Spring 2012 Newsletter
Transcription
Spring 2012 Newsletter
Newsletter 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) FROM ASSIST TO YOU - Spring 2012 93 schools joined as ASSIST members for 2012/13 – a record number! 9 schools rejoined ASSIST 4 new schools became members 34 schools have been members for 20 years or more 30 states will have Scholars this fall 357% increase in applications in Turkey from 2010/11 30% increase in 2011/12 in German applications from 2010/11 50 days traveled by Bob Stanley, ASSIST President, this recruitment season. BIG NEWS: ALUMNI E-COMMUNITY LAUNCHED ASSIST is getting its alumni e-community online one country at a time. The network was tested in Germany and passed with flying colors. Once on, alumni can find classmates, locate alums in a city, list a job, find a job, and join a professional discussion group. Already, we’ve been notified of internships found and jobs advertised. Lars Gleim ’09, Westtown School (PA), is the software mastermind behind the network architecture. We are grateful for Lars’ expertise and unswerving commitment to this professional assignment. His instructions and help video will guide you through the entry process. www.assist-online.net FIRST-EVER ALUMNI-ORGANIZED FUNDRAISING PHONATHON – APRIL 20, 21 Uli Graebner ’84, Deerfield Academy (MA), is on ASSIST’s Board of Directors and is Germany’s Annual Fund Chair (ably supported by his Advisory Committee). Uli is Managing Director of the German advisory business of Leonardo & Co. He holds a Business Management Degree from the University of Frankfurt/Main and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Uli, Mia and their four children have hosted several alumni gatherings. We will hold a Phonathon April 20-21, calling from Frankfurt and other cities. It is our hope that that we will successfully reconnect as many alumni as possible with our network in Germany and seek their support as we play our part in contributing to the ASSIST fundraising effort at a level equal to our percentage in the alumni population (50%). We are planning to organize calls from other cities as well. If you would like to join us in Frankfurt, host a Phonathon, or make calls from other cities, please call ASSIST’s Director of Alumni Relations, Nicole Malmedé ’81, ([email protected]). For all those not familiar with the concept of a Phonathon - At a Phonathon, a group of alumni, for instance, meet in an office or call center to connect with other alumni over the phone to chat, encourage others to join the online alumni network, and seek to raise funds. Doing this together from one office is fun in and of itself. I hope you will join us. SCHOLARS EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO ASSIST SPONSOR Mr. H.F. Lenfest has sponsored 130 ASSIST Scholars who, without his generosity, would not have been able to participate in ASSIST. In a recent survey of ‘his’ Scholars, their appreciation is apparent and their high rating of ASSIST’s value is notable. We’ve tried to capture some of their expressed sentiment below: Survey of Lenfest Scholars • 2006- 2010 4.9 Rating for Value of ASSIST( 1 to 5 scale) What would you say to Mr. Lenfest now as you reflect on your ASSIST experience? > I would like to encourage Mr. Lenfest never to give up making the world a better place as he is doing by giving such an amazing opportunity… > After spending my senior year of high school in Bulgaria and my freshman year of college at Dartmouth, I feel even more strongly about my gratefulness to Mr. Lenfest and about my ability to make Bulgaria and the world a slightly better place. There could hardly be anything better than helping promising human beings help other human beings. > My feelings haven't changed. The only difference would be that I expect more of myself. To believe in myself. Last summer, I decided that with a little more effort I could make a bigger difference in people’s lives. So I turned away from Psychology to Law and am now in my 3rd semester at Hamburg Law School. Instead of learning how people function, now I'm studying how societies build up and work. I'm learning the rules that make societies function and I'm also getting a better understanding of how people can change things for the better on a larger scale. My plan is to specialize in International Law. I'm doing my best to fulfill my dream by studying and working hard. I