Harvard in News on 12/3/2024

 

Thank you all for coming out to our Fall Jam! We had an amazing time performing with the @veritones @fallenangelsacappella, and we hope you enjoyed the performance!

 

 

 

Professional Tennis Player Caroline Garcia Enrolls at Harvard Business School

French tennis star Caroline Garcia, ranked as high as No. 4 in singles and a two-time French Open doubles champion, is participating in Harvard Business School’s "Crossover Into Business" program. Aimed at helping professional athletes build business acumen with mentorship from MBA students, the program aligns with Garcia’s transition from tennis to broader pursuits, including her media-focused podcast. Inspired by figures like LeBron James, Garcia sees this as an opportunity to expand her career horizons. She joins four other WTA players in the program, which highlights lifelong learning for athletes.

 

In Reversal, Harvard Offers International Students Winter Housing

Harvard College reversed its decision to deny winter housing to international students, notifying them via email after backlash highlighted the challenges they faced securing alternative accommodations. The change followed a Crimson article and a petition with over 280 signatures. While many students expressed relief and gratitude, others criticized the stressful process, citing financial strain and emotional toll. Alumni, faculty, and local residents had stepped in to offer temporary housing. Harvard apologized for the confusion but did not clarify its initial denials or criteria changes, leaving lingering frustration among affected students.

 

Ho Family Student Guide Program at the Harvard Art Museums: A Unique and Interdisciplinary Approach to Art

The Ho Family Student Guide Program at the Harvard Art Museums empowers Harvard undergraduates to design unique, interdisciplinary art tours inspired by their academic and personal interests. Led by Manager Camran Mani, the program emphasizes art as a resource for both Harvard students and the public. Tours, created collaboratively, feature diverse perspectives, such as blending art with astrophysics. Additionally, the program supports the community through initiatives like a citizenship preparation course. Expanding through social media and creative projects, the program enriches the museum experience and promotes accessible art appreciation.

 

Pritzker Defends Harvard’s Federal Funding as Threats From Washington Grow

Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow Penny S. Pritzker defended federal funding for Harvard, citing its contributions to medical discoveries, economic innovation, and national security. Her remarks come amid growing calls in Washington, fueled by the return of President-elect Donald Trump, to defund elite universities over alleged leftist bias and antisemitism. Harvard faces scrutiny from Congress, including subpoenas tied to antisemitism investigations and threats to its funding. Pritzker emphasized the importance of university-government partnerships, while also addressing evolving challenges, including stricter protest policies and heightened political tensions.

 

‘Because Larry has shown up for us - Friends, colleagues gather for 70th birthday conference honoring economic scholar, former Treasury Secretary and University President Lawrence Summers

At a recent conference celebrating Lawrence H. Summers' 70th birthday, former colleagues and friends reflected on his profound influence on economic policy and his role as a mentor. Summers, a key figure in modern finance, labor economics, and public policy, was praised for his ability to think deeply and challenge conventional wisdom. Sheryl Sandberg highlighted his impact on the global education of girls, while panelists, including Jason Furman and Brad DeLong, emphasized his talent for identifying emerging economic trends. Summers’ career spans prestigious roles, including as U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard president. Despite facing public criticism, he remained a dedicated mentor, always willing to support others.

 

Investing in children’s ‘next 1,000 days’

Aisha Yousafzai, a professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is part of a Lancet series focusing on children's development in the "next 1,000 days" (ages two to five). The series highlights the importance of improving access to high-quality preschool programs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where participation rates are significantly lower than in wealthier nations. Yousafzai emphasizes the need for equitable access to early childhood education, which offers significant cognitive, behavioral, and health benefits. The series aims to raise awareness and foster partnerships to support children’s development beyond the first 1,000 days.

 

Want a Better School? Invest in the People.

Professor Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell emphasizes the overlooked importance of relationships in shaping school outcomes, arguing that while policies and procedures are often seen as concrete solutions, the true driver of change lies in human connections. She highlights how interactions within schools influence student, teacher, and institutional outcomes, suggesting that intentional relationship-building can have a transformative effect. Despite challenges like time constraints and policy pressures, Bridwell-Mitchell believes that focusing on social networks and the dynamics of relationships is key to achieving long-term success and meaningful change in education.

 

 

[Op Eds] In Disciplining Study-in Participants, Harvard Has Forgotten its Values

By Charles R. Nesson

Charles R. Nesson ’60 is the William F. Weld Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.

