Sherry has served as a member of the Board of Directors of International Student House (ISH) for more than 30 years.  She was asked to join the Board by its then President James Wilson who recognized her deep experience as an educator and who, over her 40 years of teaching, worked with students ranging from the elementary to graduate school levels in the United States, Mexico, Venezuela and Chile.  Sherry received both Master’s and Doctoral degrees from The American University in special education and educational psychology.  As a member of ISH’s Board, she has served as an invaluable resource and has provided generations of our students with personal friendship and guidance as they have begun their professional careers.  Sherry has enriched the lives of thousands of ISH residents, and was oftentimes able to engage them through her flawless command of the Spanish language.  The Board of Directors is especially pleased to present Sherry with our Lifetime Service Award in recognition of her irrepressible enthusiasm for our mission and her tireless advocacy for international dialogue.  She embodies all that makes ISH an extraordinary learning experience for students from every part of the world.

Ambassador William J. Burns was appointed Deputy Secretary of State in July 2011. He is currently the highest ranked US Foreign Service Officer in the United States, and the second career diplomat in history to serve in this capacity.

Ambassador Burns served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2008 to 2011. Prior to this role, he was Ambassador of the United States to Russia from 2005 to 2008. Previously, Ambassador Burns also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2001 to 2005 and Ambassador of the United States to Jordan from 1998 to 2001. He has served extensively overseas and held many other positions in Washington. Ambassador Burns earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from LaSalle University and a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in International Relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. He is the recipient of three honorary doctoral degrees and his languages include Russian, Arabic, and French.

Ambassador Burns’ wife, Lisa Carty, is Senior Advisor of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center. She has devoted her career to international health and humanitarian issues. She previously worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the US Agency for International Development.

On the evening of October 9, International Student House was exceptionally honored to welcome Bahaa Hariri, the eldest son of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, as he addressed the residents and Board of Directors of ISH.  Bahaa is Founder and Chairman of The Horizon Group, a company focused on development and investment with major projects in Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.  He earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University so his experiences studying in the US embody the challenges and opportunities that our ISH residents face on a daily basis.

Bahaa discussed his personal perspectives on economic and political development in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. ISH resident Abdul Abuzaid of Jordan provided the introduction and highlighted Bahaa’s extensive business experience and family’s political background. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Shibley Telhami, a professor for peace and development at University of Maryland and a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Bahaa’s commitment to education along with his comprehensive business experience was clear to all present. He touched on a wide variety of subjects including the global economy, business as a vehicle for conflict resolution, the role of government in business and the American educational system.  Bahaa reflected on the important impact of institutions such as ISH and noted, “International Student House is a beautiful institution where you bring people from the outside and teach them the values [of America]. If you teach the younger generation [these values], then true leadership will emerge.” He stated that he chose to study in America because he believes it is the best educational system in the world and that America has contributed to his own success story.

 

International Student House

is pleased to invite you to a

Special Musical Performance of Verdi’s Chamber Arias by

 Teatro Lirico of DC

Join us for a performance and reception to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Verdi’s birth

 

Friday, October 4, 2013

7:30 pm

International Student House

1825 R Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Space is limited so be sure to purchase your tickets early!

$37 General Admission; $30 Student or Senior

To purchase tickets visit: http://www.teatroliricodc.com

Teatro Lirico of DC produces affordable and accessible performances of Spanish and Italian lyric repertoire in the Washington area.  Their productions create a direct and exciting experience for the audience. Teatro Lirico is led by Dr. Marco A. Campos, Director of Language Studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Giuseppe Verdi was one of the most influential composers of Italian opera. Several of his operatic melodies, such as La donna è mobile, have transcended into popular culture. In the concert Verdi Chamber Arias, the artists explore Verdi’s intimate world as composer of chamber songs.

The performance will feature Elisabeth Turchi (soprano), Jose Sacin (baritone) and Pablo Henrich-Lobo (tenor), on vocals. The program will highlight songs that reflect the different moods and stages in the life of the composer. The audience will be pleasantly surprised by noticing the relationship between these songs and Verdi’s operas.

International Student House

Global Leadership Awards Dinner

October 24, 2013, 6:30pm

 

         Dinner Co-Chairs:  Lilibet Hagel & Betty Ann Tanner

Diplomatic Chairs:  The Ambassador of Turkey and Mrs. Namik Tan

 

ISH Global Leadership Honoree:  Ambassador William J. Burns, Deputy Secretary of State

ISH Lifetime Service Honoree:  Dr. Sherry Migdail

 

The Fifth Annual International Student House (ISH) Benefit will be held on Thursday, October 24, at ISH’s historic facilities located at 1825 R Street, NW.  Proceeds from the event will allow ISH to continue its mission of providing an exceptional residential experience while promoting peace and understanding.

This year, ISH will honor Ambassador William J. Burns, Deputy Secretary of State, with our Global Leadership Award for his lifetime work and achievements in promoting intercultural dialogue, international education and peaceful global citizenship.  Past honorees have included Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; Dr. Peter Krogh, former Dean of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service; and Gilbert Grosvenor, Chairman Emeritus of the National Geographic Society.  Secretary Hagel will present this year’s award to Ambassador Burns at the event.

ISH’s Lifetime Service Award will be presented to Dr. Sherry Migdail for her longtime devotion to the organization.  Dr. Migdail has been a Board member for many years.