Spring 2012 Newsletter


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FROM ASSIST TO YOU - Spring 2012
93 schools joined as ASSIST members for 2012/13 – a record
number!
9 schools rejoined ASSIST
4 new schools became members
34 schools have been members for 20 years or more
30 states will have Scholars this fall
357% increase in applications in Turkey from 2010/11
30% increase in 2011/12 in German applications from 2010/11
50 days traveled by Bob Stanley, ASSIST President, this
recruitment season.
BIG NEWS: ALUMNI E-COMMUNITY LAUNCHED
ASSIST is getting its alumni e-community online one country at a time. The network was tested
in Germany and passed with flying colors. Once on, alumni can find classmates, locate alums in
a city, list a job, find a job, and join a professional discussion group. Already, we’ve been notified of
internships found and jobs advertised. Lars Gleim ’09, Westtown School (PA), is the software
mastermind behind the network architecture. We are grateful for Lars’ expertise and unswerving
commitment to this professional assignment. His instructions and help video will guide you through the
entry process.
www.assist-online.net
FIRST-EVER ALUMNI-ORGANIZED FUNDRAISING PHONATHON – APRIL 20, 21
Uli Graebner ’84, Deerfield Academy (MA), is on ASSIST’s Board of Directors and is
Germany’s Annual Fund Chair (ably supported by his Advisory Committee). Uli is
Managing Director of the German advisory business of Leonardo & Co. He holds a
Business Management Degree from the University of Frankfurt/Main and an MBA from
the Harvard Business School. Uli, Mia and their four children have hosted several alumni
gatherings.
We will hold a Phonathon April 20-21, calling from Frankfurt
and other cities. It is our hope that that we will successfully
reconnect as many alumni as possible with our network in
Germany and seek their support as we play our part in
contributing to the ASSIST fundraising effort at a level equal to
our percentage in the alumni population (50%). We are planning to organize calls from
other cities as well. If you would like to join us in Frankfurt, host a Phonathon, or make calls
from other cities, please call ASSIST’s Director of Alumni Relations, Nicole Malmedé ’81,
(nicole.malmede@assist-inc.org).
For all those not familiar with the concept of a Phonathon - At a Phonathon, a group of
alumni, for instance, meet in an office or call center to connect with other alumni over the
phone to chat, encourage others to join the online alumni network, and seek to raise funds.
Doing this together from one office is fun in and of itself. I hope you will join us.
SCHOLARS EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO ASSIST SPONSOR
Mr. H.F. Lenfest has sponsored 130 ASSIST Scholars who, without his generosity, would not have been
able to participate in ASSIST. In a recent survey of ‘his’ Scholars, their appreciation is apparent and their
high rating of ASSIST’s value is notable. We’ve tried to capture some of their expressed sentiment
below:
Survey of Lenfest Scholars • 2006- 2010
4.9 Rating for Value of ASSIST( 1 to 5 scale)
What would you say to Mr. Lenfest now as
you reflect on your ASSIST experience?
>
I would like to encourage Mr. Lenfest never to
give up making the world a better place as he is
doing by giving such an amazing opportunity…
>
After spending my senior year of high school in
Bulgaria and my freshman year of college at
Dartmouth, I feel even more strongly about my
gratefulness to Mr. Lenfest and about my ability to
make Bulgaria and the world a slightly better
place. There could hardly be anything better than
helping promising human beings help other human
beings.
>
My feelings haven't changed. The only difference would be that I expect more of myself. To
believe in myself. Last summer, I decided that with a little more effort I could make a bigger
difference in people’s lives. So I turned away from Psychology to Law and am now in my 3rd
semester at Hamburg Law School. Instead of learning how people function, now I'm studying
how societies build up and work. I'm learning the rules that make societies function and I'm also
getting a better understanding of how people can change things for the better on a larger scale.
My plan is to specialize in International Law. I'm doing my best to fulfill my dream by studying
and working hard. I truly believe that my generation and I can make changes for the better!
