesters. “But why would I want values of peaceful dialogue and honest to do that? I loved the place.” confrontation were at the core of that Thirty-three years later, friends and for- momentous outing. All he knew was that mer professors still marvel over Steve’s bril- he liked what he saw and heard about the liant undergraduate career. Dr. Bernstein, small school outside Philadelphia. He who has taught for more than 53 years, 23 informed his parents that he would enroll of them at Haverford, remembers Steve as at Haverford in the fall. “extraordinary” and puts him “in the top Very little about Steve Emerson’s four one percent of students I ever had.” Peter years at Haverford College went accord- Bowers ’74 says, “I always felt in awe of ing to plan. Stretched in every possible him. While I had to work really hard to direction, Steve would come to play a meet Haverford’s standards, it always wholly unfamiliar sport, discover a life- seemed that Steve had time to talk and do changing intellectual passion and embark fun things. His intellectual involvement

Winter 2008 55 Emerson Era Begins

“Ariel Loewy is the with a most provocative proposal. “‘Have reason I do what I do. you ever thought about biology?’ he asked me. ‘You know, cells are much He’s why I went into more interesting than stars and asteroids, because they’re alive. The science is just biomedical research.” as cool, but you do it on living systems. Why don’t you come work in my lab this picked up a book and knew it. The rest of summer?’ So I stayed at Haverford to us had to read it 10 times.” Rivera-Soto work in his lab, and I just loved it. I adds, “Steve was always the smartest guy in resolved to study the sciences I loved— the room. He would only study for two physics, chemistry and math—with the hours a week on Sunday afternoons—pro- intent of applying this research to prob- vided that Joe Namath wasn’t throwing the lems that might matter for people. Ariel football.” Steve downplays his success. “I Loewy is the reason I do what I do. He’s did well because I always did two things: I why I went into biomedical research.” went to class and I paid attention.” For Steve, all of Haverford was a learn- Debby wasn’t the only person to issue ing laboratory, with just as many experi- a weighty challenge to Steve that first ments unfolding outside classrooms as in was so wide-ranging, he excelled in every- spring. When Dr. Ariel Loewy, the them. Bridge became a regular diversion; in thing.” Longtime pal George Till ’74 has a acclaimed biology professor who had his senior year, he co-captained Haverford’s similar recollection. “With Steve, the study- taught Steve’s freshman writing seminar, team. And that first spring, he helped ing stopped early; there was always time learned of his course selections for soph- found the college’s first lacrosse team. “One for ping-pong or Star Trek.” Recalls Gary omore year, i.e. physics, math, philoso- day, my friends, who were football play- Gasper ’74: “He was one of those guys who phy and economics, he approached him ers, were out playing with these long

The Emerson Agenda (…in his words)

On academic enrichment…My first priority will be to get ter plan will be built around the academic enrichment plan. Both the FCAE (Faculty Committee on Academic Enrichment) plan proposals have to be truly outstanding so I can go to our donor detailed with both precision and sizzle. A proposal has been float- base and foundations and say, “Look, this is what we’re doing, ed to expand academic offerings and increase the time for stu- and it’s revolutionary. Please help us do it.” dent-faculty research by hiring at least 27 new faculty members. The paradigm is: Once a student walks into Haverford, you treat On expanding the student body…On the one hand, them like a scholar or you get them there. Sit in on one of Israel I can see that if we were larger, it would be harder to build com- Burshatin’s Spanish classes or Iruka Okeke’s biology classes and munity. On the other hand, because we’re small (in some senses, you’ll see great scholars being great teachers who involve students we’re smaller now than when I was a student because we co-min- in their scholarship…We need to emphasize depth over breadth. gled so completely with Bryn Mawr), we miss things in terms of I would like to see all of our departments ask themselves what are critical mass for the arts and diversity of views. I think, for the fore- the single most important issues and concepts in their fields and seeable future, we will not grow significantly. We need to build a how can we teach those and teach students to become creators financial resource base to achieve an Oxford-depth curriculum in of new knowledge…We have academic pockets here that are truly every department and to build the social and intellectual space scintillating. But there are some areas where we need to put more to support it…students cost much more than we charge in tuition. effort. The arts (visual and performing) is one of the key areas where we’re not yet where we are in biology…An underappreciated com- On financial aid…A huge priority. Like our peer institu- petitive virtue of Haverford is that rail lines can get us to Philadelphia tions, we put extraordinary burdens on families to come here, in 15 minutes. We should be doing more with leading cultural even though we are ‘need blind.’ Huge sacrifices are made, many institutions, for example. of our parents have to stop saving for retirement to send their kids here. Our mission is to train kids to go out and save the On the campus master plan…Architecture is very world; we don’t want our students to have to make career choic- important for interaction: where we put buildings, how many es based on financial determinants. If the college will let me and people, who we put where and with what neighbor. A steering the world will let me, I’ll go out and raise a lot of money for finan- committee is being formed and we’ve hired Venturi, Scott Brown cial aid—and for postgraduate fellowships so our kids can go out to be our architectural planning consultants. The campus mas- and choose careers that are service careers.

56 Haverford Magazine “Steve was not a particularly gifted athlete,” admits wooden sticks. I said, ‘What’s that?’ They his coach, former Athletic Director Dana Swan, with said, ‘It’s a game where it’s legal to hit peo- whom he is still close, “but he played with great ple with sticks.’ For most of us, the first college game we played in was the first energy and ambition and was a terrific teammate.” game we’d ever seen.” He played four years on the varsity squad and to this day holds the dubious Haverford record of having missed the most open shots on goal. “Steve was not a particularly gifted athlete,” admits his coach, former Athletic Director Dana Swan, with whom he is still close, “but he played with great energy and ambition and was a terrific teammate.” Indeed, his ardor for the sport continues today. He talks up the program with potential recruits, makes it his business to know every player on the current team roster, and never misses the annual Derby Day alumni game, which is capped off by mint juleps and barbecued steaks in Dana Swan’s backyard. Steve was elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year and graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in philosophy and

On college rankings…I take them seriously for two rea- On the Honor Code…It bestows three lifelong gifts. First, sons. One: They could be right—there might be some truth in it teaches you to be honest with yourself. It liberates you from what they’re saying that I need to pay attention to—it’s hubris worrying about failure. You have to rely on yourself, knowing it’s to assume otherwise. Two: Kids are so influenced by them. I don’t up to you to do your best job. Second, it’s great leadership train- want students for whom Haverford might be the right fit not to ing. People may have divergent beliefs, but you can always find come here because someone else has a higher number. We don’t common ground and you build upon it. (It’s the way I lead and I want to lose kids because someone is rated a few numbers ahead got it from Haverford.) Third, it teaches you to be respectfully of us. [Editor’s note: On Sept. 7, 2007, President Emerson and confrontational when you need to be. If someone or some group the presidents of 19 other highly selective liberal arts colleges is doing or saying something that you think is harmful to them signed a pledge to exclude mention of magazine rankings in their or to the community, you let them know.You say, ‘Look, this feels admissions literature and to provide data to guidebooks exclusive- wrong.’ ly through their websites. Haverford was ranked 10th among lib- eral arts colleges in U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges 2008.] On admissions…We’re always looking for a few good men and women here. In my case, Haverford was the happiest place, On Quaker influences…Its Quaker core—the search for the most unpressured. People take joy in the search for truth truth and compassion and respect for others—is what makes here. It always makes me wistful when I meet people who didn’t Haverford different and special. You find truth here by being your choose schools on that basis. They’d say, ‘I went there because it best social self, by digging deep, working hard and serving others… was a good education and a good degree to have had.’ (Certain Ivy League institutions who will remain nameless but whose first Haverford College is the academic institution most aligned with the initials are H and P spring to mind.)… Here’s the message I want Enlightenment. Jean Jacques Rousseau’s notion that there is a core to get out to kids everywhere: ‘If you want to come someplace of truth and light in every individual was the same principle that where you use academics to make your life shine and speak and guided George Fox when he founded Quakerism 100 years earli- go out into the world and make a difference, then Haverford is the er…Quakerism plays so comfortably in a modern climate (and peo- place for you.’ ple send their kids to Friends schools) because it’s fundamentally liberal (both universalistic and spiritual), and it’s deeply academic.