Harvard's enforcement of new rules against demonstrations, including punishing over 70 students and faculty for silent "study-in" protests about the Gaza conflict, has drawn criticism for prioritizing external pressures over fostering an inclusive academic community. The protesters, who adhered to library norms by silently reading, were disciplined under policies meant to maintain order in shared spaces, prompting concerns about overregulation. Critics argue Harvard should adopt a more empathetic approach that balances the spirit of free expression with the sanctity of spaces like libraries, rather than emphasizing punitive measures.

 

[Columns] I’m Not an Alien. I’m Just Canadian.

This humorous piece reflects on Americans' misconceptions about Canada, blending historical and modern commentary. Referencing the 1920s Canadian defense plan against the U.S., it transitions to modern cultural gaps observed by Canadians at Harvard, such as linguistic quirks and a lack of Canada-focused courses. Highlighting stereotypes from both political spectrums, it stresses Canada's normalcy despite caricatures of utopia or dystopia. The writer proposes solutions like cultural immersion or hypothetical annexation to foster better understanding, blending satire with calls for greater attention to Canada's place in academia and American perceptions.

 

Flyby: What to Buy Your Pre-Med Friend for the Holidays

This humorous gift guide offers creative ideas for pre-med friends at different stages of their academic journey. Freshmen gifts highlight the potential for a career pivot, like an LSAT book or stock-trading almanac. For sophomores grappling with Orgo or physics, comforting items like weighted blankets or Squishmallows are suggested. Juniors tackling the MCAT might benefit from motivational YouTube playlists or noise-canceling headphones. Seniors dreaming of graduation could use planners or fun keyboard mats, while gap year friends, burdened by expenses, need money—or a time machine to buy vintage Apple stocks. Playful and practical, these ideas make holiday gifting easy.

 

Snowport: A Winter Wonderland of Festivities and Community

By Leshui (Jade) Xiao

Snowport’s annual Holiday Market in Boston’s Seaport has returned for its fourth year, transforming the area into a festive wonderland through Dec. 29. With over 120 businesses, 17 dining options, and interactive activities like curling and a Winter Wish Wall, it uplifts holiday spirit and supports local small businesses—65% of which are New England-based. Visitors enjoy unique gifts, delicious seasonal treats, and a cheerful atmosphere enhanced by whimsical decorations and live community events, fostering connections and celebrating the magic of the holiday season.

 

BSO Presents ‘The Brightness of Light’: An Unforgettable Evening of Starry Lyricism

By Lara R. Tan

The Boston Symphony Orchestra's November 2024 concert featured a captivating performance of Kevin Puts's The Brightness of Light, a 50-minute song cycle inspired by the life and letters of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Soprano Renée Fleming portrayed O'Keeffe, while baritone Rod Gilfry took on the role of her husband, Alfred Stieglitz. The song cycle, adapted from their actual correspondence, was enhanced by stunning multimedia projections of O'Keeffe's art and personal life. Puts's music effectively conveyed the emotional complexity of their relationship, from the initial passion to the eventual unraveling. Fleming and Gilfry’s performances were hailed as masterful, with the orchestra’s dynamic range complementing the evocative score. The evening opened with Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail overture and Symphony No. 36, providing a lively contrast to the more introspective main work.

 

‘Set My Heart on Fire’ Review: A Woman’s Broken Relationship with Addiction, Youth, and the World

By Nicole L. Guo

Izumi Suzuki’s Set My Heart on Fire follows the journey of Izumi, a young woman navigating the 1970s Japanese rock, drug, and hookup scene. The novel, though sparse in plot, focuses on Izumi’s internal struggles with addiction, youth, and identity over a decade. Through her detached musings, she explores her relationships, especially one with Jun, which marks a pivotal shift in her understanding of her past. Suzuki’s writing blends the personal with the cultural, reflecting Japan’s westernization and the fading of youth. The novel's metafictional elements and Izumi’s contradictory self-awareness offer a nuanced portrayal of her search for meaning in a fragmented world.

 

Score another point for the plants - Study finds 1:2 ratio of plant to animal protein lowers risk of heart disease

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that increasing the ratio of plant-based protein in the diet can lower the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that replacing red and processed meats with plant proteins, especially nuts and legumes, offered the greatest health benefits. A 1:2 ratio of plant to animal protein was linked to a 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease. The study emphasizes shifting towards more plant-based proteins for improved heart health.

 

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