Aloian Scholars

Two Harvard seniors are honored for improving House life.

Karl Kmiecik ’10, of Cabot House and Augusta, Georgia, and Kirsten E. M. Slungaard ’10 of Eliot House and Saint Paul, Minnesota, are this year’s David Aloian Memorial Scholars, and will be honored at the fall dinner of the Harvard Alumni Association in October. The scholarships, established in 1988 to honor the late David Aloian ’49, a former HAA executive director and master of Quincy House, and his wife, Mary “Mimi” Aloian, are awarded to two seniors who have made unique contributions to their Houses and to undergraduate life.

Kmiecik, a history and science concentrator, is “a friend to all” who organizes multiple formals, at least a dozen study breaks and stein clubs, and a lively Dutch Auction that raises money for student events. He was instrumental in Cabot’s three-year drive to win the Green Cup (for greatest reduction in energy consumption), and serves on the House tutor interview committee. Kmiecik is also president of the Harvard ROTC Association, a volunteer for the Peer Health Exchange, and a member of  his department’s student-faculty committee.  

Kirsten Slungaard, an English concentrator, has been a driving force behind numerous Eliot House initiatives. She spearheaded the renewal of its Grille, a popular late-night gathering spot; as its manager, she organizes study breaks and hires and trains employees, among other duties. A founding member of the Eliot Writing Circle, she is an aspiring professional writer, and a sound supporter of others’ creative endeavors. And as a member of the Eliot Boat Club, she rises early most mornings to contribute to Eliot’s dominance in intramural crew. 

Related topics

You might also like

Harvard Football: Harvard 34, Cornell 10

The Crimson stays unbeaten following a hard fight with the Big Red

Harvard Football: Harvard 59, Holy Cross 24

Another week, another blowout, this one against an in-state rival

Most popular

What Trump Means for John Roberts's Legacy

Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.

Harvard’s Endowment, Donations Rise—but the University Runs a Deficit

The annual financial report signals severe challenges to come.

How MAGA Went Mainstream at Harvard

Trump, TikTok, and the pandemic are reshaping Gen Z politics.

Explore More From Current Issue

People gather near the John Harvard Statue in front of University Hall surrounded by autumn trees.

A Changed Harvard Faces the Future

After a tense summer—and with no Trump settlement in sight—the University continues to adapt. 

A diverse group of adults and children holding hands, standing on varying levels against a light blue background.

Why America’s Strategy For Reducing Racial Inequality Failed

Harvard professor Christina Cross debunks the myth of the two-parent Black family.

A woman (Julia Child) struggles to carry a tall stack of books while approaching a building.

Highlights from Harvard’s Past

The rise of Cambridge cyclists, a lettuce boycott, and Julia Child’s cookbooks