Winter 2008 57 Emerson Era Begins

chemistry, winning the George Pierce couple divorced amicably last year), and trainees working under him; investigate, Chemistry Prize. When he shopped grad- became a diehard Red Sox fan. get and keep grants for his research; and uate schools, his record at Haverford raised Steve launched his teaching career at care for patients…He transformed his eyebrows. “When I was interviewed for Harvard Medical School and then spent division from a small, little-known the joint M.D./Ph.D. program at Harvard eight years at the University of Michigan, department into one of the world’s lead- and M.I.T., they couldn’t quite believe my where he began his groundbreaking ing programs for the care of patients with transcript. ‘How could you have taken this research in stem cell biology. He found- lymphoma and leukemia…His lab has course on complex variables as a fresh- ed Aastrom Biosciences, an Ann Arbor made really important contributions to man?’ they asked. I said, ‘That’s the way biotechnology firm that still holds the understanding transplantation biology, we do it at Haverford.’” Still doubtful, they patent on one of Steve’s cancer break- which have been applied to bone mar- quizzed him on analytic functions and, to throughs—a technique that induces rare row as well as organ transplants.” their amazement, he was able to offer four bone marrow stem cells to replicate in Named a “Top Doc” in hematology complete definitions. laboratories. by Philadelphia Magazine in 2006, Steve Steve passed on Harvard for Yale, where He moved to the University of has served on the leadership councils of he received master’s degrees in molecular Pennsylvania in 1994 where he held distinguished medical societies and on biophysics and biochemistry in 1976, and three titles: the Francis C. Wood the editorial boards of leading scientif- in 1980, an M.D. and Ph.D. in cell biology Professor in Medicine, Pathology and ic journals in his field. And just last year, and immunology. “The program was Pediatrics, Chief of the Division of he was asked to take on a new chal- designed to train physician/scientists who Hematology/Oncology at the Abramson lenge—coordinating the creation of an would try to identify causes and cures of Cancer Center, and Associate Director interdisciplinary Institute for Stem Cell disease and apply [that knowledge] direct- for Clinical Translational Research. Biology at Penn. ly to their patients,” Steve explains. He did “Steve was the ultimate triple threat,” For Steve, every aspect of his work has his residency at Massachusetts General explains Abramson Cancer Director been gratifying. “In my own short career, Hospital, where he met Amy Broaddus, a Craig Thompson. “He had to run a we have actually discovered things in our nurse who would become his wife (the department with 59 physicians and 25 lab that have meant improved lives for “I discovered math when I was five. I just loved numbers—they seemed to be the underlying fabric of the world. I knew the batting average of every player— before it was in books.”

Great Neck South High School Math Team, 1970

58 Haverford Magazine my patients.” Diane Meredith, his admin- but would you consider it?’ I hesitated “It’s an extraordinary thing to be that istrative assistant for 13 years, misses her for just a second and said, ‘Sure, I’d con- accomplished and that unassuming. former boss. “He was fun, so smart and sider it, because Haverford’s the greatest He’s the perfect embodiment of all that efficient, but very human, too.” Meredith place there is for education. I think I’d is Quaker even though he is not. He’s once questioned Steve’s practice of direct- love to be considered and I think I’d do gentle and sweet-tempered; he’s always ing visitors to sit on a low leather sofa in a really good job.’ The caller continued, been so mature and, at the same time, his office while he chose a much higher ‘But your skill set isn’t, uh, the usual.’ I boyish…Steve is exactly the right per- chair. “Do you know how intimidating said, ‘Well, I haven’t been dean or son to be at the head of a college that that is?” she’d asked. From that day for- provost at a small college, but my career sees education as more than just cre- ward, he always insisted that guests sit in has been in academics and I currently dentialing kids so they can make mil- his chair and he took the sofa. “That run a faculty that is more than half the lions of dollars…I feel I’m always a bet- showed me he really cares about how size of Haverford’s, I built it myself, I ter person for having been with Steve.” people are feeling. He always wants them recruit and mentor faculty, fellows and —Rick Steele ’74, Seattle Pacific to be comfortable.” Many friends men- trainees. I teach undergraduate and grad- University theology professor, tion times when Steve would drop every- uate students in laboratory settings. I do classmate thing to call their sick relatives and a lot of institution building and fundrais- friends—complete strangers to him—to ing. So what I do here is different, but hash out cancer treatment options. it’s not that different.’” At the top of his game, Steve was con- Steve learned shortly after he hung up tent to finish out his career at Penn. But the phone that he had his old pal Roberto one day last year, a phone call changed Rivera-Soto to thank for his unexpected everything. A junior staffer from the nomination. “I just thought he would be executive search firm Isaacson, Miller perfect for the job. He’s searingly brilliant was on the line. Steve remembers the and the nicest human being you will meet conversation well. “She said, ‘Uh, this is all in one package.” (The two met fresh- sort of silly, but you’ve been nominated man year after Steve was head-butted in a know about the challenges we faced, what for the presidency of Haverford College. pickup soccer game. Roberto wrapped the students were like, how can we get I know you’re not the typical candidate, Steve’s bloodied head in his new t-shirt better? Then one day, he came in and and rushed him to the infirmary and the said, ‘Roberto’s done something complete- two have been fast friends ever since.) ly crazy, he’s put my name forward for the “The main thing students are begin- Among the first people Steve told of presidency.’ And I said, ‘Really. That’s ning to understand about Steve is that his candidacy were associate professors never going to happen. You’re like Tom he doesn’t want to just be a president Anita Isaacs (political science) and Tritton. There’s no way they’re going to who is a last resort for someone to talk Alexander Kitroeff (history). As was his hire another nice, white male scientist.’ to if they’re having a very serious prob- custom, Steve had stopped by their Old But I thought to myself, ‘That’s too bad; lem. He actually wants to be the friend Railroad Avenue home—the two are mar- he’d be great.’ And Steve said, ‘Yeah, it’s a of students. That’s why he has open ried—for a glass of water and conversa- crazy idea.’” office hours on the porch on Fridays— tion after one of his Sunday morning Shortly after Thomas Tritton announced he wants students to approach him and campus runs. Since they met at a his resignation in 2006, the college formed not see him tucked away in his office.” women’s soccer game some eight years a 20-member Presidential Search —Becca Varon ’10, prior, the three had talked almost exclu- Committee to be chaired by Howard Students’ Council co-secretary sively about education. In earlier days, Lutnick ’83, a top Haverford benefactor their discussions centered around their and Board of Managers vice-chair. The children’s school experiences (Natalie committee sought nominations from far Kitroeff, now a freshman at Princeton, and wide, hiring Isaacson, Miller to assist and Blake Emerson, a 2007 Williams with the screening process. Over the graduate, both attended nearby Friends course of nine months, hundreds of Central School; Abby Emerson, 16, dossiers were reviewed, dozens were seri- attends the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr.) ously considered, three finalists were invit- But in recent years, Steve had been ask- ed to interview with faculty and students ing more and more about Haverford. “It on campus, and in February 2007, Stephen wasn’t just that he had this interest in the G. Emerson was recommended to the sports teams, which was fanatical,” recalls Board of Managers. Isaacs, “but he would come and talk at While each committee member’s voice length about the College; he wanted to was heard, the voices of the five faculty

Winter 2008 59 Emerson Era Begins

“Steve has devoted his life to cutting edge research and will bring that that it was time to turn our attention to Steve a stellar academic, but he had enthusiasm to Haverford. His career is the rigors of the academic program,” proven himself to be a stellar manager of a testimony to what Haverford is all explains Provost Linda Bell, economics academics. People would tell us he was about…Those of us who know department chair and a member of the the best boss they had ever had.” Haverford know that we have some- search committee. “We were united Among those secretly rooting for Steve thing special here, and, as we seek to around the idea of finding someone with was Senior Executive Administrator Violet attract a diverse and outstanding pool a national and even international pres- Brown, who was assisting the committee. of applicants, it’s important to let the ence as a scholar who would be a role She had known him as an active and gen- world in on that. Steve sees an oppor- model for academic achievement.” Steve erous alumnus for eight years. “This was tunity for us to move to new levels of Emerson, she says, stood out from the a man who was totally committed to this prominence…he understands that we beginning. “When he came for his first institution. I told him to relax and be him- need to reach out to families that interview, he had a very relaxed manner, self with the committee…I asked him how aren’t ‘in the know’ about Haverford.” he was very confident, he had a sense of he’d react if he wasn’t chosen. He said, ‘If —Garry Jenkins ’92, the institution and he could define dis- I don’t get the job, I hope the best person Alumni Association president crete goals, opportunities and challenges does.’ I knew he wouldn’t hold a grudge. for the college.” He knows now he was the best choice.” His wide-ranging intellect most By all accounts, Steve has attacked his impressed Professor of Religion Anne new job with his customary zeal and sig- McGuire, a search committee member. nature stamina. His term technically “That he majored in philosophy as well began on July 1, but in April, he began as chemistry indicated to us that he was a working out of a small office in the base- thinking person sensitive to and attuned ment of Founders Hall. “He wasn’t even to the values of the humanities…Some on the payroll and he was already travel- people thought we were getting another ing for us,” says Violet Brown. “It was scientist – and Steve is certainly an incredible to me. He visited over 30 board accomplished researcher, has a great pub- lication record and is at the top of his field– but he also brings a deep apprecia- “Being a Haverfordian changes the tion for the humanities and the social sci- playing surface for him. He can talk to participants were perhaps most resonant. ences to Haverford.” alumni in a way that no one else can; Underpinning the search were the recom- Lutnick was struck by Steve’s long- he can connect to students and faculty mendations of the Faculty Committee on standing engagement in the life of the because he’s someone who’s been Academic Enrichment. The FCAE was College. “He was coming to sporting here, who was trained by us and who championing a plan to promote faculty events on campus on his own for years; considers the foundation of his intel- scholarship and student faculty collabo- he was questioning astronomy professor lectual scholarship to have been rative research in exchange for reduced Bruce Partridge about why certain math formed at Haverford…You can feel the classroom time. “We asked each candi- requirements for physics classes had been energy at Haverford today; change is date what they thought of the plan and relaxed. It impressed us that he was engag- creating enthusiasm and excitement.” Steve, above the others, was capable of ing Bruce in an intellectual debate two —Howard Lutnick ’83, understanding how it could make years before he was even a candidate.” Board of Managers vice chair, Haverford even better, how it could make For Catherine Koshland ’72, Board of search committee chair it the best research-imbued undergradu- Managers chair and ex-officio chair of the ate education in the country,” enthuses search committee, Steve was the ultimate Lutnick. “He was a leader with the intel- role model for students. “He embodied lectual gravitas who could challenge the in himself a lot of the things we want our faculty, who could inspire them, who could students to become, both in terms of their help them reach further… We had a jun- intellectual growth, their passion for ior faculty member on our committee, whatever it is they care about (in his case, Iruka Okeke, who was so inspired by Steve it was medicine and caring about people), that she recommended him even though and his value system, which is very res- she knew he would set the bar higher and onant with the values of the institution.” make it harder for her to get tenure.” Geddes Munson ’07, one of two stu- “There was a sense among the faculty dent members to serve on the commit- that a lot of attention had been given to tee, remembers how impressed he was by building and space in recent years and Steve’s management skills. “Not only was

