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World Newsletter 1969 Spring

Page 1

| house world newsletter &

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Vol. 5 No.

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A letter for former members of International House, 500 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10027

1

Show and Efficiency A Finnish Observer's Impressions of American Democracy at W ork by Georg C. Ehrnrooth Member of Parliament, Helsinki, Finland

ia

SR a eatgeat yi ail

Asking Congress for a declaration of war in 1917, Woodrow Wilson demanded

that the world “be made safe for democracy.” Wilson did not live long enough to see how unsuccessful his cause had been.

Neither

was

there

much

safety

gained when the weapons were laid down again a quarter of a century later. And yet, these days, it looks as if de-

mocracy is spreading around the world. Some democratic practices at least are shared by countries as different as night and day.

I did a lot of traveling last year and observed election campaigns or preparations in several countries. In Italy, last spring, a great number of parties from

monarchists to communists vied for the seats in parliament. In Thailand the new constitution

was

nearing

completion

in

time for the parliamentary election in February, Taiwan offered a campaign for the provincial assembly, outwardly not so different from Western campaigns as otherwise East is from West. And before the long awaited climax of a year of many elections—the American presidential campaign—there was also the cool and

normal

campaign

in

neighboring

Sweden and our own local elections with a strong political overtone. With that mixture of impressions, and with experiences gained by participating in nearly a dozen Finnish elections during as many years, I set out to observe the final week of the U.S. election campaign. It was not my first experience of its kind in the New World. At a relatively early age I had made my first pilgrimage and brought back to Finland the idea of political coffee parties. After an American political campaign it is tempting to quote Plato: “Democracy, which is a charming form of gov-

ernment, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing

a sort of equality to equals

and unequals alike.” What a show a Madison Square Garden rally is, a combination of organized disorder and efficiency down to the smallest detail. Whis-

tle-stop campaigning, what a charming relic from old times! The differences between American and, say, Finnish political campaigning are many but the trend is toward more uni-

form methods, Only in the 50’s was campaigning by the presidential candidates themselves introduced in Finland. Now television and radio addresses as well as questioning of the candidates by panels

are included in the campaign itinerary. The refusal of the Republican candidate

in the campaign last fall to debate his two opponents had a precedent early that same year when the Finnish President, running for his third straight 6-year term, declined the opportunity to argue the issues on television and radio with his two opponents. The reason is supposed to have been the existence of a candidate later dubbed “Finland’s Wallace.” The above paragraph reveals many similarities and yet, an American

cam-

paign strikes every foreign observer. It is not, however, easy to describe adequately the differences one observes. Let me dwell on some impressions gained last fall. What I thought I might have witnessed was the demise of the two-party sys-


2 tem. The fact that the third-party-candidacy of Mr. George Wallace had become one of the main topics both in serious discussions and in chit-chats put the limelight on the weaknesses in the electoral system. The two-party system survived and may even have gained strength, thanks to the strong finish made by the trailing candidate of the Democratic party, Mr. Hubert Humphrey. The fate of the Electoral College looks less bright. American legislators may reach the same conclusion their Finnish colleagues are getting ripe for, that is, that the Electoral College is ready for the scrap yard. Aware as we are of the opportunities it offers for shady deals, we are now setting in motion the machinery of reform. ‘‘If——perhaps one should say when—a few poll-takers are able to foretell the decision of a majority

among

70

million

voters,

how

does that influence the thinking of the voter?”’ “Nobody

knows

to this day, or ever

will, whom the American people really elected President in 1960,” a widely known American journalist has written. Nobody disagrees if one asserts that all Americans—and the rest of us who believe

in

representative

democracy—

breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the outcome this time was undisputed. But it was fascinating to watch how the Presidential race last fall, once again, was getting so close that a few voters in a couple of key states actually held the decision in their hands. The way American polls enable you to observe the campaign is astonishing. This time one felt as a grandstand spectator following with his binoculars the last lap of a great race. The accuracy, however, of at least some of the polls is all but frightening. If— perhaps one should say when—a few poll-takers are able to foretell the decision of a majority among 70 million voters, how does that influence the think-

ing of the voter? When a nationwide poll gives the narrow lead to one of the candidates just before the election, this could clinch the outcome by making a large enough number of “undecideds” climb aboard the band wagon. The spreading use of all kinds of polls not only in the U.S. makes one wonder whether election polls should not be made subject to a thorough examination ending up, perhaps, with legislative measures. All through the campaign you could

hear complaints pertaining to the quality of the contenders for “the most powertul office in the world.” An outsider with some qualifications for making comparison hardly shares these mostly generally phrased complaints. You either get your candidates from the field of non-political personalities of great stature, or they represent more or less partisan politicians of the modern professional type. Most countries tend to turn away from picking their leaders among people in the former cat-

egory. Politics is today a profession as much as any. In

the

last

campaign

the

American

voters were faced with a choice between veteran politicians. In my opinion, the two main parties had come up with candidates as good as—or better than—any they could have picked, and certainly not less able than the candidates in other countries. Every foreign observer of the race for the White House shudders at the thought of what the candidates have to undergo before the goal is reached. The physical effort which a political campaign in Europe requires is enough to exhaust anybody. Yet, no European politician covers an area bigger than a middle-sized American state. Moreover, there are no primary campaigns to tax his strength. Frankly speaking, it is easy to criticize the political campaign in the United States without regarding electioneering

izations and cooperative business firms. The Agrarian party, which with growing urbanization in each of these North European countries has changed its old name to Center party or the like, raises money in connection with milk deliveries to dairies and lumber deals with firms controlled by farmers. Businesses in industry and commerce contribute to

the “war chests” of both conservatives and liberals. Where there are Communists, they receive a great deal of material aid from Moscow. In order to turn the balance in favor of the big parties, not least the Social Democratic party, state subsidies to political parties have recently been introduced in both Finland and Sweden. No party has resisted the temptation to take this “extra money” which is supposed to cut the ties between the parties and their private financiers. But, according to opinion polls, party subsidies are resented by a great majority of the Finnish voters. The fact that the system is worked out by a majority in a way designed

to discriminate against the opposition, or generally against the smaller parties, suggests that the subsidizing of political parties is not the ideal solution of an intricate problem.

as more efficient in other countries. The

Republican candidate was aided by “technocrats” who were said to have run an almost flawless campaign. There is, however, still a waste of priceless time and energy on such traditional American

campaign practices as handshaking tours, now extended from the street to the beaches, and babykissing. These and many other practices are just as ridiculous in the television age as are the Scandinavian type political meetings at which the candidate and his entourage often outnumber their audience. The elements of show have given American political conventions and campaigns a doubtful reputation abroad. And yet, the hullabaloo

which

accompanies

the none-too-important talk given by the candidate

and

other

Georg Ehrnrooth '53 has been a member of the Finnish Parliament since 1958. He is a member also of the Nordic Council (an advising body of parliamentarians from all Scandinavian countries) and of the Helsinki City Council.

well-known

When campaigns get, relatively speak-

people

ing, as expensive as those in the U.S. it

of his party at large rallies lifts the spirits of the hard core supporters. Political campaigns are getting frightfully expensive in every country with free elections, Candidates need funds which are hard to collect. In the Scandinavian countries the Social Democrats get most of their money from membership dues and contributions from the labor organ-

is obvious that a lack of government financing

is felt to be a problem

calling

for legislation. Paid television time and newspaper advertising devour an incredible amount of money in every American political campaign. A candidate without ample funds is in a futile race. Fund raising thus becomes one of the clues to success.


