I-House Celebrates 101 Years with Welcome Sunday Supper
International House celebrated its 101st birthday at a festive Welcome Sunday Supper on September 15, welcoming back alumna Tirana Hassan ’03, a globally recognized leader in human rights and humanitarian protection, as keynote speaker.
President Sebastian Fries introduced Hassan, who has held senior roles at Save the Children, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, where she most recently served as Executive Director. Just two days before the event, she was announced as the incoming CEO of Doctors Without Borders U.S.
Hassan noted that I-House residents today confront uncertainties that go beyond the typical anxieties of graduate school. From questions about visas and travel to concerns about freedom of debate and safety in an unsettled political climate, she acknowledged the pressures of building a future in a world riven by conflict and instability.
Against this backdrop, Hassan reflected on her own I-House days—including late nights working in the Pub and the challenges of adjusting to a new city—and spoke candidly about uncertainty, self-doubt, and the resilience that can grow from vulnerability. She reminded residents that discomfort is often proof of growth.
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s moving forward with it,” she stated.
She offered three anchors that have guided her through humanitarian crises and leadership challenges: community, curiosity, and compassion. Together, she said, they provide strength to persist when the world feels overwhelming. Hassan stressed that meaningful change does not begin with perfect plans, but with the choice to show up and act.
Closing with a personal reflection, Hassan noted that when she returned to I-House earlier in the evening, she was reminded of a talk she had once attended at the House by Nicolas de Torrente, then head of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), who spoke about the organization’s work in Rwanda.
At the time, she said she slipped quietly into the back of the room, unsure she belonged. That memory, resurfacing after more than two decades, underscored how moments at I-House can echo long after residents leave. As she prepared to lead Doctors Without Borders U.S., she urged today’s residents to meet uncertainty with courage and to draw strength from the community around them.
In his remarks, President Sebastian Fries encouraged residents to take Hassan’s advice to heart and, in addition to his adage “Never Eat Alone,” implored the community to “speak to strangers” they meet on the elevators, in the Dining Hall and public spaces at the House.
The emcee for the evening was resident Harsh Agarwal (India), and the meal was blessed by resident Erick Perez (Guatemala). The audience, including a number of trustees and alumni, was treated to musical performances by violinist Maxwell Remmer (USA), and a woodwind quartet led by Lucy Rubin (USA).