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ALUMNI PROFILES
Doron Shapir ’11, Loomis Chaffee School (CT), Lenfest Scholar
Many in the ASSIST Class of 2010/11 remember Doron well. He was
always wearing a smile, always ready to help, and got up the last dayRI
Orientation (despite the rain and the early hour - 4:00 a.m.) to wish his
fellow Scholars goodbye and good luck. Upon returning home, he
began his national service in the Israeli Army. In the photo to the
right, Donor stands with Ronza Najar ’11, Miss Hall’s School (MA),
and Bob Stanley in Tel Aviv. The following is excerpted from Doron’s
letter to ASSIST:
I have been taking part in an army course … and have learned some spoken Arabic,
history, and about the importance of the coordination between Israel and
the Palestinians. Our job is to make the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians
work better (and the quality of their life better), so terror has less potential to grow. I
miss America and Loomis, my school, a lot!
Dr. Grit Herter-Sprie ’99, The Lovett School (GA); Physician Scientist
Among the versatile experiences I gained during my ASSIST year was an appreciation of
the constructive and trusting relationship between students and teachers. In the context
of my medical studies, this relationship was of paramount importance for successful
training in any field, but especially in medicine. Since my graduation from Medical
School, I have been involved in student tutoring and medical education at the University
Hospital (Cologne).
Together with ASSIST alumna Dr. Sabine Schröder-Ricci ’97, Williston-Northampton School (MA), an
Ophthalmology Fellow, Grit initiated the first of what we hope will be many professional networks – the
“Medical Community.”
FROM GRIT & SABINE - LET’S INTERACT! – MD NETWORK
Dear Med students & MDs!
Most of you are probably engaged in social networks like Facebook,
XING, etc.... and you are, of course, members of the ASSIST Alumni
network!
Why not use this community to foster occupational relationships? The
field of medicine has a fantastic variety of specializations and an exciting
number of alternative job opportunities not connected directly to patient care. These vast
possibilities pose an overwhelming challenge for students and residents to find their ideal position
in the medical world.
Let’s take this unique opportunity to start up an active supporting medical community. How do
we start this adventure?
So far, we have two ideas to promote “medical networking.” First, we are excited about the recent
release of the updated ASSIST Alumni e-community. This total make over of the alumni databank
will have features similar to Facebook. We aim to set up personal profiles to help each other stay
in touch.
If you have any ideas how to structure this part, we would welcome you to our team!
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Our second attempt promises to be even more interactive. We hope to initiate a series of talks
concerning, for example, the following issues:
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Where should I study medicine – in Germany or abroad?
How and where should I pick my clinical electives (Famulatur)?
Useful hints to successfully obtain an MD thesis.
Where should I apply for a residency position?
Where are the jobs in and around the medical field and medical industry?
We are just getting started and we need helping hands to realize this fantastic project. Please send
us your thoughts and ideas about our suggestions. Additional ideas welcomed. Let’s get in touch!
Best, Sabine and Grit
A TEAM EFFORT! GERMAN APPLICATIONS UP BY 30%
ASSIST had a successful Scholar recruitment season! The ASSIST interviewing teams completed more
than 700 interviews. Of particular note are ASSIST’s recruiting efforts in Germany under the leadership
of Rosemarie Wegner, Country Coordinator. With support from Res Nostra, Rosemarie attended 26
school fairs. This recruitment effort, coupled with a thoughtfully-framed communication strategy,
resulted in an impressive increase in applications – up 30% this year. Seventy (70) German Scholars
were selected for 2012/13. Our German team of ASSIST interviewers included 3 Board members
(Woody Rutter, Dale Wentz, Ferdie Wandelt) and Marty Milne, ASSIST VP.
With a gift from ASSIST Board Member Pamela Thye, a recruitment video is close to being
finished. It seeks to capture the unique qualities of ASSIST and to visually represent school
life in the U.S. The video will be used in Germany and in other countries to encourage
interest in the ASSIST year. It will also be placed on the ASSIST website for all to view.
Special thanks to Hermann Mehlig ’02, The Asheville School (NC), for being the project’s
initiator and manager. Hermann is President of Germany’s alumni group (Res Nostra) and now lives in
Berlin.
