Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/818670
understanding as a powerful tool to help make the world a better place. As I take on the responsibilities as ambassador in Burkina Faso, I will carry with me the lessons of community that fellow students from International House shared with me." Ambassador Young joins the growing list of ambassadors on our Notable Alumni page at ihouse.berkeley.edu/alumni/notable/ Mark Kierlanczyk (IH 1982-84) Alex Kierlanczyk, an incoming UC Berkeley student, came by to visit I-House, where his father, Mark, lived. Alex said that the only reason his dad was able to escape communist Poland in the 80s was because a mathematics professor at Cal accepted him into a Ph.D. program when other US schools declined. Alex could see why his father liked I-House so much, and he might apply for residency himself! 1990s Mashape Todd Lethata (IH 1992) writes, "I had the time of my life while staying at I-House. It exposed me to diverse cultures, traditions, and technology. I-House is larger than life and offers remarkable opportunities. Most of my I-House alumni friends are diplomats of their countries and many more have branched into businesses of their own. In South Africa, I work as a facilitator for a government economic development agency known as Gauteng Growth Development Agency (GGDA). In a way, I am also a diplomat. My dear colleagues and fellow alumni, next time you are in South Africa, please contact me." Todd is the official Country Contact for South Africa. Visit our Country Contacts page for details: ihouse.berkeley.edu/ alumni touch with I-House friends Barbara Wachsman (IH 1978-79), Sheryl Rosenberg ouin (IH 1977-78), and Chris Lazarus (IH 1974-78). Here is a picture of me with two friends from 1978, Joel Grinberg (IH 1978-79) and Michael Erceg (IH 1975-77)—Michael returned to New Zealand and sadly passed away in 2005." Judie L. Ram (IH 1983-84) visited with her husband, and they both enjoyed the tour of I-House. She reflected on her time at I-House as the "best time of my life." In a follow up email, Judie wrote, "We are excited to have seen both the amazing changes and the tried-and-true mainstays. Can't wait to come back with our son as soon as we can. We pray he will have the opportunity to attend Berkeley and live in this amazing place! We're sending our best to you all! I-House RULES!" Andrew Young (IH 1983-85) President Obama nominated Andrew Young as the next United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso. Ambassador Young writes, "At International House, I saw firsthand how people from multiple cultures could live together in harmony while building bridges across vast cultural gaps that had erupted in violence in their home countries. I left with a stronger commitment to pursue cross-cultural International House Times 115 Alumni News & Notes Anne (Biederman) Struthers (IH 1979-80) Anne writes, "I am currently working as a division manager for Contra Costa County, managing the General Assistance program for Employment and Human Services. A couple of years ago I ran into another I-House alum, Elaine Coyne (IH 1976), who also works for Contra Costa County in the building next door. It's a small world when you're an I-House alum! I also keep up with my best friend from I-House, Dr. Karen Jones-Mason (IH 1970s). She has dedicated her recent research to finding correlations between secure/insecure youth and specific chemical changes at the cellular level." Ernesto Pernia (IH 1971-72) was appointed Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), a Philippine government agency responsible for the country's economic development and planning. A former lead economist of the Asian Development Bank, he also serves as the Secretary for Socioeconomic Planning under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. 1980s Elaine Adler Goodfriend (IH 1978- 80) Elaine writes, "I have many happy memories of my experience. I keep in