The Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation 2014-2015 Scholars

The Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation 2014-2015 Scholars

The Lohez Foundation is proud to announce its scholarship recipients for 2014-2015 – five outstanding young people who represent the current international “class” of Lohez Scholars. This stellar group includes our third set of scholars who will complete their joint studies between institutions located in both France and China.

Camille Andrieu, 2014
(France / Dual Master’s Degree, Sciences Po / Fudan University, Europe and Asia in Global Affairs)

Successful in athletic competition both in high school and as an undergraduate (training with Aix-en-Provence professional team and selection to the France women’s national group), Camille also pursued a dual degree in Political Science at the Institute of Political Studies (IEP) in Aix-en-Provence and Law at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.

In her first two years she achieved the status of valedictorian of her class of approximately 200 students. This ranking allowed her to choose to spend her third year of the IEP at the University of Michigan in the United States.

Now in her second year of the dual master’s degree program, “Europe and Asia in Global Affairs” between Sciences Po and Fudan University, Camille seizes the opportunity to investigate Asian issues and relationships between China and the European Union. She plans to use the Lohez Scholarship and the Chinese Government Scholarship to make the most of her academic year in Shanghai, as well as to attend the London School of Economics-Peking University 2015 Summer School, held in Beijing.

After a first experience of the diplomatic sphere with the National Model United Nations 2014 Project, Camille perceives the opening of a door to a career in the French Foreign Affairs sector in direct relation to China.

Barbara Crépeau, 2014
(France / Dual Master’s Degree, EPITA / Stevens Institute of Technology)

Barbara Crépeau is completing her final year of a French Master’s in Computer Science, specialized in RealTime and Embedded Systems, at EPITA. In 2015, she will be coming to Stevens Institute of Technology to pursue a dual-degree in Computer Science.

Barbara has dreamed since childhood of visiting the United States. She has long admired the American values of individual liberty, cultural tolerance, and egalitarianism.

While studying at Stevens, she looks forward to experiencing nearby New York City, with its real diversity of people and dynamic cultural and business environments.

“There are many startups [in New York],” says Barbara, “which means that people have the means to achieve their ideas and create businesses. Among many examples, New York saw the birth of Tumblr, Etsy, Kayak, Shutterstock – that almost everyone has now heard of. NYC startups show that the Silicon Valley does not have a monopoly when it comes to creating big companies.”

Barbara approaches her American experience as a new adventure, “a new start in a great country that will help me in the future by opening my mind further and giving me a chance to learn more and to be better prepared for what is going to come next.”


Soliman Elcheikh, 2014
(France / Dual Bachelor’s Degree, Columbia University / Sciences Po)

Soliman Elcheikh is a sophomore in the Dual Bachelor of Arts Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po. Throughout his education he has been exposed to diverse cultural traditions that have become integral facets of his personality.

Growing up in Egypt, Soliman went to a French school. At home, his mother initiated him to aspects of German culture – and today, he is immersed in the American experience while studying in the Dual Program with Columbia University.

Through his personal yet global experience, Soliman has learned important values, such as tolerance, listening to others and accepting diversity.

“I believe that all these principles and values are at the heart of the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation,” says Soliman. “Promoting cultural and educational exchange is a powerful tool to change the face of the world. Personally, I would like to contribute to this change.”

Juliette Faure, 2014
(France / Dual Master’s Degree, Sciences Po / Columbia University)

As a student specialized in “Economic and Political Development,” Juliette Faure felt the need to be not merely a thinker but also an actor in international development, which led her to leave Paris to study in India.

Following her encounter with Jean Drèze, a prominent development economist, Juliette went to work with a governmental team in Jharkhand, one of India’s poorest states, on the evaluation of the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Thanks to the Hindi she had learned, she successfully collaborated with her team partners, who were all local people.

Feeling the need to combine her knowledge with new practical experience before heading to Columbia University, Juliette decided to take a gap year off to Myanmar where she has been working for the NGO “Green Lotus,” promoting sustainable development.

