November-December 2002 > The Alumni

Alumni News

 Aloian Winners

Established in 1988 to honor the late David Aloian ’49, a former executive director of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) and master of Quincy House, the Aloian Memorial Scholarships recognize two seniors who have made unique contributions to their Houses and to undergraduate life. This year’s recipients are Justin Erlich and Angela Freeburg, who were to be honored at the fall dinner of the HAA’s Board of Directors on October 10.

Justin Erlich and Angela Freeburg

Stephanie Mitchell / Harvard News Office

Erlich, of Oakland, California, and Quincy House, is credited with transforming an underutilized space into the new Quincy Grille: fresh décor, an extensive menu, and a promise to stay open until 2 a.m. have brought together students from many of the Houses. "The success of the Grille under Justin’s leadership has attracted the attention of the Undergraduate Council, which may consider using it as a model for a student center or centers," says Quincy House resident tutor Ryan Oyama. Erlich, a government concentrator and John Harvard Scholar, also plays on Quincy intramural teams, writes for the Independent, participates in the Harvard-Radcliffe Drama Society, and serves as a mentor in the Mission Hill Big Brother Program. He is considering law school and envisions a career in city government.

Freeburg, of Hollywood, Florida, and Cabot House, has fostered interactions between newly arrived sophomores and upperclassmen by creating Cabot Key, a committee of Cabot residents who plan welcoming activities. She has organized care packages delivered by singing seniors, and the popular spring bowling outing. The House committee that nominated Freeburg called her "probably the most visible, well-known, and well-liked person in the House." Also a dancer and choreographer, she has competed with the Crimson Dance Team and choreographed last year’s House musical, The Wiz. She is an Afro-American studies concentrator; her senior thesis focuses on how race and gender affected the lives of black women at Radcliffe from 1862 to 1940. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.

 

Home Renovation

The University’s renovated Internet home page, www.harvard.edu, has made its debut. The new look provides direct links to such frequently accessed locations as libraries, museums, the president’s office, athletics, and employment opportunities—not to mention alumni activities—and provides more intuitive ways of navigating to the separate schools’ sites. There is also a rotating gallery of pictures and a link to multimedia features.

Give a Student a Job

Various university programs try to match undergraduates with paid and unpaid jobs and internships throughout the year. To learn more about how alumni can provide learning opportunities and paid positions, contact staff members at the offices listed below.

The Harvard Career Internship Program helps students land unpaid internships during spring recess. Contact Nancy Saunders at the Office of Career Services, at 617-495-2595 or nesaundfas [dot] harvard [dot] edu. The Radcliffe Externships program offers undergraduate women the chance to accompany alumnae at work and at home during spring break. Contact Susan Shemo at 617-496-3025 or shemoradcliffe [dot] edu. To offer a paid summer job, contact the Student Employment Office at 617-495-2585 or post details on the SEO website, at www.seo.harvard.edu.

 

Harvard at Home

Alumni can engage in some of the intellectual happenings on campus through the on-line venture Harvard at Home. The 20 segments now available offer insight into a wide range of topics, including Chinese history, the unearthing of archival Bach manuscripts, African-American vocalists, and Islamic scholarship.

An hour-long lecture on the world of fluid dynamics, by McKay professor of chemical engineering and applied mechanics Howard A. Stone, is among the newest offerings, as is a multimedia vignette entitled “Interpreting the Past.” In that segment, Phillips professor of early American history Laurel Thatcher Ulrich discusses the experience of researching her books, A Midwife’s Tale and The Age of Homespun.

To date, the on-line programming has been available only to alumni through a password-protected website. In the coming year, however, some programs will be made available to the general public. To access the on-line site, go to www.haa.harvard.edu and register for the alumni website post.harvard.edu. A menu there links users to Harvard at Home.

 

Alumni College Update

Circle November 16 for “America’s War on Terrorism: One Year In,” an Alumni College event in Cambridge. Expanded Alumni College programs in 2003 will include “Homeric Odysseys,” led by Jones professor of classical Greek literature Gregory Nagy, to be held February 22-23 in Washington, D.C. For further details, e-mail the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) at haa_alumnicollegeharvard [dot] edu.

 

Comings and Goings

Harvard clubs nationwide host lectures, seminars, and social gatherings. For details on what is happening locally, contact the HAA’s clubs and programs office at 617-495-3070 or visit www.haa.harvard.edu.