Harvard undergraduates honored for dorm leadership

Harvard students who help enhance the quality of life in the dorms win Aloian Awards

Seniors Kathryn Walsh of Adams House and Roland Yang of Kirkland House received the Harvard Alumni Association’s (HAA) annual David ’49 and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholarships at the October meeting of the HAA’s board of directors. The $2,000 unrestricted awards, named for the master and co-master of Quincy House in the 1980s (David Aloian was also HAA executive director), recognizes exemplary leadership in enhancing quality of life in the Houses.

Walsh, of Westbrook, Maine, co-chairs the Adams House Committee; she has helped create “Neighborhood Block Parties” with Quincy and Lowell Houses, renovate communal space, run social events that incorporate public service, and write scripts for Housing Day, when freshmen tour their future home.

 Yang, of Villanova, Pennsylvania, is leading a project to create a digital file of historic House images, which he plans to disseminate, and serves on the advisory committee for “Conversations with Kirkland,” a series of talks by notable guests. He also participates at the French, Spanish, and newly created Chinese language tables.

Related topics

You might also like

Novelist Lev Grossman on Why Fantasy Isn’t About Escapism

The Magicians author discusses his influences, from Harvard to King Arthur to Tolkien.

A Congenial Voice in Japanese-American Relations

Takashi Komatsu spent his life building bridges. 

This TikTok Artist Combines Monsters and Mental Heath

Ava Jinying Salzman’s artwork helps people process difficult feelings.

Most popular

Harvard art historian Jennifer Roberts teaches the value of immersive attention

Teaching students the value of deceleration and immersive attention

Why Men Are Falling Behind in Education, Employment, and Health

Can new approaches to education address a growing gender gap?

Mark Carney on the Limits of Soft Power

At the 2026 Davos summit, the Canadian prime minister echoes Harvard’s Joseph Nye.

Explore More From Current Issue

Cover of "Harvard's Best" featuring a woman in a red and black gown holding a sword.

A Forgotten Harvard Anthem

Published the year the Titanic sank, “Harvard’s Best” is a quizzical ode to the University.

Black and white photo of a large mushroom cloud rising above the horizon.

Open Book: A New Nuclear Age

Harvard historian Serhii Plokhy’s latest book looks at the rising danger of a new arms race.

Four men in a small boat struggle with rough water, one lying down and others watching.

The 1884 Cannibalism-at-Sea Case That Still Has Harvard Talking

The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens changed the course of legal history. Here’s why it’s been fodder for countless classroom debates.