Considering the talk—detrimental to the American image abroad—about successful candidates having to be million-

I. HOUSE

Every

voter has an opportunity

to learn

both sides of each prevailing issue thanks to thorough and penetrating discussions, debates

and

interviews.

If democracy

does not get a broader base in a society where the big and small problems are aired so freely, it is the fault neither of the individuals, politicians and journalists, who devote themselves to public service, nor of the mass media industry. The coverage of the election campaign in newspapers and magazines offers quantity and quality. There is, of course, nothing comparable with the breadth and depth of the news as disseminated by the New York Times.

Another characteristic

of most American newspapers, rare or non-existent in the European countries, is the appearance, side by side, of columnists of differing political faith. Thus, quality newspapers and television help to cure the voters of the easily developed disease of political blindness of one eye. The “floating voter” is an impressive American phenomenon only _ slowly spreading to countries where the party voice is dominating the press.

Another striking thing regarding the press coverage accorded to political life in the U. S. is the often indiscreet, even tactless, way in which public personalities are dealt with. Maybe that is part of the “open society.” However, with the searchlight on, and, figuratively speaking, microphones in every private corner where a public figure happens to be, it would seem to be a problem to draw capable people into the political arena from more profitable and secluded walks of life. And yet the recruitment of the right kind of people into politics seems to be an easier task than in many European countries. I can see two reasons for this. First, there is much more active partici-

pation in civic affairs in the United States than in many other democracies. This has led to a greater understanding of

NEWSLETTER

Published by International

aires, the 1968 election was a clear rebut-

tal. All three candidates for the Presidency were men of modest means. Richard Nixon had won the nomination over Nelson Rockefeller and thus proved, to the good of both of them, and not least to the benefit of democracy, that affluence is not a condition for individual political success. Among the best things offered by the American television, heavily criticized for its soap operas and frequent advertisements, are the political programs.

WORLD

March,

1969

House — New York

Howard A. Cook, President L. W. Frohlich, Chairman, Alumni Council Janice Crichton, Editor Show ead Giidenty by Georg Pirurecth .'53. <..........2000020..0 What's Going On at the House __. a ee octe dks tec catieas eae a ee An Open Letter to Alumni by Elizabeth Scarlatos ___. DR eT eats Nee nse Ree See a a se ee ee ee FD FOND oii oe i a ee

1 4 6 9 11

what democracy requires of each of us. Politics has become respected and the professional politician, whether he be a

to be impressed by the victory of the minority party, the Republicans. In many

Governor, a Senator or a Congressman,

countries a minority party is doomed to

has achieved a standing which in other

remain in the opposition both in parliamentary and presidential elections. It is evident that politics gets stale if there is no rotation at the summit of power. Every party should be obliged, from time to time, to carry the burden which goes with governing, just as much as it should be entitled to be in the important position of a responsible opposition, recreating itself and keeping the society open. A country in which there is a democratic opposition, capable of unseating the governing party

countries is reserved for men and women

of the learned professions and business. Secondly, the material rewards and working conditions

(offices, staff, etc.) for a

European politician cannot bear comparison with what his American colleague enjoys.

The give-and-take of an American election campaign is something Europeans only slowly are catching up with. Blows below the belt look almost ordinary when American candidates slug it out. Even some editorial writers do not seem to bother about obeying the kind of code of

fair campaign practices which many of us in the Old World are supposed to abide by. Name-calling, innuendos and accusations of various unfitting qualities— such as lack of moral fitness—are things which belong in every political campaign, only with the difference that Americans use bigger guns. Lacking a special “workingmen’s party”—although most of the original European labor parties consist nowadays of a sizable proportion of intellectuals, civil servants,

etc.,

along

with

blue-collar

workers—the American labor movement is much more. engaged in electioneering and other direct political activities than its European opposite number. The way the A.F.L.-C.1.0. worked at the end of the 1968 presidential campaign, almost succeeding in turning the tide, was an impressive show of organizational strength. To a considerable extent the unexpectedly great success of the Democrats in the Congressional races must be due to the campaign contribution of the state and local labor organizations.

Democratic

candidate, it is difficult not

by intelligently appealing to an electorate

of independent mind, is a country of evolution. The American electorate, like any other electorate which is permitted to express its opinions, consists of elements almost as different as fire and water. There are the die-hards, the floating voters and the new minority of mainly student radicals who are out of patience with democracy. The anarchists and idealists who believe in violence have done their country a service by proving that the United States is the country of freedom of speech and expression which so many critics abroad have doubted. But the wish to exchange democracy, whatever its shortcomings, for something unknown, maybe communism, shows that the lessons of dictatorship, whether black or red, have not been

With this in mind, and aware of the

learned by all. We should not forget that democracy is unique in permitting its opponents both to enjoy and to abuse it. I was surprised to find how the election of the President was brought into the American schools and their lowest grades. On Election Day there were mock elections with the school kids given a chance to express their preference among the real candidates. In Finland, politics has

solid support the Negroes gave to the

(Continued on page 8)


4

What's

Going OM...

at the Rockefeller’s “Playhouse” in Pocantico

once a year how we appreciate them.” They did it, too. Bessie knew how important it was because she had children herself. She does not plan to sit around idly in her retirement. In addition to serving as Secretary of Class and Prayer Meeting for the Williams Institutional C. N. E. Church, Bessie looks forward to being a hospital volunteer. New Mrs.

Student Advisor Abbie

(“Deanie”)

Brownell

as-

sumed the duties of Student Advisor and Bessie Albritton Retires a “I go to the elevator and ring for Bessie. Bessie Albritton is the day elevator

operator

of International

House,

women’s side. Bessie is “Miss Information’ for me. If I want to know the author of ‘Marjorie Morningstar’ or where I can buy a copy, Bessie can tell me. I[f I want to know what subway I should take to go to 192 East 14th Street, Bessie can tell me — and in a much better manner than the latest New York Tourist guide. I have never been lost following Bessie’s directions.” . . . Norma Wood, writing in the International House “News,” May, 1956. Bessie Albritton, retiring after more than 40 years of service to House residents as an elevator operator and maid, was honored by the I. House staff at a farewell luncheon on February 7, 1969. She came to work full-time for International House

on August

22, 1928, four

years after its founding. During

the

wartime

year

of

1942,

when the previously all-male elevator operators were being drafted at what seemed a rate of one per week, Director John Mott (who had just been called to Washington himself) asked Bessie to “man” an elevator for the House during his

absence.

She

consented,

and

con-

tinued on the job until automatic elevators were installed in 1957. “T always kept a shopping bag of fruit,” Bessie reminisced. “The girls never seemed to get up in time for breakfast, so on their way down to classes they could at least have an apple or an orae... She also saw to it that the foreign students learned the meaning of Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day. “You get a nice big card and send it home,” she told her student friends. “Tell your parents it’s an American custom to let them know

on

February

Ist,

following the retirement

Placement

Counselor

of Mrs.

Ruth

Tegtmeyer, Resident Advisor since September, 1966. Mrs. Tegtmeyer will be

living in Washington, D. C. Mrs. Brownell, who attended St. Lawrence and Columbia Universities, comes

to her new job well acquainted with many International House students and alumni. She served on the staff of the International Center, New York, Inc. (formerly Midtown International Center) from December, 1965 to November, 1968.

Talent Tour Planned Eighteen performers from a dozen countries will represent International House on a three-week talent tour next June.

Beginning with a Preview at the House on Friday, May 30, the group will perform in six New York State communities before leaving for Curacao, Trinidad, and either Puerto Rico or Caracas, Venezuela.

