Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/1258796
International House Times 9 Arlene Blum (IH 1967-68) Arlene Blum, 2017 I-House Alumna of the Year, is a mountaineer, writer, and environmental health scientist. She is best known for leading an all-woman ascent of Annapurna, a climb that was also the first successful American ascent. She now serves as Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute. Wendy Schmidt (IH 1978-80) Wendy Schmidt, 2014 I-House Alumna of the Year, is president and co-founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation and the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI). In 2005, she became a trustee of the National Resources Defense Council and founded the 11th Hour Project to raise awareness about climate change and global warming. In 2006, Wendy and Eric Schmidt (IH 1976-80) established the Schmidt Family Foundation to address issues of sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources. In 2009, Wendy and Eric Schmidt created the Schmidt Transformative Technology Fund at Princeton University to support research and technology in the natural sciences and engineering. Closer to home, the Schmidt Matching Challenge spurred other generous contributions for the complete renovation of the I-House Dining Commons. Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) Baroness Oona King, 2019 I-House Alumna of the Year, has been an unparalleled visionary leader and a staunch human rights advocate. Among her many accomplishments is a lifetime appointment as Baroness King of Bow. As a member of the British House of Commons, she was voted by other members of Parliament to be "the MP, most likely to change society." Oona founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Genocide Prevention in the House of Commons and received a commendation from the UN Security Council's Expert Panel for her work on peacekeeping. n The University Section Club, a non-profit UC Berkeley support group whose mission closely aligns with I-House, was founded in 1927. Its mission and purpose is: • To provide service to the university community; • To raise funds to aid deserving students, support student-related groups, and foster international understanding; • To provide a social milieu for members to interact while sharing common interests in the various activity sections of the Club. 100 percent of members' donations support UC Berkeley students and scholars, including an endowment for I-House room and board scholarships. The Section Club Scholarship Endowment for an I-House resident was established with seed funds in 1996. Both U.S. and international students are eligible to apply for financial aid to assist with partial room and board fees for an academic year. Section Club members contribute to the Club's fund, and individual Section Club members have generously given directly to increase the endowment. This is one of the over 130 room and board scholarships I-House is privileged to dispense annually thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends. "The University Section Club Scholarship has light- ened my financial burden, which allows me to focus on the most important aspect of school-learning. Their generosity has inspired me to help others. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals, just as they have helped me." Current Section Club Scholarship recipient, Deena Sabry, from Egypt The University Section Club: Eight Decades of Supporting I-House Through Friendship and Philanthropy Executive Director, Hans Giesecke; current Section Club scholarship recipient, Deena Sabry; Section Club member Nancy Oldham; Susan Giesecke, and Section Club member Joan Jenkins