60 Haverford Magazine “Of all the intellectual and brilliant peo- members, alums, donors and parents; he ple at Haverford, Steve was the most ting out of the office,” says Kannerstein, was going all over the country to intro- likeable and down-to-earth. He’s an who has worked under a handful of duce himself and to learn the ropes. He open-minded intellectual with a heart Haverford presidents. “Steve is a quick never tired of it.” and a soul. He listens without preju- study. He’s hit the ground running.” When athletes arrived for the fall pre- dice; he talks without insulting. And he His first Board of Managers meeting, season, their new president spent a day never got full of himself. His selection is held just hours before his October inau- sweating alongside them. He logged two the best thing to happen to Haverford guration, appears to have been a smash- miles with the men’s soccer team, endured College in recent history.” ing success. “There was a lot of energy, a fitness test with the women’s soccer —Gary Gasper ’74, creative excitement, the sense that we’re team, and practiced with the volleyball Consultant/expert witness, classmate off and running,” reports Koshland, the team. (A soccer player, unaware of Steve’s board’s vice-chair. Lutnick says the meet- position, only remembers his determina- ing was “shockingly forward-looking. He tion “to keep up with the old guy.”) Steve assured us he could take care of today and explains: “I know this sounds sappy, but tomorrow and is already focused on set- I believe sports teach heroism, that indi- ting and achieving long-term goals, mov- viduals on their own can work and ing forward with the master plan and get- achieve so much. I wanted our student ting all the stakeholders on board.” athletes to know how much I valued their Similar—and more dramatic—results were sacrifice, their heroism.” achieved at the December meeting where During Customs Week, “it was like he the Board approved a historic overhaul of was a freshman again,” reports the week’s the College’s financial aid policies. co-head, Natalie Wossene ’08. After the On that sultry Saturday in early Primal Scream, when students emerged October, before the speeches were deliv- from their traditional dips in the Duck ered and the champagne was poured, Pond, “Steve shook everyone’s hand, he “Rockin’ Fridays” for the rocking chairs Jennifer Boal ’85, Secretary of the even hugged someone. They were cov- he’s set out on Founders Hall porch.) “He Corporation, opened the inauguration ered in this nasty stuff and he didn’t care. talks to students on a level that connects of Haverford’s 13th president with I think if students had asked, he would with them,” reports Jeff Lichtstein ’08, a Sheenagh Pugh’s celebrated poem, have jumped in with them.” For the pres- student representative on the inaugura- “Sometimes.” For those in the crowd For those in the crowd who had known their new leader for years, who understood his abiding passion for the college and his fierce yearning to make it even better, the poem’s eighth line rang especially true: “Some men become what they were born for.” ident’s ceremonial opening of Dorm tion committee. “Students are looking for who had known their new leader for Olympics, “he was excited as a little boy,” more parity between departments, for a years, who understood his abiding pas- recalls Violet Brown. “I got him a new renewed commitment to the arts, for a sion for the college and his fierce yearn- wreath and torch and he insisted on run- new student center on a campus. We feel ing to make it even better, the poem’s ning barefoot because he said ‘sneakers he is hearing our concerns.” eighth line rang especially true: “Some just don’t look right with a toga.’” “Steve can walk across the campus men become what they were born for.” Since classes began in September, Steve and, because of his background, pick up Having made his mark on the wider says, “it’s been a 6 a.m. to midnight job, on 15 different things,” says Dean of the world, in the end, Steve Emerson had but it’s the best job in the world, the only College Greg Kannerstein ’63, who returned to his own backyard to become job I would have left Penn for.” His day believes Steve’s dualistic academic back- what he had been born for. Haverford is a whirl of meetings, speeches, planning ground is a metaphor for his approach to had summoned him home. memos, e-mails and phone calls. And if the presidency: His philosophy training a Haverford team is taking the field that keeps him attuned to the big picture and afternoon, chances are the new president the scientist in him looks for creative, effi- is somewhere on the sidelines. On Friday cient solutions to discrete issues. “Others afternoons, he invites students to drop have paid lip service to the idea of ‘man- by his office to share their concerns. agement by walking around,’ but when (They’ve unofficially been dubbed they get here, they have a hard time get-

Winter 2008 61

The tragedy of Darfur, Sudan, is now well-known. Douglas Johnson '71 has devoted much of his life to understanding—and ending—another Sudanese conflict that was in the news so long it ceased to be news at all.

By Douglas Johnson ’71 BEFORE DARFUR MALAKAL, SUDAN. The Nile cut straight through the flat gray clay plain here, with lit- tle vegetation, aside from palm trees, on either side. A long strip of whitewashed single story brick houses, the roofs of corrugat- ed zinc, ran parallel to the river. It was 1983 and the town, laid out in rectangular blocks by the British before the First World War, still had a colonial feel with its different quarters: the official res- idences close to the government offices, the merchant quarter near the market, the civilian quarter beyond that, and on the southern outskirts the old “native village.” Arab merchants in ankle length white jallabiyas; civil servants from all over the country in shirts and trousers or safari suits; the resident Greek shop keepers, father and son (sometimes still sporting sun helmets); people from the surrounding countryside wearing an assortment of “Arab” and “Western” clothing in bright colours or patterned prints. “Africa begins at Malakal,” the British used to say. But for me this May in Malakal would mark a different sort of beginning: the start of yet another Sudanese civil war. I would not return to this town for twenty-five years, at which time I’d wonder whether I was helping to end one war, or start yet another. ***

SUDAN: Winter 2008 65 Sudan: Before Darfur

I had come to Malakal with my family to let us all know that, whatever the Jim Beam and Minefields on a records collecting trip as part of my rebels in the bush might say, the army It was in 1991, in one of the last spasms job as Assistant Director for Archives in was in control here. of the Cold War, when the Sudanese the Southern Regional Government in War escalated quickly. Within two refugees in Ethiopia suddenly returned en Juba. The peace agreement that had weeks the central government abrogat- masse after the fall of the Marxist regime. brought the first civil war to an end in ed the 1972 peace agreement and abol- I was part of an ad hoc, and completely 1972 had been under increasing strain as ished the Southern Regional Government inadequate, air drop operation trying to the central government in Khartoum edged (my employer). In September it intro- feed some 100,000 returnees around the closer to becoming an Islamic state and duced Islamic law by presidential decree. town of Nasir, on the river Sobat. I was manoeuvred to take full control of the By this time a full-fledged guerrilla move- assigned the task of “drop zone co-ordi- country’s newly discovered oil deposits, ment, the Sudan People’s Liberation nator” as, with my mid-western back- most of which were in the non-Muslim Movement/Army (SPLM/A), had formed ground, I was the only one of an interna- Southern Sudan. Conflict had been esca- in neighbouring Marxist Ethiopia and tional crew who could understand and lating in many parts of the country. By the the Sudan’s civil war became inextrica- communicate in the “good ole boy” lan- beginning of 1983 almost everyone in the bly bound up in the Cold War. The war guage spoken by the American pilots of Sudan expected a renewal of civil war— was to last for twenty-two years. nearly everyone except the U.S. embassy, which backed Khartoum with military, eco- The Grass Curtain nomic and political support. It certainly African independence was a big news became clear to me that war was coming story when I was a teenager in the early when I met the town’s last Greek merchant ’60s. The civil war in the Sudan was under- in the province headquarters paying up reported and I first became aware of it his business profits tax and preparing to when reading a Newsweek article about leave. Greeks such as Paris had been in massacres in 1965. I did not understand Malakal through every previous upheaval why Biafra attracted so much internation- (both global and local), and if they were al attention while there seemed to be a con- leaving, then something dire really was spiracy of silence about the Sudan. It was about to happen. sometimes called the “forgotten war,” and When a garrison of Southern Sudanese Southern Sudanese complained that it was soldiers mutinied in the town of Bor, being hidden behind a “Grass Curtain.” more than 200 miles to the south, This was probably the motivation that led Malakal became like a ghost town, with me to investigate it further, and at people keeping off the streets in antici- Haverford I was able to do so, spending pation of renewed civil war. We were tem- part of my junior year at Makerere porarily stranded, and with nothing much University College in Uganda, where some to do but wait on events, I would take my of my fellow students were Sudanese Above: Johnson as “drop zone children, then four and two, down to the refugees and I met various exiled political coordinator” in Nasir, 1991. Nile in the cool of the evening to stand leaders. Opposite page, top: In 1981, an archivist on a bit of sandy shore and watch the hip- The role of historians in war is usu- at work in Southern Sudan. pos. The largest animal I had ever seen ally to chronicle events, to search for and Opposite page, bottom: Destruction and in the creeks of Missouri where I grew up explain causes. It is rare that they have a reconstruction in Ayod after the was a snapping turtle, and my children chance to contribute to the search for Sudanese army burned it, 1990. knew nothing wilder than the swans who and construction of peace. My research floated along the Cherwell near our home up to 1983 followed pretty much a nor- in Oxford, so the hippos were a rare treat mal pattern of academic work, publish- for all of us. Less so for the locals who ing articles out of my thesis. After 1983 the Southern Air Transport C-130 (former kept a wary eye on them as they paddled it became increasingly involved in issues proprietor CIA). slowly past in their dugout canoes, hug- of war and peace. Each morning as the sun rose I would ging the shore. Yet in the way of war and peace in this be on the two-way radio with the air base But the real threat was not in the part of the world, my earlier work later some 350 miles away in Kenya to give a water, as we learned one day when sud- turned out to be relevant to the United weather report before the plane took off. denly two American-made jets of the Nations relief effort in the war zones, called I then spoke to the crew by radio as the Sudanese air force came whooshing low Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), and for plane neared the cleared “drop zone.” With along the length of the river-port town, seven years I worked on and off with var- its rear doors open the C-130 would tip buzzing us and the citizens of Malakal ious relief agencies. its nose up and slide its load of sorghum

