NATIONALITYROOMS

NEWSLETTERNationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs

at the University of Pittsburgh

FALL 2009 VOLUME 87

THE HUNGARIAN ROOMDedicated July 8, 1938

T h e w a l l s of the r o o m , f r o m floor to ceiling, a r e

sheathed with an oak veneer stained a soft warm tobacco-brown. The woods were carefully selected and matched so that the natural grains form symmetrical and fluid patterns, accentuated by the light through the southeastern windows. The effect of these wood-covered walls is massive and simple – rich and warm. Along the corridor wall, a cabinet rests on a “tulip chest”, so called because in the Hungarian village every bride’s hope chest is decorated with carved or painted tulips. The chest shows fine carved panels similar to those on the entrance door.The open chalkboard sits

under the carved coat of arms of the University of Buda, founded in 1388.The ornamental ceiling, the most striking feature of the room, contrasts with the quiet simplicity of the walls. The ceiling is seventy wooden squares suspended in a wooden frame. The squares are painted a brilliant orange-red, the color of paprika peppers. Painted by Antal Doissy, each square is decorated with a Hungarian folk motif in turquoise-blue, green and white.

The entrance door is a superb example of Hungarian plastic carving. Tulips and pomegranate leaves, daisies

and sheaves of wheat cross the door in vigorous alternate panels. In the center “19 Hungary 38” is carved above the word “Magyarország”, meaning “Hungarian Room designed in Hungary, 1938.”

Originally built with windows of clear glass, the committee raised funds to install stained glass windows telling the legend of Hungary’s founding and important events in the

nation’s history and culture. In the rear window are depicted King Nimrod and his sons, Hunor and Magor, who pursued a white stag from the east to the fertile Danube plain. Descendants of Hunor became the Huns; those of Magor,

the Magyars. The bay windows commemorate historic figures and events of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and 17th century, as well as famous cultural leaders of the 19th century.

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THE ARCHITECTProfessor Dénes Györgyi, designer of the Hungarian Room, comes from a family of architects. His father and uncle built the new wing of the Royal Castle in Buda and designed its magnificent interiors during the reign of King Franz Josef. Because of his special knowledge of Hungarian art forms, Professor Györgyi was entrusted with many important commissions by the Hungarian Government. In describing the general style of the Hungarian Room, he writes: “I was trying to follow clearly the Magyar folk ornament, the character of which lies in the fact that in the main it is quite simple, yet in certain places it is highly ornamental.”

THE HUNGARIAN ROOMDedicated July 8, 1938THE HUNGARIAN ROOM

T h e w a l l s of the r o o mf r o m floor to ceiling, a r e

sheathed with an oak veneer stained a soft warm

The ornamental ceiling

and sheaves of wheat cross the door in vigorous alternate panels. In the center “19 Hungary 38”

carved above the word ““Hungarian Room designed in Hungary, 1938.”

Originally built with windows

COMMITTEE NEWSpg. 4

NEW ROOM ACTIVITYpg. 6

TWO MONTHS OF G-20pg. 7

COMMITTEE CORNERpg. 10

IN MEMORIAMpg. 12

RECIPESpg. 13

LOOKING BACK...pg. 14

QUO VADISpg. 15

GIFT CENTER pg. 15

2010 SCHOLARSHIPINFORMATION

pg. 17CALENDAR OF EVENTS

pg. 28EYES & EARS UPON US

pg. 29

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR E. Maxine Bruhns, Director

The G-20 Economic Summit on September 24 and 25 was right up our alley! No other site in the world depicts so many national cultures. The only G-29 members not represented in our Rooms were Australia and Canada. Meetings and visiting delegations began in July (see “Two months

of G-20 activities” on page 7).

The four Rooms in Planning – Turkish, Swiss, Philippine and Korean – claimed their share of meetings and events. Each one experienced its own challenges. Seating requirements, technology, charges and bidding procedures seem to change every year. Fundraising in the current economy ain’t easy.

Our 39 Summer Study Abroad Scholarship awardees travelled to nations in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. They researched unusual health and social problems and served as our Ambassadors wherever they went, returning with insights which broadened their mental horizons.

MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL Dale Richards, Chairman

To those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, I would very much welcome the opportunity to do so at a future Nationality Council meeting or other event. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of many previous chairmen of the Council

Besides being the newly chosen Council Chairman, I am also Co-Chair of the Welsh Room Committee. As you may know the Welsh Room was dedicated in June 2008 as the 27th Nationality Room. Since becoming a member of the Nationality Rooms Program I and members of the Welsh community have been very impressed with the dedication, effort and cooperation shown by Maxine Bruhns and her staff with helping us establish our Welsh Room. We will continue to support them in all their efforts to maintain this wonderful, historic program for students and visitors to enjoy and learn from.

Recently, members of the Council and I had the pleasure of attending the Debriefing of more than 30 winners of the 2009 Nationality Room scholarships. I continue to have high regard for these fine young students. Listening to them speak of their experiences in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe is impressive. They conduct themselves as true representatives of the University of Pittsburgh.

My thanks to all the Nationality Rooms committees for their continuing efforts to support these rooms in honor of their ancestors.

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Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs

1209 Cathedral of LearningUniversity of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260Phone: 412.624.6150FAX: 412.624.4214

e-mail: kiley@ucis.pitt.eduwebsite: www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/

EDITOR: E. Maxine BruhnsASSOCIATE EDITOR: Eileen Kiley

REPORTER: Susan Langer“EYES AND EARS”: Cristina Lagnese

DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Cathy Denning

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cultures. The only G-29 members not site in the world depicts so many national cultures. The only G-29 members not site in the world depicts so many national

represented in our Rooms were Australia cultures. The only G-29 members not represented in our Rooms were Australia cultures. The only G-29 members not

and Canada. Meetings and visiting delegations began in July (see “Two months and Canada. Meetings and visiting delegations began in July (see “Two months and Canada. Meetings and visiting

of G-20 activities” on page 7).delegations began in July (see “Two months

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AFRICAN HERITAGE ROOM COMMITTEE

Maureen Cross Bolden, Chairman

Committee members participated with the African-American Alumni Council of the Pitt Alumni Association on Homecoming Weekend (October 22-25, 2009) by staffing the African Heritage Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening and greeting visitors.

CHINESE ROOM COMMITTEEKaren Yee, Chairman

The Chinese Room Committee participated in several early summer activities, such as the Outstanding High School Student Award Luncheon on Friday, May 1, the Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, May 16 at Southside Riverfront Park, and the first Asian Day at Kennywood Park on Sunday, May 17.

CZECHOSLOVAK ROOM COMMITTEE

Joseph Bielecki, Chairman

The Czechoslovak Room was one of the rooms toured on August 2 by the delegates of the Sokol USA Convention. Sokol USA, also known as the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol, was one of the early patrons of the creation of the Czechoslovak Room, giving one of the largest contributions. Milan

Getting was a leader in both the Czechoslovak Room Committee and the Sokol USA. It is a fraternal society which came with the immigrants to the U.S. in the 1800’s, also offering extensive sports and social programs. Congratulations to Joseph Bielecki who was elected President of Sokol USA at this convention.

The fall meeting was held in Room 1228 Cathedral of Learning on Saturday, October 24, featuring Ctirad Masin, who spoke of his legendary and daring escape from Czechoslovakia to West Berlin in the 1950’s. The 2009 Ruth Crawford Mitchell Czech/Slovak scholar, Dr. Patrik Stefanicka was presented to the membership.

INDIAN ROOM COMMITTEESaroj Bahl, Chairman

The Indian Room Committee organized a community-wide celebration of Indian Independence Day on August 16. A procession around the Cathedral of Learning featuring music, dancers and banners preceded the Commons Room flag raisings.

Distinguished guests included University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, County Executive Dan Onorato, The Honorable William Peduto and E. Maxine Bruhns, Nationality Rooms Program Director.

Saroj Bahl, Chairman of the Indian Room Committee, assembled a stellar group of dancers which enlivened the afternoon festivities.

Traditional food pleased all palates.

JAPANESE ROOM COMMITTEEKumiko Lancet, Chairman

On Saturday, June 6, committee members gathered in North Park for what is hoped to be the first of an annual Cherry Tree Planting Festival. A kick-off ceremony, held at the Boat House, featured a video on the County Park system. 40 cherry trees, Japan’s unofficial national flower, were planted. In addition to the tree planting, there was a meal, a tea ceremony, Taiko drumming, an origami demonstration, traditional music played on the koto, and a calligraphy contest. In an August visit from Ambassador Shinchi Nishimiya, the committee specifically requested seeds from certain cherry trees in Japan to add to their grove to enable them to reach their goal of 250 trees planted in ten years. The tree planting is part of the Pittsburgh Sakura (cherry blossom) Project and TreeVitalize Pittsburgh Program. TreeVitalize is a program seeking to plant 20,000 trees in the Pittsburgh region by 2012.

As part of the G-20 activities, The First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Miyuki Hatoyama, visited the Japanese Room. There she met with students, committee members and University representatives for photographs and a question-and-answer session. Mrs. Hatoyama presented a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony set and autographed copies of a recipe book she authored. Dr. Larry Feick gave the First Lady a framed image of the Cathedral of Learning on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Japanese Nationality Room Committee participated in the annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 6. The Japan Outreach from Bethany College in West Virginia performed on the

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taiko drums. Traditional oinari san sushi was available for purchase. The tea set presented by the First Lady of Japan was used for a Tea Ceremony accompanied by koto music.

SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Rich Neilson, President

The new academic year kicked off in style at the annual crayfish party held on Sunday, September 13, at Aspinwall Fireman’s Park. It was well attended and featured a nice potluck selection of Scandinavian dishes.

Carl Rahkonen and Sheila Bridges provided music for the Annual Nordic Night on Saturday, October 10, at Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill. The Finnish Room Committee prepared the food. The menu consisted of appetizers, a dinner which included pork, chicken, salmon with Scandinavian style potatoes and vegetables, sourdough bread, and, for dessert, filled cakes. Flags of all the Scandinavian countries were displayed and the national anthem of each country played.

On Sunday, November 8, Magnus Martensson presented a concert at 2:00 p.m. in Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. Mr. Martensson is on a 34-city tour this fall and Pittsburgh was on his agenda. He was born in Malmö, Sweden and began his musical training in his hometown on the piano, viola, guitar, voice and conducting. He completed his conducting studies at The Cleveland Institute of Music. He is currently Music Director of the Scandinavian Chamber Orchestra of New York and has performed as a conductor and soloist in America and Europe. He is also a teacher, comedian, and, currently, filmmaker. A post-concert reception was held in Room 1228 Cathedral of Learning.

WELSH ROOM COMMITTEEDale Richards and John

Owen, III, Co-Chairmen

The 78th National Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh Song Fest), presented by the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (WNGGA), was successfully celebrated in Pittsburgh September 3-6, with some 500 in attendance at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel. The St. David’s Society served on the planning team representing Pittsburgh as the host venue.

We were honored by the WNGGA who presented a plaque and medallion in recognition of the opening of the Welsh Nationality Room.

The Festival began with an Opening Ceremony which featured the Bangor, PA, Slater High School Marching Band and a concert led by Ar Log and Dafydd Ewan. Eleven seminars and eight area tours were offered, including a trip to Fallingwater and a tour of the Nationality Rooms – especially the Welsh Room. There were many favorable comments about the Rooms. The Festival also included a Market Place for the sale of Welsh items, a Tea Room, a Children’s Corner with puppets, and a Welsh Cinema Corner. The Grand Banquet was served on Friday evening and the Eisteddfod was conducted on Saturday, followed by a concert with the Cor Cymry Gogledd America, led by Mari Morgan.

The Reverend Lord Roger Roberts conducted worship on Sunday morning. The Gymanfa Ganu was held Sunday afternoon and evening with Eilir Owen Griffiths, conductor, and Alan Thomas, organist.

On Sunday, October 11, the St. David’s Society of Pittsburgh held the local Gymanfa Ganu at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair. Jay Williams from Utica, NY, was the guest conductor. The soloists were Bronwyn Cafaro and Ken Davies. A Te Bach (Welsh Tea) followed.

The Board of Directors of the Society announces the completion of the chalkboard in the Welsh Room. This step has been made possible through the contribution of the Reverend David Davis, in memory of his wife Jean. Of great interest is the Lord’s Prayer in Welsh above the center panel of the chalkboard. Our thanks go out to Michael Walter, the Quo Vadistour coordinator, for his fine artistic rendering of the Prayer.