Ideally, Juliette would like to work on public policy advising to help countries design efficient development strategies. She looks forward to applying to a Ph.D. program in Political Science, in which her research would focus on the distinction between constitutional liberalism and democracy.

Paloma Moritz, 2014
(France / Dual Master’s Degree, Sciences Po / Fudan University)

Paloma Moritz considers herself a citizen of the world. During her life and academic path, she has always sought new challenges, the discovery of new cultures and different ways of learning, in order to reach a global understanding of our contemporary world. These ideals of international grasp and cooperation have always played a major role in her academic choices.

Having completed her undergraduate studies at Sciences Po and University of California-Santa Barbara, and then her first year of the Sciences Po Communication Master’s Program and her first months at the Fudan University School of Journalism, she is now convinced that she made the right choices. “My French-American-Chinese educational experience will undoubtedly be a great asset in the future,” says Paloma.

She describes her discovery of Chinese culture and society as an “everyday wonder,” and she hopes that her grasp of this “intriguing country” will give her a broader scope of understanding throughout her professional activities.

Her professional project is reflective of her desire to combine her creativity with her interest in media-related communication. Before moving to Shanghai, she spent a gap year working in French production companies investigating diverse stories, including international issues, and writing documentary synopses.

Notably, Paloma worked as a host, news editor and interviewer for a political program for Yahoo! News and Sciences Po TV, in which she interviewed numerous prominent French politicians, such as Jean-Louis Borloo, Jean Luc Mélenchon, Bruno Le Maire, Henri Guaino, Valérie Pécresse and Najat Vallaud Belkacem.

As an aspiring journalist, Paloma’s fervent desire is to gather and report the news; to explain the world to the widest audience in order to raise awareness about major contemporary issues; and, in the process, to strive to make a difference.

 

2015 Jérôme Lohez Scholarship Award Selection Committee

The Lohez Foundation wishes to thank the members of its 2014-2015 Scholarship Selection Committee for lending their time, talents and expertise to the process of identifying our new gifted scholarship recipients. Below is a list of the committee members and their brief bios.

Dean Michael zur Muehlen (Selection Committee Chairperson, Associate Dean & Professor, The Howe School, Stevens Institute of Technology)

Michael zur Muehlen is Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Information Systems at Stevens Institute of Technology. Dean zur Muehlen is responsible for academic oversight, development and growth of seven graduate programs in Stevens’ business school, totaling 900+ students. He directs the research Center for Business Process Innovation and founded the award-winning graduate program in Business Process Management & Service Innovation. Dean zur Muehlen’s focus is on helping organizations become more efficient, improve service quality, and manage risk and compliance in an effective manner. An accomplished expert in Business Process Management, Workflow, and Business Decision Management, he has consulted for many businesses and government agencies. Dean zur Muehlen holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.

Dean Anne Waters (Senior Associate Dean at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University)

Anne Waters serves as Senior Associate Dean at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University in the City of New York. She is the chief administrative officer for SIPA, which is the most global school of public policy, enrolling approximately 1,400 students across seven degree programs. Dean Waters’ portfolio includes responsibility for recruitment and admissions, graduate student affairs, finance and administration, information technology, career services, external relations, and alumni affairs. Dr. Waters works closely with the Dean of SIPA and senior university leadership on development, strategic planning, financial management, and global initiatives. She holds Ph.D. in History and Anthropology from the University of Michigan.

Professor Eleonora Russo (Centre d’études européennes, Sciences Po, Paris)

Eleonora Russo is academic adviser of the Master European Affairs program at Sciences Po, Paris, and she is in charge of the Dual Degree program “Europe and Asia in Global Affairs” between SIRPA-Fudan and the Master in European Affairs, Sciences Po. She is concluding her Ph.D., with a focus on the fight against climate change in European Union law. For several years she has been a legal adviser for Italian and French law firms, assisting in particular Chinese clients investing in Italy. During the past three years, she has taught “Constitutional Foundations of the EU” and “Law of the Internal Market” for the Master in European Affairs program.

