I-House Celebrates “A Century of Welcomes” Around the World

On a frosty morning in 1909, YMCA official Harry Edmonds was walking down the steps of Columbia University when he met a Chinese student and said “good morning”. After he had passed, he noticed the student had stopped and Edmonds turned around and re-approached him. “Thank you for speaking to me,” the student said, “I have been in New York three weeks, and you are the first person who has spoken to me.”

So begins the story recited at each Sunday Supper describing the origins of that traditional event, and of International House. It was this 1909 encounter that inspired Edmonds and his wife to host weekly dinners with international students, and which led first to the founding of the Intercollegiate Cosmopolitan Club, and later with the help of the Dodge and Rockefeller families, the construction of International House.

Alumni at the Brussels Celebration

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this fateful meeting, International House has hosted “A Century of Welcomes” celebrations at alumni events around the world and commemorated the anniversary at the Welcome Sunday Supper on October 4.

Over the summer, events were held in Vienna, Austria, where alumni joined event organizer Harald Friedl ’03 for drinks at the famed Heuriger Feuerwehr Wagner tavern and in Brussels, Belgium, where World Council members Maurits and Erika Dolmans ’86 welcomed alumni to their home for a pool party and afternoon cocktail reception.

Keith Weiss '08, Lis Ma '05, Tissa Hami '00 and Geoff Nolan '95

Christine Pilcavage '00, Zeina Hakim '04 and Edward Kaplan '66 at the Boston Sunday Supper.

In San Francisco, about a dozen alumni and friends joined organizers Lisa Ma ’05 and Keith Weiss ’08 at the 5a5 Steak Lounge on September 15. In addition to much reminiscing and laughter, a highlight of the event was the viewing of alumnus John Higham’s 1964 I-House scrapbook. The contents included photographs of a dance, choreographed by Herman “HR” Rottenberg, in which Higham participated. Photos of the event may be viewed here.

Nearly 20 alumni gathered in Harvard Square for a Sunday Supper on September 20. Like Sunday Suppers in Davis Hall, the group shared I. House stories and a meal together. Organized by World Council of Alumni member Zeina Hakim ’04 and Cathel de Roos ’04, the event attracted alumni from Rhode Island and New Hampshire, as well as the greater Boston area. Pictures may be found here.

Freunde des I. House, e.V. hosted its annual meeting and pan-European alumni reunion in Hamburg September 18-20. President Don Cuneo joined organizer Frauke Thielecke ‘03 and about 20 other alumni for a reception at Thielecke’s home, a boat tour of Hamburg, a “Century of Welcomes” Saturday Supper at the Copper House, and a host of other social activities in addition to the business meeting. View the weekend in pictures.

Alumni at the Freunde Pan-European Alumni Reunion in Hamburg.

The US Consul General to the United Arab Emirates Justin Siberell and a dozen alumni and guests celebrated a “Century of Welcomes” on September 30 in Dubai. Organized by Mark Trayling ’09, the event featured a dinner at the exclusive World Trade Centre club, as well as remarks by Siberell.

International Trustee John Pek ’68 hosted nearly 40 alumni and friends at Bar Nebula at ONEdegree15 Marina Club in Singapore for an afternoon celebration organized by Alex Loke ’93 ’04 and Alex Pang ’05 on October 3. The event featured a video welcome from President Don Cuneo, readings from the Harry Edmonds memoirs and great conversations among friends old and new. For more photos of this event, please click here.

The Singapore Alumni Group at their "Century of Welcomes" Celebration.

In Florence, a group of alumni met for lunch at the historic L’Osteria Di Giovanni on October 17. They were joined by Harry Edmonds' great granddaughter Alice Lewthwaite, who came in from London for the event. The lunch was organized by World Council of Alumni member Stefano Bini '06.

Events to celebrate a “Century of Welcomes” are also scheduled for New York City (November 1), Zurich, Switzerland (November 22) and London, United Kingdom (December 1). Alumni interested in hosting an event in their area are encouraged to contact Nicole Davidson at ndavisdon@ihouse-nyc.org. A “Century of Welcomes” was also commemorated at the Board of Trustees meeting on October 21.

Please note: photo galleries of alumni events are open to alumni only. Alumni will need to log in to view them. Alumni who have not yet registered for the website should contact alumni@ihouse-nyc.org for instructions on how to do so.