— former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
college and university presidents committed to civic engagement, says that the series “is a call, a reminder to do more. Service isn’t something you do once; it’s something you do your whole life.” While in Geneva, PFS speakers have put their words into action, visiting local schools and the public library, meeting with HWS classes and volunteering at local Geneva initiatives. “President Gearan and George McGovern reading to three- and four-year-olds at Head Start— that memory will stay with me forever,” says Gerling, recalling the afternoon former U.S. Senator George McGovern spent with local children and, later in the day, volunteering at the Geneva Community Lunch Program. “If you’re not a cynic, politics is a form of service,” says Professor of Sociology Jack Harris P’02, P’06. “And, as evidenced by the many politicians who speak at the President’s Forum, it’s good for people to be reminded that there is a public life. Our private lives suffer without a world of community, without a world in which we encounter our neighbors, make friends and serve strangers.” In anticipation of the PFS appearance by David Oliver Relin, best-selling author of Three Cups of Tea, HWS and the Geneva community formed reading
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ff-campus PFS events have allowed alumni, alumnae and the general public, as well as HWS students and faculty, to engage with lecturers and panelists. David Gergen—commentator,
groups to discuss Relin’s book. Students in Geneva city schools read Three Cups of Tea through the Geneva Reads program and in their English classes. When Relin arrived for his lecture, a reception was held at the Geneva Public Library where middle and high school students were able to speak with him about promoting peace through education. “Events like the PFS and the community read of Three Cups of Tea are great educational motivators for the community,” says Seher Syed ’10, a native of Pakistan—the geographic focus of Three Cups of Tea. Prior to Relin’s lecture, Syed spoke about her home with faculty, staff and other HWS students at an Intercultural Affairs event and met with middle school students in Geneva to describe her country. “When I gave a talk at the Presbyterian Church, the children asked me such informed questions about schooling in Pakistan,” Syed says. “There was a strong sense of community involvement and education surrounding all of the Relin related events.” “When students, speakers and community members can engage face-to-face, the message becomes more direct and real,” says Gearan. “It spurs a deeper level of civic engagement because they’re here, now, sharing what they’ve done, giving concrete examples of their contributions and activism.” Wall, remembering her conversations on campus, says, “It is great to know there are so many young people who remain interested and engaged in public affairs and the state of our nation. It was more than obvious that HWS students were well informed and opinionated, yet extremely respectful and gracious. We rely on students like these to be our statesmen, journalists, judges, teachers and truth tellers – they can and will make an impact. That gives me great optimism for the future.”
best-selling author and White House advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton— spoke at a PFS event in Boston. Also in Boston was a panel discussion with political analyst Andy Hiller, Republican
12 Pulteney Street Survey | Spring 2010
Campaign Manager Rick Davis, who led Senator John McCain’s bid for the presidency, and U.S. Congressman James McGovern. In D.C., the HWS Club of Washington hosted PFS lectures with Gwen Ifill, moderator and
Speaking to the Future “Dr. Wangari Maathai, Governor Howard Dean, Congressman John Lewis, Cornel West—these are people who are out there making a difference,” says Hobart Student Trustee Dan DeNose ’10, who spoke at the 2009-10 Convocation with Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief International. “Being on stage with someone like Thomas Tighe is an opportunity of a lifetime. And having lunch with Howard Dean? How many college students can SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT’S FORUM SERIES, say that?” VINCENT “CHICO” ALONSO HAS COLLECTED AN AUTOGRAPH FROM Lauren Shallish VIRTUALLY EVERY GUEST SPEAKER WHO HAS VISITED THE HOBART ’05, now a graduate AND WILLIAM SMITH COMMUNITY. ALONSO, WHO HAS WORKED AT SAGA AS A SODEXO EMPLOYEE AT HWS FOR MORE THAN 16 YEARS, student in the Cultural SAYS THAT THE SERIES MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY Foundations of BY INSPIRING AUDIENCES TO STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE Education Program at IN AND BE THE CHANGE THEY WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. Syracuse University, remembers seeing President Bill Clinton make an impromptu speech on orientation is vital because the the Quad. “I had only been on graduating classes of the 21st campus a few days and already century will live global lives. To felt connected to a growing succeed, you will require the kind sense of community,” she says. of knowledge that extends far “That speech inspired me to beyond the border of any single begin exploring the idea and country; far beyond the capacity responsibility of global citizenship, of any academic system to grade. which motivated me to seek You will need to develop an inner opportunities to engage both on a compass to keep you steady local and international scale with amidst the turbulence; a kind of causes I felt were important.” personal North Star grounded in “President Clinton and Secretary knowledge of yourself.” Albright are paradigms of the And as a tool to develop that caliber of speakers brought to inner compass, the President’s HWS in recent years,” says David Forum has become one element Deming ’75, Chair of the HWS of the HWS mission. As Gearan Board of Trustees. “Since the says: “Whether focusing on beginning of President Gearan’s health care, poverty, international tenure, HWS and Geneva have relations, civic engagement or enjoyed direct contact with the real national security, the series people behind news, politics and brings individuals with worlds culture. This kind of contact will of experience and lives of serve our students well as they go consequence to campus, shaping out into the world.” the broader, life-long intellectual As Albright said in her 2001 experience of our students and Convocation address, “An outward our community.” O PHOTO BY KEVIN COLTON
“Hobart and William Smith are two of the finest Colleges in the country, and when it comes to international education, they truly lead the way. This outward orientation is vital because the graduating classes of the 21st century will live global lives.”
managing editor of PBS’s “Washington Week in Review,” and former White House Press Secretary and best-selling author Dee Dee Myers in 2004. HWS alums, parents and faculty have also returned to HWS to take
part in the PFS, including author Melissa Bank ’82, paleontologist Matt Lamanna ’97, President of the Public Education Network Wendy Puriefoy ’71, memoirist Steve Kuusisto ’78, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and
founder of the Green Belt Movement Dr. Wangari Maathai, president and CEO of the Ocean Conservancy Vikki N. Spruill P’12 and the late Deborah Tall, professor of English.