66 Haverford Magazine sacks strapped to wooden pallets. The pal- For reasons that were never clear to us they think. Ultimately, this relief effort was lets and sacks invariably separated before declined all offers from the ground to tell always compromised by political pressure they landed in a quick succession of sharp them when they were dead on target. I met and never achieved the neutrality or impar- thumps. I then joined the rest of our team them later back in the Kenya base: all ex- tiality it claimed. on the field to sew up burst sacks with a U.S. Air Force, mostly overweight, prefer- And so when the opportunity came in needle and twine before they were carried ring Jim Beam to Johnnie Walker, and both- the mid-1990s for me to join a small aca- off and stored away. So much sorghum got ered by the (small) number of “skeeters” in demic publishing firm dedicated to releas- Kenya (which were ing books on Africa, I thought this was a nothing compared to the better way of applying my academic skills. vicious swarm of mos- I had just been part of the first review of quitoes we had to com- Operation Lifeline Sudan, and I became bat each evening in convinced that OLS could not succeed as Nasir). As it turned out a “neutral” relief effort, either in bringing the airdrop was mainly relief or in hastening peace. I was disap- cosmetic, since the U.N. pointed (though not very surprised) to could deliver only as find that the detailed area reports I had much food as Khartoum produced in 1990 had been completely allowed. Keeping Nasir lost in the system by 1996. No one knew on short rations was one about them, or had built upon them, way of putting pressure because they did not know they existed. on the local SPLA com- This underlined for me the futility of my manders to split from own efforts. At least as an academic pub- the main group. This lisher I could ensure that other research they did, launching a on Africa was disseminated more widely civil war within the civil and was less likely to be lost or ignored.

The Call of Peace, The Challenge of Solution But if I had left the war behind, peace again called me back. Negotiations were restarted in 2002 as part of a post-9/11 American initiative and my wife (an Oxford don and former lecturer at the University of Khartoum) and I were asked by the British government to act as “resource persons.” I was pleased that someone involved in the negotiations was willing to listen to what I had to say. I did not have any great illusions about the U.S. peace plan, which I thought was fundamentally flawed in that it assumed that this was a North–South, Arab–African, Muslim–Christian war, even though the fight- ing had long moved beyond the Southern Sudan, and the SPLA included Muslim sol- diers from the North fighting the Islamist government in Khartoum. A broad frame- work for a peace agreement covering the Southern Sudan had been worked out in spilled on the field that it began to ferment war, which delayed peace for many years. the first protocol negotiated in July 2002, after the rain and the drop zone smelled Relief organizations tend to reinvent but this did not cover three important areas like a brewery. the wheel wherever they go, and OLS start- where fighting was going on: the southern The drop zone was between the river ed with almost no background informa- Blue Nile (along the Ethiopian border), the and a mine field, and the pilots of Southern tion on the areas in which it operated. You Nuba Mountains (made famous by Leni Air often dumped the loads too short (in don’t need deep historical knowledge to Riefenstahl), and the Abyei area, an the river) or too long (in the mine field). respond to an emergency, they seemed to “African” enclave in an “Arab” province.

Winter 2008 67 Sudan: Before Darfur

Cattle Above, Oil Below, tall and fully bearded, wearing a patterned “final and binding” and the presidency was Conflict Between African shirt. They shook hands all around obliged to implement our findings “with The Dinka of Abyei and their Baggara and took their seats at the head of the immediate effect,” three weeks later John Arab neighbours are both cattle-keepers, room. Even though Bashir claims to be an Garang died in a helicopter crash and Bashir and parts of the area are used seasonally Arab, his complexion is darker than most has since rejected our report. The Abyei by both peoples. The issue was deadlocked African-Americans, though lighter than Protocol remains unfinished business in the around the definition of Dinka territory, Garang’s, a Dinka, who are among the implementation of the peace agreement. and while this was presented by the gov- darkest people in Africa. “Race” in the ernment as only a tribal conflict between Sudan has always been more a state of Another Border; neighbouring peoples (much as they have mind than a matter of skin tone. Another Conflict? since described Darfur), with each side The presentation of our report to the There is still no demarcation of the claiming parts of the territory, the hidden presidency was received in silence. Taking North-South boundary, on which the new issue was the oil fields discovered in the turns, we read out sections of our conclu- census, the elections of 2009, and the 2011 1970s. While the SPLM wanted to define sion. President Bashir’s frown deepened as referendum, in which the Southern Sudan the area so that it included all the territo- we listed our reasons for dismissing each is to choose whether or not to opt for inde- ry where the Dinka lived and grazed their of the government’s contentions. Taking a pendence, depend. This line is supposed to cattle, Khartoum wanted to define the area quick look at the map we then presented follow the provincial boundaries as they so that it excluded all the oil fields. he said a brief “thank you” and left. Garang were on January 1, 1956, Sudan’s independ- My own role during the negotiations was more satisfied with our was marginal, providing documentation findings, but gave no indica- for some of the claims. At one point the tion of his feelings (even Foreign Office asked if I could tell them yawning during our presen- what the boundaries of Abyei were. I tation), but his parting hand- couldn’t, so I suggested that perhaps the shake seemed firmer than best way to work around this obstacle in when he entered. “I don’t the negotiations was to defer the question think we’re going to be invit- of the boundaries to a commission, which ed to stay for lunch,” I com- was ultimately composed of both parties mented to my fellow experts, to the conflict and five international and indeed, we were not. experts, including myself, a retired U.S. Bashir’s reaction did not bode diplomat, and three African academics. well for the future of the After months of research, we experts peace agreement. Though returned to Khartoum to present our report the terms stipulated in to the members of the newly formed pres- advance that the decision of idency in the Presidential Palace overlook- the international experts was ing the Blue Nile. The Palace was a white- washed colonial structure built in the “oriental” style on the site of the old palace. Even though the Sudan has been an inde- pendent republic for fifty years, the palace still displays the trophies of the old impe- rial powers: 19th century artillery flank- ing the entrance, a pair of ivory tusks form- ing an arch in one of the corridors. We were placed in one of the many audience rooms on the second story, the five international experts in one row of chairs facing the ten Sudanese members of the commission in another row along the opposite wall. President Bashir, a short, thickset man with a broad moustache, wearing a safari suit rather than his usual jallabiya or uniform, entered, followed by John Garang, the leader of the SPLM/A and newly sworn in as first vice president,

68 Haverford Magazine ence day, and is to be determined by a tech- nical committee drawn from the central and southern governments and the governments of the border states. But the work of the committee continues to be delayed, and the government of the Southern Sudan asked me to return to Juba to assist them in their research on the boundary. Leaving the pub- lishing firm in Oxford, which is my day job, to fend for itself, I returned to Juba this year to take up my own unfinished business of reconstructing the regional archives, now in a state of utter chaos, and travelling around the capitals of the border states to recover any old local government records which might indicate where that border ran. My life in Sudan sometimes seems to revolve around sifting through termite- eaten files and rescuing scraps of paper. In every government office we visited the story was the same: The pre-independence administrative documents, which had been preserved up to 1983, were now lost or destroyed. I was surprised at how angry I felt when surveying the wreckage of the old filing systems. I had experienced the same surge of anger when coming into a village during the war and finding that a government militia had not only burned down the houses, which can be replaced quickly, but had chopped down and burned the mango trees, which can’t. I’ve tried to analyze this anger: Is it merely dis- placement, transferring onto material objects an anger which is really about human suffering? Or is it that, in a coun- try which had so little on which to build to begin with, the destruction of things which have survived beyond a normal life-span, whether trees or records of the past, will make reconstruction and survival all the more difficult?

