International House Berkeley

Reflections on Iran Through The Prism of Argo (Continued from page 1) The riveted Gala audience also viewed a video clip of former President Jimmy Carter who, when asked to comment on the differences between Argo and reality was that "90% of the ideas and the consummation of the [rescue] plan was Canadian [and] the main hero in my view was Ken Taylor." Argo's director, Ben Affleck, the audience learned, phoned Ken after hearing rumors that the ambassador and his fellow Canadians had a few issues with Hollywood's version of events. The Taylors, who are based in New York, were invited to visit Hollywood and, although the film was essentially complete at that time, the closing caption was modified with Ken's input to reference the Canadian role more accurately. With the characteristic grace of someone accustomed to being statesmanlike, Ken noted that one of the great advantages of interacting with people from so many different cultures is you get the opportunity to look beyond your own borders and see the world from different perspectives. These were skills he and Pat honed at I-House as residents in the late 1950s. Ken said I-House was like a first diplomatic posting in that "once you come to I-House, you live with an international understanding almost unique or impossible to get elsewhere." Pat remarked that their first IH Application photos of Patricia E. breakfast together 55 years ago Lee (IH 1954-55, 1958-60) and Ken set the tone for the rest of their Taylor (IH 1957-59). More about our lives, and is the reason they have Alumni Couple of the Year on page 6. remained dedicated supporters and volunteers with I-House New York and Berkeley. Read more about the Taylors and see video at ihouse.berkeley.edu/gala2013. n Gala Honors The MasterCard Foundation I-House's inaugural Global Foundation for Peace Award was conferred to The MasterCard Foundation in recognition of its historic $500,000,000 program to provide access to quality secondary and university education to 15,000 academically talented young people from disadvantaged Photo by Jim Block communities, MCF President & CEO Reeta Roy, 3rd from left, with primarily in Africa. six of the seven inaugural cohort of MasterCard UC Berkeley is a part Foundation Scholars from Africa at UC Berkeley. of the global network of institutions aligned with the Foundation's vision of economic and social transformation through increased educational access. Through a broad cross-campus coalition Berkeley will welcome 113 MasterCard Foundation scholars to campus between 20122020, with nearly all of the $30M in funding from the Foundation will cover scholar tuition, fees, and room and board. Graduate participants and senior-level undergrads will have the opportunity to benefit from and contribute to the I-House community. President & CEO Reeta Roy who accepted the award said, "Its great to experience all that I-House has to offer." n Front Entrance Remodel Continues Legacy of Access & Opportunity (Continued from page 1) Two of the notable alumni Angelica refers to are Victor Pineda (IH 1999-00) and Daniel Florio (IH 1993-96), who, although they resided at I-House at different times, met "under the dome" before years later advocating together at the United Nations for more international disability rights legislation. Danny Kodmur (IH 1996) is also an IH alumnus who now serves as a Disability Access Specialist at UC Berkeley and says "I appreciate being able to work on campus access improvements, especially I-House as my former home." Alumna Jane Whitner (IH 1958-60 & 1965-66) recalls having to navigate her wheelchair in 1958 along the north delivery driveway to enter I-House. "It was just very difficult to get around campus, including Jane Whitner with Dave Tozer at I-House, in those days. It's good a Discover Cal event Nov. 2012. to know that with these upcoming improvements – that build on many changes over the years – for the first time the front desk at I-House will have a wheelchair-height portion. And that will just be much more truly welcoming." The upcoming renovations will provide increased energy efficiency through LED digital information displays that reduce paper waste and the elimination of the west-facing front door will decreases incoming cold winds and related heat escape. (More on I-House greening efforts on page 4). Further renovations in the planning stage include modifying the IH laundry room and an ambitious improvement to the dining hall and servery – an area Angelica indicates could benefit from better ADA functionality. "Our alumni contributors are a key source to helping realize these improvements" says ED Hans Giesecke. "We welcome the philanthropic support that will ensure future generations of I-House reside in a building that further enhances in a tangible way all the intangible benefits of the I-House experience." n International House Times 5

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