Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/405226
International House Times 13 Mark I. Smith-Soto (IH 1970-71) Mark has written a memoir in verse of his years in Berkeley, 1970- 75. Unicorn Press published his Berkeley Prelude: A Lyrical Memoir in 2013. Copies of the book may be purchased directly from the press (http://www.unicorn-press.org/store), or from the author, at mismiths@uncg.edu. Mark is an International Poetry Review Emeritus Professor, Dept of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 1980s Cyrus R. Vazifdar (IH 1980) Cyrus visited on 5/22/14 from Mumbai, with his wife. With them was his friend who he met at I-House, alumnus Amrit Lalchandani (IH 1977-80), and Amrit's daughter Pooja Lalchandani who is currently a student at UC Berkeley. His brother Feroze Vazifdar (IH 1971-72) also lived at I-House. "I met some good friends and learned about many world cultures." 2000s Stefan Al (IH 2008-09) Stefan has written a new book, Factory Towns of South China, available on Amazon, that opens a window on the walled compounds, exposing the gritty establishments, crowded dormitories and monotonous labor carried out by millions of workers settling in factory towns in hopes of a better life. Stefan has a PhD, MSc, MArch, and is the LEED AP Associate Professor of Urban Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Sakina Babwani (IH 2014) writes from Mumbai, India: "I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at I-House this summer and plan on staying there again next summer when I will complete my Law Program. I-House significantly enhanced my experience at Berkeley. Because of I-House I learned the joy of meeting new people and I can proudly say I have friends all over the world! Thank you I-House for this wonderful experience that I will cherish forever." Graceanne Bello (IH 2002) Grace was recently named an editor of Guernica, a magazine of art and politics. She works as a writer and editor in Queens, NY and has been published in The Atlantic, NYMag.com, The New York Daily News, and NBCNews.com, among others. Follow her on Twitter at @grace_land. Giovanni Dubois (IH 2003) Giovanni was invited by UC Riverside Vice Chancellor Maria Anguiano to speak at TEDx Riverside on Oct. 16th 2014. Giovanni is Founder and CEO of LAM Network, a tech and marketing startup company for brands to reach the Latino affluent market via digital media and professional/social events. Look for his TEDx Talk at: http://tedxriverside.com. Charles Guo (IH 2013-2014) was at I-House on September 19, 2014 for the Berkeley-Haas School of Business International Business Development Program showcasing event. Charles showcased his project, Connecting Indian Retail's Last Mile, where he and his Haas classmates connected Indian Mom and Pop business owners with SAP Ganges solution technology to monitor trends in their business transactions. For more information, visit haasintheworld.wordpress.com/ and search keyword "Ganges." Fransheska J. Rivera Vega (IH 2009-10) Fransheska is a young alumna working in Palo Alto, CA at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Fransheska provides program and administrative support for the foundation's Marine Microbiology Initiative. Friends Sharon A. Page-Medrich Elliott Medrich wore his I-House hat to the A's/Yankees game at the Oakland Coliseum on Father's Day. Waiting in line, a 20-something dude noticed and exclaimed "Yeah! I love IHOP!" With his 20-something daughter smiling alongside, Medrich said, "Well, actually, it's International House at UC Berkeley." The man replied, "Yeah, and the blueberry pancakes are the best!" Staff News Deborah Preston Deborah joined I-House in March as our new Human Resources/Labor & Employee Relations Manager. Deborah brings with her 25 years experience in the field. She's responsible for the recruitment and hiring process and for inter and organizational employee relations. Deborah received her BS degree in Business Management from St. Mary's College in Moraga. Her career experience includes a position as the Asst. Director of Human Resources for Contra Costa County. Theresa Hirashima Theresa, Payroll Manager, is retiring after 15 years of dedicated service to I-House. Theresa's eagerness to assist her colleagues with their payroll and timekeeping needs will be dearly missed. In addition to her role as Payroll Manager, Theresa coordinated Mail Room operations, the Resident Service Center (RSC) and served as the Ergonomic Evaluator for I-House staff. We wish her much success and happiness in the next stage of her life journey. Welcome New Staff Member: Dell Lee, Custodian, Physical Operations