Return to Malakal Much of the road was newly paved, and the trip from Khartoum took a total of Opposite page, top: Ambassador Petterson and Douglas Johnson take twelve hours to cover a journey which used testimony with the Abeyi Boundaries Commission in the field, 2005. to take me at least two and a half days. I noticed electricity pylons carrying power Opposite page, bottom: Baggara Arabs trucked in to demonstrate lines to and from the oil fields we passed, against the Abeyi Boundaries Commission in 2005. but they didn’t stretch as far as Malakal, Top: Returned entrepreneur Tito from Ottawa (on left) in front of where the public power supply is irregu- his shop, Aweil, 2007. lar and people rely on private generators. Bottom: Johnson in 2007, still an archivist at work, still in Southern Sudan. Malakal had suffered much during the war when it was under the control of the

Winter 2008 69 Sudan: Before Darfur

state security agencies and government had experienced. He only alluded to what hug her father, wrapping her arms militias. Besieged by the SPLA it was often he had been through. “That is a now a big around his neck as he picked her up, short of food and medicines. People of sus- memory,” he remarked after a pause, and when we came back from a journey pect loyalty used to disappear, especially I could not bear to ask him more. together, just as my daughter hugged me in the retaliation that followed the one time Philip was another old friend I when I came back from the Sudan after the SPLA overran half of the town. The tracked down. A veteran guerrilla of the long absences. Gone. militias had been a law unto themselves first civil war, he was active in the “Thank you,” he said, “for con- and civilians were often fair game. Presbyterian church and had a deep tributing so much to the peace of the Manipulating tribal rivalries, the govern- interest in the religious practices of his South.” I said that I thought my con- ment had set a Nuer militia against the own people. We had travelled extensive- tribution had not brought much peace Shilluk of the surrounding area and town. ly together, interviewing the elders of yet. “But we used to hear you on the Only a couple of months before my return the region about floods and prophets BBC, talking about the Sudan.” At least there had been a shoot out in town before the war broke out. I had had no from time to time those who were left between one of the remaining militias and direct contact with him since. behind to suffer during this long war the SPLA, and once again the whole town had briefly become a battle zone. Malakal was busier than twenty-five years ago. There were more people on the street at night, more cars, even new three- wheeled motorized rickshaws which had recently been introduced in Khartoum. More women were now wearing the “tobe,” the long cloth wrapped around the body almost sari-like and covering the head worn by Muslim women in the north. The Greek store where I used to buy retsi- na was now the branch of an Islamic bank. But Islamic law did not extend as far as the river port, where cases of empty Kenyan and Ugandan beer bottles were stacked up, waiting to be shipped back to Juba and exchanged for full ones. Despite some new building in concen- trated areas, Malakal was decidedly dilap- idated. It had only two paved streets when I left, and it has only two paved streets now, both still pot holed and ending abruptly. Many of the brick pillars sup- porting the “portales” shading the shop fronts are crumbling away. Only two walls We found him in his house near the Above: Probably not his sentiments, of the old open air cinema are left stand- church. We sat on metal chairs in his Rumbek, 2006. Western cast-offs are still ing. It was clear Sudan’s oil money is not wire screen enclosed veranda and wait- one of the main sources of clothing in being spent in Malakal. To see how the ed for one of his sons to guide him out. Southern Sudan. Sudan’s oil money is being invested, you “Is that Douglas?” he called. “Philip, is Right: Map of the Sudan (from Wendy have to go to Khartoum. that you?” I replied, and we hugged. “It’s James, War and Survival in Sudan’s I cautiously asked after old friends. I good to see you,” I said. “Your voice is Frontierlands: Voices from the Blue Nile, found one, James, now retired. An avid pipe still the same,” he replied, adding, “I’ve Oxford University Press, 2007) smoker, he recalled that after I left the gone blind.” Sudan twenty-five years ago I had sent him We exchanged news about family. He a new pipe (I am always relieved to be once had eleven children: Four have reminded of good deeds I have forgotten). died, and seven remain. I asked if he He then asked after my wife. But then a had grandchildren. “The ones who would know they were not complete- great chasm of time opened between us, would have given me grandchildren have ly forgotten. Small comfort, but com- which we found difficult to cross. I could died.” I remembered his daughter, who fort just the same. scarcely imagine what he and his relatives was about my daughter’s age, running to

70 Haverford Magazine A Look Back, A Look Ahead People often ask me when I come home: become acutely aware of how precarious I have visited Sudan nearly a dozen times What have I been doing in Sudan? I some- the peace in Sudan is, despite the very real since the war ended. There are definite signs times reply that I think I am starting anoth- benefits it has begun to bring to people’s of revival in the rural areas and some of the er war. The drawing of a new boundary lives. The current international focus on towns now that the fighting is over. In Aweil often means creating the front line of the Darfur has obscured the fact that peace has I met Tito, a returnee from Ottawa who had next war (as France and Germany know to yet to be fully implemented in the Southern set up a rental shop in the market and ran a their cost, and now so do India and Sudan, and that no peace is possible in fax machine from his tin shed. But there are Pakistan, and Eritrea and Ethiopia). The Darfur, or any other part of the country, if other signs that real peace has not yet areas I have been asked to work on are the 2005 peace agreement fails. returned. There were “sleepers” in the Aweil extremely sensitive, where an agreement is Haverford in the late 1960’s was affect- market, I was assured: former government possible only if there is good faith and good ed by deep moral concerns about domes- soldiers who were now there as traders but will, and where no amount of historical tic and international issues. Many of us were who kept their guns hidden and were wait- research establishing “the truth” can over- influenced by its Quaker values, and in par- ing for the signal to resume fighting come the lack of good faith. As such I have ticular the importance of bearing personal witness. I have found that I could not turn my back on people I know and among whom I have lived—not when their villages have been burned, their land stolen or destroyed, and their lives held so cheaply. I determined that I would do my bit to make sure that the Sudan’s second civil war—much longer, more intense, and more destructive than its first—should not be “forgotten” behind another veil of silence. I had hoped, when that first war ended, that my academic career would be devot- ed to an ever more detailed reconstruction of the Southern Sudan’s nineteenth- and early twentieth-century history. Instead, I have found myself involved in a recon- struction of a different sort, a reconstruc- tion where echoes of the violence of previ- ous centuries continue to reverberate in the present.

Douglas H. Johnson lives with his wife in Oxford, England, where he is the managing director of James Currey Publishers. He is the author of Nuer Prophets (1994) and The Root Causes of Sudan’s Civil Wars (2003).

Winter 2008 71 alumni awards

Haverford College is Seeking Nominations for Alumni Awards These are Haverford’s most prestigious awards and we need Submit your nominations today via the College’s website: your help with generating nominations. www.haverford.edu/alumnirelations/awards. Please read the descriptions below and see if they bring to mind The awards committee urges you to provide as much any Haverford alumni. Remember that these awards will be background information as possible (including personal stories, presented during Reunion Weekend (May 31, 2008) so it’s a great newspaper articles, concurrence from other alumni, or other time to honor someone who is celebrating a reunion year! information) in support of your nomination.

For Service to Humanity Haverford College Young Alumni Award Haverford Award: The Haverford Award supports and demonstrates Established in 2007, this award is designed to recognize established the College’s expressed concern for the application of knowledge and future leaders among Haverford College’s young alumni, to socially useful ends. It seeks to identify, reward and focus defined as those who have been an alumnus for 10 years or less. public attention on those alumni/ae who best reflect Haverford’s Nominees will have shown great promise and accomplishment in concern with the uses to which they put their knowledge, their chosen profession and/or community, public or humanitarian humanity, initiative, and individuality. Neither age nor service service, demonstrated leadership capability and substantial to the College is a consideration in granting the award. commitment to the mission of the College. Forman Award: The Lawrence Forman Award goes to a superior Haverford College Alumni Haverford athlete who, throughout his or her career or volunteer Distinguished Achievement Award time, has devoted a significant portion of his or her energy to the Established in 2007, this award is designed to recognize individuals betterment of society. The award honors Lawrence Forman ’60, who have achieved personal success, made outstanding one of the outstanding athletes in the history of Haverford College. contributions to their chosen fields of endeavor, achieved After graduation, Larry committed his life both to the betterment recognition by their colleagues, and brought honor to themselves of humankind and to international understanding. and to Haverford College through their distinguished achievements. For Sustained Service to the College Not sure whether your nominee qualifies for nomination? Alumni/ae Award: The Alumni/ae Award, the most distinguished Call the Alumni Office at (610) 896-1004 (or email award given by the Association for alumni/ae activities, honors [email protected]). DEADLINE for Alumni Award an individual who, in a variety of ways, provides or has provided nominations is March 28, 2008. sustained service to Haverford. It recognizes especially loyal and active support of the work of the College.