While the tour plans are not yet final, alumni living in the areas scheduled may want to reserve the following dates: May 31—Port Jefferson, L. I. June 1—Kingston, N. Y. June 3—Corning, N. Y. June 4—Watertown, N. Y. June 7—Lake Mohonk, N. Y. June 10, 11, 12—Curacao—Centro

Pro

Arte (at San Fernando)

June 15—Trinidad (at Port of Spain)

by Herman Rottenberg Friday

evening,

Mr.

Mrs.

the U.S.A., and probing for directions in which our two countries might possibly move forward together.

After toasts,

dinner our

and

many

International

champagne

House

Artists

presented a half hour of music to a happy and highly appreciative audience. Mari-Elizabeth Morgen started the program with an impeccable presentation of Chopin’s “Fantaisie Impromptu” and received an ovation. Then Barbara Shuttleworth stepped forward, and sang “O Mio

Bobbino

Caro”

“Gianni Schicchi.”

from

Puccini’s

I have never heard

Barbara in better voice. Next, Tony Paratore sat down at the Steinway and

rocked them with his famous anthology of tunes from “West Side Story.”

By this time the performers and the audience were very much in tune. Then Barbara sang two of her lovely Russian folk songs, and that clinched it. Tony and Mari climaxed the evening with their fabulous four hand rendition of Rachmaninoff’s “Waltz for Four Hands” and Brahms “Hungarian Dance.”

During the performance | had the opportunity, with the aid of a fine Russian interpreter, to tell the audience about International House and what it stands for. The Americans knew about the house, but the Russians had never heard of it, and they were very much impressed. All the more so when they heard that we had 17 Soviet students living with us

over the past five years. All in all, it was a night to remember. I was proud of our International House artists, and honored that we were able to

contribute

to

such

a

worthwhile

en-

deavor.

January

The Program Office reports that all of the community service programs proposed last fall are now in operation. The most ambitious of these is the Ogontz Project, described in last fall’s Newsletter and initiated by alumna Caro-

House Wins Russian Friends On

cussions on ways and means of lessening tensions between the Soviet Union and

Students Help Students

June 6—Cooperstown, N. Y.

June 14—Trinidad

Hills.

The guests were twenty high level Soviets and their American counterparts. They had just concluded a week of dis-

17,

lyn Benbow ’67. The project, which uses foreign graduate students to teach about their countries and cultures in local elementary and

gave a dinner in honor of the participants in the Fifth U.S.-U.S.S.R. “Dart-

secondary schools, happens to fit in with a New York State curriculum review, which now stresses the study of non-

mouth Conference.”

Western countries in the Ninth Grade.

1969,

and

David

Rockefeller

The dinner was held


activities,

Dr.

James

Davis

suburban

14 students participated last fall in a new

House,

along

with

towns of Woodmere and Harrison, N. Y., and in January at P. S. 113 in New York City. Fifteen International House students are involved, many of them African and Asian students who had not previously had an opportunity to be active in

academic orientation course called “Introduction to American Education;” 70

Teachers’ College, planned the six day

Classes

junior

were

high

begun

schools

in

in

December

the

at

House programs.

A recent donation of

$1,200

Rockefeller

from

the

Brothers

Fund will permit the Ogontz program to be extended soon to four more city public schools.

Despite

the school

have been

matched

the Harlem

Tutorial

strike, 42 tutors

with 59 children

Program,

and

in

13

music students are teaching piano, voice, and violin to 16 school children in the Music Tutorial Program. Programs for House residents also continue at full steam. In addition to the

usual

foreign

social

and

students

lish-in-Action;

recreational

have and

37

of

International

Arthur

Shriberg

of

enrolled

in Eng-

program as a prototype of future House educational programs. Six House resi-

residents

are en-

dents were included in this year’s group.

rolled in the Language Lab.

Lectures,

discussions,

and

field

trips

occupied five days of the Seminar with

Development Graduate

the sixth devoted to a novel role-playing

Fellows

students

from

21

session. countries

were selected this year by the Institute of

Pro-

deciding on a five-year economic development plan. This program departure mystified a number of the Fellows at first, but engaged their lively participation by the end of the day. Dr. Davis hopes to make more use of this kind of role-playing, along with case

International

studies and group discussions, in future

International Education to attend the Development Fellows Seminar, held during the Christmas holidays at International House. The conference, one of several at

various designated centers, has been sponsored annually by the Training Op-

portunities gram

for Youth

of the

Development.

Agency

Leadership for

On this day, each student was

assigned a legislative role in a fictitious underdeveloped country with the aim of

programs for House members.


An

Open

Letter

“The World is so small now and this is such a fateful moment in history that any group with remarkable experiences in international living should mobilize its resources, enthusiasms and skills for peace.”’ Harry Edmonds

This issue of the I. House World Newsletter gives me the opportunity to correspond with all of you after six months of looking after, and into, alumni affairs.

Since August I have been living at International House and | have met your latter day counterparts over meals in the cafeteria, coffee or tea in the coffee shop and at the programs, the folk dancing, the impromptu study breaks wherein many cultures are shared via tourist-type films and the prideful presentation of native sons and daughters. So I feel I know you—or at least a part of your past. The correspondence, the greeting cards, the chance visits you have paid us here, present a composite picture of utmost fascination. There are notes from teachers and social workers, Christmas

cards from businessmen involved in international finance or making the finest cognac, and diplomats groping for the security of saying the right thing at the right time! I find myself deeply impressed with this group of 20,000 men and women who have shared the experience of living in New York City, of being students here and of being members of International House. The alumni of International House are fortunate individuals because they are well equipped to undertake leadership in advancing understanding. The person whose viewpoint is tolerant —who has learned through experience to live with others—can contribute most significantly to the preservation and progress of our world. With growing urgency, we begin to recognize that this kind of outlook is vital. It is a sheer matter of survival that we improve human cooperation on a global scale. It is impressive, too, that when Harry

Edmonds pays us his occasional visits, he never fails to charm his audience in the Home Room with the story of the House beginnings. Watching the faces of his listeners and hearing their interested questions,

one can report that the senti-

mental ideal of brotherhood which founded this place has proven durable and unabashed. The students in 1969 appear as eager to believe in the “impossible

to

Alumni

FROM ELIZABETH D. SCARLATOS

dream” as did the student who wrote in

more than forty thousand members since

the 1926 yearbook .. . “We have pitched our tent. Here we have camped together, far apart from the world of differences. What have we gained from this sojourn—what to merit it? Can we not give back to the world a new appreciation of mankind, its alikeness in spirit and its interdependence?”

the House was founded. We hope to reestablish contact with the “lost” alumni and are encouraging the Area Commit-

The “world of differences” is, it would

appear, even more fractured at the same time mankind has been made aware of its “alikeness”

from

a moonview

of itself,

inexorably bound to a tiny planet in a vaporous universe.

tees to help us with tracing them. Alumni are a mobile group. Every year there is a 30% change in the total mailing list—6,000 changes of address.

We lose track of about as many alumni every year as we gain in new ship—1,000.

member-

‘Thank God for I. House!

We did

nothing

but struggle

when

we

ar-

rived

in

London

last

July,

due

to

the

strike,

we

made

contact

with

a completely

but

fine

and

won-

derfully hospitable couple, through the I. House Passport, who entertained us until the next day when

we found aroom. We had the same experience in Vienna . .”’ Lorraine Bott Aldrich '55-'56 HELPING

A REPORT TO ALUMNI — As the newest of your custodians in the continuity of alumni affairs, | am at once humbled and

at the same time exalted by that moonview of ourselves. It has made me aware of the importance

of the

International

House alumni group as a positive force in a world that needs one. In taking up the responsibilities of my position, I am deeply aware of the foresight of those who urged the undertaking of an Alumni Program for International House as a logical extension of its program for students. The fostering of a cohesive, articulate group of worldwide alumni who can aid and stimulate each other and those around them keeps alive the interchange among nationalities that is the heart of the International House idea.

