Winter 2001 - Tufts University

EUROPEAN CENTER
L
Le Talloirien
Tufts University European Center
Vol. 5, Issue 1, Winter 2001
Celebrating a Most
Special and Dear Life
On June 10th, friends from Tufts and around the world gathered in Talloires to
celebrate the life of Charlotte Blensdorf MacJannet — educator, camp director,
musician, and philanthropist — who died in November of 1999.
George Halsey, president of the MacJannet Foundation, welcomed the crowd
of over 150 people under a tent in the outer garden of the Priory. Mr. Halsey
explained that it was Mrs. MacJannet’s wish that her ashes be laid to rest in the
Meditation Room, next to those of her husband Donald’s, and that a dinner,
involving singing and dancing, be held in her honor.
The mayor of Talloires, Dr. Jean Favrot, addressed the guests, speaking of the
MacJannets’ significant contributions to the town and explaining why both
Donald and Charlotte had been named honorary citizens. He praised the
MacJannets for bringing Tufts University to Talloires and emphasized the ongoing importance of international exchange and of the many cultural benefits
that the European Center has brought to the village.
The highlight of the program was perhaps the remembrances of Dagmar
Munch af Rosenschold. A long-time friend of Charlotte MacJannet, Dagmar
regaled guests with tales of Mrs. MacJannet as a young (Continued on p. 3)
Dagmar Munch af Rosenschold delivering fond
remembrances of Charlotte MacJannet in the
garden of the Priory.
Fellows Get Fit In Talloires
This fall, the Society of Tufts Fellows congregated at the Priory in Talloires for “Strong Bodies, Strong
Minds,” a seminar on strength, wellness, and nutrition hosted by the Tufts University School of
Nutrition Science and Policy. Guest speakers from the Nutrition School included the school's dean,
Irwin Rosenberg, and Professor Miriam Nelson, author of several highly acclaimed books, such as
Strong Women Stay Young, and, most recently, Strong Women, Strong Bones.
While Dr. Nelson had all of the participants
lifting weights, Dr. Christina Economos delivered
lectures on Healthy Eating: What’s Hot, What’s
Not. Ramel Rones concurrently offered sessions
on mind and body approaches to better health.
Although eating French pastries and fondue
dinners may seem incongruous with a seminar on
nutrition, many participants remarked that they
learned much about sensible diets and exercise
programs that they would take with them after
the weekend was over.
The Society of Tufts Fellows was founded in
1983 to recognize alumni, parents, and friends
who make leadership gifts of between $10,000
Civia Rosenberg & Tufts President John
and $25,000 to any of the undergraduate or
DiBiaggio enjoying a few moments with
graduate school annual funds.
Jumbo who visited Talloires in September.
À Charlotte MacJannet
Notre douce amie Charlotte s’en est allée
Rejoindre son cher Donald tant aimé
Pour vivre à jamais dans leur éternité
Leurs riches et indéfectibles qualités
Celles qui continueront à rayonner
Sur leur – (et nôtre) – cher Prieuré.
Il restera pour longtemps, marqué
De cet enrichissement par eux apporté
Et de leur fortes personnalités.
A nous tous qui ne pourront les oublier.
Que leur lumineux souvenir
demeure en nos coeurs
Qui, par eux, ont connu ces bonheurs.
Jeanne Brousse,
Longtime friend
of Charlotte MacJannet
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
Réflexions de la Directrice...
Talloires Opens a New Century and Says Good-bye to a Friend
Dear Friends:
The Tufts University European Center
opened its doors for the millennial
season on April 20. It would prove to
be an historic one. The year 2000
marked the first time that Tufts
students coming to Talloires would not
have the chance to know either of the
MacJannets.
In late November last year, shortly
after her 98th birthday, Charlotte
MacJannet died of complications
associated with pneumonia. Services
in her honor were held both in Geneva
and on the Medford campus in
November and December respectively.
