More than 150 people attended the International Student House’s 75th Anniversary Gala in October, dining and dancing and wishing ourselves a happy 75th in a glittering hall at the National Geographic Society’s headquarters in Washington DC. From its beginnings in 1936 as an inspiration of the Washington Quaker Meeting, ISH has provided hospitality and community to over 10,000 graduate students, interns, and visiting scholars from more than 130 countries – and that’s worth celebrating!
The evening began with cocktails in the exhibit hall, where guests enjoyed photographer Brian Skerry’s exhibit “Ocean Soul.” Some guests were treated to a special exhibit of historic photographs from the National Geographic archives, narrated by the evening’s honoree, Gilbert “Gil” Grosvenor, chairman emeritus of the Society. Mr. Grosvenor was presented with the 2011 ISH Global Leadership Award, in appreciation of his distinguished work as a member of the international community, to promote intercultural dialogue and global citizenship. Mr. Grosvenor’s award was presented by J. Willard Marriott, honorary patron of the event. Special thanks go to the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the evening.
Also honored was Jane S. Hart, past president and longtime board member of ISH, who received the ISH Lifetime Service Award, recognizing her 40 years of dedicated service to ISH and her leadership of the board from 1987 to 1990. Honorees are shown in the above photo: from left to right, Executive Director Tom O’Coin, Jane Hart, Bill Marriott, Gil Grosvenor, and Board Chair Put Ebinger.