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL CLUB

Cynthia Maleski, President

The annual scholarship luncheon took place at the University Center Holiday Inn on Sunday, November 8. In addition to a delicious buffet lunch, the three W.I.C. scholarship winners made presentations on their study abroad experiences. Michelle Larzelere went to Chile; Katherine Lasky to Mongolia; and Alexa Swailes to Brazil. There were many questions from the W.I.C. members who were proud of the research and studies their awardees carried out.

W.I.C. marked the holiday season with a luncheon on December 17 at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. The members honored long-time Treasurer Nancy Sprenger for her service and leadership. Kumiko Lancet and Yoko Motoyama provided the program, discussing Japanese Committee activities which included the recent G-20 Summit and the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Project in North Park, Allegheny County.

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NEW ROOM

ACIVITY

PHILIPPINE NATIONALITY ROOMWarren Bulseco, Chairman and Architect of

RecordArticle written by Cynthia Calejesan, Historian

Since the Philippine Nationality Room (PNR) project was launched in the year 2000, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP) has been a veritable beehive of activity. It has been fundraising for almost a decade now as well as searching for a room design and a Philippine architect and consultant. The architect who stepped up to the plate was Popi Laudico and the design chosen was a “bahay na bato(house of stone)”. Additionally we are lucky to have aboard Sociology and Anthropology Professor Fernando Zialcita, who co-wrote the authoritative book on ancestral homes.

Creating the Philippine Nationality Room has been both recollection and revelation. For those of us who wore born/raised in the Philippines, we remember “bayah na bato” houses – what they looked like, what furniture was used by its inhabitants and how they were maintained. It has been our great good fortune to find out

that the Quema House hearkened back to the era we sought and, joy of joys, it has been lived in, cared for and meticulously maintained to this day by its owners. Invited to stay at the ancestral home by the Quemas, we were allowed the privilege of inspecting every nook and cranny, including all the exhibits from yesteryear in locked cabinets, the secret floor cut-outs

that permitted a look at the waiting guests, being able to sleep in the master bedroom and, best of all, partaking in the delicious and authentic native cuisine. It was easy to feel transported to an era over a hundred years back when the pace of life was slow and elegant without the high-tech intrusions of internet and motorized vehicles. Indeed, there are still horse-drawn carriages that one hears clip-clopping on the cobbled street outside the capiz windows.

In addition to visiting the Quema House, we also visited other “bahay na bato” in different regions to see what they looked like inside and out. There is keen interest in replicating these great houses nowadays so one need not travel too far to see them. We also met with different suppliers to find

out possible sources of hardwoods, capiz windows and

furnishings that will be necessary for the PNR. The light is at the end of the tunnel; we hope we can soon break ground. We cannot wait to see our room come to fruition.

The Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh held their 53rd Anniversary and Induction Ball on October 23 at the Greentree Robinson Hotel. Performances by the FAAP Dance Troupe gave youngsters of all ages a chance to perform the Singkil, the Slow Tinikling and the Fast Tinikling.

Jun Calejesan presided as Master of Ceremonies while President Theodora Schipper kept everything on schedule. A delicious dinner was followed by an address by the Philippine Consul General Cecelia Rebong. Dancing continued to the music of Flavor until the wee hours.

SWISS ROOM COMMITTEEHeinz Kunz, Chairman; Fred

Carlson, Co-Chairman

The committee and Architect of Record Stephan Altherr are meeting with Facilities Management’s Adrienne Spallone to finalize procedures before

bids can be invited.

Swiss Day on September 1 was celebrated with a picnic and bonfire. Swiss architect

Justin Ruessli and his family came from Lucerne to meet with the committee and West Virginia woodworker Richard Sink.

The room design has won the approval of University Registrar Sam Conte.

Final fundraising efforts are planned to conquer the Matterhorn and enable demolition to occur in spring 2011.

TURKISH ROOM COMMITTEEMalik Tunador, ChairmanOmer Akin, Architect of Record

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During the past four months, we have been conducting formal meetings with the University’s Facilities Management division towards the issuance of the bid package for the Turkish Nationality Room project. We have been assigned a project number, a project manager, and a schedule of work.

Our tentative construction start date is May 2010, with a completion date of August 2010. The alternative completion date is December 2010. In any event, we expect to cut the ribbon in 2010. All is contingent on making the project move forward with determination. In such a complex plan such as this, there are obstacles to overcome and mistakes to avoid. In this process, we have been benefiting from the

generous help and advice of E. Maxine Bruhns (Director of the Nationality Rooms Program), Dr. Larry Feick (Director of the University Center for International Studies), and our own Edward Friedman of Friedman and Friedman, to navigate the administrative waters of the University.

So far, we have had to modify the design, without compromising the historically significant aspects of the

Turkish Room, in order to accommodate more seats, a wider chalkboard, increased lighting levels throughout the room, a new heating/ventilating/air-conditioning system, expanded fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, audio-visual and wireless

communication systems, and stringent requirements on the contractors who will build the Kündekâri and Çitakâri work. Also we are doing everything possible to include Turkish carpenters (zanaatkâr) in the bidding process. No doubt, we will encounter more issues to resolve, but are confident

in our determination to stick to the published schedule of the work.

In the meantime, the Parliament of the Turkish Republic has reaffirmed its $150,000 gift to the project and the funds have

been transferred to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. We are in urgent need of all funds that have been pledged to the project by the organizations and individuals to be submitted so that we can demonstrate that we have the resources to match the bids when they come in. This will be

the final test before we start construction.

The contract documents that specify the design for the bidding process are constantly updated in the website of the Architect of Record’s project design, for the benefit of those

interested and technically inclined to review such drawings at http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/oa04/.

KOREAN HERITAGE ROOM COMMITTEEKwan Lee, M.D., Chairman

The Korean Heritage Room Committee organized a Korean Festival, in the Commons Room on Sunday September 20. It was to welcome Korea to the G-20 Summit Meeting later that week. The program included a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, Taekwon Do and Kimchi demonstrations and Korean Break Dancing. Children could have their faces painted.

Delicious food included kimchi (a popular Korean side dish which can vary seasonally and from region to region), sushi and other delicacies.

The Committee hosted the visit of Arumjigi (Culture Keepers) President Mrs. Yun Kyun Shin and CEO Mr. Young Suk Jang and two interpreters on October 29 and 30.

A Korean luncheon in the Braun Room preceded a visit to the Nationality and Heritage Rooms led by E. Maxine Bruhns. In the evening, the guests met with Architect of Record Kenneth Lee and Korean Committee members to discuss the Room concept. The group voted to pursue a room concept rather than a building concept.

On Friday morning, the guests met with University Architect Park Rankin before returning to Seoul where they will continue to work with architect Minah Lee to develop a preliminary design.

June 4 Visit and tour of Rooms by Japanese N.Y. Consulate personnel.

July 1 A representative of the Allegheny Conference attended the Korean Community meeting to request volunteer interpreters and drivers for G-20.

July 22 Preparatory walk through CL 1st floor for White House Delegation.

July 23 White House Delegation of 20 walk through of Commons Room and Nationality Rooms,

led by Chancellor Nordenberg and Bruhns who focused on English, French, Norwegian, Chinese and Italian Rooms. Lunch in Chancellor’s office.

August 3 Bruhns attended reception at Heinz History Center for G-20 Advance Team - many nations represented.

August 5 Russian Delegation walked through Russian Room, Commons Room. Bruhns explained features of Russian Room.

Two Months of G-20 activities in CL 1209(This replaces “A Day in the Life for this article only)

E. Maxine Bruhns

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August 10 Bob Batz- PP-G Food Editor-plans to do article on G-20 foods, requested phone numbers of Chinese, German, Korean, Turkish and Indian cooks.

August 24 Video of students in eight Nationality Rooms discussing Pittsburgh diversity for G-20.

August 26 Visit Pittsburgh brought two Japanese Consulate staff to see the Japanese Room. Bruhns escorted them.

August 31 Japanese N.Y. Consul General Nishimiya and two staff members came to visit Japanese Room and meet Japanese Room Committee.

Sept. 4 The Editor of the Pitt Chronicle asked Bruhns to submit a “diary” of her G-20 activities.

Sept. 8 Learned that Korean First Lady may visit C of L. Met with Korean committee to plan Korean Festival on September 20.

Sept. 8 At 8:00 a.m. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Marylynn Pitz interviewed Bruhns for the G-20 issue. She will feature the Turkish and Swiss Rooms in planning.

Sept. 8 Noon- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Bill Schackner called to interview Bruhns on distinguished visitors to the Nationality Rooms. Especially interested in Khrushchev’s visit to Pitt in 1956. Only Mrs. K. visited the Russian Room. Checked with Chancellor’s Office. Their source is Bob Albert’s book on Pitt.

Sept. 9 Korean First Lady probably won’t come to C of L. Can the University bestow an Honorary Degree on President Lee? Checked with Chancellor’s Office. Doubtful as they are working on another prominent head of state.

Sept. 10 Wall Street Journal writer Eric Gaydos interviewed Bruhns on the Rooms’ role in the G-20.

Korean Broadcasting Company TV • crew came to film rooms with ongoing classes Lithuanian and Romanian. They interviewed KNR Chair Dr. Lee in CL 304 and Bruhns in Chinese Room.

Sept. 11 Tribune Review’s Kim Leonard called – will cover Korean Festival on Sept. 20. Gave her Korean, Japanese and German names to interview.

Voice of America plans to interview • Turkish Room Architect and Committee members.

Sept. 11 Japanese Consulate called, Japanese First Lady will visit Japanese Room on September 25th 3:45-5:00. Wants to meet Room Committee. Checked with Chancellor’s Office. They may have another high level event. Let’s coordinate.

Sept. 14 Dawn Lee planning to serve Korean lunch at courthouse for G-20 Diversity project.

Sept. 15 Japanese Consulate phoned final confirmation. Japanese First Lady will come on Sept 25th. New person will coordinate. Can call him Shu. Called Chancellor’s Office. They will give Pitt Security heads up. Checked for Japanese classes for First Lady’s visit. None that afternoon. Called Japanese Committee to alert them to attend event. Shu offers choice of gifts from First Lady. Calligraphy/or tea set. Called Dr. Motoyama to discuss. Decided on calligraphy. Called staff meeting on First Lady visit, need map of route she’ll take for Security, need staff to hold elevators. Japanese Security called to get map and plan of Japanese Room. Faxed them. Called Pitt Security about getting a police escort to Stephen Foster if it rains. Consulate called asking us to invite a Japanese Professor who had been decorated. Was called to Early American to be filmed by TV team. Custodial supervisor will give me an operator for the First Lady’s visit. Thai Chair brought delegation from Prime Minister. We met in Croghan-Schenley Room to discuss Thai Room and showed them several Rooms. They will seek Prime Minister’s help. Went to Heinz Field G-20 Summit reception to thank us for our efforts.

Sept. 18 Consulate called Bruhns several times, First Lady wants to meet Japanese students. Sent out emails to invite Japanese students; asked Room Chair Lancet to receive the gift. Shu convinced me to choose the ceremonial tea set gift.

Sept. 20 Korean Festival – a welcome to the G-20 Summit. Commons Room.

Sept. 21 Japanese security and publicity group arrived at 10, Shu set the agenda. Planned photo shoots with students. He will have two press photographers and we must have two. Organized positions of Committee,

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students and photographers. We may visit only Austrian Room next door, walk route to elevator and exit to Stephen Foster. Enlisted help of our publicity rep. Trish White to recruit photographers. Visit from a Thai representative here for G-20 to talk about Thai Room.

Sept. 22 Enlisted Trish White to shepherd our photographers on the 25th. Confirmed time and place of meeting to Japanese Committee. Meeting in Chancellor’s Office about G-20 activity. There will be a lockdown and bomb sweep of CL’s 1st, 2nd,and 3rd floors. Thai Chair scheduled meeting with me and Thai Prime Minister’s staff tomorrow.

Sept. 23 Fielded schedule of Turkish G-20 reporter to interview Turkish Room Architect. Shu and staff arrived to verify positions of Japanese Room chairs. Went to Commons Room to be filmed by Russian TV, ended up in Chancellor’s Office as he was filmed. Then to Russian Room where I was filmed describing Russian Room. Staff gave me invitations to Russian Federation President Medvedev’s Commons Room lecture.