On June 10, 2000, Charlotte
MacJannet’s ashes were brought to the
Priory in Talloires where they were put
in the Meditation Room next to those
of her husband, Donald. Students,
faculty, MacJannet Board members,
and friends from Talloires and around
the world gathered to bid farewell to
this extraordinary woman.
In early April, approximately 40
boxes of papers, books, writings,
photos, films and memorabilia relating
to the MacJannets, their schools and
camps were shipped to the Tufts
archives at Tisch Library. This move
assures that the MacJannet papers will
be preserved and accessible to all who
are interested in viewing or studying
them. At about the same time, the
contents of the MacJannet apartment
in Geneva were shipped to the Tufts
Center in Talloires. Thanks to the
generosity of the MacJannet Foundation, Tufts was able to keep most of
the furniture and the Priory greatly
benefited from the influx of antique
furnishings. The remainder of the
estate was sold at a public auction held
on June 10th.
Many times this past summer, I
have found myself thinking of Charlotte MacJannet and what she meant
to Talloires. Now that “Mrs. Mac” is
gone, a chapter in Talloires history has
2
Boîte aux Lettres
French Students in Medford
Michael Ponomarenko, a French student from
Annecy, was sponsored by the European Center
and les Amis du Prieuré to study at the Tufts
University campus in Medford for four weeks of
summer school.
Charlotte Blensdorf MacJannet (1901-1999)
educator, benefactor, and dear friend.
come to an end. Nonetheless, that place
in the French Alps, which I know is
special to all of us, endures. Perhaps you
will agree with me that Talloires has an
unrelenting ability to transport us out of
the ordinary. Its clear air and its lifeaffirming light makes us, I believe, more
aware and insightful, and reminds us of
the vibrancy and beauty of life.
And “vibrancy” is a key word in
describing Talloires in the new century.
Tufts is relying more and more on its
“fourth campus” as it continues its
mission of providing students with the
best possible resources for global
citizenship. The Priory will continue to
be an important conference center for
Tufts, and a proven testing ground for
international education and cultural
exchanges. I also know it will remain a
place where people can heed Charlotte’s
admonition to relax from the daily grind
by sitting in the inner garden and
listening to the birds sing.
Sally H. Pym,
Administrative Director
I have been learning English since I was 10,
but it was not at all comparable to four weeks at
Tufts. I think you learn more in one month in
the USA than in one year in an English course
in France. My favorite memory was the last
night of the program, in a boat with all of the
students in the program who had become my
friends. We danced, laughed, and talked about
common experiences. I still keep in touch with
many of them.
I’m currently doing an internship in Public
Relations for an American company in Paris —
the NBA (the National Basketball Association).
The internship requires good English-speaking
skills, and my stay at Tufts University helped me
with this prerequisite.
Thank you for the opportunity to improve
my English in a fun atmosphere with such nice
people!
– Michael Ponomarenko
A Bridge to College!
Bonjour Sally Pym!
Thank you for the tremendous program
you put together last summer. I was a part of the
1999 high school program for international
relations and it truly was one of the most
important experiences of my life. I really think
that it helped bridge the gap between high
school and college.
The variety of things that we experienced
in our brief four-week stay amazes me. I
absolutely LOVED the hiking portions of the
trip. I know that I will return to the Alps to do
more serious backpacking sometime in the
future. I know that many of the people in our
group complained a lot about the hike, but I
really think that it was an important aspect of
the trip. I’ve been on a lot of backpacking trips,
EUROPEAN CENTER
12-Day Winter Adventure
in the French Alps
The European Center is pleased to announce its newest
program, Alpine Mountaineering, which will take place
from January 3-15, 2001.
Gabrielle Zimbric, Tufts Summit 1999.
and the thing that I have noticed is how quickly
they can bring groups together. There is the
commonality of the struggle that makes people
feel they have at least one thing in common. It
was a very cool experience. I have my little
paintings that I did on the hike, so that I will
never forget those days.