truly believe that my generation and I can make changes for the better! ASSIST Spring 2012 Newsletter Page 2 ALUMNI PROFILES Doron Shapir ’11, Loomis Chaffee School (CT), Lenfest Scholar Many in the ASSIST Class of 2010/11 remember Doron well. He was always wearing a smile, always ready to help, and got up the last dayRI Orientation (despite the rain and the early hour - 4:00 a.m.) to wish his fellow Scholars goodbye and good luck. Upon returning home, he began his national service in the Israeli Army. In the photo to the right, Donor stands with Ronza Najar ’11, Miss Hall’s School (MA), and Bob Stanley in Tel Aviv. The following is excerpted from Doron’s letter to ASSIST: I have been taking part in an army course … and have learned some spoken Arabic, history, and about the importance of the coordination between Israel and the Palestinians. Our job is to make the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians work better (and the quality of their life better), so terror has less potential to grow. I miss America and Loomis, my school, a lot! Dr. Grit Herter-Sprie ’99, The Lovett School (GA); Physician Scientist Among the versatile experiences I gained during my ASSIST year was an appreciation of the constructive and trusting relationship between students and teachers. In the context of my medical studies, this relationship was of paramount importance for successful training in any field, but especially in medicine. Since my graduation from Medical School, I have been involved in student tutoring and medical education at the University Hospital (Cologne). Together with ASSIST alumna Dr. Sabine Schröder-Ricci ’97, Williston-Northampton School (MA), an Ophthalmology Fellow, Grit initiated the first of what we hope will be many professional networks – the “Medical Community.” FROM GRIT & SABINE - LET’S INTERACT! – MD NETWORK Dear Med students & MDs! Most of you are probably engaged in social networks like Facebook, XING, etc.... and you are, of course, members of the ASSIST Alumni network! Why not use this community to foster occupational relationships? The field of medicine has a fantastic variety of specializations and an exciting number of alternative job opportunities not connected directly to patient care. These vast possibilities pose an overwhelming challenge for students and residents to find their ideal position in the medical world. Let’s take this unique opportunity to start up an active supporting medical community. How do we start this adventure? So far, we have two ideas to promote “medical networking.” First, we are excited about the recent release of the updated ASSIST Alumni e-community. This total make over of the alumni databank will have features similar to Facebook. We aim to set up personal profiles to help each other stay in touch. If you have any ideas how to structure this part, we would welcome you to our team! ASSIST Spring 2012 Newsletter Page 3 Our second attempt promises to be even more interactive. We hope to initiate a series of talks concerning, for example, the following issues: • • • • • Where should I study medicine – in Germany or abroad? How and where should I pick my clinical electives (Famulatur)? Useful hints to successfully obtain an MD thesis. Where should I apply for a residency position? Where are the jobs in and around the medical field and medical industry? We are just getting started and we need helping hands to realize this fantastic project. Please send us your thoughts and ideas about our suggestions. Additional ideas welcomed. Let’s get in touch! Best, Sabine and Grit A TEAM EFFORT! GERMAN APPLICATIONS UP BY 30% ASSIST had a successful Scholar recruitment season! The ASSIST interviewing teams completed more than 700 interviews. Of particular note are ASSIST’s recruiting efforts in Germany under the leadership of Rosemarie Wegner, Country Coordinator. With support from Res Nostra, Rosemarie attended 26 school fairs. This recruitment effort, coupled with a thoughtfully-framed communication strategy, resulted in an impressive increase in applications – up 30% this year. Seventy (70) German Scholars were selected for 2012/13. Our German team of ASSIST interviewers included 3 Board members (Woody Rutter, Dale Wentz, Ferdie Wandelt) and Marty Milne, ASSIST VP. With a gift from ASSIST Board Member Pamela Thye, a recruitment video is close to being finished. It seeks