Sept. 24 Had to get police permission to park in Log Cabin lot. Dr. Motoyama arrived and we removed the teapot from the display cabinet. Many phone calls as to whether Director Feick or Vice-Chancellor Clark would be present for First Lady’s visit. Prepared gift for her.

At 9:00 a.m., went to Japanese Room to rearrange chairs. Shu and Japanese Ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Fujisaki, came to check out details. She recommended we

remove tea pot since the First Lady’s gift will include a ceremonial tea pot.Coordinated Turkish writer’s interview. European Union Center called to request a tour for the EU Ambassador’s wife. Mrs. Barasso. Organized staff who will attend Medvedev’s Common Room lecture today. Attended formal lunch for Ambassador Barasso at PAA. On the way asked the Secret Service agent permission for us to take Mrs. Barasso on tour during lockdown. He said “not possible”. At 3:30 went to Commons Room lecture by Russian President Medvedev. The Chancellors’ Office had arranged for him to visit a class in the Russian Room previously. Michael Walter had accompanied the Secret Service during their bomb sweep.

Sept. 25 9:00 a.m. called Committee to rearrange display as we had to remove teapot. Several calls with Chancellor’s Office regarding who will welcome First Lady, UCIS Director Feick or Vice Chancellor Clark. To Japanese Room at 2. Moving chairs. Fuji TV wants permission to film First Lady’s arrival. Cleared with Secret Service. Committee arrived. Shu arrived with tea set and other gifts. Students had to leave backpacks in Armenian Room. Four press photographers arrived. Phone alert-she’s coming 10 minutes early! Director Feick and I met First Lady at Fifth Ave. entrance. Charming and informal. She was greeted with enthusiastic applause as she entered the Room. Interaction with Committee was lively and informal. Vice Chancellor Clark arrived and welcomed her on behalf of the Chancellor. Presentation of gifts. Photos with Committee and students. As she left she shook hands with every guest. They were delighted. Escorted her to Austrian Room, then to elevator and Commons Room. Said goodbye as she left for Stephen Foster Memorial.

THE NATIONALITY ROOMS PROGRAM GIVEN A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS ON NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAYThe Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs were honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award on November 11, 2009 at the Station Square Sheraton Hotel.

E. Maxine Bruhns, Director for 44 years, accepted the Award on behalf of the Program. The names of every Nationality and Heritage Room Committee were read as the true philanthropists. Other awardees were the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Hampton Middle School, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Lois Michaels of the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health.

DECORATING DAY

The Nationality Classroom Committees decorated their classrooms on Saturday, November 14, 2009. There were no volunteers to host the Decorating Day Luncheon by the deadline, so we made a decision to have a very informal Decorating Day. There was a casual reception with “nibbles” (cheese, crackers, fruit and cake, coffee, tea and punch) from noon until 2:00 pm. -- no program, just a gathering of friends. All seemed to go well.

After the deadline, several committees expressed interest in the luncheon. If your committee is interested in hosting the 2010 Potluck Decorating Day Luncheon, please call our office. We will give

you more detailed information. Working with 39 ethnic committees makes it imperative that we follow all deadlines. Please be considerate and do the same.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, December 6, 2009 the Commons Room was filled with holiday music, ethnic performances, mouthwatering ethnic food and artifacts for sale. The Open House has become one of Pittsburgh’s annual family traditions. We see

many familiar faces year after year. Visitors always find and see something new. Many buy holiday gifts, cakes and cookies

for their holiday entertaining. We strive to make this an enjoyable day for all guests and participants alike.

CABARET BALL

The Cabaret Ball is tentatively scheduled for April 17, 2010. This year the Lithuanian and Polish Committees will celebrate the 70th anniversary; the Ukrainian Committee will celebrate their 20th anniversary and the Indian Committee will celebrate their 10th

anniversary. It would be nice to highlight those committees this year

Committee CornerSusan Langer

Administrative Assistant

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A stone plaque bearing details of this award will be on display in 1209 Cathedral of Learning.

GERMAN FAIRY TALE WINDOWS ATTRACT A BROAD AUDIENCEPittsburgh’s History and Landmarks Foundation’s Al Tannler led a final tour of the stained glass masterworks by Charles J. Connick. The German Room’s fairy tale windows were featured on that October 25th tour.

The Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale windows have served the German culture well. We are developing toddler tours of the windows. Mothers appreciate the opportunity to sit quietly as their children’s attention is riveted on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Hansel and Gretel, and Cinderella with her Prince.

NATIONALITY ROOMS DEPICT HISTORY

Watching European television such as the Deutsche Welle, BBC and Al Jazeera has many rewards relevant to our Nationality Rooms.

The 200th anniversary of Josef Haydn’s death was celebrated with views of the Haydnsaal in Esterhazy Castle – the prototype for our Austrian Nationality Room. One learned that Haydn created more than 1,000 compositions during his 77 years as Kapellmeister at Esterhazy Castle.

Turkish palaces on the Bosphorus were featured in an architectural segment.

Extensive coverage of the fall of the wall in Berlin, resistance in Hungary and Poland we well as the Velvet Revolution in Slovakia and the Czech Republic afforded new insights into those historic happenings.

The relationship between Goethe and Schiller had its ups and downs. Quotations from these two writers face each other near the German Room ceiling. Young German musicians are now putting Schiller’s words to music. “Schiller really rocks”, one guitarist said.

at the Cabaret Ball. More information will be sent to Committee Chairmen regarding the Cabaret Ball when it is received. If you would like to volunteer to help at this event, please contact me at 412-624-6150.

MEMBERSHIP LETTERS AND BYLAWS

I still need a few committee mailing lists. If you have an updated list, please forward a copy to our office. As for Committee Bylaws: All bylaws must be approved by the Nationality Rooms Program Director before being ratified. Should you have any questions, please call our office at 412-624-1650.

JUST A REMINDER!The Nationality Rooms Program DOES NOT compose/draft individual letters (acknowledgement, thank-you, invitations, etc.) for any Committee.

If you would like to compose a letter and have it edited by the Director, she would be delighted to do so. Also, any letter that goes out on University letterhead must be approved by the Director prior to mailing.

Any questions, please call our office 412-624-6150.

Wishing all a healthy, happy and safe New Year.

EVENTS

With an increase in the number of committees in the Nationality Rooms Program, it has become important that all committees follow the “Planning Guidelines for Events”:

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To successfully plan a special event or meeting requires timely planning by the committee. To secure space in heavily-used facilities such as Student Union, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium and Cloister, the reservation should be

requested through the Nationality Rooms Program THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

Even regular meetings require planning six to eight weeks ahead.

1. To reserve space involves two other University departments – we cannot give you an immediate answer. It can take up to two weeks for approval; you cannot advertise or announce the event until approved confirmation is received in writing.

2. Must give Nationality Rooms Program staff two weeks LEAD-TIME to prepare/duplicate fliers, etc.

3. Allow time for the invitation/meeting notice to be received by members at least two weeks prior to event/meeting.

4. The Nationality Rooms Program will record and process responses (if requested) for event/luncheon but it is the committee’s responsibility to coordinate any event not in a University facility.

Our office works with more than 39 Nationality Committees events as well as affiliated organizations. We must complete tasks in the order they are received to insure that each committee receives fair treatment.

The Nationality Rooms Program DOES NOT type individual letters, minutes or address labels. The Nationality Rooms Program DOES NOT maintain membership lists. (However, we do request that your

committee supply a copy of your membership list for committee file/archives). These tasks are the responsibility of your committee’s corresponding/recording secretary or membership chairperson.

The failure of some committees to allow adequate lead-time for requests is an ongoing problem. Such tardy requests, in effect, ask to be given priority over committees who have planned ahead.

You can help us serve everyone more efficiently just by following the guidelines.

1. Plan ahead six to eight weeks.

2. Submit your service request at least 10 WORKING DAYS BEFORE NEEDED, i.e., room request, invitations, programs, etc.

3. Phone to confirm that any material requested is ready BEFORE coming in to pick up.

4. DO NOT REQUEST “One Day” or “While-You-Wait” service.

5. DO NOT ask any Nationality Rooms Program staff to make an exception to this policy.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 412-624-6150. We do have informational packets, if your committee is interested in having them.

PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR EVENTS

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IN MEMORIAM

John McCloskey

Lithuanian Room Committee

Jennie Ranii

Italian Room Committee

Vera Nehnevajsa

Czechoslovak Room Committee

ABOUT THE HUNGARIAN ROOMDr. Samuel C. Gömöry, chairman of the

Hungarian Room Committee, explains the

significance of the room at the room’s dedication

ceremony.

“The word university means a place where the

whole universe is represented – the universe of

the past, the present, and the possible future. If

everything has to be represented, it is natural that

something should be there about the Hungarians;

about their past and present, about the people who

represent the ancient Ural-Altaic culture and

civilization; the people who are the descendants of

the Akkadians, Urs, Medes, Uigurs, Scythians, and

Ungs – the men and women who call themselves

Magyars.

Now we have a place in the University of

Pittsburgh as a part of the universe. If we would

be just happy, thankful and contented, we would

be a part of the past, like any other piece of

historic stone in a memorial; but we want to live,

and it is our resolution to learn, to cooperate,

and to be a creative part in the future of the

University’s great world for humanity and science

– to make this world a better world. So help us,

our God.”

Put chopped vegetables and rice in water. Cook about 20 minutes.

Melt butter and add flour, stirring until brown. Mix in 1 teaspoon grated onions, paprika, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of cold water to the flour mixture and pour over the vegetables. Mix well and then add 1 or 1 ½ cups milk and simmer for 10 minutes.

Preparation time: ½ hour; serves 4. Mrs. Samuel C. Gömöry

Hungarian Room Committee

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Both recipes taken from the “Nationality Rooms Recipe Book” printed by the Women’s International Club.

5 cups water

1 ½ cups cauliflower, cut up1 cup carrots, chopped or shredded½ cup celery, chopped1 teaspoon green pepper, chopped (optional)1 to 1 ½ cups milk1/3 cup rice

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons flour1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon paprikaDash of black pepper1 teaspoon grated onion1 cup cold water

HUNGARIAN NUT ROLLS

Pastry:

3 egg yolks1 pound margarine1 pound cream cheese

5 cups flour1 teaspoon salt

Mix pastry ingredients together very well and let stand overnight. Mix ingredients for filling. Roll pastry out about ¼ inches thick and cut into crescents or cone shapes. Fill with 1 tablespoon filling and close with fork. Use egg whites which have been slightly beaten to seal edges if needed. Roll in confectioner’s sugar after baking, while still warm.

Preparation time: overnight; yield 4 dozen.

Kitty Morgan (Mrs. Paul)

Filling:

1 ½ cups sugar1 cup warm milk1 ¼ cups chopped walnuts

KARFIOLLEVES (cauliflower soup)

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F!"" 1959 The first edition of the Nationality Rooms Newsle/erwas  published  under  Editor  Winifred  Joshua.  Entitled “News of the Nationality Commi=ees”, it featured reports  from the Czechoslovak, German, Greek, Italian, Sco=ish, and Yugoslav Rooms.  

F!"" 1969A  Bavarian  Night,  sponsored  by  the  German Room Commi=ee, took place at the Student Union Ballroom.    German  music  was  provided  by  the Melody  Mixers  creating  the  atmosphere  of  a Munich Oktoberfest.  

The Yugoslav Commi=ee held two benefit concerts for their scholarship program.

The French Room was closed for several weeks to allow for the installation of a new floor.

F!"" 1979Interest  in  building  an  Austrian  Room  was heightened  by  a  visit  from  Dr.  Ivo  Fischer  from Austria.   A meeting,  held  in  the Director’s  office, included  commi=ee  members,  Dr.  Fischer  and George Balta, University Architect.

The  fall meeting  of  the Nationality  Council  took place on October 17.  The group dismissed early so Pirate fans could return home for the final innings of the World Series!

A pot luck dinner brought together three generation of  the  Armenian  community  in  Stephen  Foster Social  Room  on October  14.    The  bountiful meal provided  a  rich  variety  of  traditional  Armenian 

dishes.  Guests were taught several Armenian folk dances.

F!"" 1989The African Heritage Classroom was presented to the University of Pi=sburgh on December 17, 1989.