I just wanted to tell you what a great job
you did, and I wish you the best of the luck with
the future. Merci beaucoup!
– Gabrielle Zimbric
CELEBRATING MRS. MACJANNET from p. 1
woman in Sweden and told of how Charlotte
became interested in the field of eurhythmics.
John Rich, Tony Cook, Philip Rich, and
Jeanne Brousse also shared their memories of
Charlotte and spoke of her life as an educator,
camp director, and musician.
The ceremony concluded with a kir
reception in the inner garden of the Priory,
donated to Tufts by the MacJannets in 1978.
The guests then departed by boat to Annecy
where they boarded the dinner boat Libellule.
French and American guests — 185 strong —
enjoyed an unforgettable evening of wine, food,
and song.
Although Charlotte MacJannet is no longer
with us, her idealism and indefatigable optimism will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Learn to cross country ski and snowshoe — or
refine your technique. Try your hand at map
reading and compass skills. Learn about winter
alpine wildlife. Spend an afternoon downhill
skiing or snowboarding. Then cross-country ski
in the moonlight to a cozy restaurant and enjoy
a fondue dinner with new friends.
We’ll stay in traditional inns on the Plateau
des Glières and La Clusaz, an alpine ski resort
teeming with restaurants, shopping and ski-lifts.
Bernard Martin, our mountain guide,
provides basic instruction in skiing and snowshoeing techniques, mountain safety, and
survival skills that you’ll use during our outdoor
activities and excursions. (Option to downhill
ski and snowboard on free days and some
afternoons.) The program is taught in English.
Space is limited!
For more information call 617-627-3290
or email [email protected]
Jerusalem: Conflict and Resolution
Conference on the future of Jerusalem convenes in Talloires
A symposium on the future of Jerusalem,
organized by Mel Bernstein (Vice-President of
Arts, Sciences, and Engineering) and Leila Fawaz
(Dean of Humanities and Arts) was held in
Talloires on May 4-5. The symposium inaugurated a series — Talloires Seminars on Building
Community and International Citizenship —
sponsored by the new Tufts University College
of Citizenship and Public Service. The meeting
focused on the integral role of Jerusalem in the
peace process in the Middle East. Participants
explored historical, religious and political
problems in the city and discussed potential
solutions.
A summary of the two-day conference is
available on-line in Tuftalk, the monthly news
journal of Tufts Arts, Sciences and Engineering
at: http://ase.tufts.edu/tuftalk
3
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
Marcel Proust and the Talloires Experience
By Michael Santorelli, Tufts in Talloires 2000
Composers'
Conference
is a Big Hit
By Pozzi Escot
(Clockwise from top right) Michael Santorelli , Claudia
Winograd, Elizabeth Cho, and Abe George at Les
Charmettes, Rousseau's home near Chambery.
Professor Claire Schub’s course “Nature and
the French Literary Imagination” takes
advantage of Talloires’ unique setting and
prompts students to think about the relationship between authors and their surroundings.
Adapting a paragraph and style from
Proust, here’s how one student describes his
own experience in Talloires.
I
n ten years when I reflect on my Talloires
experience, I will have much to say. The
effect that Swan’s Way had on Marcel
Proust was magical, almost dreamlike, and that
is how I feel.
The feeling I get from admiring the
mountains is what Proust felt when he saw
hawthorn blossoms — it is an indescribable
feeling of childish glee, adolescent awe and
adult understanding. The mountains that have
guarded me here over the past six weeks have
forged a place in my mind forever. The way
they proudly wear their shimmering green coat
of foliage is similar to the pink blossoms that
4
Proust saw dance in the spring breeze. I will
forever remember the faint smell of roses mixed
with the smell of the lake — a subtle, light scent
made of mossy rocks and morning dew — just
like Proust remembers the “the lingering scent of
invisible lilacs.”