to capture the unique qualities of ASSIST and to visually represent school life in the U.S. The video will be used in Germany and in other countries to encourage interest in the ASSIST year. It will also be placed on the ASSIST website for all to view. Special thanks to Hermann Mehlig ’02, The Asheville School (NC), for being the project’s initiator and manager. Hermann is President of Germany’s alumni group (Res Nostra) and now lives in Berlin. WITH 4 MONTHS TO GO … SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM THE CLASS OF 2012 I moved in with my second host family on the 24th of December. They are so kind and make me feel like their third child. I love the culture, the people and actually everything. Texas is tremendous!!! The food is delicious, whether it is bbq, tex-mex or burgers, and I also got some cowboy boots and jeans. It's gonna be hard to leave everything behind in June. It will be the same, terrible feeling as in August last year, if not worse because I will definitely not see every single one again. Sebastian Schrems ’12, St. Mark’s School of Texas (TX) Experience makes you grow up and realize what you love. It makes you find yourself. I don't think I have ever been so close to knowing who I am like right now. I know what I want and everyday shows me a little clearer who I am and who I might become. Noemi Lewald ’12, Princeton Day School (NJ) On Sunday, my parents are coming to visit. It is going to be so nice to be able to show them the place that I have called ‘home’ for the past six months. Greta Rosen ’12, The Hill School (PA) ASSIST Spring 2012 Newsletter Page 4 JANUARY ALUMNI RECEPTIONS ALONG THE RECRUITMENT TRAIL As ASSIST’s interview team (Dick Hall, Marty Milne, Brian Morgan, Bob Stanley, Jack Eidam, and Woody Rutter) met with candidates in January, they also enjoyed alumni gatherings in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. Pictures from these events are located on the ASSIST website. WE’RE TRYING TO SHAKE THE ANNUAL FUND MONEY TREE Help us shake the ASSIST 2011/12 Annual Fund Tree. Last year, we surpassed our goal. We need everyone who has been touched by ASSIST to make it possible for us to continue to select the most promising Scholars, wherever in the world they might live, and to serve our member schools who give so generously of their resources and share their communities. Our 2011/12 Annual Fund goal is $200,000. Contributions can be made on-line. If your company offers a matching gift program, you have the chance to double your gift. Every gift matters, not only to ASSIST’s well being, but also to the lives of others and to our school communities. This year’s Annual Fund ends on June 30th. To explore your giving options, follow this link: www.assist-inc.org, and select “Support.” ASSIST CALENDAR MARCH 12-13, ASSIST Presentations on Orientation and Fundraising at The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Global Symposium (D.C.) APRIL 20-21, Frankfurt Phonathon (Germany), other cities to follow 27-29, ASSIST Board Meeting, Suffield (CT) Alumni Receptions (Boston (MA), Northampton (MA), New Haven (CT) – dates to be announced MAY 6, Washington, DC Chapter Spring Event at Holton-Arms School 9, Informal gathering (Stammtisch) in Cologne 12, Germany May Seminar in Düssorldorf ASSIST Spring 2012 Newsletter Page 5 CLASS NOTES Class of 2011/2012 Noemi Lewald, Princeton Day School Jelena Koncar, Westminster School Cluny McPherson, Episcopal Academy Linh Nguyen, The Galloway School Ulrike Proske, St. Luke’s School Greta Rosén, The Hill School Matias Sancho, Greenhill School Class of 2008/2009 Rebecca Holmes, Christ Church Episcopal School Ignacio Martin, Christ School Jessica Moody, Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School Class of 2007/2008 Christelle Calderón, Head-Royce School Class of 2004/2005 Elena Terzi, Orme School Class of 2010/2011 Brian Calderón, Westminster School Qiuyuan (Sandy) Jin, St. Alban’s School Doron Shapir, Loomis Chaffee School Class of 2001/2002 Martin Friis, Westminster School Ergys Subashi, Trinity Preparatory School Class of 2009/2010 Fernando Criado, St. Mark’s School of Texas Rebecca Wardell, Westminster School Class of 2000/2001 Henric Hungerhoff, St. Andrew’s School Class of 1998/1999 Anne Kolb, Lake Forest Academy AND DON’T FORGET TO READ Washington D.C. Chapter Newsletter ASSIST Spring 2012 Newsletter Page 6