The Irish Room Commi=ee presented “The Valley of Decision”, a film from author Marsha Davenport’s novel of  the  same name, at Synod Hall.    It  is  the story of an Irish family  in 19th century Allegheny, now Pi=sburgh’s North Side.

The Quo Vadis Annual meeting, held on Thursday, November  30,  featured  Miss  Helen  Pool  Rush, former  Dean  of Women  and  Vice  Chancellor  for Student Affairs, as guest speaker.

The Women’s International Club celebrated its 50thAnniversary  on  Saturday,  June  3  in  the  William Pi= Union.   An  elegant  international  dinner was followed by classical and folk songs performed by outstanding soprano Aime D. Sposato.  

F!"" 1999The Japanese Room opened on July 25, 1999.

Members  and  friends  gathered  on  Saturday, October  23,  for  the  third  annual  Syria‑Lebanon Room Commi=ee banquet.  

The  “Homecoming”  section  of  Pi=  Magazine contained information on James W. Knox, chairman of the Irish Room Commi=ee, and Robert Murdoch, chairman of the Sco=ish Room commi=ee.  Both are University of Pi=sburgh alumni (Class of 1942 and Class of 1960, respectively).    

L OOKING BACK IN THE NEWSLETTER…

Matthew Hefferin, Coordinator

The University trades and custodians were extremely busy preparing for the visit of the G-20 heads of state in September. Wooden floors were buffed and cleaned, painting done

as needed, furniture polished and shined. The Nationality Rooms were especially popular, luring First Ladies, ambassadors, consuls, assistants and camera crews from around the world.

A larger chalkboard with doors was installed in the Welsh Room in August. The Lord’s Prayer in the Welsh language now appears over the board. Painted by staff member Michael Walter, the prayer adds to atmosphere to the capel(chapel). The Israel Heritage Room bench seats were recovered. This is the first time the material has been replaced since the room’s opening in 1987.

Weekly maintenance inspections reveal small repairs which, hopefully, when

reported early, eliminate the need for expensive refurbishment. “Etchings” in the tablet arms, loose chair joints, cracked window panes, etc., are handled quickly by carpenters and painters to keep the rooms at their best. We appreciate their attention and workmanship.

The guest book on the display case counter reflects signatures from around the world. It captures the sentiments of those who have been through the rooms – “fantastic”, “truly memorable”, “an incredible achievement”. Often Pittsburgh residents bring their out-of-town guests to tour the Nationality Rooms as they know there is nothing else like them anywhere else in the world.

VISITOR STATISTICSJUNE 2009 through SEPTEMBER 2009

Paid Admission Only

Adults Youth TotalJune 1,048 219 1,267July 1,494 536 2,030August 1,294 227 1,521September 412 90 502

4,248 1,070 5,320

Some notable visits included the G-20 participants and their advance delegations. Several times Mr. Akihiko Sunami, Deputy Consul General and Director of the Political Section for Japan came on tour, and his visits were followed by Shiuchi Takano of the same office and finally, the First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Hatoyama. Quo Vadis guides who assisted with Mrs. Hatoyama’s visit were Jack Sanker, Andrew Schall, Ashley Bowen and Michele Schwarz. The G-20 Summit also brought attention to the Russian Room, and, prior to Russian President Medvedev’s visit, the Nationality Rooms were examined by the US Secret Service. The assistance I was

able to provide made a memorable day for me, as the agents first insisted on archive cabinets being opened, and then they backed off of that demand when the unique characteristics of the Nationality Rooms would delay their search.

Notable tours: August 3rd, the National Sokol Youth Convention, hosted by the Czechoslovak Room Committee visited for an evening tour. August 24th, a local high school filmed inside the Nationality Rooms for a project related to the G-20. September 5th, the National Conference of Wales was held in Pittsburgh and Lenzner Tours brought 51 guests to the Rooms and many positive comments were heard about the Nationality Rooms and the Welsh Room in particular.

Requests for the Nationality Rooms to make presentations to school and other venues have picked up again. A November 25th visit to Hampton Middle School focused on the Chinese Room and certain aspects of Chinese culture that the students wanted to be addressed. Michael Walter and Pat Fitzsimmons provided information on Chinese medieval era painting, poets shown in the Chinese Room, and animal and floral symbols used in the room. 150 children viewed the program which was projected on a screen in their auditorium. The Lauri Ann West Library in O’Hara Twp. wants us to discuss general Nationality Rooms’ information on December 14th, 7:00 PM. If you know of a school, library, or retirement village that would like a presentation, please have them contact us at 412.624.6000.

Michael WalterTour Coordinator

QUO VADIS

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INFORMATION CENTER AND MAINTENANCE

16

Anita Gallagher, Gift Center Coordinator

Last year gift sales consistently increased quarter over the previous year’s quarter. Amazingly, that trend continues. With a third of this fiscal year past, gift sales for July 1, 2009 through October were $16,376. The same period last year reflected gift sales totaling $13,303. This represents an increase of 23.09%!

Gift Center operation and reporting was reviewed by a consultant from the Small Business Development Council. Findings will be studied and suggestions made for increased efficiency at the Gift Center.

As we prepare for our busy holiday season, some new introductions to the product line include:

Handcrafted jewelry from Southeast Asia • in beautiful shades of turquoise, coral, browns and greensOne-of-a-kind rings in antique brass • settings with semi-precious gemstones from exotic landsAn increased supply and diversity of • German Rauchermanns (smokers)Increased array of Advent calendars• Russian• matrushka ornaments filled with Russian hard candyRussian hand-carved bear taking a • showerNew wooden Polish boxes in different • sizes and stylesIncreased supply of amber and Larimar • jewelryUnusual finds, one of a kind items that • sell as quickly as we place them in the cases

Please stop by for ornaments from around the world and gifts for someone special.

GIFT CENTER 2010 JOHN G. BOWMAN FACULTY GRANT

PROGRAMThe late James W. Knox chaired a fundraising campaign to establish an endowment honoring John Gabbert Bowman, the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor under whose leadership the Cathedral of Learning and the Nationality Rooms were conceived. As funds accrue, the endowment provides awards to faculty to enable research abroad for classes currently taught or classes in planning. The first

awards were given in 1965. For summer 2010, the following faculty will pursue research as Bowman Grant recipients:

Covington-Ward, Yolanda Africana Studies Democratic Republic of CongoHelbig, Adriana Music Dept. Czech RepublicLooney, Dennis French & Italian ItalyPutnam, Laura History Dept. VenezuelaReeser, Todd French & Italian France

RUTH CRAWFORD MITCHELL CZECH/SLOVAK

SCHOLARSHIPPatrik Stefanicka, M.D., Ph.D., completed his fall semester research at the University of Pittsburgh and returned to Slovakia on December 13. His major interest was head and neck surgery, and skull base surgery. He observed a variety of surgical techniques which he can use in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department in Bratislava. Dr. Stefanicka took part in two surgical courses, one in Pittsburgh and one at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He also attended a two-day conference sponsored by the University of Toronto which focused on current advances in the management of head and neck tumors including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. He hopes to publish his findings in medical journals, but has

co-authored an article entitled “Intraoperative Molecular Detection as an Adjunct to Sentinal Node Biopsy for Head and Neck Cancer” with Dr. Robert Ferris of the University

of Pittsburgh for submission to American ENT journals.

Applications for the 2010 scholarship process were distributed in October, with a due date of March 30, 2010. Emails from interested applicants have already been received.

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OPEN TO ELIGIBLE GRADUATE STUDENTS

AFRICA African Heritage Classroom Committee Scholarship (in memory of W. C.

Worthington) $4,000

AUSTRIA Austrian Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Heidi & the late Joseph Novak) $3,500

CHILE Ivan Santa-Cruz Memorial Award $4,500

CZECH or SLOVAK REPUBLICS Czechoslovak Room Committee Scholarship $4,000

GREECE Greek Room Committee Scholarship $3,000

HUNGARY Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship (Dr. S. Gomory/J. Arvay

Memorial Award) $3,500

INDIA Indian Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Shiv Sethi)

$3,500

ISRAEL/ABROAD Israel Heritage Room Committee Award (for the study of Jewish culture; first

consideration given to projects in Israel) $4,000

ITALY Italian Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Jennie Ranii) $4,000

(requires working knowledge of Italian

language)

MIDDLE EAST OR ASIA Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Award $4,000

(requires a working knowledge of Arabic or Farsi language)

P.R.C., HONG KONG, or TAIWAN Chinese Room Committee Scholarship

$3,000

(in memory of Mr. Hoy Fung)

SCOTLAND Frank and Vilma Slater/Scottish Room Committee Scholarship $3,500

UKRAINE Eugene Manasterski Memorial Award $3,500

ABROAD Andrew J. Traina Memorial/Armenian Room Committee Scholarship $4,000

(for study of Armenian culture)

ABROAD James W. Knox Memorial Award $4,000

ABROAD Ruth Crawford Mitchell Memorial Award $3,500

ABROAD Stanley Prostrednik Award $4,000

ABROAD John H. Tsui Memorial Scholarship (for study of Chinese culture) $4,000

ABROAD George F. and Mary Ann McGunagle Memorial Award $5,000

2010 SUMMER STUDY ABROADSCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Eileen Kiley, Scholarship Advisor

Year 2010 Summer Study Abroad Scholarships

Students have been attending the information sessions giving the background of the scholarship program and instructions on how to fill out the application. Group meetings such as this allow me to present the material to

many students at one time and to answer questions. Those whose schedule doesn’t match the posted times are free to schedule a one-on-one appointment to receive the same information.

NATIONALITY ROOMS AND INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS (www.ucis.pitt.edu/natrooms/)

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OPEN TO ELIGIBLE PHYSICAL THERAPY

STUDENTS (SHRS)ABROAD Dorothy Bradley

Brown Physical Therapy Award $3,500

OPEN TO ELIGIBLE UNDERGRADUATE

WOMENABROAD Women’s

International Club Scholarship (in memory of J.

Ranii & S. Matula) $4,000

OPEN TO ELIGIBLE UNDERGRADUATES

AFRICA African Heritage RoomCommittee Scholarship (in memory of

Nancy H. Lee) $4,000

AUSTRIA Austrian Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Julius & Peggy

Wailand) $3,500

GERMANY German Room Committee Scholarship (in

honor of Martin Gerhard) $4,000

HUNGARY Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship (Dr. S. Gomory/J. Arvay Memorial

Award) $3,500

IRELAND Mary Campbell Cross/Irish Room Committee Scholarship $4,000 (in memory of Wm. Regis O’Malley)

ISRAEL/ABROAD Israel Heritage Room Committee Scholarship $4,000

(for the study of Jewish culture; first consideration given to programs in Israel)

ITALY Italian Room Committee Scholarship (requires working knowledge of

Italian language) $4,000

POLAND Polish Room Committee/Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship* $2,000

ABROAD David L. Lawrence Memorial Award $3,500

ABROAD William and Bernice McKeever Award (For CAS

students only) $3,000

ABROAD Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt Award $4,000

ABROAD Helen Pool Rush Award $3,500

ABROAD Savina S. Skewis Award $3,500

ABROAD John H. Tsui Memorial Scholarship (for

study of Chinese culture)

$4,000

*The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation provides tuition, room & board, partial airfare.

Applications available at the INTERVIEWS BEGIN: November 30, 2009Nationality Rooms Program office LAST DAY TO GET AN APPLICATION: Jan. 15, 2010

1209 Cathedral of Learning COMPLETED APPLICATIONS DUE: 412.624.6150 or on the website. NOON,

Undergraduates: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2010Graduate students: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2010

MARGARET RENCEWICZ(2003 Polish Room/Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship) obtained a scholarship from the Slovak Ministry of Education to study at the Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, in August. She also received a Thomas Kukucka Memorial from the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.

JULIE DRASKOCZY (2008 Stanley Prostrednik Grant) received a Summer 2009 FLAS Fellowship through the Center for Russian and East European Studies for intensive study of Polish. FLAS fellowships

are funded by the U.S. Department of Education (full tuition and a living stipend) to graduate students whose academic program includes intensive language study.

KERRY ANN FRAAS STARE(2009 Eugene Manasterski Memorial Grant) was one of four students named 2009 Nordenberg Fellows. She also received a FLAS Fellowship for continued study of the Ukrainian language during the 2009-10 academic year.

