Tribute to Friends 2009
04/22/2009
Mira Mendoza,
IR/PS held its Annual Tribute to Friends reception on April 2, 2009 at the UC San Diego Faculty Club. Acting Dean Takeo Hoshi’s welcome speech acknowledged the attendees, which included prospective students of the class of 2011. The reception provided a unique opportunity for newly admitted students to meet current students, alumni, faculty, and members of the IR/PS community. The evening was highlighted with performances by winners of the IR/PS talent show.
First to perform were “The Mamas and the Mamas” (Sarah Hiller ’09, Jia Jung ’09, Rhiannon Kucharski ’09, and Melanie McCutchan ’09) with “California Dreaming” and “Landslide.” Their performance touched the hearts of many in the audience as they shared how these two songs capture both wonderful memories and intense challenges from their past two years at IR/PS. They later shared stories regarding their summer internships in India, Mexico, and Africa, hopefully inspiring prospective students to accept their IR/PS offers of admission.
Acting Dean Hoshi thanked the friends of the school for supporting our students who one day will be the leaders of the future. He mentioned the value of the IR/PS fellowships that enable the school to bring promising American and international students into the program. Nick Binkley, Hans Schoepflin, Buzz Woolley, Jim and Daphne Jameson, Charlie Robins, and Marion and Kwan So were acknowledged for continuing to support opportunities for the students. He thanked the International Advisory Board members and, in particular, Larry Robinson for his 22 years of exemplary service to the school. Hoshi's remarks were followed by the stylish Chinese interpretive dance performance by Cuifen Zhang’10, second place winner in the talent show.
Acting Dean Hoshi also welcomed Brent Wakefield, IR/PS's new Director of Development. Brent introduced the president of the IR/PS Alumni Association, Ben Bahney '06, analyst with the Rand Corporation. Ben discussed the current direction of the board, acknowledged the success of the first alumni endowment campaign, which raised $50,000 in three years, and the current goal of increased participation in new fundraising efforts.
The evening concluded with the soothing harmony of the Beach Boys hit “God Only Knows” by first place talent show winners Raka Banerjee ’09, Luke Hennig ’09, and Omar Parbhoo ’09.
We again thank our many supporters, especially the Dean’s Roundtable, for their years of commitment to the School, and we wish the graduating class of 2009 the very best of luck.
Click here to see photos from the event.