I can’t imagine how I will feel in a week
when I am sitting at a desk in an office with the
bleached-white walls closing in on me. I know I
will be longing for the open green fields and
calm, blue lake. It will be a long time before I
come back to a place like this and I have resigned
myself already to a life amongst the concrete
jumbles of buildings and streets. But Talloires will
be in me forever. . . Or, in a more Proustian way:
When, on a summer evening, the dusk laden
sky is cut with the shrill sound of car horns, and
everyone is complaining of traffic and falling
stock prices, it is my memory of Talloires that will
keep me sane, transforming, in my head, each
annoying city sound into the call of the swan or
the sound of the lake lapping its liquid tongue
over the shore.
From July 2 to 7, the Tufts European
Center was host to the 3rd International
Composers Conference, a forum for
distinguished composers from all over the
world to hear their music performed,
often as world premieres. Eihblis Farrell,
President of the National Conservatory of
Music in Dublin, Ireland, served as guest
composer; other composers traveled from
Japan, Taiwan, China, Canada, Israel,
Europe, and North America. Three recitals
and three evening concerts, free to the
public, presented the most recent works
by the twenty-one composers attending
the conference. The performers, an
ensemble made up of French, American,
Canadian, and Japanese instrumentalists,
were virtuoso players experienced with
contemporary music and its advanced
notations. The composers also presented
lectures discussing theoretical and
compositional practices of the field of
contemporary music.
The success of the conference was
due to the distinguished composers in
attendance, but also to the Tufts Center
and its management. Composers
attending felt that the town of Talloires
was a splendid meeting site and felt
inspired by its surroundings.
Pozzi Escot, Director of the International
Composers Conference, is professor of
music at the New England Conservatory
in Boston and at Wheaton College
(Norton, MA).
EUROPEAN CENTER
Airport Reunion in Kathmandu
What’s
Playing
at the Priory?
The Priory Gets a Face Lift!
From left to right: Marla Lieberman, Stacy Lieberman (J'92), Rachel Auerbach
Hyman (J'93), and Garrett Hyman.
It was a long way from Talloires when
Jumbos Stacy Lieberman (J’92) and Rachel
Auerbach Hyman (J’93) bumped into each
other in the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal,
last March.
Rachel and her husband Garrett
Hyman were in the middle of a 9-month
around-the-world honeymoon/adventure.
Stacy and her sister Marla were enjoying
their trek to Nepal and India.
Both women spent a summer in
Talloires in 1991, and yet it wasn’t Stacy
and Rachel who recognized each other. It
was Rachel’s husband Garrett who recognized Stacy’s twin sister Marla Lieberman —
they had both attended Washington
University and graduated in 1992! After the
initial shock of recognition, they discovered
that were they all flying to Varansi and had
been assigned to seats in the same row!
They enjoyed dinner together that evening
in India.
This winter, thanks to grants from both
the Ridgefield Foundation and the
French association, Monuments
Historiques, and help from Talloires
architect and long-time MacJannet
friend, François Grand-Mangin, the
Priory’s front façade will get some muchneeded attention. Renovations will
include work on the building's eroding
masonry in an effort to preserve architectural details, particularly on the
entablature and window casings, before
they are lost to environmental wear and
tear.
Once these renovations are complete, restoration efforts will be directed
to the roof of the Priory.
Rachel is now working part-time in the
mental health field and completing her
doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology in
Seattle, Washington, where Garrett just
started his residency in Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation at the University of
Washington. She welcomes classmates to
contact her at [email protected].
Stacy Lieberman lives in Los Angeles,
where she manages publicity and advertising
for the book division of the J. Paul Getty
Trust. Though she hasn’t made it as far
around the world as Rachel, she did lead a
bicycling trip for teenagers across the United
States with The Biking Expedition in 1996,
covering 3,600 miles, 10 states, and one
Canadian province in 58 days. One of the
students on that cross-country adventure is
current Jumbo David Friedman, E’02. She
asks classmates to contact her at
[email protected].