CLAUDIA GARMAN (2006 Hungarian Room Committee

Scholarship) was promoted to program manager at GTZ Representation Brussels, in Brussels, Belgium.

KIRSTEN A. STRAYER(2006 Lithuanian Room Committee Scholarship) defended her dissertation in the Department of English on September 11, 2009. The title of her publication is “Ruins and Riots: Transnational Currents in Mexican Cinema”.

A photograph of EMIL NAGENGAST (1994 Stanley Prostrednik Grant) appeared in the Summer edition of Pennsylvania

SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

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Council for International Education newsletter standing with Buba Misawa (Washington & Jefferson College) who has led study abroad programs to The Gambia and Senegal since 2001. Several Nationality Rooms’ scholarship recipients have participated in it. Dr. Nagengast is currently a professor of politics at Juniata College. He was part of the Gambia and Senegal program in 2006. The pair met during their graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Their efforts were instrumental in the founding of the Keystone Study Away Consortium which develops and sustains study away programs through Juniata College, Susquehanna University, and Washington and Jefferson College. In the article, a contact for more information

on the program was KATI R. CSOMAN (1987 Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship) who also works at Juniata. She is married to Emil and their daughter also appeared in the photograph.

An article written by JULIA FINCH (2007 Austrian Room Committee Scholarship) appeared in the November 2009 issue of the European Union Center of Excellence/European Studies Center Newsletter. With the aid of a Foreign Language Area Studies fellowship, she was able to spend two months in Paris this past summer, taking an intensive source at the Alliance Française, viewing medieval manuscripts in some of the world’s premier collections, and meeting with French and American scholars living in Paris. These experiences, in combination with her French studies, gave Julia the confidence

that she can participate at this international level of scholarship. The support offered by members of the international medievalist community for her dissertation project was very encouraging.

JOEL BRADY (2009 Eugene Manasterski Memorial Award), a Ph.D. candidate in Religious Studies, presented a lecture on Friday, December 4, entitled “Religion Unbound: Converting Transnational Communities in America and the Habsburg Empire, 1890-1914” as part of the European Colloquium of the University of Pittsburgh History Department.

We recently received an email

from JUDY KIEDA ARASE(1976 Nationality Council Scholarship) who, in addition to being a scholarship recipient, was a Quo Vadis guide. “As a second generation blond-haired Polish native Pittsburgher, I was able to put my academic study of Chinese at Pitt into practical use after I received the Nationality Council scholarship for tour guides, which took me to Taiwan. I then went on to receive a Ph.D. from Georgetown University in Chinese. While at Georgetown, I studied at Peking University. I now work as an Official Mandarin

Chinese interpreter for both the federal and state courts when I am home in Los Angeles, California. I also travel widely as a contract interpreter for the U.S. Department of State, interpreting for Chinese-speaking visitors to the United States.

There is no question that my Quo Vadis scholarship and tour guide experience (well before the days of recorded audio tours) contributed to my present professional work. The deep appreciation for different cultures and peaceful, non-political coexistence represented by the Nationality Rooms strongly and positively influenced my world

view and desire to further my knowledge. The encouraging feedback that I received from visitors touring the rooms made me see that mutual respect and understanding across cultures was indeed possible.”

FROM THE SCHOLARSHIP REPORTS…

Ramzi Asmar (2009 Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Grant) travelled to Beirut for an internship with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “I was the first graduate student they had ever accepted from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Intelligence and Security Studies. Having a background in the Middle East, my masters’ degree and major brought new light and experience to the analytical team at the center. They helped me view things in a more liberal way while I introduced them to the analytical realist thinking. My experiences complemented others and I ended up making friends with everyone in the center…During my internship I met with various citizens belonging to different political affiliations. Learning about their beliefs and allegiance to political parties like Hezbollah was the most fascinating and fulfilling part of my research. Understanding their point of view and their perception of the West brought insight to my research that I could have never gotten without traveling…. When traveling to the Middle East, it is important to keep in mind that customs and traditions are drastically different than what we are used to. While in Hezbollah suburbs, my camera got confiscated by one of the security agents. However the agent was extremely professional and, after going through a few pictures, he kindly asked me to delete some of the inappropriate ones and allowed me to keep the rest, and escorted me out of the suburb. It’s extremely important to understand their culture and be willing to adhere to their rules, As long as one does, their professionalism and kindness govern their personality.”

ANNA BARRY (Helen Pool Rush Grant) enrolled in a class at the Center for Academic Programs Abroad in London, England. “In terms of academic achievement, this trip was very inspiring. I wanted to experience another culture’s education system, and I found that it is much different from American universities (although many professors in the UK feel that American College students are better educated than UK students)….In terms of personal achievement, this trip could not have been better for me….This opportunity to experience another culture and soak in the beauty and knowledge of Europe was so completely empowering…It strengthened my sense of faith, rejuvenated my appreciation of knowledge, broadened my understanding of cultures, and allowed peace to reach my mind and soul….In my visit to Ireland, I was able to reconnect with my Irish family. I

20

spent a day in Courtmacsherry, where my ancestors are from, and met my fourth cousin, Noreen Barry. While I was there, I met my grandfather’s first cousin, Mick, who also happened to be a champion in the Irish sport of Celtic bowling! He and my cousin took me around Courtmacsherry and they showed me where my great, great grandfather built his home near the coast….I was able to bring my experiences back to the States, and, after telling my grandfather all about my trip, he welled up in tears and said he was now prepared to die. He had wanted so badly for me to see my family’s roots….”

JOEL BRADY (2009 Eugene Manasterski Memorial Award) traveled to Ukraine for his research project. In addition to collecting data, his language skills improved greatly. “I was glad that most of the adults with whom I spoke did not know English. Everything that is said about the benefits of total immersion is certainly true. My spoken aptitude in Ukrainian is today much better than two months ago. It was disappointing (for very selfish reasons) when I met with younger students who had learned English (instead of Russian) in school.” It didn’t take long to develop a regular schedule. “My daily routine of 9 am - 6 pm in the library was broken up by the certain inevitable features of culture shock. By way of example, at 8:45 one morning, in line in a store to buy some water for the day, I waited as an elderly gentleman in front of me ordered his first (I think) shot of vodka for the day. After he had finished, I stepped forward to order my water (“voda”) to which the clerk responded “Dobrij! Vodka!” (“Great! Vodka!”) immediately before she began pouring me a shot of my own. (I had to clarify what I meant.) When I returned to this establishment on a lunch break later that day, I ordered a sandwich and a soda, but I checked first to make sure the soda was not alcoholic (as I still had much work to do in the library). The clerk assured me that it was not, but just as she was ringing me up, she said, “Oh, wait, there’s just a very tiny bit of alcohol in this.” As I

was in a hurry, I told her this would be fine, assuming that the drink was the equivalent of an American “near-beer”. After wolfing down my sandwich and chugging the drink (as I said, I was in a hurry), however, I suddenly found myself more than a little intoxicated. I checked the label, and, sure enough, it was just your basic rum and coke, and a strong one at that. And it was in this way that I learned that the meaning of “just a little alcohol” in Ukrainian is idiomatic, and translates roughly as “not straight vodka”…..

Augsburg, Germany, presentedLAUREN BRUNE (German Room Committee Scholarship) “intimidating at first…there were many inconveniences at the beginning with registration, bank accounts and fee, insurance, and our courses. However, everything was resolved within the first week. The housing arrangements in Augsburg were definitely not as involved as Pittsburgh housing…As far as food, we were also on our own because we could cook in our rooms…Travelopportunities were also completely independent…I believe I gained invaluable knowledge from planning my travels and negotiating the train system…I had been to Germany many times before to visit relatives so the immersion into German culture was not new to me; however, it was interesting to note the differences between northern and southern Germany. The food, dialects, and traditions all differ a bit between states, and I liked hearing Bavarian dialects such as Bayrisch and Schwäbish…I enjoyed revisiting many of the cities and attractions I had seen on my high school exchange trip to Germany and Switzerland…My only regret about the Augsburg program is that I did not make enough of an effort to improve my speech by befriending German students.”

ABIGAIL CHUA (Ruth Crawford Mitchell Memorial Award) spent seven week in the Philippines conducting medical research. “A typical day in Capiz involved me starting for the field around 7:00 am. It took approximately two hours to

reach my sites. My translator and I would interview government officials then start focus group discussions with farm workers or fishermen…The dialect I speak is not the main dialect in Capiz, but many people could speak to me and try out their Tagalog, and the discussion would become livelier once they decided to try Tagalog or I decided to try my Ilonggo….My family is from the Philippines, and my father’s family is from a rural area on a different island. My mother’s brother and his children are fishermen, and so when I spoke to the people in these communities I felt that I learned more about what the daily lives of my own family members were like….The summer research I performed will be a building block for me towards a longitudinal research project related to Filariasis in the Philippines. We are required to complete such a project prior to graduation from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with the Filipino people.”

The role of noblewomen in and out of the court system as patrons of the arts is the subject of AMY CYMBALA’s (Italian Room Committee Scholarship) research. “While researching, it immediately became apparent that the scope of my project would need to further expand beyond just an interest in Medici women, but would need to explore networks of noblewomen in the cities of Mantova, Parma and Ferrara….I was able to discover several women who also commissioned art works for churches in these towns, helping to flesh out the narrative of not only Medici female patronage, but also of women closely linked to their court who had aspirations to climb social hierarchies. This has brought new and exciting possibilities to my research…I found the archival collections easier to navigate, developed closer scholarly connections with the archivists, and always felt I had plenty of documents to work with, as well as the support of the small scholarly community which centered itself in the archive. The archives in

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Mantova, Parma and Ferrara are also frequently the sites of research for a burgeoning international scholarly community in Italy, which deepened the experience as well…”

LAURA CZARNEK (Polish Room/Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship) concentrated most of her study time on language acquisition. “During my first week in Poland, I spend time with a former high school Polish teacher. She and her husband kindly invited me to stay with them in their home…She doesn’t speak any English, so our communication was completely in Polish. This was my first true immersion experience, and admittedly, it was difficult. However, we managed quite well; whenever a word would come up that I didn’t understand, she would explain, trying out other words that I might be more familiar with…My Polish class had only five other students in it, which gave us all a chance to become more comfortable with each other and to speak more….She would not even allow us to speak to each other in English during class time, in an effort to maintain an immersion experience. ..Each weekend we had an excursion…Our last trip was to the Wieliczka Salt Mines. After walking down 378 wooden steps, we found ourselves entirely surrounded by salt…There are numerous statues made completely of (you guessed it) salt. Chapels, even an entire ballroom! It was incredible. And the history behind all the mining! There are stories and folk tales associated with every carving and statue…”

BORYANA DOBREVA (Austrian Room Committee Scholarship) took advantage of the many opportunities available in Vienna to research her topic of major tendencies in migratory movements from Eastern Europe to Austria and the way these movements are reflected in current literature. She had some advice for future awardees: “If your research involves visiting libraries and archives, I would recommend checking online opening hours, catalogues, location, requirements of each specific library and archive. This is especially necessary in

the summer, when many of these institutions have shorter operating hours…In addition it is also advisable for each researcher to clarify as to whether he or she needs to have a library card issued…The reading halls in the libraries offer a very pleasant atmosphere that contributes to a pleasant reading and working experience…In addition to the valuable materials I collected for my dissertation, my stay in Vienna enriched my experience and knowledge as a scholar in many aspects. I view the professional contacts I established as a promising beginning for future cooperation with writers and scholars and the institutions they represent….Finally I am more confident that my research abroad has contributed to an enhancement of my professional creativity and qualifications….”

THOMAS DUNN (Frank and Vilma Slater/Scottish Room Committee Scholarship) realized “a deeper cultural experience than I can begin to describe. Though in the increasingly globalized world, Scotland may not be as “foreign” a destination as it may once have been, I still managed to recognize the rich and abiding culture of the Scottish people as distinctive. This is particularly true as the Scots have, in recent years, made moves to a stronger form of home rule from London, a point of pride for many Scots as was evident during my trip to the new Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh. But the uniqueness goes beyond the political. The food was distinct from much of what I have seen elsewhere. The kindness of the people is hard to overestimate. I had countless run-ins with thoughtful and helpful men and women who made my experience all the more interesting…Although I spent a great deal of time in the archives, my evenings, morning walks, nights at the pub and weekend explorations gave me a small but telling view into the lives of the Scottish people that I will never forget.”

