Each May, the HAA selects two rising seniors to receive the David and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholarships. The criteria require recipients to have shown solid leadership in contributing to the quality of life in the Houses, traits embodied by the Aloians, who served as masters of Quincy House from 1981 to 1986. David Aloian ’49 was also executive director of the HAA.
Michael Baskin ’11, of Dunster House, and Ryan Schell ’11, of Pforzheimer House, were honored at the fall dinner of the HAA’s board of directors in October.
Baskin, of Boston, is known as “Eco-Mike.” As Dunster’s Sustainability Representative, he inspired fellow House members to a record 91 percent participation rate in Harvard’s Sustainability Pledge that has yet to be broken; as social chair of the Dunster House committee, he planned events that were both fun and sustainable. As a First Year Outdoor Program trip leader and leader trainer, he helped plan and lead week-long wilderness orientation trips that promote the development of social support and self-awareness. Additionally, he co-facilitates discussion groups as part of the Freshman Dean’s Office’s ‘Reflecting on Life’ program. A dedicated member of the Dunster crew, Baskin created new cheers to motivate the Dunster House boats, helped design the team’s website, and has never missed a practice.
Schell, of Troy, Michigan, is co-chair of the House committee, where he manages a $25,000 budget and works with administrators and fellow students to address University-wide issues and plan campus events. He also devotes significant time to Habitat for Humanity and piloted the organization’s first two-week-long international home-building project, which took place during last year’s January intersession. Schell is the program coordinator for the Mission Hill After School Program (MHASP) and encourages other undergraduates to participate. Last year, to the delight of everyone in the House, he brought some MHASP children to Pforzheimer House for a sleepover.