Metro Philly Regional Event Volunteers Wanted: Alumni who are for you! This position works directly with HELP willing to take a leadership role to plan and run event(s) with Philly the Seattle Regional Coordinator to W Haverford Alumni Network (P.H.A.N.) are needed. Must be willing to design networking events, host career ANTED commit two years to the planning group of 10-15 people: expectations discussion forums, and field inquiries would be that volunteers will attend two planning meetings per year, an from local Haverfordians. Be an optional social gathering, lead a sub-group to plan at least one event per opportunity maker! Please contact Anita Verna year, and help another leader of a sub-group plan one other event. We Crofts ‘92 at [email protected] if interested. have a volunteer recruitment meeting planned for Mar. 2008 to be held on New York Alumni Association Needs Space: The New York Haverford campus where you can learn more, and then if you want to join attend our Alumni Association is in need of alums who can provide space for events spring planning meeting about 10 days later. For more info: See the such as the Freshman Welcome Party, faculty and alumni presentations, Facebook group “PHAN” or call Bruce E. Segal ‘83 for more information. career development and admissions events, and a variety of other events 610-667-8188 [email protected] that take place throughout the year. Please contact regional coordinator Metro Philly Space Wanted: for an alumnus who would like to host a Gabriella Sarnoff ‘95 at [email protected] if you can help! group of 12 to 40 for a spring or summer potluck dinner or wine tasting San Francisco Career Development Representative Wanted: The event. For more info: See the Facebook group “PHAN” or call Bruce E. S.F./Bay Area alumni chapter seeks a career development liaison. Segal ‘83 for more information. 610-667-8188 [email protected] Graduates from any years welcome. Work with the College’s Career Career Development Volunteer in Seattle: The Seattle Alumni Chapter is Development staff to connect alumni and/or students in San Francisco. seeking a dynamic volunteer to serve as our Career Representative in the Plan one or two events a year. Contact Amy Feifer, Senior Managing NW. Are you a walking rolodex? Do you enjoy sharing your career choices Director for Career Development at [email protected] or 610-896-1181. and connecting Haverford graduates with job opportunities? This is the role

72 Haverford Magazine haverford college notes from the alumni association

Alumni Association Dear Fellow Alumni Executive Committee As I meet our fellow graduates, whether it be on campus for alumni events or in my professional travels, I often hear alumni say that they want to do something to help the College, but they aren’t sure how. There are actually lots of easy ways, some requiring only minimal time and effort, but all sure to have a meaningful impact. What follows are ten ways (in no particular order) that alumni can help Haverford: 1. Assist in Career Efforts. Mentor current students by participating in Career Development Office (CDO) programs. Hire Haverford students for summers and graduates for permanent positions. Talk to your hiring manager about recruiting on-campus students. Send job postings to the Network News for distribution to the entire alumni network. 2. Bring in the Best and Brightest Students. Support the Admissions Office by serving as an alumni interviewer. Send them the names and addresses of prospective students. Be sure that any secondary school you may be connected to is well informed about Haverford. 3. Recognize Outstanding Haverfordians. Nominate alumni who deserve the honor and President recognition from the Alumni Association awards. Garry W. Jenkins ’92 4. Build Alumni Communities Off-Campus. We realize that it’s not always easy to get back to campus, but Haverford communities exist all over the world. Help organize alumni Vice President events in your area. There are plenty of opportunities to help and virtually every region Bradley J. Mayer ’92 could use more hands and ideas. Contact the Alumni Office to get connected with the right Members and folks or find out how to get started. Even if you don’t have time to be an organizer, be sure Liaison Responsibilities to at least attend regional events in your home communities. 5. Contribute to the Annual Fund. It’s no secret that higher education (especially at a top Sarah G. Ketchum Baker ’91 flight residential liberal arts college) is a costly enterprise. Accordingly, every gift, regardless Lisa S. Berenson ’01 John R. Botti ’92 of size, helps. While our participation levels would be the envy of many, our 2006 alumni Anita V. Crofts ’92 giving percentage was behind Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Davidson, Middlebury, Kyle W. Danish ’89 Swarthmore, Wellesley, and Williams Colleges. Really, no gift is too small! Emily D. Davis ’99 6. Identify Future Leaders for the Alumni Association Executive Committee (AAEC). Robert Eisinger ’87, ex officio Nominate active alumni volunteers to serve on the AAEC, the governing body of the Alumni Jamie Ersbak ’01 Association that meets three times a year on the College campus. David Fogelson ’73 7. Promote Your Alma Mater. Simply, speak positively about Haverford to friends and colleagues Robert Kautz ’80 whenever you have the opportunity. Be sure any published biography mentions your Scott Kimmich ’51 undergraduate education. Jonathan LeBreton ’79 8. Return to Campus for Reunions. Attend your reunions to reconnect with old classmates and Douglas Mason ’81 make new friendships. Join reunion planning committees. Serve as a class agent encouraging Ghebre Mehreteab ’72 participation in the reunion and the annual class gift. Erik D. Muther ’94 Theo Posselt ’94 9. Stay in Touch. Keep your contact information (address, employment, name changes, or Alex Robinson ’96 e-mail) current on my.haverford.edu or by calling the Alumni Office. Benjamin Rose ’80 10. Use the Alumni Magazine and the College’s Website to Stay Connected. Send in Burton R. Saidel ’53 information for the magazine’s class notes section. Check out the new “Help Wanted” feature Gabriella Sarnoff ’95 in this magazine to learn about specific alumni volunteer opportunities/needs. In particular, Bruce Segal ’83 the College’s newly updated website provides lots of portals and opportunities to showcase, Student interact, and maintain ties, with more improvements on the way. Representatives Here’s the bottom line: Active alumni help enhance the College’s reputation and strengthen the enduring Haverford community. To the thousands who are involved, thank you, and I Jeff Bumgardner ’09 hope others will find ways to get involved as you can. Susannah C. Henschel ’08 Very truly yours, If you would like to nominate an alumnus/a for the Alumni Association Executive Committee, please contact the Alumni Office at (610) 896-1004. Garry W. Jenkins ’92 [email protected]

Winter 2008 73 Deborah Fay Costigan-Humes Maribel Fontan Parker J. Hoar Ethan S. Cramer-Flood Nell & Gary Forbus Luann Bice & John Holmes Charles M. Curtis Christen Fornadel Thomas W. Hoover During fiscal year Ellen Dailey Meredith S. Fox Adrienne J. Horrigan 2006-2007, which Isha Dalal Adam N. Foye Diana E. Hsu ended on June 30, Samuel S. Dalke Jeffrey D. Frankl Yueting Li & Junjie Huang 2007, there were 609 Devon & Christopher Daniels Hilary Franklin Christian S. Huffman individuals who made Philip & Annette Davies Michael Fratangelo Amy W. Indyke their first gift to the Rebecca F. Davis Sarah B. Freilich Cynthia D. Ing unrestricted Haverford Emmy N. Davison Pamela & John Freund Suzanne Ioffreda Fund. We are pleased to thank these donors whose Rahel Hailu & Fente Derbew Allison Friedmann Zoe Irvine gifts totaled more than $140,000 for the College. Nicholas A. Dibble Nicolette Gable Jesse Isaacman-Beck We sincerely appreciate your generosity! Mr. & Mrs. Daniel DiBruno Gail Kohanek & Jim Gail Michael Ray Ivy Bryce Dickinson Janet & John Garrett Brian A. Jackson Ann Tutundjion & Kelsey L. Gaynier Joanne Jaeger Anonymous (5) Susan Clarkin & Tim Breslin Thomas Dickinson Melanie A. Geneve Leigh B. James Ken Abels Claire J. Brislin James D. Diorio Douglas T. Genna Erika January Satish & Shobha Adige T. Nathaniel Broughton Benjamin Djang Corinne & Bruce Philip Gilarsky Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Jayaram Aleem H. Ahmed Irene Brown Brian P. Doherty Michael M. Gillespie Ronny Jiji Jon Aisenberg S. Raymond Brown Jr. Beth & Kevin Dooley Molly Glenn Jessica Paige Johnson Amy E. Alspaugh Leigh R. Browning Monica & Thomas Dougherty Alexandra G. Glickman Kori L. Johnson Priya K. Amar Janine & Robert Brownstone Robert A. Douglass Elinor I. Goff Alexander R. Johnston Toni R. Amato Lisa & Charles Buchwalter Owen G. Drake Timothy J. Golden Chloe M. Jones Linzee P. Amory Cheryl & Edwin John Buckingham Natasha N. Dravid Adam D. Goldstein Michael Jordan Dr. Robert P. Andelman Mrs. Richard C. Bull Francesca Duffy Elizabeth Cahn Goodman Julien B. Joy Christopher C. Anderson Dr.& Mrs. David Bundens James A. Duncan Lakshmi & Gopi Gopinath Lynde M. Judson Melissa N. Anderson Atum M. Buo Phyllis Tait Dunham Agnes & John H. Gormley Nancy & Alan Scott Kaden Debbie & David Andreas Sarah G. Burke Robin L. Dunne Marcia & Rebecca Kanthor Willard E. Andrews David H. Burkhardt John V. Duronville Carmine Gosselin-Alfieri Samuel I. Kaplan Sara Ansell Paul & Gail Burmeister Aris E. Dutka Nathaniel J. Grabman Lawrence & Ann Kaplan Tania Apicella Julia L. Burrill Paula Teague & Stephen Dutton Maggie Grady Lindsay S. Karzon Aliza Appel Terry Callaghan Rebecca L. Dyer Daphne McConnell Graham Joshua A. Kass Samantha A. Arens Joseph A. Callahan William A. Eagles Lindsay A. Grant Alix & Ted Kastner Kate E. M. & John E. Arens Barbara & Kevin Campion Linda Voellm Eidenberg Michael J. Grant Elizabeth & Marek Kaszubski Tim Arling JoAnne Burger & Benjamin J. Einbinder Sandra Grant John E. Katsos Andrew Armstrong Michael Caplan Kristin Eisenmenger Sarah E. Gray K.C. & Tom Keogh Robert S. Aronson Lorraine & Douglas Capozzalo Margot H. Elton Travis M. Green Varyam C. Kessinger Stephen C. Artim Ellen & Harold Card, 2nd Marianne & Henry Englander Kathryn & Douglas S.T. Green Kait Kessler Christine & Frederic Auerbach Jeny Carden John M. Eppley Sara K. Greenberg Mr.& Mrs. Amjad Ali Khan Mason C. Austin Jay Carlis William C. Epstein Heather M. Grigo Amy A. Kim Jeremy N. Babener Catherine C. Carlisle Julia E. Erdosy Lisa Griswold Ashley G. Kim Armen Badkerhanian Katharine L. Carlson Clare E. Eshenour Anthony P. Gross Donghyun Kim Oliver H. Baker Melanie F.& David M. Carp Ann & Richard Estabrook Gay C. Grunfeld He Min Kim Lily & George Baker Simonetta Caselli Brad Evans Carmen & Firpo Guerrero Jessica J. Kim Nathaniel M. Ballenberg Alejandra & Samuel Cashiola Shawn A. Ezrapour Renu Gupta Nansook & Jason Kim Katharine L. Baratz Terry Cathopoulis Jen Faerber Madeline & Andrew Gutow Sander Kim Bertha & Cesar Barbagelata Grey Cecil Julia M. Famularo Mary & Walt Gutowski Helen Kinsman Michael Spritzer & Linda M. Cendes John E. Fechter Melissa & Chris Guy Marcia Kirkpatrick Majorie Baron Marc O. Chalufour Yoanna Gerwel Federici Christopher E. Haagen Robin Klevansky Pat Barry Cindy Chang Benjamin E. Feldman Addy Haas Alison M. Klos Valerie J. Basile Emily Chen Howard J. Fendrich Margo & Allen Haas Charlotte M. Koeniger Amrita O. Batheja Katherine B. Chiappinelli Curt Fentress Stephen B. Hagenbuch Shelby D. Kohn Robert E. Batson, Jr. JaeHee Cho Benjamin M. Field Michael J. Halenar Eirene Kontopoulos Aaron L. Beitman Alexander H. Choi Betsy Fierman Jessica K. Hall Paul J. Koprowski Joe Bender Mr. & Mrs. Peter Choyke Eleanor Hirsh & Benjamin D. Hall-Seelig Ilana D. Krakauer Jason Bessey Jennifer X. Chu Christopher Finch Elizabeth A. Harrop Sharon B. Kravis Kathryn D. Bexfield Kathleen W. Clancy Paul & Caren Fires Ruth & Robert Hartmann Raoul Kulberg Steve Birkel April Cobb Jeanie Firestone Martha & Daniel Hatt Lydia Levin & Joel Kuperberg Maureen & Gregory Bischak Helena Cobban Emlen Fischer Amy R. Havassy Joel A. Kwabi Peter R. Blessington Nora Cohen Catherine & Richard Fischer Whitney Hawkins Casey & Jennifer Lakey Rebecca M. Bockow Charles A. Collett Paul G. Fishbein Patrice Henderson Cindy LaMotte Larry Bomback Lauren Comfort Matt Fisher Janet H. Henderson Natalie L. Lavine Michael B. Bongiovanni Mara & Marvin Conan Andrea L. Fishman Orlando J. Hernandez Lilly R. Lavner Elizabeth G. Booth David G. Cooper Cynthia & Edward Fitzharris Hans J. Herzl-Betz Shira R. Lawlor Valerie A. Borek Alanna C. Copenhaver Lesley E. Fleischman Susan K. & Paula Hinton & Steve Lawrence Gary Brian Born Evan J. Cording Jennifer Folkes Stephen Charles Himel Thien Le John H. Bower H. Elizabeth Coste