KIMBERLY FETSICK (Italian Room Committee Scholarship)

attended the Lorenzo de Medici School in Florence. Upon her arrival in Rome on May 17, she met her roommates and other students in the program. Classes began on Monday, May 24. “After class, I would usually meet my friend for lunch and we would go to a museum or a church…My favorite museum was the Uffizi; I was absolutely awed by all the wonderful paintings and sculptures inside…This trip overall totally changed my perception. In a lot of ways Italy was exactly what I expected to find – full of wonder, unimaginable beauty and bursting with history that comes alive as you walk down the streets. On the other hand, it was truly interesting and even humbling to experience a different culture from our own. A lot of times, try as we might, we just didn’t fit in, for doing something as simple as buying a cappuccino “to go” instead of standing at the counter and drinking it at the café…One thing that really interested (and even frustrated) me happened almost every time I tried to speak in Italian. Ninety-five percent of the time I would be answered in English. When I finally asked someone about this, I was told that so many Italians were trying to learn English that when someone comes along they wanted to practice as much as I did!”

KERRY ANN FRAAS STARE(Eugene Manasterski Memorial Grant) spent eight weeks in Ukraine’s Kyiv area, “with a few excursions to surrounding areas and cities. A typical day or week for me would be to work at my legal job at CMS-Reich Rohrwig Hainz from 9 am until 6 pm, and then go to the National Academy of Kyiv-Mohyla where I’d work on my research topic until about 9:00 or 9:30 in the evening. On the weekends, I’d try to take advantage of cultural sites, churches, parks and museums – of which there are many in Kyiv!...My most significant personal encounters occurred with my coworkers at CMS-RRH on a daily basis. At this level, I gained new insight as to what is expected of a young Ukrainian attorney my age and what preparation they have at this point. I was surprised at the

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amount of responsibility assigned to these young attorneys, and I was surprised by what I perceived to be inadequate training. I also gained a new insight about the legal structure and framework in Ukraine that these attorneys work with every day. Many Ukrainian statutes are written as a list of goals or general prohibitions, without providing a concrete mechanism for achieving these goals…The most visible results of my trip are the legal analysis experience and practical legal experience I received working at CMS-RRH. I also was able to get a good foundation for research on my upper level writing requirement. My conversational Ukrainian improved somewhat, but not to the extent which I would have liked.”

One might think of archival research as dull and isolating, but IZABEL GALLIERA (Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship) had a very different experience. “At the archive I mostly stayed in one room going through boxes of artist and institution files, taking notes, taking pictures with my camera and making photocopies. Often times I interacted with the staff and director of the archive, who offered me valuable advice and directed me to materials that I was not initially considering. They were eager to find out about my research, my department and the University of Pittsburgh. While they would suggest various studies that might be helpful for me to look at, I would respectfully mention books that would not always be familiar to them, so it was a great exchange of information. I became close friends with one of the archivists and, whenever there was an art museum or gallery opening reception, she always invited me to along with her. It was a great way to both practice my Hungarian with native speakers as well as to meet new people in the local art scene….While performing research in archives and closely reading relevant literature is extremely helpful to advance my work, it is invaluable to have the opportunity to spend time with the particular culture and interact with local people in the field, as

these discussions may often lead to important and relevant connections within my research study.”

One of the report questions concerns food and restaurants, so that future scholarship recipients know what to expect. MARISSA GOLDRICH(Savina S. Skewis Award) had this experience. “In the medina in Rabat, most people eat from vendors on the streets in the medina, or eat at home. When eating from vendors, try to avoid meats that haven’t been cooked thoroughly (it is often best to just buy meat and make it yourself). Also, fruits and vegetables are often overripe or rotten because they have been out too long, so you should go between different vendors to find the freshest fruit and vegetable. It is best to wash the produce thoroughly, and cook them well. Food in the souk is very inexpensive and very good, although the baked goods are oily. Out of the bread products they sell, raifa and harsha are the best. Raifa is a flaky, pancake-type bread made fresh throughout the day, and is sold in many sizes. Harsha is thicker bread that is good with jam and cheese. It slightly resembles cornbread. Both are sold on the street and most mothers make it for the families. Ice cream is also sold on the street from soft-serve machines.” Included in the good restaurants list were: Goethe Institute (German-themed restaurant and bar); El Bahia (traditional Moroccan food); and, of course, McDonald’s.

SARAH HENRICH (William and Bernice McKeever Award) compared her summer in Peru with her previous study abroad experience in Spain. “In terms of personal and academic achievements, the most profound effect of studying in Cusco was the improvement on my Spanish conversation skills. When I studied in Spain, I had mainly American friends and, while I took all of my classes in Spanish, my host mother was not too involved in my social life and therefore I had less time speaking with a native than I could have. In turn, although I did make American friends in Cusco, I spent

much, much more time with my host family, which was much bigger and more jovial than the one I had in Spain. Not only my immediate host family, but also my extended host family (my host mother’s siblings and mother, who all lived in the same apartment building) took part in caring for me and helping me to get used to my new environment. I was also exposed to different age groups and had to catch up with the rapid speech of my young host sister, which was a challenge….Additionally the exposure to Quechua, which I have studied for over a year now, was invaluable. Because Quechua is only spoken in a very particular part of the world, I feel very lucky to have gone to the city at the heart of the language. Seeing Quechua on street signs and hearing it spoken in small towns helps me to better see how the European and native cultures have combined, which is a lovely experience to have as an anthropologist.”

WIKAR ABDUL KADHIM (Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Grant) “spent the summer in Amman, Jordan, working as an intern in Occupational Therapy (OT) in four different medical settings…Jordan emerges as the ideal Middle Eastern country in which to do an internship such as this because Jordan is one of the Middle Eastern leaders in the health care field. Similar to the United States, many children in Jordan suffer from cerebral palsy (CP). When I asked some of the clinicians about this ‘rise of CP’, many responded that the number of cases has stayed the same but the rate of families taking advantage of rehabilitation services has risen. Learning about OT services spread like wildfire from one person to another…I learned that the Jordanian culture once emphasized the negative aspects of a child with a disability. Families feared that a male child with a disability would not be able to earn a living and marry, and they saw a female child with a disability as someone unable to attract a husband…Now, due to educational programs within the community, parents have a better understanding of and more respect

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for those with disabilities…Although OT has only been an integral part of the Jordanian hospital system for 18 years, compared to 85 years in the U.S., it now promises to expand into a vital field of health care….I traveled to Jordan with expectations and questions; by the time I completed my two-month stay in Amman, I have more questions and fewer answers…More dialogue between Jordan and the United States will not only lead to a better appreciation for cultural differences, but will also result in a better understanding of how to improve OT services for all individuals, no matter their country of origin…”

MARY ELIZABETH KOVACIK(Stanley Prostrednik Grant) made considerable professional strides during her stay in Croatia. “I left for Croatia with two educational/occupational goals. The first, I needed data on a skeletal collection that would represent the missing time point in my PhD dissertation data…In my time in Croatia, I was able to perform a full skeletal analysis on a collection dating to the 1600’s, including metric, non-metric, disease and dental investigation. My second goal was to help in the identification of civilian victims of the war in the early 90’s that were subsequently buried in the mass graves. Unfortunately, I was unable to enter any grave directly. However, I spent extensive time with the lead anthropologist, Dr. Mario Slaus, the only physical anthropologist in the country. Dr. Slaus took his own personal time to instruct and teach me about trauma analysis of bone and human remains. I am now better able to identify the marks of trauma on bone, isolate the weapon, and my new knowledge can help to glean cause or manner of death from these remains. This type of experience would have been impossible anywhere else in the world…”

KATHLEEN MORIARTY(Austrian Room Committee Scholarship) didn’t “take content courses at a specific institution. I took a few German for Foreigners night classes at a local language school,

which were taught in the evening and were relatively inexpensive. I made some good friends there and improved my German grammar immensely during those courses…Immediate results from my summer experience are definitely within the realm of improved language skills. I would not have been able to stay in German Writing this semester had I not had a linguistic ‘boot camp’ over the summer. I honed my research skills which will help me with future dissertation research. I also worked on my grant writing skills which got me a foreign language fellowship for this school year…The research project was something I decided on because I am passionate about it and very interested in publishing an article on religious vocations and their role in pop culture in Western Europe…The process of conducting interviews, many new contacts and conducting archival research was of great importance to my growth as an academic, especially as I proceed into my dissertation phase…”

JEFFREY AUSTIN PRICE(Stanley Prostrednik Award) participated in an internship in Kumba, Cameroon, with Global Conscience Initiative (GCI), founded in 2001, whose staff is dedicated and enthusiastic. “Most of the mornings were spent on designing a program for conflict mediation and adjudication…” One afternoon, “we came back from lunch and headed to one of the local villages… When we arrive in the village, the council, which was supposed to meet at 1:30, is undoubtedly nowhere to be seen. We meander around for a bit, mingling with the villagers, until we can locate one of our contacts to see what time people will actually meet. So-and-so is ill and not coming; so-and-so other is in the bush, and, finally the rest will come in ‘small time’. So we sit and drink palm wine and chat about how the crops are coming out this year and joke about cultural differences. Finally, after about an hour and a half of patient waiting, everyone is assembled and we begin the workshop. Everyone is a little quiet and hesitant at first – after all this sort of engaging and

interactive pedagogy is far different from that used in the local school and we do have bizarre and different white faces. But by now, they are relatively comfortable with us. In fact, several have offered me one of their daughters as a wife, and as we move along, the workshop gathers speed and by the end, everyone is speaking and nodding attentively….After shaking hands and saying good bye until next week, we would do our best to find a ride back to the city, be it a car packed with vegetables and fruit, the back of a truck sent to fix the oil pumps, or a motorcycle…”

TIMOTHY LAUX (Lithuanian Room Committee Scholarship), a medical school student, “focused on the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in rural agricultural workers who lived in a climate (cool and moist) that had not previously been screened for CKD. My responsibilities included performing interviews and basic medical exams on people. I arrived in May and we did planning in June, and then I was involved with data gathering through the end of July. Before I came home we successfully input the data to our database…By the end of the summer we had completed roughly 290 interviews. On Saturdays and Sundays we performed five quantitative measures of health. In the end we got 267 of the 290 interviewees to complete these measurements. Participants were thanked with food…Communication was key, and not getting too set on any given way of doing things – because we were always doing the same thing, but in different ways depending on the weather, the help, etc…I think this research confirmed that I do enjoy global health work, and I do hope to at least publish an abstract with the data…”

To prepare for the Honors College’s Mongolian Field Study Program, participants are required to take a semester-long course in Pittsburgh to gain the rudiments of Mongolian language and learn the country’s background. In addition, says KATHERINE LASKY (Women’s International Club Grant) “the first

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few weeks were spent in a crash language course and preparing the logistics of our research with the help of an advisor assigned through the National University of Mongolia…I redesigned my research to focus on the pressing topic of English language education in Mongolia and its significance in the job market….I spent a lot of time seeking out experts in various fields to provide background information for the project…In general, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the applicability of one’s field of study to an actual career, a significant problem in such a tight job market… In Ulaanbaator, the job market is highly competitive and ‘most jobs are not advertised’…For a University graduate this means fewer sources advertising available employment. As one professor explained it, companies approach the university with job openings, and professors recommend students for the positions, or students use personal connections to find work, a system that abandons graduates without recommendations or useful connections to find a job with the limited resources available….All around, my experience in Mongolia was pretty incredible. Being thrown into such a different culture and forced to adapt provided an opportunity for personal growth inaccessible in one’s own culture and comfort zone.”