5
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
J’aime l’été
Lyrics by Tufts Summit 2000 students: Tara Colen, Lee Greenwood,
Beth Howard, Bam Himathongkam, Kristi Miller and Alana Siegel
(This song is sung to the tune of
“Brown-eyed girl.”)
Oh là là! Le Prieuré
OOOOh là là, j’aime l’été.
Nous sommes arrivés à Talloires,
les jeux commencent!
Avec beaucoup de questions comme
“qu’est-ce que tu penses?”
Nous étions très heureux et fatigués.
Dans quelle maison est-ce que je resterai?
Nous sommes vingt-huit étudiants
avec les Français.
Nous parlons dans leur langue
et ils parlent l’anglais.
La grande moustache de Bernard
et Hilary Scott,
Français avec Corinne,
Catherine enseigne l’art.
Oh là là! Le Prieuré.
OOOOOh là là, j’aime l’été.
Les repas sont différents, beaucoup
de pain
Avec tous les fromages, nous n’avons
jamais faim.
Les montagnes et le lac, les choses à faire
Nous passons chaque weekend, avec
nos mères et pères.
Oh là là! Le Prieuré.
OOOOh là là, j’aime l’été.
Les souvenirs de nos amis et l’expérience
Nous retournerons chez nous
avec des photos de France.
Oh là là! Le Prieuré.
OOOOh là là, j’aime l’été.
French host mothers were treated to a special
lunch in their honor by this summer's Tufts Summit
students, who also used the occasion to debut
their original song, J’aime l’été.
160
Student Enrollments Continue To Rise
Landscape Painting
l'Anglais Américain
d'Aujourd'hui (ESL)
Tufts in Annecy
Archaeology*
113
Total # of Students
Academic programs at the European
Center continue to exceed enrollment
expectations. The five programs that run
over the course of the summer are highly
rated and attract growing numbers of
students.
We hope to serve even more students
in the future and to make the Center
operational year-round. Our Alpine
Mountaineering program, slated to run in
January 2001, is the first step in this
direction.
145
107
87
80
79
51 52
Tufts Summit
200
0
199
9
199
8
199
7
199
6
199
5
199
4
6
199
3
* discontinued in 1998
199
2
Tufts in Talloires
EUROPEAN CENTER
Donor Report
Staff Updates
The Tufts University European Center gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the
Anna Swinbourne, A94 (Staff 1995) was
recently elected to the MacJannet Foundation
board. Anna is currently a junior curator in
Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern
Art in New York City and pursuing her Ph.D. in
Art History at the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU.
Todd Langton, A95 (Staff 1983-88), President of Linkage International, an international
management development exposition and
consulting firm, recently visited the Priory. He
remarked that “the one thing that is so special
about the Priory is how the building continues to
improve, but the sacred memories of important
times in our lives spent there live on.”
Cécilia (Staff 1998) and Dan Smith, E97
(Staff 1994-1998) recently moved from Paris to
Boston. Cécilia is currently teaching French at
Newton Country Day School and Dan is working
for Viant. They say that although they miss Paris,
they are quickly adjusting to the perks of living in
the States.
Mary Harris, F70 (Director of the European
Center 1984-89) visited Talloires this past July.
Mary recently assumed the position of Director
of Development at Endicott College.
Caren Black, A96 (Staff 1986-1991) was
married in June to Dan Deardorf. Former
European Center staffers Wendy SteadmanBanburry, Amy Carzo, Tony Silver-Olsen, Jenny
Hilts-Rosier, Stephen Callahan, Mary Harris, Paul
Tringale and Gabriella Goldstein were all in
attendance. Caren is currently working as the
International Product Manager at Biogen in
Cambridge.
Amy Shocker, (Staff 1996- 2000) recently
began her studies at the Harvard School of
Education.
Andrea Como, A98 (Staff 1998-2000)
recently joined the marketing department in
the Boston office of AIG, a corporate insurance
company.