WITH 4 MONTHS TO GO … SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM THE CLASS OF 2012
I moved in with my second host family on the 24th of December. They are so
kind and make me feel like their third child. I love the culture, the
people and actually everything. Texas is tremendous!!! The food is
delicious, whether it is bbq, tex-mex or burgers, and I also got some cowboy boots
and jeans. It's gonna be hard to leave everything behind in June. It will be the same,
terrible feeling as in August last year, if not worse because I will definitely not see every single one
again.
Sebastian Schrems ’12, St. Mark’s School of Texas (TX)
Experience makes you grow up and realize what you love. It makes you find yourself. I don't think I
have ever been so close to knowing who I am like right now. I know what I want and everyday shows
me a little clearer who I am and who I might become.
Noemi Lewald ’12, Princeton Day School (NJ)
On Sunday, my parents are coming to visit. It is going to be so nice to be able to show them the place
that I have called ‘home’ for the past six months.
Greta Rosen ’12, The Hill School (PA)
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JANUARY ALUMNI RECEPTIONS ALONG THE RECRUITMENT TRAIL
As ASSIST’s interview team (Dick Hall, Marty Milne, Brian Morgan, Bob Stanley, Jack
Eidam, and Woody Rutter) met with candidates in January, they also enjoyed alumni
gatherings in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Israel,
Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. Pictures from these events are located on
the ASSIST website.
WE’RE TRYING TO SHAKE THE ANNUAL FUND MONEY TREE
Help us shake the ASSIST 2011/12 Annual Fund Tree. Last year, we
surpassed our goal. We need everyone who has been touched by
ASSIST to make it possible for us to continue to select the most
promising Scholars, wherever in the world they might live, and to
serve our member schools who give so generously of their resources
and share their communities.
Our 2011/12 Annual Fund goal is $200,000. Contributions can be
made on-line. If your company offers a matching gift program, you
have the chance to double your gift. Every gift matters, not only to
ASSIST’s well being, but also to the lives of others and to our school communities. This year’s
Annual Fund ends on June 30th. To explore your giving options, follow this link: www.assist-inc.org,
and select “Support.”
ASSIST CALENDAR
MARCH
12-13, ASSIST Presentations on Orientation and Fundraising at
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Global Symposium
(D.C.)
APRIL
20-21, Frankfurt Phonathon (Germany), other cities to follow
27-29, ASSIST Board Meeting, Suffield (CT)
Alumni Receptions (Boston (MA), Northampton (MA),
New Haven (CT) – dates to be announced
MAY
6, Washington, DC Chapter Spring Event at Holton-Arms School
9,
Informal
gathering
(Stammtisch)
in
Cologne
12,
Germany
May
Seminar
in
Düssorldorf
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CLASS NOTES
Class of 2011/2012
Noemi Lewald, Princeton Day School
Jelena Koncar, Westminster School
Cluny McPherson, Episcopal Academy
Linh Nguyen, The Galloway School
Ulrike Proske, St. Luke’s School
Greta Rosén, The Hill School
Matias Sancho, Greenhill School
Class of 2008/2009
Rebecca Holmes, Christ Church Episcopal School
Ignacio Martin, Christ School
Jessica Moody, Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School
Class of 2007/2008
Christelle Calderón, Head-Royce School
Class of 2004/2005
Elena Terzi, Orme School
Class of 2010/2011
Brian Calderón, Westminster School
Qiuyuan (Sandy) Jin, St. Alban’s School
Doron Shapir, Loomis Chaffee School
Class of 2001/2002
Martin Friis, Westminster School
Ergys Subashi, Trinity Preparatory School
Class of 2009/2010
Fernando Criado, St. Mark’s School of Texas
Rebecca Wardell, Westminster School
Class of 2000/2001
Henric Hungerhoff, St. Andrew’s School
Class of 1998/1999
Anne Kolb, Lake Forest Academy
AND DON’T FORGET TO READ

Washington D.C. Chapter Newsletter
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