MICHELLE LARZELERE(Women’s International Club Award) pursued medical education in Santiago, Chile, enrolling with IES Abroad. “The Spanish for Health Practitioners was very well organized and covered a variety of medical topics that any doctor would have to know…The Clinical Observation Internship provided an opportunity to shadow a different doctor in a different medical field each day. Here we were able to ask questions of the patients and the doctors, which helped to put our medical Spanish into practice…One thing about both courses that I enjoyed was for several projects we were forced to go out into the city and interview various natives about some aspect of medicine or public

health. For me, this helped me break out of my comfort zone and speak to people who weren’t used to speaking with or teaching foreigners. I had to listen to several different accents and speeds of Spanish and I couldn’t be afraid to only talk to the people I knew and whose Spanish I could understand…The experience helped me decide that I definitely do not want to be a pediatrician. It was very difficult to watch a doctor cause a child pain in order to make them feel better…I realized that obstetrics/gynecology might be a possible career choice for me…”

JENNIFER LANDIS (John H. Tsui Memorial Award) had a wonderful experience in Beijing, P.R.C. this summer. To achieve her goal of improving her language abilities, she enrolled in an intensive Mandarin Chinese program. “One of the most important aspects of the program is a language pledge, which requires you to only speak Chinese at all times. It is the most important feature and, while it was the hardest and most miserable thing to do, my Chinese greatly improved because of it…The dorm rooms are a floor below the classrooms and are well maintained. Be advised that toilets in China rarely have toilet paper. Become used to carrying it around all the time…Squat toilets are inevitable, suck it up, everyone uses them. Some are beyond disgusting but they are the best stories to bring back and tell your friends. You may never complain about a Pittsburgh public toilet again!...The first field trip was to Wutaishan, a Buddhist monastery about six miles outside of Beijing. It was one of the most enlightening weekends of my life that still resonates with me today. We were able to have deep discussion with the Master Monk at Wutaishan…I don’t believe that I would have had such a lasting experience if IES hadn’t planned the trip…Here I found was the true beauty of China, a true diamond in the rough. There was not one day that passed where it was not life-changing. I consider myself well-travelled, yet, going to China overloaded every sense, exposed every emotion, tested every

insecurity, and I came out with a true sense of myself…”RACHEL MURRAY (African Heritage Room Committee/Walter C. Worthington Foundation Scholarship) travelled to Karagwe, Tanzania, as a member of a group of ten students studying and researching social and health issues in East Africa. “I learned a great deal from the program and high recommend it…The community we lived in is very different than any town in America, but everyone was very welcoming to us…I think as a group we have a large responsibility to our temporary home. Since the community was so hospitable and welcoming, I think they deserve our genuine respect and understanding of their culture. Also, along those lines, I feel that it is our responsibility to appreciate the differences between Tanzanian life from American life and try to adjust to the standards of Karagwe to the best of our ability…If international partnerships are treated with great sensitivity, I feel like open relationships can be developed and mutual learning experience can be unveiled…This program helped reinsure my goals of going into medicine and I would like to someday practice medicine in East Africa. My Swahili language skills were immensely impacted…As I was the only student in the program who had taken any Swahili courses, I was heavily relied on for communication with the locals. Although it was a challenge, I feel like I learned a lot about the language and gained a lot more from the experience knowing how to speak with most people….”

AMBER NELSON (David L. Lawrence Memorial Award) also participated in the Tanzania program. Her research topic focused on education. “I visited eight public and private primary and secondary schools. While at the school I often had a translator to help me converse with teachers students about their experiences in the Karagwe school system…Being along on these school visits challenged me to be bold about acquiring the information I needed…One significant weekend experience was cooking at Mrs. Anetoria’s home.

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I learned how to cook rice and fried chicken without a stove. I cooked over paint cans. It compelled me to appreciate the appliances and abundance of food I have in the United States. Yet another condition that shaped my view of the world was visiting the schools. Students lacked resources – often sharing one book among seven students….Despite the challenges families face and the poverty sticking the region, many of the people had great hope and faith. Their perseverance was inspiring…I am more dedicated to discovering the relationship between education inequity and crime. What’s more, my academic success and perseverance in the program has made me more confident as I apply for graduate school…”

CORY RODGERS (Helen Pool Rush Award) was a member of the Honors College’ fieldtrip to Mongolia. “The program contained a wide variety of travel and living experiences, including three weeks of intense, frequent travel, three weeks of organized language courses and university activities in Ulaanbaatar, five weeks of open-ended research time, and about a week of paper writing and travel conclusion…We landed in Beijing and saw the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall, among other sites…Our subsequent week of travel throughout Northern China…where people lived in dilapidated housing, worked the fields with little aid from farm equipment, and made do with little in the way of public utilities. …Our third week was spent in Russia – a three day train ride…It was very nice to settle down in our Mongolian apartment after such a long period of living out of a bag…After two weeks of language classes, we were on our own to conduct the research project…My primary goal was to determine the effects of a traditional medicine program on the behaviors and attitudes of rural Mongolian families…Participants were easy to communicate with when we had a translator. We made sure to dress respectably, and we obeyed the general customs when in people’s homes…The project meshed well

with my intentions for a career in international medicine.”

In addition to improving her Hungarian language skills,DEBORAH ROGERS (Hungarian Room Committee Grant) researched how cooking was used to strengthen the concept of Hungarian national identity in the 19th century. “The process of building a national culture occurred mainly through a growing print culture…I was looking primarily for cookbooks, travel logs, newspapers and literary writings on food. I met a few obstacles in researching these topics, but overcame them by sheer stubbornness. When a source came up empty, or proved difficult to find, I kept trying. I called archivists, spoke to librarians, wrote letters to the experts. Research requires a stubborn perseverance and a simple refusal to quit. In the difficult times, I actually found more materials than expected, because I was forced to look into new sources or new archives that I had never planned on using. The challenges ultimately proved beneficial for my research…I met several extremely helpful contacts who specialized in my area of interest and they introduced me to new ways of researching and/or new places to explore….The combination of academic and personal experiences in Hungary culminated in one of the best summers of my life…”

ALEXA SABEDRA (Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt Award) enjoyed London, England this summer where she took classes and participated in an internship. “West European Government and Politics as conducted in an open discussion format. The students were allowed and encouraged to contribute to the lectures with their own opinions and insights…We wrote several essays and I feel I learned so much more than I ever expected to in a six-week course…On Mondays through Thursdays I would take about a 30-minute tube ride to work which was in South Kensington at Imperial College. I would work anywhere from six to eight hours at my research laboratory. I worked with a group of people representing nearly ten

different countries…I also took the opportunity to visit countries other than England. I spent one weekend in the Czech Republic and another in Ireland. Prague was spectacular to say the least. It is architecturally the most beautiful place I have ever visited…When I went to Ireland, however, I was rather disappointed. In terms of history, Dublin is an interesting city, but not particularly enjoyable for its architecture. I also visited Galway which gave me a more genuine feel of Irish culture…This trip has taught me something very important about myself – it showed me that I am much more capable and flexible than I ever realized. It gave me a new and stronger sense of independence and self-confidence that I believe will serve me well in the future.”

While mucking horse stalls each morning wasn’t MELISSA STAUFFER’s (Greek Room Committee Scholarship) stellar activity, she had a productive research experience on a horse farm studying equine therapy with a group called The Silva Project. “It’s dedicated to preserving the Skyrian horse and also has an equestrian riding school and is involved in the rescuing of abused animals…The morning began with preparing the horse for riding lessons and mucking their stalls. I would also help lead a horse during a riding lesson, which required a great deal of learning how to work with the horse and riding instructor. Due to the fact that I did not have much experiences with horses prior to this opportunity, the first week was very challenging to me. I was learning many things, including how to lead a horse, how to muck the stalls, how to clean a horse, and, of course, learning all of the horses’ names…I was also involved in the therapeutic riding program at the Silva Project. Before leaving Pittsburgh I chose to conduct research at similar facilities in the greater Pittsburgh area…Most of the work in Greece did go as expected. I was able to observe and interview individuals involved with the equine-assisted therapy process (parents, clients and providers)…If I had

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more time before I left for Greece, I would have certainly studied m ore of the Greek language. I only knew a little Greek, but certainly not enough to be able to lead a therapeutic riding lesson myself. I would have also spent more time learning how to work with horses because there was a great deal for me to learn during the first few weeks of my research.”

WALLIED J. SHIRZOI (Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Award) “interned with the United States Department of State and worked at the U.S. Embassy in Doha, Qatar. This Middle East nation of roughly a million people is not only an important strategic ally for the United States, but a global leader in energy resources…My job at the Embassy was amazing. I had the opportunity to interact with many individuals who came from all over the U.S. and the Middle East. While most of my projects were analytical, others were hands-on. My office was the busiest – the Political and Economic division….I was assigned two significant projects by Ambassador Joseph LeBaron. The first was a Financial Satisfaction Index…The second major project was completing a 14-page cable on the status of Human Rights within Qatar, which is a constitutional monarchy...The current Emir is quite progressive and has initiated a number of development projects to help foster sustainability…World leaders have applauded Qatar’s efforts towards modernizing its education system because many of the Arab states lack educational development…In the end, the Ambassador applauded my work and submitted the cable to Washington. It will be used to help prepare the 2009 Human Rights Report issued by Embassy Doha…”

ALEXA SWAILES (Women’s International Club Grant) enrolled in the Latin American Studies Center’s Annual Field Trip program which, this year, selected Fortaleza, Brazil as its destination. This required an extra commitment of taking a preparatory class during the

spring, during which time students developed an independent research project to be carried out in Brazil. “The primary goal of my research was to determine how the youth population of Fortaleza, Brazil – the byproducts of the first generation of condom promotion by the government and NGO’s – took into account the media messages concerning condoms and the influence perceived from the Catholic Church, and how such contrasting messages were reconciled in their minds…The research was done through surveys and personal interviews with students on college campuses…I got participants by going to the cafeterias and student unions at the universities and passing out surveys to students seated there. I also made friends with a couple of professors and went into the classes to pass out the surveys, which got many results very quickly…I didn’t ever think I would go into or consider research as a major part of my career. I thought that it consisted of sitting behind a lab bench and staring through a microscope. When I began to undertake this project and learn what other students in the program were doing, I saw that research didn’t have to be the boring career that I thought…I am currently applying for a Fulbright Grant to return to Brazil and undertake the project in greater detail…

LINDSAY TAWA (Indian Room Committee Scholarship) arranged for a mentorship in Mungeli, India. “When I arrived that evening, I was greeted by Dr. Anil Henry, my mentor, who took me to his house for dinner….Needless to say, in Mungeli I learned the meaning of hard work. I saw the doctors and nurses there sacrifice everything for the well being of the patient and the sake of the hospital. There were only one general surgeon, one anesthesiologist, one general practitioner, one surgical resident, and two dental residents. Among them, they had to make the whole hospital run and take care of any emergencies that walked, crawled through the hospital doors. The patients came in by truck, by wagon, by motorcycles. They came 24

hours a day. They had every and any disease under the sun, and they came usually only at the most dire stage of the disease progression. These people came from so far that they often came with five and six people accompanying them. And in such a situation there was no way for the hospital to accommodate so many people. Instead, the families came with their own pots and pans, their own groceries, and their own blankets and sheets to set up camp around the perimeter of the hospital, sleeping often in the rain, and with the mosquitoes, snakes and scorpions notoriously dangerous to that region. The doctors too had to sacrifice much. They were denied sleep, forced to live in a very rural and poor part of India, and within a maximum 1-minute walk of the hospital. They forfeited larger salaries and comfortable life styles. They barely saw their families and no free time to speak of. Both the doctors and the patients and their families showed me what it meant to truly stop everything else and care for the sick. I learned that medicine is a lifestyle, not a career…”

“My trip to Liberia and Ghana, “saysTOBY TAYLOR (George and Maryann McGunagle Award, “was undertaken to perform independent research and an internship with the Pittsburgh-bases NGO, Mediators Beyond Borders (MBB). In brief, my main objective during the trip was to perform an evaluation of a rehabilitation and reintegration program that was designed for ex-combatants of Liberia’s civil war. At the time of my research, participants of this program resided in the cities of Monrovia and Buchanan in Liberia, as well as the Buduburam resettlement camp in Ghana….A survey consisting of 84 questions was administered to a total of 102 subjects (42 MBB participants and 60 non-MBB participants for a control group)….If respondents are not provided with some sort of incentive to participate, they will probably not do so. Instead, they will use their time to look for work, food, etc., especially in regions

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where much of the population lives in poverty….Many individuals have grown weary of providing information to researchers, then receiving no benefit in return (A fact I was personally made aware of many times during interviews.). Though not a benefit, a small compensation may provide an incentive for individuals to take part in your research. However, it should not be an amount that may be seen as coercive in nature.”

