More than 200 alumni, friends,
and current residents gathered
at International House to
celebrate the 75th Anniversary
at a traditional Sunday Supper
in June. Sunday Suppers are
the oldest tradition of the
House, established by I-House
founder Harry Edmonds in
New York in 1909. Speakers
representing every era shared
their memories in a panel
presentation of A Walk Down
Memory Lane.
After the panel’s presentations, memories were shared by alumni in the audience. The event
concluded with the traditional Candlelight Ceremony which symbolizes the passing of
friendship and understanding to others and spreading the work of the House throughout the
world.
For the full article, see the Fall 2005 I-House Times.
Rev. Daima Lockhart Clark (IH1938-39) took the audience back to the 1930s
by recalling Eugenie Carneiro who created cultural festivals and programs for
more than 20 years. She helped Daima refine her public speaking skills and
opened doors that led to many opportunities and a career as scholar of African
philosophy and religion. "If I had not come to I-House, the experiences and
great opportunities that I have had since then simply would not have been
possible."
Hal Gilliam (IH 1941-42) described, to the amazement of current residents,
that all rooms were single rooms with a buzzer system instead of telephones and
daily maid service. Gender segregation was enforced and "several friends were
almost expelled for holding hands in the Great Hall." Then came Pearl Harbor,
studying for finals during blackouts, and the shocking news of "the forcible
evacuation of people with Japanese names. Allen Blaisdell, the executive director,
stood up and said this was wrong. He was a man of great courage."
Paul Salz (IH 1950-52) remembered, "It was a few years after the second
World War had ended, the Korean conflict had started, the Israel-Arab war was
at an armistice - these world happenings gave us many topics for discussion.
And discuss we did! But in the spirit of I-House, when 10 p.m. came, we all
adjourned for a cup of coffee - all friends again. We were exposed to both sides
of conflicts, gained understanding, and made many friends."
Julianne Cartwright Traylor (IH 1968-69) described the 60s as a time of
struggle - over civil rights, free speech, and the growing movement against the
Vietnam War. "I-House was like a haven. We would return at the end of the
day and discuss the day's events. I-House meant a lot to me. It was more than
a place to live. It was my community, a multi cultural one, par excellence.
There should be International Houses all around the world. The world needs the
type of environment I-House fosters for all of those who are privileged to live
here."
Chris Flores (IH 1978-79) noted that in the late 70s, "the biggest excitement
was more about disco than anything else! .for people coming from overseas
[Chris is from India], I-House is a wonderful place to be introduced to American
culture. Some of the events that were most memorable were the Los Gatos
orientation.and Lodestar weeks. To go to Lodestar with strangers and create
an instant family, this was a powerful experience that bespeaks some of the values
of this culture."
Bonu Ghosh (IH 1982-85) reflected, "My perspective is more of a personal
one. I really got into the I-House community. We wrote a spoof of the Love
Boat called the Love House with 'Sandy' Warrick as captain. We all acted and
participated and I remember it as a real cross-cultural experience, a mixing of
American pop culture and international cultures. We came so close together
with these friends. It was really a special experience." She concluded with a
song, sung in her native Bengali, "How can we forget those days.We may drift
apart but when we come back together, you'll always be in my heart."
Lan Le (IH 1994) reminisced, "Thinking about I-House brings back many fond
memories. my love affair with the library, pizza night, Spring Fest. Some of
my best friends come from I-House. Whenever we meet, we talk about I-House
like it was yesterday, yet it was 10 years ago. I'm so grateful for the time I spent
here. I didn't know anyone in the Bay Area and I-House was really a home for
me."
Kevin Scallan (current resident), "Cast your minds back to September 11,
2001. At that time, I had never left Ireland. Fast forward two years and I
found myself in the retreats for new residents. with people form Turkey, Iran,
South America. listening to the story of the woman from Iran. and her sense
of alienation and fearfulness and not knowing where to go but to I-House. I
learned a lot just in that moment. Since then, I've had a fantastic experience and
met people from all over the world. It's been a life changing experience for me.
