Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/311748
International House Times THE NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS & ALUMNI OF INTERNATIONAL HOUSE 2014 SPRING / SUMMER World-renowned philanthropist Wendy Schmidt (IH 1978-80) and groundbreaking inventor Dr. Ashok Gadgil (IH 1973-75) were honored in April in front of a capacity Gala audience as International House Alumni of the Year. e overlapping ecological focus of the honorees' achievements were highlighted during the festive evening which included a wide-ranging conversation with Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, dynamic student performances, reminiscences of days "under the dome," and both cautionary and optimistic outlooks on humanity's future. Wendy Schmidt, President and Cofounder of e Schmidt Family Foundation and e Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), earned her Master's degree in journalism while residing at International House. It was there she met her husband Eric Schmidt (IH 1976- 80), Executive Chairman of Google. As a globally-minded philanthropist, Wendy oversees several strategic initiatives that advance the wiser use of our shared natural resources on land and in our oceans and seeks to resolve related human rights issues IN THIS ISSUE: Renovations Enhance Intercultural Experience 2014 Alumni of the Year: I-House Global Values in Action A Nexus of Intercultural Experience at UC Berkeley Honoring Mandela PG 6 Resident Round-Up PG 3 Philanthropy Matters PG 9 Since I-House's founding in 1930, virtually everything that happens at 2299 Piedmont Avenue–"from lunch to laundry" – can be an intercultural experience. e Board and staff of I-House is charged with maintaining an environment that is conducive to cross- cultural dialogue among our nearly 600 residents from 70+ countries and is in the process of tackling key projects that impact residents' daily life. A dramatic renovation of the first floor elevator lobby and laundry area was completed in May 2014. Twenty two laundry machines were re-arranged and a defined elevator lobby was created, featuring a tray ceiling and digital information displays. Best of all, a new student lounge offers couches and computers for students to work or socialize while taking care of necessities. A vastly more ambitious project breaks ground in December 2014: e Dining Commons Transformation Project, where more than 1,000 meals are prepared and served daily! Learn more on pages 10-11 and follow our progress online at ihouse.berkeley.edu. Eric and Wendy Schmidt with Chancellor Nicholas Dirks and his wife, Professor Janaki Bakhle I-House 2014 Alumni of the Year Schmidt & Gadgil (Continued on page 5 Daniella Mogilner of England & Justin Kemp of Los Angeles, CA bond over universal chores. Reunions PG 8 In Memory PG 18