Six alumni/ae were recognized for their outstanding “Schools and Scholarships” work during an awards ceremony on Oct. 17 at the Agassiz Theatre, Radcliffe Yard. Each year, the Admissions Office honors some of its most loyal and longtime volunteers in Schools Committee work all over the globe. Collectively, this year’s recipients represent more than 192 years of dedicated service to the College’s admissions process.
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons presented the annual Hunn Awards for outstanding longtime service to Stanley E. Niebruegge ’50, Franconia, N.H.; Jonathan Baskin ’61, San Marino, Calif.; Elinor Bernstein Balka ’62, Forest Hills, N.Y.; Elsie Wilson Thompson ’72, Charlottesville, Va.; Philip S. “Flip” Koch ’78, Bellaire, Texas; and Deborah Gelin ’79, M.B.A. ’83, Washington, D.C.
There are more than 6,000 alumni/ae volunteers worldwide who perform “Schools and Scholarships” work for the Admissions Office. The volunteers recruit prospective applicants and interview actual candidates if geography permits. The factual and personal information provided by these volunteers helps the Admissions Office make difficult choices in an increasingly growing and talented pool of applicants. The “Schools and Scholarships” groups operate under the aegis of Harvard Clubs from around the world and have been active as outreach agencies for the Admissions Office for more than 50 years.
The award is named in honor of Hiram S. Hunn ’21 who did volunteer work for “Schools and Scholarships” for 55 years — 30 in Iowa and 25 in Vermont. The award was initiated in 1990 to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Harvard Alumni Association.