That this

undertaking was willingly financed without the restrictive limitations of requiring membership fees or paid subscriptions to the publications is evidence of the optimistic spirit of the Institution. If the tenuous bonds of “brotherhood” are to hold there must be faith. ‘‘We feel...asif we are members of a big, extended family.”

KEEPING TRACK OF YOU—Three years ago, International House undertook a major effort to find and keep in touch with alumni. This gigantic tracing effort has resulted in an active mailing list of 19,022 names, although there have been

YOU

TO

KEEP

IN

TOUCH

WITH EACH OTHER — There have been two editions of the “Worldwide Passport to International Friends,” listing alumni who are willing to be contacted by other alumni visiting in their area.

The third

edition, probably listing twice as many names, will be published in 1970. Hundreds of alumni who have been helped by these contacts have written gratefully to us. We’ve included a space on the envelope enclosed with this Newsletter for you to let us know whether you would like to be listed in the next Passport. ‘‘l was delighted to receive House World Newsletter.’

the ‘I. For a

while, I felt myself there again, en-

joying and participating in all the events of that dear house. I found it very interesting — the new emphasis on international education, and was very pleased to see there

is a new fellowship for social work (among others . . .) and a predeparture workshop to help students

to their return home.” THE

INTERNATIONAL

HOUSE

NEWSLETTER—Three-fourths

WORLD of this is-

sue of the Newsletter is devoted to the people who are our alumni. This reflects our efforts to increase the contacts among

alumni and thus to continue the sharing of experiences begun as students and members of International House. The perspective offered by Mr. Ehrn-


7 rooth’s article on American politics is an example of this continued sharing of ideas.

The Alumni Notes, introduced in

this issue, reflect the expressed desire of alumni to keep in touch with each other. The heart of the International House idea is this kind of people-to-people understanding. The I. House World Newsletter, mailed twice a year to more than 19,000 alumni around the world (and

hopefully three times a year, if we can get the budget! ), is an important medium through which we can foster it. We need your help. The Newsletter hopes to carry on the I. House idea in print. To do this, we need more articles written by alumni providing the kind of perspective on current issues and prob-

lems that you gained from each other at the House.

We hope you will volunteer

articles, comments and suggestions. ‘I do not see in any of your literature what amount is appropriate to give to the Alumni Fund.”’

AN

ATTEMPT

to 30%

(6,000)—all giving at

alumni, especially those living in countries with currency restrictions, who can-

not contribute to the Alumni Fund. Foreign alumni have made possible some gifts through business. Recently Georg Ehrnrooth of Finland visited us and presented a $1,000 gift from four Finnish companies.

The average gift has increased from $8.25 to $9.51 in the three years of the Alumni Fund—thanks to an increasing number

of larger gifts

($100 or more)

from alumni who have become patrons. Finally, we do want alumni

to know

that although we may make frequent appeals for funds, this is not our main interest in them by any means. We keep on asking, trusting that you understand and accept in good grace the need that prompts our coming to you... as members of the family. We feel badly when

public solicitation for funds. But no amount of planning in 1924 could outrun the rising cost of labor or the steady decline in the purchasing power of the dollar. The annual operating expense of International House its first year was $347,301. In 1968 it was $1,176,466—

an increace of over 300%.

It was not

until 1950, however, that the House be-

came

dependent

port, in increasing

on

contribution

amounts,

sup-

to keep

its

finances in balance. The charts on page 8 show this picture and the sources of these contributed funds. In 1969 it will be necessary to raise $200,000 in undesig-

nated funds; $125,000 for capital purposes (improvements in the cafeteria); special funds for scholarships, fellowships and for programs that serve the community.

The program which makes International House the unique combination it is—of student residence and _ student center—adds about 20% per student to the cost of each room. Included in program expense are the fellowships, the Alumni program and student services.

THE

ALUMNI

FUND

TO

BECOME

SELF-SUPPORTING — The

an alumnus writes .. . “Since I am not

Each year it is necessary to raise more

quote above came in answer to our most recent, “soft-sell” appeal to all alumni at

able to make contributions to your fund

Christmastime,

name from your mailing list . . .” We won’t drop this alumnus from our mailing list, but we will see that no further

funds from public solicitation so that the rates charged for living at International House will not go beyond the means of the average student. Presently rooms are $580-745. Average costs for a year’s study in New York City are high: $1,800 tuition,

and

—

(1,300)

the present level of support, (the average gift last year was $9.51) we would be able to turn over a tidy sum to International House for its many needs. Of course we know that there are

it occurred

to

me

that I might take the opportunity of my open letter to you to set forth publicly, and as clearly as possible, the financial background and objectives of the International House Alumni Fund. So far, the Alumni program has cost $120,000 in the three years of its operation—a staggering sum, but only $2.00 per alumnus per year. Internation-

al House diverted funds from its operating budget to finance the new office and a foundation grant also contributed toward the cost of getting it started. The Alumni Fund, launched in 1965-66, has raised about 30% of the total cost of the

program and hopefully will eventually raise the amount that the office costs annually—about $30,000—so that the Alumni Program will be self-supporting. This will release that amount of money,

now appropriated from the International House budget, so that it can be applied toward the increased operating expenses of the House, toward the expanded program and activities and for scholarships and fellowships for needy students. Tuition at Columbia now averages $1,800! e If everyone of our close to 20,000 alumni gave only $1.50, we would have enough funds to underwrite the total cost of the Alumni program. e If we could raise the number of participating alumni from the present 7%

I shall

appreciate

your

removing

my

appeals are sent! ... “‘l know that while even a hundred dollars are but a drop in the

sea of the budget of International House, without drops there would be no sea, and I like to think that my contribution, however small, does serve a purpose...’’

THE COST OF OPERATING INTERNATIONAL HOUSE — I talked to Harry Edmonds last Fall about the Alumni Fund and our hope that eventually it would contribute real support to the needs of International House and the continually growing community of international students coming to New York City. He told me that when the House was built, John

D. Rockefeller, Jr. said

that he wanted to build it big enough so that income from the rental of rooms would support the cost of operating it and there would never be a need to make a

$630 board, $580 minimum

cost room,

$100 books and supplies, $60 travel, $240 miscellaneous—adding up to $3,415! Last year more than 70% of the students living at International House were receiving scholarship or fellowship assistance from a variety of sources. The House

awarded a

total

of

$32,393

in

scholarships and fellowships from its own resources. Four Alumni Council scholarships were included. Most students found it necessary to meet their expenses by taking part-time jobs. The House Placement Office found jobs for students from which they earned a total of $165,078 last year. The limits imposed on the exchange of foreign currencies by a number of countries placed severe hardships on others. International House is committed to help these students complete their studies; its scholarship fund must grow to keep pace.

From March 26 until April 2 Alumni Fund volunteers are going to man a number of telephone lines to call their fellow alumni and to ask whether they

can contribute something toward the support of the alumni program.

We

hope that you use this opportunity to ask any questions you want answered and to communicate any special wishes you have for information or materials.


