On Monday, August 15, 2016, David Ruiz, ISH-DC’s long-time Business Manager, passed away.  David was an institution at the House – first as a resident scholar in the 1990’s and then as our Business Manager for 19 years.

For those of you who knew David, we ask that you celebrate with us his extraordinary commitment not only to ISH-DC, but to his deep and endearing personal relationships with our residents and alumni.

David was often one of the first people new residents met when they entered through our doors.  Through his daily interactions with residents, he formed many personal and ongoing friendships.  Just the other week, a British alumnus from 2000 visited the House, hugged David, and started talking to him as if it had only been a few days since they last saw each other.  He stayed in touch with countless alumni, traveling throughout the world, visiting them.

Here at the House, David will be remembered for his love of movies and Coca-Cola.  His desk was always decorated with at least one empty Coke can.  He was commonly seen walking down R Street to 7-Eleven when he needed an afternoon caffeine boost.  David loved film and sharing his interest with others.  In fact, residents and his colleagues often asked his review of a movie before going to see it themselves.

David will also be remembered as a modest man and a gentle spirit. A few years ago, ISH-DC Executive Director, Tom O’Coin, casually asked David what he did on his day off.  He responded “I went to a reception at the White House.”  David had neglected to mention that his father was receiving the National Humanities Medal from President Obama!

These are just a few of our fond memories of David.  We hope you will also share with us your memories of him so that we can collect them for his family.  ISH-DC and the Ruiz family are planning a memorial service for David here, at the House, on Saturday, September 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  We have limited space, so we ask that you let us know if you plan to attend by emailing Katherine Russell, [email protected].

A number of alumni have already contacted us, asking how they can help keep David’s memory alive.  The Ruiz family has established the David Ruiz Memorial Fund for alumni programs.  If you would like to make a contribution in David’s memory, please go to our website Here.

You may also make a check payable to:

International Student House
1825 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Please indicate that the gift is for the David Ruiz Memorial Fund.

ISH-DC “is a home away from home” for our students and resident scholars.  It was also a home away from home for David.  His death is a tragic loss to our family.

Diana Davis Spencer, Chairman and President of the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, carries on her family’s legacy of supporting education for students in the US and across the globe.  A warm, gracious, and down-to-earth woman, Diana has changed the lives of tens of thousands of young people.

“Being involved with international affairs and students is part of my DNA,” she laughs.  Her parents met on a train to Geneva, Switzerland when her mother worked up the courage to speak to the handsome man sitting across from her.  After a few months, he convinced her to change her plans and go with him to New York to study at Columbia University.  They both went on to complete their Masters degrees at Columbia and lived at International House in New York.  This experience began Diana and her family’s longtime involvement in International Student House (ISH) and her passion for international exchange and education.

From the start, students from ISH and foreign visitors were integrated into her family life. Diana recalls, “My family always felt that the people we met in our travels, whether it was on the street or during a planned lunch or dinner, surpassed museums.  That was what put meaning into it.  Relationships were very important.”

“Today, everyone is so pressed that maybe they don’t take enough time to understand each other and make friendships.  If they are different, they just brush that person off,” she says.  “International exchanges, travel, and going abroad for a semester, make you realize what it is to be in someone else’s country.  Then, you make more of an effort to understand someone in your country who is here from abroad.”

Thus, Diana has been a great supporter of ISH.  The House fosters and creates lasting friendships between graduate students and interns from all across the world.  “People [residents] at International Student House are leaders of the students and really will be future leaders of their countries, and can help change policy. Hopefully, this has a rippling effect towards peace.”

The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation has been a generous supporter of ISH-DC and the International House movement.  Her mother, Kathryn W. Davis, established Projects for Peace on her 100^th birthday.  Projects for Peace funds student innovations, initiatives, and entrepreneurship focusing on conflict prevention, resolution or reconciliation. For the past five years, at least one ISH-DC resident scholar has a received a Project for Peace grant to carry out field work that addresses the causes of conflict.  ISH-DC students have launched innovative projects across the globe.  A few examples include establishing a database to facilitate reporting of sectarian violence in Egypt, combating violence against the LGBTIQ community in Kyrgyzstan, and reducing animosity between local Thais and Burmese refugees in Thailand.

ISH-DC thanks Diana and her family for their enduring commitment to international understanding and peace.

On Thursday, May 12, International Student House of Washington, DC (ISH-DC) welcomed over 250 guests for our annual Spring Garden Party to celebrate the changing season with a number of our resident scholars, alumni, and new and old friends of the House.  We had the privilege of welcoming nine foreign Ambassadors and dozens of members of the diplomatic corps, Members of Congress and their spouses, resident scholars from 19 countries, alumni, and new and old friends.

ISH-DC Residents from Serbia with Congressman John Fleming (R-LA, center right)

Our residents were delighted to meet and connect with our guests, given many are preparing for their own careers in the public and private sectors in their respective countries, and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss their next steps with those successful in their fields.

Mrs. Anne Rodgers, newly arrived British Ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch

ISH-DC Residents from Serbia, the United States, Italy, France, Japan, China, and Luxembourg

The party happened to coincided with the end of the semester for many Washington universities, so it became a celebration of graduation for a number of our resident scholars from around the world. The evening was a great success as our resident scholars engaged with our many guests who attended to learn about ISH-DC, and their experiences here in Washington as young, driven international students.

Ambassador Pierre Clive Agius of Malta, ISH-DC 2016 Global Leadership Awards Dinner Chair Didi Cutler, Ambassador Walter Cutler

We are pleased to recognize Robert J. Abernethy and the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions for their very generous renewal of financial support for ISH-DC’s residential scholarship initiative.  As he has done for the past two years, Mr. Abernethy has earmarked his gift for graduate students living at the House and attending Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).  His contribution will support residential scholarships for SAIS students with proven financial need and academic promise.  Because of his generosity, 10 students, who would not otherwise have had the financial resources, will benefit from the unique, multi-cultural community that we provide.

Kathryn Horlick, Chair of ISH-DC’s Scholarship Committee said, “We are very grateful for Mr. Abernethy’s exceptional generosity and his longtime commitment to supporting educational opportunities for our future global leaders.  We also look forward to continuing our warm partnership with SAIS and exploring additional areas for collaboration.” 

Scholarship recipients are selected by ISH-DC’s Scholarship Committee based on recommendations provided by SAIS’ Office of Financial Aid.  For more information, SAIS graduate students are encouraged to contact: [email protected].