GLENDA VARGAS (Helen Pool Rush Grant) discussed her home-stay experience. “The director paired up students with families by having the student and families fill out profiles. The family I stayed with included parents and three children as well as two dogs because I wanted a big family and I also love animals. My host mom was a principal at a public school and this was convenient because my research centered on interviewing administrators of public or private institutions. I usually ate all three meals at home….On Friday nights, however, I usually went out with some students from the program. Every night when I came home, I usually spoke to my Brazilian host sister about my day because I genuinely enjoyed her company and it was a great opportunity to practice Portuguese. Finally on Saturdays and Sundays, I usually spent time with the host family…From this trip I gained so much, not only a vast improvement in language skills, but a vast immersion in Brazilian culture. I was open to try everything in the culture from food to dancing. From this immersion I learned more about how close-knit Brazilian families are as well as how hard-working Brazilians are…I also valued how open my family was to receive me and how they treated me as part of their family. I really enjoyed this trip and the personal experiences I gained were far more valuable to what I had learned in the classroom…”

NINA WEAVER (Savina S. Skewis Grant) participated in an internship while in London, England. “It was probably one of the most rewarding experiences that I had in London. It was with the Baytree Centre, a

non-profit voluntary organization which is dedicated to reaching out to its often hard-to-contact target population of marginalized women and girls from refugee and immigrant communities… My own position was within the Youth Development Program, specifically with their Into School Program, which supports newly-arrived refugee or immigrant girls. Into School is a free service which provides the girls with English lessons, cultural and integration activities and excursions, and personal mentoring, plus support in finding a school and adapting to the British school system. Since the girls are often difficult to reach, I was responsible for contacting and visiting various community centers, refugee/immigrant organizations, and schools in the area to provide them with information and to encourage potential beneficiaries to participate…I directly assisted with the girls in one-on-one tutoring, in which I helped them with their English, ESOL lesson catch-up, reading sessions, and integration into the UK in general…My internship provided me not only with highly relevant professional experience, but also gave me an excellent opportunity for insight into British culture and the British workplace which couldn’t have been experienced otherwise.”

DANIEL WOLF (David L. Lawrence Memorial Grant) discovered there were only two other students enrolled in his particular program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but “the Spanish class at the University of Buenos Aires was quite an international learning experience. I shared a classroom with Americans from all over the country, but also students from Switzerland, Australia, Denmark, Brazil, England and Iran (although he seemed to prefer being called Persian). Having peers from all over the globe was amazing, and would have, on its own, made the study abroad worthwhile. It was incredibly interesting to see opinions across different cultures regarding social issues from the legalization of drugs to abortion. Even more intriguing was seeing first hand opinions of American (McDonalds,

Jerry Springer, etc.). It was nice to hear that we managed to shatter many of their preconceptions. The guy from Australia became my best bud. We would arrange events for the class, play soccer game (Brazilians were extremely talented here) and normally compare cultural differences. It was also interesting to see how English accents didn’t transfer. Someone from America, Australia, or England all sounded the same in Spanish. This class had much more to offer than what was on its syllabus…”

SUSANNA ZLOTNIKOV(Israel Heritage Classroom Committee Scholarship) believes that “it was helpful to study Arabic in a city with native speakers where I was constantly exposed to the dialect and could hear the proper pronunciation….Overall, I would have to say that this trip abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I am very lucky in the sense that I have been to Israel many times and I had several friends living there, so I never felt helpless or overwhelmed by the fact that I was in a foreign country. Also, I can speak Hebrew well enough, that I can comfortably travel by myself around the country…I was also very fortunate to have a friend with an apartment in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City in Jerusalem. She had a room available, so I lived in the Old City for my whole stay, instead of living on campus. This was my first trip to Israel where I was independent and created my own schedule. It was the first time I got to live in Jerusalem – I was no longer a tourist…It was interesting to live down the street and not be able to communicate with my neighbors because they speak a different language! I think, overall, this trip has emphasized the complexity of the Middle Eastern social issues... I left Israel with more questions than answers…I have so much more to learn and, this trip, I left more determined than ever to discover more…”

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NOVEMBER1 Slovak Festival Commons Room Noon – 5:00 p.m.8 PolishFest Commons Room Noon – 5:00 p.m. - W.I. C. Scholarship Luncheon University Holiday Inn - Scandinavian Society of Western Pennsylvania Magnus Martensson concert Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

2:00 p.m.14 Decorating Day 1228 C.L. Noon15 Lithuanian Room Committee 129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.26 Thanksgiving Day - University closed – no tours27 Nationality Rooms tours 11:00 a.m. – last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m.30 Preliminary scholarship presentations begin

DECEMBER6 Holiday Open House Commons Room Noon – 4:00 p.m.11 Last day of University classes12 Czechoslovak Room Holiday Party 1228 C.L. 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.13 Scandinavian Society of Western Pennsylvania Annual Holiday Party Boyd Center, O’Hara Township14 Final Exam Week17 W. I. C. Holiday Brunch P. A. A. 11:30 a.m.20 Finnish Room Committee Holiday Party 1228 C.L. - Lithuanian Room Committee 129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.12/24 – 1/4 Winter Break – University offices closed 24, 25, and 26 University closed – no tours12/27 – 12/31 Nationality Room tours 10:30 a.m. – last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m.

JANUARY1 New Year’s Day – University

offices closed – no tours2 University reopens for the

Spring SemesterNationality Room tours 9:00 a.m. – last tour leaves at

2:30 p.m.6 classes resume16-18 Undecorating Days

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

17 Scandinavian Society of Western PA 1228 C.L 2:00 p.m.

17 Lithuanian Room Committee meeting129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.

18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday University offices closed

18 Nationality Room tours 11:00 a.m. – last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY1-26 Scholarship selection panels 1201 C.L.TBA Chinese New Year Banquet14 Scandinavian Society of Western PA

1228 C.L. 2:00 p.m.14 Lithuanian Room Committee meeting

129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.26 University Honors Convocation

MARCH6 Czechoslovak Room Committee meeting

1228 C.L.7-13 University of Pittsburgh Spring Break11 Nationality Council Meeting

1201 C.L. 6:00 p.m.12 University’s Observance of Spring Break – University offices closed12 Nationality Rooms tours 11:00 a.m. – last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m.14 Scandinavian Society of W. PA 1228 C.L. 2:00 p.m.

14 Lithuanian Room Committee meeting 129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.

TBA Greek Independence Day Celebration27 Austrian Debutante Ball - Priory Grand HallTBA Scholarship Orientation and Awards

Presentation

APRILTBA Cabaret Ball18 Scandinavian Society of Western PA

1228 C.L. 2:00 p.m.18 Lithuanian Room Committee

129 C.L. 2:00 p.m.23 Last day of classes for the spring term

MAY2 Commencement31 Memorial Day Holiday – University offices closed31 Nationality Rooms tours

11:00 a.m. – last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS All dates and times are subject to change.  For current information, call 412.624.6150.

(t/b/a = to be announced)

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Summer 2009Newsletter of the Albert Schweitzer FellowshipREVERENCEE. Maxine Bruhns: A Pittsburgh Treasure A profile of Maxine Bruhns highlighting her visit with Albert Schweitzer in Lambaréné, visiting the leper colony and the grounds of the Schweitzer Hospital

June 22, 2009Pittsburgh Tribune-Review“Ukrainian Radio host maintains Ukrainian identity through music”Article on Michael Komichak and his dedication to promoting the Ukrainian culture and giving it a voice

June 23, 2009Pittsburgh Post-Gazette NOW“Women’s International Club anniversary luncheon”Photograph of Maxine Bruhns and Cynthia Maleski celebrating the 70th

anniversary of the Women’s International Club with a tribute to Bruhns

August 7, 2009Berne Tri-Weekly News“Noted Swiss illustrator visits Berne during Swiss Days”Frederick H. Carlson (co-chairperson of Swiss Nationality Room Committee) and his wife Nancy visits the Swiss Heritage Village in Ohio. Article also highlights Carlson’s achievements.

August 7, 2009The Dispatch“Swiss architect, family stop at historic inn”

Justin Ruessli (architect of the Swiss Nationality Room) and his family visits the Fulton House log inn to learn the methods of its construction. Their host was Evelyn Ruffing (Swiss Room committee member and vice-president of Derry Area Historical Society).

August 16, 2009PITT NewsOnline photos of the Indian Festival celebrating the 62nd anniversary of India’s independence

August 17, 2009The Latrobe Bulletin“Swiss family visits Fulton HousePhoto of the Ruessli family and Evelyn Ruffing with article on Justin and Mimi Ruessli

August 18, 2009Post-gazette.com“Pittsburgh Indian Nationality Room celebrates the 62nd anniversary of India’s independence”Photo of Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Saroj Bahl (chair of Indian Room committee) and description of the Indian Festival’s merriment

August 18, 2009Pittsburgh Post-Gazette“Nationality Room Celebration”Photos of Mark Nordenberg and Saroj Bahl; Dan Onorato and Maxine Bruhns; and the procession march around the Cathedral of Learning in celebration of India’s 62nd Independence Day.

August 18, 2009Examiner.com“Cathedral of Learning & Nationality Rooms”Brief history of the Cathedral of Learning and the Nationality Rooms

September 1, 2009Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Portfolio“Overwhelmed by G-20 hype? Chill with the Welsh (No protesters)”Photo and profile of Rob Willis in celebration of The North American Festival of Wales

September 8, 2009PITT Chronicle“Laying Groundwork for a Korean Heritage Room”Photo of a delegation from Seoul’s Arumjigi or Culture Keepers to view the Nationality Rooms before creating their concept design for the Korean Heritage Room

September 19, 2009Pittsburgh Tribune-Review“First ladies enjoy slice of Pittsburgh life”Activities of First ladies in Pittsburgh during the G-20 summit- includes Japan’s First Lady Hatoyama visit to the Japanese Nationality Room and the Stephen Foster Memorial

September 21, 2009Pitt Chronicle“Indian Nationality Room”Photo of Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Saroj Bahl during the Indian Festival

September 21, 2009The PITT News“Korean fest honors G-20”Article on the first Korean Festival held in honor of Korea’s presence at the G-20 summit hosted by the Korean Association of Greater Pittsburgh and the Korean Heritage Room committee

September 22, 2009Pittsburgh Post-GazetteMust See Pittsburgh“A Global Glow for Pitt: Nationality Room additions will represent Turkey and Switzerland”Article on two new classrooms close to fruition- the Turkish Room and the Swiss Room

September 22, 2009Pittsburgh Tribune-Review“Festival at University of Pittsburgh marks South Korea’s part in G-20 summit”Article on the Korean Festival’s celebration of South Korea’s participation in the G-20 summit and the Korean community’s effort to build

EYES & EARS UPON US

a Korean Heritage Room The celebration featured dances, food, crafts and much more.

September 22, 2009Pittsburgh Post-Gazette“Education, medicine, research strut their stuff: The summit comes to students who get close-up, hands-on lessons”Mention of the Cathedral of Learning and the Nationality Rooms as a destination for the delegates garnering much interest

September 30, 2009Pitt Chronicle“The World Comes to Oakland”The Korean Heritage Room committee and the region’s Korean community held a Korean Festival welcoming Korea to the Pittsburgh summit. Food, dancing and activities were the highlight of the festival.

September 30, 2009The PITT News“Japanese First Lady Visits the Cathedral of Learning”Photos of First Lady Miyuki Hatoyama with Kumiko Lancet (chairperson of Japanese Room committee) and UCIS representative exchanging gifts

September 30, 2009Pitt Chronicle“A Warm Welcome”Photos of First Lady Miyuki Hatoyama in the Japanese Nationality Room and visiting with Deane Root who is showing her Stephen Foster artifacts

October 2009WHIRL “WHIRL Traveler: Sarah Henrich”Henrich, a WHIRL intern and recipient of William & Bernice McKeever Award for the Nationality Rooms Summer Abroad Scholarship Program shares her experience in Peru

October 30, 2009The PITT News“Spirits, mysteries haunt Cathedral”Maxine Bruhns (Director of the Nationality Rooms Programs) tells the tale of her grandmother, Martha Jane Poe, as the ghost of the Early American Room

October 31, 2009Pittsburgh Post-Gazette“Does Pitt’s Cathedral host a ghost?”Includes photo of E. Maxine Bruhns in the Early American Room on page 1Maxine Bruhns gives a tour of the Early American Room and recounts the strange happenings in the room and attributes them to her grandmother Martha Jane Poe

November 9, 2009The PITT NewsPhoto of children in their national dress performing Polish dances at the Polish Festival held in the Commons Room

____________________________

NATIONALITY ROOMS PROGRAM1209 Cathedral of LearningUniversity of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA 15260

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