International House Comparative Summary of Operations for the Year Ended August 31, 1968

Contributions to International House Year

August

$

$

818,278.59

781,896.21

Program and Scholarships

63,147.87

53,824.10

Total Operating Income

881,426.46

835,720.31

173,476.39" 180,363.32t $1,235,266.17

135,088.03 169,944.41+

Income from Endowment and Transfer from Capital Funds Contributions Total

Income

Cafeteria,

and

Other Services Program,

Scholarships,

and Development Administration Total

Expenses

Operating Provision

Result

31, 1967

$ 51,415.26

$ 50,625.75 28,125.00

33,370.00

Individuals

66,177.11

48,510.16

Alumni

12,500.33

15,229.87

Theater Benefit

18,960.31 3,974.82 $180,363.32

23,087.71

Terrace

Supper

Party

Festival of Arts

4,325.73

$

12,856.72

$

10,685.72

$

8,079.77

$

6,838.04

$

12,556.98

$

150.00

(Benefit FellowshipScholarship Funds)

$1,140,752.75

Other Contributions (to Fellowship-

EXPENSES:

Residence,

Ended

August

Foundations

1967

1968 Rentals, Cafeteria, and Other Services

Year

31, 1968

Corporations

INCOME: Room

Ended

Scholarship Funds)

1968

1967

$ 795,881.67

$ 748,153.18

255,226.66 125,357.84 -1,176,466.17 58,800.00

227,333.68 116,835.85 ~1,092,322.66

Contributions to Endowment Funds

= $1,200,000

INCOME EXPENSES CONTRIBUTIONS

48,430.09

for Property

Replacement Deficit

58,800.00

58,800.00

$

-Q-

10,369.91

140,000 +

120,000 +

*Represents

100,000 4

4.99% of average market value of portfolio for three years. 1998

+Does not include contributions to Scholarship and included with Program and Scholarship Income.

Show and Efficiency (Continued from page 3)

been entirely banned

from

the schools.

On the whole, the attitude toward politics is much more natural in the United States. Americans would not, for instance, consider it inappropriate to bring

Fellowship

62

a. 6h

| 66

67

68

to be admired, in addition to the torment-

President and the Democrats as the majority party in Congress. Nothing less than astounding, at least to a stranger, were the choices made by the voters in

ed main candidates, were the commenta-

Arkansas:

morning. Most foreigners, I think, find the U. S. election campaigns vehement and veno-

the

they gave the electoral votes

(Wallace), re-elected their Republican governor and sent their Democratic Sen-

try. As Election Day dawns, and until the

ator back to Washington for six more years. “Archaic and dangerous” as it has

American

Independent

Party

been called, the U. S. method of electing

The ones

tors on television who, without a break worth mentioning, provided the news and

analyses from early evening until next

mous. To some the tone comes as a surprise. But all, surely, marvel at the way the U. S. politicians and their supporters close ranks when the fight is over. The friends of the United States wish

its President also offers the maximum of

that fundamental issues of freedom and

excitement when the race is close. Every-

democracy will keep the Americans united during the difficult times that seem to be ahead of us all. Democracy, as we know it, is being put to the most difficult test across the world. It will survive only when party divisions, political bickering and egoism are kept within bounds. &®

one,

whether

he was

a Democrat,

a Re-

and in many countries a pencil to mark

publican, a Wallace supporter or just an

it—the American voters pull one or many

outside observer, lived through hours of suspense on November 5-6, excitement

by using just one lever, a majority of

pr 4

without knowing the outcome.

of after-dinner talk, something usually shunned at social gatherings in my coun-

of the levers on the large machine. Instead of voting the straight party ticket

opt

out choice in preferring a Republican as

to

American and European politics grow even larger than they are during the campaign. The reason is mainly the voting machine. Where we use a paper ballot—

63

the voters this time expressed a thought-

up current political issues as a subject

votes are counted, the differences between

30

Funds

which any Hitchcock plot would find difficult to beat. Most people went to bed


ae es he eee Annual

Dinner Held Dec. 3

Nostalgia

and

good

vailed on December 250

alumni,

fellowship

pre-

third as more than

trustees,

student

council

members, staff members and guests assembled in the upper foyer and auditorium for a joint Alumni-Trustee-Student Council Dinner. The occasion featured an announcement of the Ernest B. Schwarzenbach Memorial Fund, a gift to International House of $4,500 (to date) from col-

leagues and friends of the late alumnus, who was President of Sony Corporation of America.

The

gift was

Schwarzenbach’s

acknowledged

by Mr.

daughter,

Mar-

Mrs.

shall Schulman, in a touching tribute to the House where her parents met and to

which

both

had

remained

deeply

at-

ie

=

tached. An international fashion show with costumes from 12 countries led off the

Trustee Dinner.

evening’s program, followed by the pre-

Area Committees Report

sentation

of four new

national

flags to

e

:

attempt a fund-raising campaign early in

the International House collection. These flags were donated in response

The Annual Meeting of the International House Alumni Council of Ban-

to a request in the March, 1967, Newsletter. An Austrian flag was given by Peter

8, with the following officers elected unanimously: Behram S. Sidhwa ’39,

Mohillo ’67 who is now an architect in Vienna. Former Carnegie Fellow Gabriel Motlhasedi ’67 donated the flag of his newly independent country, Botswana. Last year’s German student group at the House arranged to replace their country’s outdated flag. And at the request of Dr. Thekla Beere ’26 of Dublin, the Department of External Affairs of Ireland contributed a new Irish national flag. A talent showcase ended the program, with alumni performers featured along with present House members. Two student performers were recipients of alumni scholarships: Asha Coorlawala of India, and Tomoko Fujita of Japan. Arrangements for the dinner were made by a special Four Decades Committee chaired by Sigurdur Helgason °45, President

of

Icelandic

Airlines,

Inc.

‘

Mrs. Beatrice Chang, ’29 and daughter, Harriet, '60 enjoy the buffet at the Alumni

galore,

India,

was

held

on

November

President; M. K. Ramachandra’59, Vice-

President; B. C. S. Narayan ’64, Treasurer; M. V. Krishna Murthy, ’49, Secretary.

The new officers have conveyed their best wishes to Miss Janet Whittier while welcoming Mrs. Elizabeth Scarlatos as the new Director of Alumni and Development Affairs. The Governing Council of the Banga-

lore group also congratulated their president, Behram S. Sidhwa, on his appointment to the International Alumni Council. (Note: Mr. Sidhwa, who is Chief Agent for the Central Bank of India, Ltd., Ban-

galore, was appointed an Alumni Council Member for India last September. A graduate of Bombay University and an active member

of Rotary

International,

Serving as co-chairman were L. W. Froh-

he is also

a member

lich ’37, Chairman of the Alumni Coun-

Committee

of

cil, and Joseph Wyman 56, Alumni Council Member for New York. Volunteers from the New York Alumni area committee helped with preparations for the dinner, with Mary Field Schwarz °63 serving as Chairman of Decorations and Joanna Roode ’63 as Chairman of Hostesses.

Bankers and of the Afro-Asian Goodwill Society. Mr. Sidhwa lived at International House while studying at the American Institute of Banking.) P. H. Kjaer-Hansen ’37 of Copen-

the

of the Managing

Indian

Institute

of

hagen, Denmark, writes that the Danish

Alumni Association held two board meetings in the year 1968 and has decided to

1969.