Danika Dreslin, A98 (Staff 1998-2000)
Recently left the European Center to pursue a
career in composing.
following alumni, parents, and friends. Since our last report was issued in the April 1999
newsletter, more than $177,000 has been raised.
Each annual gift makes an important statement about the importance of Talloires to
the university and helps us to pursue our goals of strengthening our financial base and
enhancing the quality of educational programs. Thank you to everyone who continues to
contribute to the European Center.
To make a gift for Talloires, make checks payable to Tufts University and mail to: European
Center, 108 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA 02155. If you prefer, you may call the European
Center office (617) 627-3290 and charge your gift to your credit card.
Le Prieuré Partners
Lake Annecy Circle
($15,000 or more)
($25 - $99)
Richard and Elaine Kaufman, J46
The Ridgefield Foundation
The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation
The MacJannet Foundation
Mont Blanc Circle
($1,000 - $9,999)
Todd G. Langton, A85
Elizabeth Mayer
Elizabeth Borner-Mouer, J69
Charles Merieux
Richard Murphy
Philip Rich
Martin J. Sherwin, AP91
Oliver A. Stanton, A87
Paul J. Tringale, A82
La Tournette Circle
($500 - $999)
John F. Burlingame, A43
Samuel Byrne, A87
Euphemia L. Halivopoulos
Patricia & Donald F. Morley, JP02
Wenke Thoman
Edward Barber, E89
Shari H. Braverman, J91
Anne M. Carroll, EW49
Heidi R. Cohen, J00
Binda Douglas
Jon H. Goldberg, A89
Carol Haught
Lisa P. Kaplan, J00
Martha E. Kay, EP00
Lynne Maloney, J88
Mark A. Manassee, A87
Ramelle Massey, J86
Frances Slauson Miller
Danielle Olivier, J00
Karen Perry
David & Elizabeth Powell
Arlene Ratner
Jennifer L. (Hilts) Rosier, J91
Daniel Rottenberg
Tara M. Taylor, J94
Stratos Taoultsides, JP95
Mary Talcherkar, J85
Paul Walsh, A87
Roc de Chère Circle
($100-$499)
Scott C. Beardsley
Marjorie Farley
John Gibson, JP85
Timothy Glaser, A96
Mary van Bibber Harris, F70
Nancy H. & William N. Kiely, E52
Larry and Hannah B. Langsam,
Ph.D., J62, JP88
Pierre-Henri Laurent
Stacia Lindsay, J91
Heather Press, J85
Charles Shane
Natalie M. Stella, J85
Merci Beaucoup!
Note: In completing this list of donors,
we have made every effort to ensure its
accuracy. Should you note an error or
omission, please inform the European Center
office so that we may include these corrections
in our next issue.
❖
We wish them all the best of luck.
7
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
Contactez-nous!
The 2001 program catalog is now available. Call us if you or any of your
friends would like a copy. We would also appreciate any feedback you may
have about this newsletter. Please feel free to send photos, notices, stories
or comments to our Medford office. And be sure to visit our updated web
site at:
http://ase.tufts.edu/FrenchAlps
Le Talloirien
Contributors to this issue: Danika Dreslin, Pozzi Escot,
Stacy Lieberman, Gabriella Goldstein, Sally Pym, Claire
Schub, Catherine Steward
Managing Editor: Edie Wieder
Design and production: Gary Duehr and Dixon Bergman
Tufts University European Center
108 Packard Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
Tel: (617) 627-3290
Fax: (617) 627-3457
Email: [email protected]
Web: ase.tufts.edu/FrenchAlps
Photo credits: Gabriella Goldstein, Bud Guzzi, Jennifer Harris,
Nicole Lacroix, Sally Pym
European Center
108 Packard Avenue
Medford, MA 02155 USA
Talloires
Participants in the August 2000 Landscape Painting program at
work along the canal in Annecy.