74 Haverford Magazine haverford college annual giving

Hanna H. Lee Mary & Ralph Miller Evan D. Pressman Mayor Lewis & Sharon Shanken James F. Thomas Harrison Lee Mary M. Miller Chris Prieto Martha T. Shannon Jim Thompson Kyung Won & Jong Jou Lee Doug & Alice Millison Daniel R. Primack Daniel Shapiro Anduin E. Touw Vanessa Lee Jeffrey M. Millman Jennifer Lane Primack Joanne M. Sharpless Emily Townsend Hilary J. Leichter Thatcher S. Mines Emily F. Purchia Cynthia Florin & Andrey Shaw Hina K. Trivedi Alexis A. Leventhal Lawrence S. Minicone Lorna C. Quandt Molly M. Sheehan Jen Trowbridge J. Allen-Leventhal & M. Leventhal Suzi Mohn William Quandt Hannah Shulman Betty P. Tsang Toby S. Levy Tory Morgan Daniel L. & Ann F. Rabinowitz Micah R. Sieber Monique M. Tsang Stephen W. Lewellis Michael Morgan Ramanathan & Samanthi Raju Wonza W. Sinclair Craig A. Tutterow Mimi & Stephen Lewis Derrik R. Morris Mark F. Ram Lisa & Alfred Singer Carl Vaccaro Rebecca S. Lijek Craig G. Morton Elias & Gloria Ramirez Angad D. Singh Margaret Van Meter Rui Qi Lim Nadia & Antoine Moukarzel Juan A. Ramos Alfredo L. Sklar Clare Hochreiter & Jacob K. Lipson Moya Muller Don & Carey Randall Justin B. Slawson Andrew Van Tosh Pamela Brownstein & Janet & Ed Munoz Nancy & Randall Raskin Hope & Morton Slifkin Griffin H. Vanze Kenneth Lipstein Geddes L. Munson Neha Rastogi Giselle A. Small Deepa S. Vasudevan Katherine & J. David Liss Akram N. Mustafa John & Lynn Rech Joanna R. Smith Jamel A. Velji David S. Little Anne S. Nash Vanessa Reichert-Kim Jeff Smith Brian Vogler Allyson N. Livingstone Viv Nathwani Gwen & Paul Wetherington Reiss Alexandra L. Smith Eric S. Volkman Susannah F. Locke Alejandra Navarro-Benbow Mark Rembert Judith Harris & David Smith Emily & Harry Volz Sarah P. Loeffler Catherine Ncha Vickie E. Remoe-Doherty Mrs. F. Scott Smyth Yon & Daniel J. Wacker William M. Longo Rachel H. Nehmer Adam S. Reuben Jake Solderitsch Ingrid A. Walker Sarah A. Longworth James H. Nelson Caroline H. Reuter Sonia Somerville Leonard F. Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Lonky Tess E. Nelson Andrew D. Reznick Sarah Southerland Esther C. Warren Mary Lee M. Lowry Cope Gabe Neri Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ricciardi Aislinn R. Sowash Ingrid M. Weiss Helen B. Lucine Zachary R. Newman Nicholas V. Riccio Olivia C. Sparer Jerry Weiss Martin L. Lukac Stephen & Aline Noble Hannah & Arthur Rice, III Arendt O. Speser Brandon T. West William & Jane Lundquist Joyce Kornbluh & Jacquelyn B. Richards Miranda Spivack Patricia Ruth West Timothy M. Lussier Steven Novinson Tracy E. Richardson Rowan M. Spivey Katherine A. Wettstein Zainab Mahmood Oleg V. Nudelman Mark Robinson Joan Shook & Jeffrey Starke Nancy & Edward Wheeler Mark G. Maienschein-Cline Ikechukwu C. Nwaneshiudu Claire Roden Jesse S. Stavis Brent S. Wible Neil J. Malde Chioma I. Nwaneshiidu Jorge J. Rodriguez Lauren D. Steele Mairead M. Widby Anna Mancusi Marin E. O’Brien Noel Rodriguez Sarah L. Steenbergen Annalise A. Wiederspahn Laurice & Paul Mangelsdorf, 3rd Rebecca Odom Cory A. Roman Rosemarie & Brian Stegman Jonathan W.Williams Denise Marica Gwendolyn & David Ogden Liz Rommer Michael A. Stehney Mr. & Mrs. Rodger Wilson Maxine R. Markfield Maikel L. O’Hanlon Brandon D. Rowe Abe Stein Karenina M. Wolff Margaret Maroni Bjorn C. Olsen Heather M. Rozjabek Cartier Stennis Maria R. & Daniel C. Wolff Andrew Mathieson Sharon M. O’Neill Ellen Rubinstein W. Ryan Stephens Julia S. Wood Charlotte Maudave Mr.& Mrs. C. Robert Orner Ellen Ruebush Kye Yoe & Thomas A. Stetz Colin W.Yarbrough Mr.& Mrs. Richard Maurice Jill & Steven Charles Ouellette Marianne P. Rutter Arnold M. Stevens III Andrew L. Yeats Janelle Baker & Yanica & Jorge Pacas Nancy & John Sacci Alison J. Stoffregen Nicholas K. Yee Michael McAllister Brendan M. Palfreyman Olivia C. Saegar Leslie Desmond & Phil Stoffregen Charlotte Ip & Fred Yeung Kenny McAlpine Dawn & Winthrop R. Palmer Nina Salinger Danielle G. Stollak Wilfred Yip Luanne & Kevin R. McCarthy B.Del Cueto & Victoria L. Salinger Rosamund Morley & Robert Storr In Hee & Young Man Yoon Zachary L. McCormick Agamemnon Pantel Teresa & John Nicholas Salvo Daniel & Francine Storzbach Julie Zachariadis Emma J. McDowell Yooah Park Mrs. Mary Wharton Sampson Erika Straus-Bowers Andrew Zinn William H. McGinty Katie Parker Christine & Israel L. Sanchez Lindsay P. Subers Melinda L. Zipin Mr. William E. McGuire Jennifer M. Paroulek Janice Sanson Colin G. Sullivan Jacob M. Zlotoff Nancy Crickman & Ankur N. Patel Silu Sao Mary Grace & David Summergrad Laura K. Zoltan John McKinstry Arti N. & Nilesh T. Patel Scott Sargrad Lisa E. Summergrad Anne P. Zorn Timothy M. McLean Dary M. Patten Abigail L. Scattergood Joyce Y. Sun Kathryn A. Zukaitis Kathy J. & David McMahon Nathan C. Patton Isaac D. Schamberg Marcus R. Sur Annie McManus Nicolette Pavlovics Allyson M. Scherb Peter B. Sutton *Deceased Lucille & Thomas McNeal James M. Pena Janet H. Schlegel Anne K. Sweeney Tom McNicholas Karen Cortellino & Joseph Pena Kelvin O. Schleif Dina M. Sztein Donors who have requested that Daniel Medynski Alyssa A. Perez Caitlin C. Schnur Thomas Ta their gifts be listed anonymously Kristen N. Mehling Mohammed N. Pervaiz Leah Gordon Schutzman Emily Taber are included here as Richard C. Mellen Kaitlyn M. Peterson Brian M. Scott Helen Tang “Anonymous.” This list Ann Melville Kristofor C. Peterson Justin M. Scott Len Tarnowski specifically recognizes new Joan & Scott Merlis Jessica S. Pevzner Jennifer L. Scully Zu Huei Tay donors to the unrestricted Matthew L. Mesick Kevin Phillips Cynthia & Brian Searls Brianna M. Taylor Haverford Fund for the 2006-2007 Katie Meyers Douglas B. Pickard Peggy Jo & Vicki Jackson & Robert Taylor fiscal year. If you have any Gretchen & Carl R. Mezoff Carson L. Pickens Gary Richard Selesner Sarah N. Taylor questions, please contact Alexander B. Milgrom Beth & Paul Piraino Stephen R. Selsor Linda Tedjakusuma Deb Wiediger Strecker at Anna R. Miller Ben Polak Rob Sgobbo Jan Fay & Ray Tekverk [email protected] Arden D. Miller Claire Pomeroy Heather Shafi Douglas Telling or 610-896-1129. Jeffrey A. Miller Su-Lyn Poon Alexander Shahla Debra Will & David K. Thomas, Jr.