William Choy ’38, Council Member for Hong Kong, sends the following news: “The Hong Kong Alumni Group recently started a monthly luncheon meeting and it is proving to be a success. “On the 10th of January we held a dinner party to bid farewell to Charles Cheung 60 who is migrating to Canada with his family. Charles has been acting as Treasurer for the group and was a very

keen member. His absence will be sorely felt. “The members here are considering in what small way they can make a contribution to the community here as a group —particularly in the field of education. Our aim this year is to solicit funds from members to endow one scholarship to a College here to be known as the International House Scholarship. Thus we also answer a Call that our efforts be dedicated to the field of education in the year 1969.” Keith Aitken ’29, Council Member for

England, explains that the London Alumni are organized into two bodies—the International House Association, which embraces alumni from New York, Chi-

cago, and Berkeley and has been in existence since 1947, and the International

House Association Trust which was formed four years ago with the specific purpose of promoting and building an International House in London. (Continued

on next page)

:


10 They now expect to build in Regents Park on Crown Land: “It is a big undertaking requiring the help and interest of all our members. An appeal for funds will have to be organized if this, our dream of an International House in London, is to become a reality.” Mr. Aitken also reports: “During the year Dr. Louie Hamilton has arranged Sunday suppers in the homes of some of our members in or near London. Students

here from other countries have been invited through the valuable help given by the British Council.” The New York Area Committee now numbers 442 members, many of whom are involved in the annual fund-raising telephone campaigns for the House, as well as other volunteer projects. Gaby Riback,

former

Newsletter

Editor,

now

heads the Apartment Inspection Committee, and Sallie Brooks has reorganized and reopened the Clothing Bank. Alumni are expected soon to help student volunteers as tutors in the House’s English-inAction program. Alumni may wish to note! Through the generous gift of alumnus Sigurdur Helgason ’45 a round trip air ticket, via Icelandic Airlines (of which Mr. Helgason is President) from New York City to Copenhagen has been made available as a prize in a gigantic Phone-a-thon on behalf of the Alumni Fund. The competition, of course, is limited to volunteers

from the New York City area but other area committees might adopt the plan to stimulate contributions in their localities by obtaining substantial prizes from local businessmen—possibly alumni. Alumni in the News e Columbia University has announced the appointment of J. M. Pei ’38, architect and city planner, to oversee its future building on Morningside Heights. Mr. Pei, a native of Canton, China, came to

this country in 1935 and was educated at M. I. T. and Harvard School of Design. He lived at International House during the summers of 1937 and 1938. Speaking at a recent meeting of Morningside Heights, Inc. (an organization of local institutions including I. House), Mr. Pei commented that many factors such as architectural harmony within the area, parking and transportation, and community participation must be taken into consideration in Columbia’s expansion plans. Residential housing, he said, was in-

separable from his master planning under guidelines set forth by Acting President Andrew Cordier. He felt the need existed

for multi-use

structures,

and welcomed

the challenge to create an area not exclusively institutional.

All institutions are

dependent on outside life and Morningside Heights, he said, should be part of

the fabric of the City. The fate of Morningside Park, site of Columbia’s proposed gymnasium and focus of much student and alumni protest, has not yet been decided. e Soprano Evelyn Mandac ’66 and tenor Robert Jones ’68 both graduates of Juilliard, were featured in a Carnegie Hall performance of the Messiah on Dec. 17, 1968. Miss

Mandac,

who

was

born

in the

Philippines, has sung with the San Antonio and Santa Fe Operas and will soon appear as a guest artist with the RAI Orchestra of Turin, Italy. Mr. Jones comes from Martins Ferry, Ohio, and has appeared with the Dallas and Augusta (Georgia) Operas. e A photograph of Reiko Fujiwara ’68 appeared last November in the NEw York Times. Miss Fujiwara, a graduate student at Columbia, spends her Saturday mornings teaching Japanese to children of Japanese diplomats and businessmen who are stationed in New York for a few months or a few years. So adaptable are these children, like children everywhere, that without refresher courses they soon may forget how to read and write their native language. The program is sponsored by the Manhattan Nippon Club with support from the Japanese government.

In Memory Of Ernest J. Schwarzenbach,

’28, President of

Sony Corporation of America, died on Sept. 2, 1968. He lived at International House for four years after coming to the United States from his native Switzerland. As an alumnus, he was active in the earliest planning for an alumni association. More recently, he served as a member of the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. His widow, whom he met at International House, is the former Marcelle Guignard ’29. Mrs. Schwarzenbach’s thoughtful request for gifts to International House in lieu of flowers led to the establishment of the Ernest J. Schwarzenbach Memorial Fund announced at the Alumni-Trustee Dinner on Dec. 3. Kenneth

P. Kirkwood,

28, Canadian

diplo-

mat, author and educator, died in September, 1968. He served with the Canadian external affairs department for 31 years. Before joining the diplomatic service, Mr. Kirkwood taught history at several colleges, including Columbia. Among his many diplomatic posts in 14 countries, he served as Canadian Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, as First Canadian Ambassador to Egypt and First Canadian Minister to Lebanon (concurrently), and as high Commissioner to New Zealand. Alexander J. Papp, ’32, was born in Szatmar, Hungary, in 1901 and came to this country in 1922. He was an active member of International House from 1926 to 1932 while studying at Columbia University. It was here that he met his wife, the former Ruby C. (“Sally”) Walker, ’31-’32 of Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Papp, who died in Mt Kisco, N.Y. on

June 27, 1968, was associated with Horwath and Horwath, hotel accountants, before going

into business for himself. He was buried in Fort Worth, where Mrs. Papp will make her permanent home.

e An exhibition of historic headgear, initiated by Mrs. Beverly Chico ’60 and featuring many unusual hats from her private collection, was reported in the Sept. 23, 1968, issue of THe BALTIMORE SUN. The exhibit was held at the Community College of Baltimore, where Mrs. Chico is an Assistant Professor of His-

Francis X. Scafuro ’35, founder of the International Export Credit Institute, had a long and distinguished career in international finance and business development. At the time of his death in March, 1968, he was a senior vice-president of the Bank of America, International, in New York. Mr. Scafuro was a loyal alumnus of International House, serving as founder, Director, and President of the International House

tory.

Alumni

Association,

which

-preceded

the

present Alumni Council.

JAPAN

IN

1970?

Plans are underway to hold a World Conference of International House alumni in Kyoto, Japan, in March, 1970, at the opening of EXPO ’70. A charter flight from New York City and group flights from other cities and countries are possibilities we are looking into. Conference theme: “The Role of International House Alumni in the International Education Year.”’ Please indicate your interest on the enclosed envelope.

The following deaths were reported to the Alumni Office during the past six months; last known address and final residence year are given: Mr. Keng Chang Li '23, Glen Cove, L. L, New York Dr, James Tsune-Chi Yu ’26, Rome, Italy Mrs. Mary (McLendon) Ataloa ’27, Los

Angeles, California

:

Mr. Everett M. Sanders ’27, St. Petersburg, Florida Miss Greta T. Garrison °33, Greenwich, Conn. Miss Edna Phillips °34, Norwood, Massachusetts

Miss Phyllis Love ’48, New York City Mrs. Helen H. Alexander ’60, Winston-Salem, N.C.


Alumni With

Notes

this issue,

the Newsletter

first Alumni Notes column.

prints its

Let us hear more

from you! Olga L. Butterworth, Cosmopolitan Club 18, writes from Denmark: “We read I. H. News with greatest interest. Delighted to hear Skipper is hale and hearty, keeping active despite past 85!” Florence Evelyn Spence, Cosmopolitan Club

’19 and

Staff, ’23, tells us she has been

a New York News columnist for 34 years. Yusuf Khuri Hitti ’22 is practicing medicine in Beirut, Lebanon. From

Angola,

Indiana,

Mrs.

Florence

Parsell Covell ’27 is busy with 29 grandchildren to date! Ann C, Almy ’27 is teaching English twice a week to foreign students at the Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Herschel Alt ’27 has completed the first year

of operation

as

President

and

founder

of the Institute for Training and Research in Child Mental Health in New York City. Prior to developing the Institute, Mr. Alt had been Executive Vice-president of the Jewish Board of Guardians for the past 25 years and has served as an international con-

sultant in child mental health for organizations such as UNICEF and WHO. Felicite L. Hoffman ’27 of New York, a faithful volunteer at International House, wrote

recently

from

France;

“Is

it

known

that Marguerite Soulier Gouilloux °27 has retired from the Ecole Hoteliere de Nice? Her

present

Avenue times),

address

is

Pougearel, France.

