The I-House Connection: July 2025

July 9, 2025

Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Image of I-House

Dear I-House Community,

As we start our final summer school session this week, you can feel the shift happening around International House. Students are arriving early to squeeze in one last class, and the familiar rhythms of campus life are returning. The Great Hall is filling with residents settling in for study sessions or a chess game while excited conversations flow around the tables in the Dining Commons.

Next month will bring another wave of energy as we welcome our academic year cohort. Our team has been busy preparing — planning an incredible resident retreat in the Sierra Nevada mountains and putting together something special for I-House's 95th Anniversary celebration.

We're also looking forward to August 10 for our Annual Alumni Reunion Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be wonderful to see familiar faces back in these halls and catch up with old friends over stories about your time here. I hope to see you then!

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director

Shaun R. Carver Ed.D., MBA
Executive Director and CEO
International House at UC Berkeley
linkedin.com/in/shauncarver

Ways to Give Back:
Leave a Bequest to I-House

Jane Ann Lamph with Shaun Carver and Bukola

When looking back on her time living at International House, Jane Ann Lamph (IH 1981-82) (pictured above, center) says it was the debates and discussions in the Great Hall and Dining Commons that she relished the most. "I appreciated the open-mindedness, learning, and curiosity," she remembers. "You have a better understanding of people and cultures when you meet people face-to-face, when you can connect with others and seek common ground."

After graduating with her master's degree in engineering, Jane Ann went on to spend her career at Sandia National Laboratories. She has also remained an avid traveler, often meeting up with I-House friends living around the world. "You really do make a community of friends worldwide. It's a lifelong connection."

That's one reason Jane Ann decided to leave a bequest to I-House in her will. "In today's climate, I-House is staying true to its mission and values of promoting intercultural awareness and understanding," she says. "The mission was important back when it was founded in the 1930s, and I-House has survived and stayed steadfast through all types of turmoil through the years."

Jane Ann believes that I-House's mission of fostering mutual respect and breaking down barriers is especially vital for society. "It's important to give back," she says. "Giving a legacy gift ensures I-House can continue its mission in the decades to come."

You can join Jane Ann in supporting I-House's mission by including I-House in your estate planning.

Learn More About Leaving A Bequest to I-House

Pictured above with Jane Ann are Shaun Carver, executive director, and Bukola Mabadeje, board member, at the 2024 Legacy Circle Tea.

August 10, 2025

Annual Alumni Reunion Brunch

International House Berkeley from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Alumni Reunion Brunch August 10, 2025

Don't miss your chance to reconnect with fellow International House alumni, family, and friends! Join us at the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Dining Commons on August 10th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for a fun-filled day:

Schedule:

Welcome Reception on the Von Kaschnitz Patio

Enjoy mimosas and a special alumni gift to mark the occasion.
Tours of I-House

See how the house has evolved while still keeping its special spirit.
Brunch in the Dining Commons

Savor a delicious spread of I-House Executive Chef Abbie's favorite dishes.

Tables will be marked by decade, so you can reconnect with friends from your era.
I-House News & Updates

Executive Director Shaun Carver will share the latest I-House news and exciting plans for the future.

Registration:

Cost: $30 per person

We look forward to seeing you back at I-House!

Worth a Click

I-House Dining Services in the News
How Chef Abigail Serbins of International House Is Helping to Promote Healthy Eating

Shaun Carver in the News
How UC Berkeley’s I-House Built a Culture of Civil Disagreement

The Hill: Education
Advocates Fear Litmus Test in New Student Visa Rules

Resident Spotlight: Emmy Award Winner Victor Ochieng
PBS Documentary Series Climate California, Episode 7 “Machina Ex Deo”

Look Who Came to Visit!

Look who came to visit!

1.) Hazem Galal (IH 1993-94), Margie Ryan (IH 1992-93), and Paul Ruiz (IH 1986-87) met up at the spring 2025 Alumni Happy Hour at Edmonds’ Café.

2.) Roland Allred (IH 1981-82) came for lunch in the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Dining Commons. He picked out the perfect table for his dedication plaque. If you are interested in dedicating a table, room, or other space at I-House,, check out our naming opportunities page.

3.) Barbara O’Brien (IH 1968-69) came to visit I-House, where her mother had been a hostess in the dining commons 30 years prior.

Share Your Story with Us!

We're excited to feature alumni news and updates in our monthly I-House Connection emails. Click the link below to submit your stories, achievements, and photos, and we'll help spread the word to our readers.

Share Your Update with Us

Irving Tragen

Alumni Spotlight:

Irving Tragen (IH 1943-47)

At 103 years young, Irving Tragen is a remarkable I-House alumnus who is an inspiration to us all. Irving had a distinguished career as a U.S. diplomat and Latin American foreign affairs expert. Among his roles, he served as Associate Director of International and Foreign Operations at the U.S. Department of Education, promoting global understanding and cooperation. Read more about his extraordinary life and achievements!

Hang Out with Us!

August 10, 2025

Annual Alumni Reunion Brunch
International House Berkeley from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Gather your I-House friends and meet at I-House Berkeley for Sunday brunch in the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Dining Commons! Together we'll share memories, catch up, and celebrate our global community that continues to grow each year.

September 25, 2025 @ 5-7 p.m.

Alumni Happy Hour

Join fellow I-House alumni and current residents at our Alumni Happy Hour at Edmonds' Cafe! This is an informal meet up, and I-House alumni get their first beverage on the house. Reminisce with old friends, relive cherished memories, and make new connections!

Let’s Keep in Touch!

Thank you for being a part of the I-House community. Consider making a gift to I-House to support our mission and invest in a better, kinder world of greater understanding.

If you've recently moved or changed careers, please let us know by replying to this email or updating your contact information in our Share your Update form. We look forward to seeing you back at I-House or at a global gathering soon!

I-House logo Tenth Decade

Topics

Executive Director Message topic page, I-House Connection topic page

The I-House Connection: July 2025