Winter 2008 75 Care to share your story of roads taken (or not taken) since graduation? Drop us a line! roads taken and not taken [email protected]

Christina Freeman ’05 Through a year-long-project sponsored I went to American University Law hen I began my college search by the Center for Peace and Global School. Classes at AU Law were relatively seven years ago I was an up- Citizenship, I was able to share my love of small and students were collaborative W and-coming journalist, looking photography with the youth of the Norris rather than competitive. The faculty were exclusively for schools with Square Neighborhood Project in North approachable and willing mentors— Peace and Justice Studies programs. Only Philadelphia. Their finished work was then much like Haverford. four schools fit my application standards: displayed both in Norris Square and at After working for the National Labor Tufts University, Guilford Haverford, ultimately connecting the two Relations Board and a small law firm, I College, Goucher College, communities and celebrating youth started my own practice just two years out and Haverford. I was expression through photography. of law school. Since then, I have been accepted to all schools, Maybe I should thank the guidance representing labor unions and their except Tufts, my top counselor who lost my application and the members at the bargaining table, in choice. According to Tufts English professor who made me cry, arbitration, and in federal courts throughout my application never because I am now living the fulfilling—yet the country and even overseas. I had the arrived. Apparently my high school challenging—life of a fine art photographer opportunity to litigate the first case of guidance counselor lost it underneath in New York. Hawaiian national origin discrimination the stack of University of Delaware and also successfully represented employees applications—how dare I try to leave the Christina Freeman is a freelance photogra- of the Panama Canal Commission who state! Tufts broke the news to me in a pher in New York City. continued to be paid at lower Panamanian rejection e-mail, which felt like an added wage rates even after becoming naturalized slap in the face, as if to say I wasn’t even American citizens. worth the piece of paper needed for the Richard Hirn ’76 Among my current clients is the Indian rejection letter. According to the statistics any members of my class Educators Federation, the union which it is much harder to get into Haverford M became either lawyers or represents teachers on Indian reservations than Tufts, so I was taken by surprise when journalists. I think this had a lot and other employees of I opened Haverford’s thick, beautiful, to do with being at Haverford during the the Bureau of Indian recycled paper acceptance envelope. Watergate years of 1973-74, when lawyers Affairs. This spring, I won Despite my initial determination to and journalists seemed to have saved the reinstatement for 18 enlighten myself—and in turn the world— Republic. We were all interested in the members of New Mexico’s via Haverford’s Peace and Conflict Studies unfolding story of Watergate. In fact, the Northern Pueblos who program and the Bi-Co News,I soon found College closed for a day and 500 of us lost their jobs when the the “critical thinking” I had hoped to apply traveled to Washington to lobby for BIA abolished their wildfire fighting crew. to the outside world being turned inwards. impeachment. Last fall, I also won reinstatement for 20 I questioned my own motivations and the I chaired the Collection Committee faculty and staff members at the sustainability of a life rooted in trying to during those years, and we even brought Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute in convert others to my own way of thinking. maverick Supreme Court Justice William Albuquerque, one of two Indian colleges (That and my freshmen writing teacher’s O. Douglas to speak at Collection. I was operated by the BIA. I am currently criticism made me cry in front of the other fortunate to have lunch with him—a heady litigating a case that will determine students, each tear dissolving my hope of experience for an aspiring law student. whether the Secretary of Interior must give a future at The New York Times.) Ralph Nader also came to visit; he was then Indians hiring preference for all positions Eventually I picked myself up and known for being a crusading public interest that involve providing services to Indians. found solace in my three new favorite lawyer rather than a political candidate. I was once lectured by an older Friend scents: developer, stop bath, and fixer. Harris Wofford, President Kennedy’s Civil that litigation is too confrontational and These sacred photographic perfumes Rights Counsel, was president of Bryn inconsistent with the Quaker values of would linger on my clothes as I returned Mawr at the time. I took his class on “Law conciliation and consensus. I don’t think to my dorm, serving as reminders of the and Civil Disobedience.” He even helped he really understood what “the law” is. It aesthetic battles won and lost each me with a paper on civil rights in the is the non-violent alternative to dispute evening in the darkroom. And while I Kennedy administration for Sid Waldman’s resolution, in which truth and reason never stopped caring about social change class on the presidency. There were many substitute for might; and fully consistent I found a way to feed my spirit, creating opportunities at Haverford that provided with the principles of the College. an internal joy that could then be passed real insight about how the law could be on to others. used for social change. Richard Hirn is an attorney in Washington, D.C.

100 Haverford Magazine Editor’s note: As this issue was going to print, President Emerson announced sweeping changes to the College’s financial aid policies. We’re reproducing his letter to the community here; later this winter, we’ll publish, online, a comprehensive report about the new plan which will also be printed in an upcoming issue of this magazine.

An Open Letter From President Stephen G. Emerson Friends,

Continuing our historic commitment to making a Haverford College education as accessible as possible, the Board of Managers has approved a sweeping overhaul of Haverford’s financial aid program to eliminate student loans for all incoming freshmen and to reduce the loan burden for continuing students. I believe this is a vital and necessary step for Haverford families and the College. Our new program both reduces the barriers to a Haverford education and helps unburden our graduates of debt. In addition, it will free our students to consider career choices that they might have overlooked while under pressure to repay student loans, and will have a transformative effect on our community. As part of this change, the College is chartering a new endowment fund -- called the Next Generation Fund -- to help pay for the plan. All students who receive such grants will be asked to make a pledge to support the Fund throughout their lives as their means allow and the spirit moves, with no pre-set expectation of how much they contribute. We believe that the Next Generation Fund will have broad appeal and will be supported by alumni and friends who may themselves have been the beneficiaries of grants-in-aid. Indeed, the Next Generation Fund was inspired in part by a Haverford tradition of “giving back,” often financially. Most recently, two alumni from the Class of ’94 made a contribution that went beyond reimbursing the College for the financial aid they had received. “We calculated what the equivalent cost would be in today’s dollars so that another pair of students, applying today, would be able to receive what we received,” the donors say. Frankly, I’m not surprised that they chose to contribute as they did: I believe that the plan reflects Haverford’s core values of community and individual responsibility. Like our academic and social Honor Codes that require mindfulness of one’s actions in the context of a community, the Next Generation Fund will show how an individual’s actions can have a direct impact on our community. It will help ensure that others who follow enjoy the same privileges that we have enjoyed. Up until now, Haverford had included approximately $14,000 in loans as part of a student’s financial aid package. The new plan will eliminate that debt and is part of a 25% increase in the College’s financial aid commitment. It is being made possible by the generosity of alumni, parents and friends of the College. Haverford is one of the few colleges that admits U.S. citizens and permanent residents without regard to need and meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students. Continuing students will also see a reduction in their loan obligation, with the greatest relief being made available to those with greatest demonstrated need. I’ll be able to announce details later this winter. We make this announcement today with great pleasure, and thank the members of the broader Haverford community, including alumni, parents and friends of the College, who are making this possible. These changes are vital to our larger goal of making Haverford accessible to the most talented and deserving students regardless of economic circumstances.

Thank you.

Stephen G. Emerson ’74 President H LMIMGZN FHVRODCOLLEGE HAVERFORD OF MAGAZINE ALUMNI THE

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF HAVERFORD COLLEGE

winter ’08

The Alumni Magazine of Haverford College WINTER 2008 H MRO R BEGINS ERA EMERSON THE

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