Residence

Vence

She

Val-Roy,

(Alpes-Mari-

is always

happy

to see

Poughkeepsie,

New

visitors from the House.” Vincent

Kane

’28

of

York, is a book salesman for Oxford University Press. Ralph E. Philipson ’28 of Motala, Sweden, tells us that an International House has been erected in Goteborg, Sweden. Dr. Florence Boehmer ’29 writes from Springfield, Missouri, that she is retired but still deeply interested in human brotherhood —above all, concerned for world peace. Annie J, Dunston °31 of London, Ontario, Canada, writes; “It is still a great privilege to be even a small part of the International Brotherhood.” Gertrude Metzler ’31 from Nepanee, Ontario, Canada wrote: “I lost my eyesight on November 13, 1967, and after two operations in 1968 for cataract, have regained my sight. It is like a miracle! Happy New Year.” Frank C. Foster ’24 and ’32 retired from the University of Maine in 1960. He taught at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico in 1965 and is now teaching at the Uni-

versity of Cincinnati and Xavier University

in Cincinnati. Mary M. Fulton ’32 of White Plains, N.Y.,

has been Home

actively

Economics

working but

retired

in the field of in July

from

teaching in the Port Chester (N.Y.) Senior High School. She attended the 11th Interna-

tional Congress on Home Economics which was held at Briston University, Bristol, England, during the early part of July. New Yorkers Kimon A. Doukas ’26-’34 and Helen R. Doukas (Helen Fetters 32-34) wrote to say they had traveled extensively in

the States, Greece, France, Switzerland, Italy, England and Ireland. Mrs. Allie Miller Holley Hubert ’37 of Wilmington, Delaware tells us: “My 1936-37 I. H. Yearbook is a cherished possession!” Ralph

Jones ’38 of Ithaca,

N.Y.,

is now

a

Professor of Speech Pathology at Ithaca College and “enjoys it very much!” Arnold Arnold ’39 is the writer of a syndicated

column,

“Parents

and

Children.”

Margaret Davis ’42 writes from Princeton, New Jersey: “For the past three years I have been directing an English conversation program called English in Action for foreign students,

visiting

fellows,

and

research

as-

sociates and their wives at Princeton.” Ruth I. Nomura °44 of Honolulu, Hawaii, wrote recently to say: “Thank God there was and still is an International House that keeps brotherhood alive even in this day of persecution and discrimination.” From Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rice (Margaret Wrenn Koontz), ’42 of Greenville, S.C., came a request: “The Engs (Fred and Ruth Hunter) and the Kungs (Limin and Myrtle Ako) met at I. House and were there in 194142. How many others of that year met at I. House and are now married?” (Editor’s note: Use envelope enclosed for information about yourself and I. House friends.) Charles M. Campbell ’43 of Hawaii has been elected city councilman-at-large for the Honolulu City Council. The inauguration was on January 2, 1969. He has also been elected to the Finance Committee. Edith M. L. Herrmann ’43 has moved recently to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Since 1967 she has been a member from the library field in the International

Platform

Assoc,

(I.P.A.)

which holds an annual summer convention in Washington, D.C. William Hollomon ’44 wrote in December from Fredericksburg, Virginia: “Come down and visit the Colonial Farm and Morgan horse farm at George Washington Birthplace National Monument, an area of the National

Park Service.” Mrs. Harry °45) is currently

E. Anderson, Mental

Jr. (Ruth

Health

Neal

Chairman

of

the Georgia Congress of Parents and Teachers as well as a Research Assistant in the University of Georgia’s School Desegregation Center: “. .. very exciting, this. We hold integrated

Institutes for teachers,

administra-

tors, parents all over the state to discuss local desegregation problems.” Catherine

Barclay

°46 of Alberta,

Canada,

retired in 1967 from teaching French in Calgary high schools. Dr. Salamatullah ’47 is now Dean of the Faculty of Education at Jamia Millia Islania, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India. William Gamble

’48 of Vallejo, Calif., has

left teaching after 20 years and is now working in the field of equity securities. Mrs. Fanny Cortes Garcia ’48 of Makati, Rizal, Philippines, is now President of the Pacific Marketing Corporation (which she formed in 1967) as well as Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Pacific Cement Co., Inc. She was formerly Special Assistant to the governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines, in charge of the Department of Economic Research. In 1966, she was given the Most Distinguished Alumnae Award by the College of Business Administration, University of the Philippines Alumni Assoc.

Carl E. Veazie ’48 is a Staff Economist with the Bowdoin College Public Affairs Research Center, Brunswick, Maine. From Juilliard comes news that Clyde Cappon °49 has been appointed Associate Professor of Music at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston; David Hewlett °49 is now organist and master of the choristers of Christ Church, Fitchburg, Mass. M. V. Ghetia °50 of Lakewood, Ohio, writes: “I love my teaching position in Lakewood. Always peruse the newsletter for news of old friends.” Mary Green ’50 of New York City has been appointed Home Furnishings Editor of Family Circle Magazine. She was formerly Home Furnishings Editor of The Bride’s Magazine. Enzo

A.

Liva

°50,

violincellist,

has

been

appointed to the faculty of Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania. Mary R. Reid °50, Washington, D.C., is a retired elementary school principal. Dorothy Goddard ’51 writes: “I retired two years ago after teaching 40 years in Con-

necticut schools, administrator.

17 years of this time as an However,

vantaged

children

Hartford,

Conn.,

I’m tutoring

at St. three

Peter’s

days

disad-

School

a week

and

in do

volunteer work at the Mark Twain Memorial Home.” Lydia Hailparn ’51 of Wayne, New Jersey, has recently had articles published in CLAVIER,

DREW

UNIVERSITY

MAGAZINE,

and

Music JOURNAL ANTHOLOGY. Isabel E. Reed ’°51 is on the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, State University of New York at Buffalo. She returned to Buffalo in December after completing a fascinating assignnfent (sponsored by U.S.A.I.D.) as Consultant in Nursing Education in Paraguay. Rolf Schoder ’51 is in Oslo, Norway, working as Chief Public Information Officer with REDD BARNA (The Save the Children Organization, Norway.) He worked as Public Information Officer with UNRWA in the Middle East from 1963 to 1966. Lee Cass ’52 is an Assistant Professor of Voice at Carnegie-Mellon University, Pa. Thomas Durkin ’52 is now Public Relations Director of the National Coffee Association in New York City. Arnold L. Lyslo ’52 has a new position as Director of the Talbot Perkins Adoption Service, Brooklyn, N.Y. Ana Marie O’Neill ’52 retired from the University of Puerto Rico as Professor Emeritus in 1961. She was selected “Mujer de Puerto Rico” in 1966 by the Puerto Rican chapter of the Union de Mujeres Americanas. Leon Prince ’52 has recently been promoted to Chief Counselor of the Youth Opportunity Center in Peoria, Illinois. Jean Jalbert ’°53 of Hamburg, Germany, wrote for help in locating an Indian friend he had met at the House. He added: “Although I have been living in Europe now (I married a German girl in 1959—we have two children) for about twelve years, I often think back to the happy days at I. House.” Mrs. Uriel Akavia °54 wrote from Israel that she has three children, is a practicing school psychologist, teaches psychology classes at a T.T.C. in Tel Aviv, and is also assistant dean of Levinsky College. And she still finds time to travel! She told us: “This


12 summer I visited Denmark and wrote to another prospective (‘Passport’) host, Eva Suhr 64 of Copenhagen. To my delight she waited for me at the airport, in the company of her husband,

Rev.

Wang,

and

their

little

child.

She helped me to find a private home to live in, a lovely Danish occupied!) I spent

family. (All hotels were wonderful hours in the

company of the Wangs. So this is to thank the I.H.—more power to you.” Mrs. Charlotte Seymour °55 of Cedar Grove, N.J., sent news of two I. House friends: Perfecta Del Mundo Adams ’54, now a mother and part-time ophthalmologist, lives in Willingboro, N.J.; Helen Steiger °55 is now semi-retired in Canton Bern, Switzerland, after many years of work with displaced persons in Austria and Africa. Lorraine Bott Aldrich ’56 was married last year to a pediatrician. She wrote: “We welcome any former members traveling through Los Angeles.” Luz M. Llado ’56 writes from Puerto Rico:

“News? I have only questions about things we can not understand and much more faith in our idea of extended Brotherhood. My services as a social worker are now given to children in private institutions. Most of these are orphanages and two of them for the mentally retarded. I am interested to get in touch (through the Newsletter) with other social workers,

any place in the world, doing

this kind of job. We have a licensing law, and many questions, and many problems which I would like to share and think about together with others. If any co-worker is interested, I would be glad to receive a note at the following address: 41 Ponce St., Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00917.” Dr. Jacques Badin °57 of Paris, France, wrote in a Christmas card to Mr. Cook: “. . . The I. H. Membership has been so precious to me. My daughters are becoming big girls and (I hope) someday they will be students and members of the International House.” Another Christmas letter came from Lt. Col.

King

James

Coffman

’58,

in

Falls

Church, Virginia, telling of his experience last year in action in South Vietnam. Col. Coffman is now stationed in the Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. Frances Siu Lan Tyou ’58 is now an Associate Professor at State University College, Buffalo, N.Y. From Cambridge, Mass., Beverly Woodward ’58 writes: “Am teaching Philosophy and Political Science at Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute. Had an article ‘Vietnam and the Law’ in the November issue of COMMENTARY.” Evelyn Johnson ’59 attended the International Conference of Social Welfare in Helsinki, Finland, in August and saw Selena Grissom ’59 there. Another Christmas card correspondent was Dr. Martha Cabut ’60, who is teaching Physiology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. Cecilia Gaitan Gonzales ’60 visited the House last fall while attending a conference in this area. She is a practicing dentist in Bogota, Colombia. Celestel Patton ’60 is an Assistant Professor of Health Education at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.

Maxwell B. Shepherd ’60, originally from Australia, is now an Assistant Professor of Music at the Hartford Branch of the University of Connecticut. Herbert Jasmine ’61 is in New York City “training, singing, tending bar around town.” From Tokyo, Dr. K. J. Lippman ’61 requested a “Passport to International House Friends” to use while on a trip with his wife through Southeast Asia and India. Dr. Lippman is an Army Surgeon currently caring for Vietnam evacuees in Japan. Mrs. Suzanne McJunkin ’62 writes from Pequea, Pa.: “No news—just a continuing appreciation of the goals of I. House.” Nicos Agathocleous ’63 of Cyprus is now on the Staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London after several years of service as First Secretary in his country’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. Inderjeet Singh Bhoi ’63 is Under-Secretary of Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after having been Legal Adviser to the Ministry. Martin Epie ‘63 and William Forcho Lima 63 both of Cameroun, are now serving their country as ambassadors. Matthias Lubega ’63 is Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uganda. He was formerly First Secretary in the Embassy at Accra and Counsellor at his Permanent Mission in New York. Antonio Mullet ’63 is a state supervisor of schools with the Puerto Rico Education Department. He is also President of the Puerto Rico Field Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an international professional fraternity for men in education. Mr. Mullet has been a lecturer of philosophy of education in the University of Puerto Rico. Patrick Quien ’63 works for Remy Martin Cognac

in Cognac,

Charente,

France.

Dr. Mary Field Schwarz ’63 has a new position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Hunter College, New York City. Professor Turkan Kumbaraci ’64 is now Chairman of the Industrial Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. He wrote: “Greetings to you all. I’d like to welcome any of you who are passing by Ankara or who might be interested in attending the Middle East Technical University— an international university where the curriculum is in English. I have many good memories of International House and I wish all of you challenging studies and lots of fun. Do keep me posted of activities.” Paul Mastrangelo ’64 was soloist with the Arlington Symphony last June and appeared in the Opera Society of Washington’s production of Puccini’s “Manon Lescant” in February. F. M. Mulikita 64 was Zambia’s first ambassador to the United Nations and is now Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education. Carmen Parris 64 of Jamaica is head of the United Nations and International Organization desk at the Ministry of External Affairs. Norman Singer ’64 of Arlington, Mass., is now at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Marion Donner ’65 of Australia immigrated in 1967 to Israel where she now lives at Kibbutz

Revivim,

Doar

Na

Ramat

Negev.

Marguerate Lec Lezio ’65 writes: “Hope to be back at Columbia U. this coming (spring) semester to complete the M.A. in French Literature started while at I. H. Did social work in the Bronx for the past two years.”

Ellen E. Tittler 65 teaches Modern Dance at Prospect Heights High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., and is Rehearsal Director for dancer/ choreographer Pearl Lang & Dance Company. A recent visitor at the House was Inder Lal Kapur ’66, a Special Correspondent for the Press Trust of India, India’s premier Wire Service.

In

New

Delhi,

Mr.

Kapur

covers

the Parliament, Government Ministries and the political parties. He was assigned to the U.N.

in the summer

of

1966,

when

he lived

at I. House. From Yokahama, Japan, Kazuo Minato ’66 writes: “I am going to move to Washington, D.C., to work as correspondent of the YOMIURI

SHIMBUN,

One

of the

three

largest

newspapers in Japan. I have been working on the newspaper since returning from the U.S. on July 7, 1966. My experience in the United States as a political science student will be very helpful in covering the White House, State Department, and other political institutions. Please give my best wishes to my

former

friends in the I. House.”

Neville Nicholls ’66 is Assistant to the Attorney-General of Barbados and has been deeply involved in the drafting of agreements for the Caribbean Free Trade Association. After receiving an M.A. in Russian literature and an M.L.S. in Library Science (both from Columbia), Anna K. Stutigowa ’66 is now Soviet Studies Bibliographer at the Cornell University Library in Ithaca, N.Y. She wrote that since leaving I. House she has

been to Europe twice studying and/or traveling in Poland, Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. In his spare time, Cyrus Abbe ’67 is organizing free unusual programs for patients in New York City hospitals: “All I. House alumni

singers,

guitarists,

dancers,

and

mu-

sicians willing to give one weekday evening a month to entertain sick patients are more than welcome to join our group. Please write me

at

14

West

90th

St.,

New

York,

N.Y.

10024.” Currim J. Currimjee ’67 of Mauritius and Magnus Mukoko-Mokeba ’67 of Cameroun both are serving in the U.N. Secretariat. Mary E. Fowler ’67 of Washington, D.C.,

recently accepted a permanent position with the central programming office of A.I.D. after serving for a year as a Management Intern with the Agency. Rashleigh Jackson ’67 is now Acting Permanent Secretary of Guyana’s Ministry of External Affairs. Violeta Vincenti ’67 is working as a research scientist at the American University in Washington, D.C. Judi Moline ’68 has joined the faculty of International

College,

Beirut,

Lebanon,

as a

full-time teacher of English as a foreign language. N. Douglas Ntiwane ’68 has been appointed Swaziland’s Ambassador to England.


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