Professor Hong Bing (Associate Professor, Assistant to Dean School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai)

Dr. Hong Bing, associate professor, received his Ph.D. in communication studies from School of Journalism, Fudan University. His research interests focuses on media sociology, international communication and China’s media reform. In 2007 he was the first Media Fellow sponsored by US. China Education Trust to be the visiting scholar in University of Maryland. He is now the director of Fudan-LSE Global Media and Communication and Fudan-Sciences Po Communication and Media double master’s degree program.

Professor Yitian Huang (Assistant Professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University)

Yitian Huang is Assistant Professor, School of International Relations & Public Affairs, at Fudan University. Professor Huang holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental Policy, from the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, in addition to a Master of Law (International Law), University of Cambridge. Dr. Huang’s research interests include environmental politics, global climate negotiation and international relations, and transnational private governance.

Mr. Stephane Bouniol (VP at Credit Suisse)

A founding board member and former Vice President of the Lohez Foundation, Stephane Bouniol is currently Vice President Managing the Java Application Platform for Credit Suisse Americas. His areas of specialty include web services architecture, production support experience (including trading floor support), team management, and project management, including large scale projects spread across the globe. His previous positions include Senior Unix System Administrator at DLJ and Unix Administrator at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Mr. Côme J. Dechery (Consultant Analyst at the Center for Conflict, Security and Development, The World Bank)

Mr. Côme Dechery is a young global leader in the making. A 2012-2013 Lohez Scholar, during the 2011 academic year at Sciences Po, Côme served as President of the Paris Globalist, Sciences Po’s magazine of international affairs. This was a distinct honor for a young man pursuing a dual Master of International Affairs degree, awarded in May 2013 by Sciences Po and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). During his undergraduate years at Sciences Po, Côme had the opportunity to spend a year abroad at the University of California-San Diego, where he pursued a graduate-level course of study. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor’s degree in May 2010. In September 2013, Côme was appointed a Consultant Analyst at the Center for Conflict, Security and Development at The World Bank.

Ms. Sharen Glennon (Associate Director, Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management, Stevens)

Sharen Glennon has more than 25 years of experience in marketing communications for nonprofit organizations, specializing in higher education programs at the graduate level. For the past dozen years she served as Assistant Director and then Associate Director of Marketing for the Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management at Stevens Institute of Technology. Glennon has also acted as the Executive Coordinator of the Howe School Alliance for Technology Management. She holds a master’s degree in Management from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Mr. Patrick A. Berzinski (Committee Witness, Communications Consultant, Tranquility49 PR)

Patrick A. Berzinski serves the Lohez Foundation as communications consultant and media relations manager. From 2000 to 2010 his work was primarily in institutional communications for Stevens Institute of Technology, where he most recently served as Executive Director of University Communications. In 2010, he was appointed VP, Business Development, at Dash Media PR in New York City, where he later held the title of Senior Consultant. He is the founder and CEO of Tranquility49 LLC, a media promotion, media production and business-development consulting group.

Congratulations Lohez Laureate Annabelle Libeau!

Congratulations Lohez Laureate Annabelle Libeau!
The Lohez Foundation wishes to congratulate our 2013-2014 laureate Annabelle Libeau on some great news: Annabelle has just moved to Washington, DC, where she has joined the MIGA Professionals Program (MPP) of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the World Bank Group (http://www.miga.org/index.cfm), where she is an Operations Analyst in the financial markets, agribusiness, and manufacturing and services industries. Her responsibilities include underwriting political risk insurance and credit enhancement guarantee projects to investors and lenders in emerging markets worldwide.Best of luck Annabelle from everyone at the Lohez Foundation!

2013 Jérôme Lohez Scholarship Award Selection Committee

2013 Jérôme Lohez Scholarship Award Selection Committee

The Lohez Foundation wishes to thank the members of its 2013-2014 Scholarship Selection Committee for lending their time, talents and expertise to the process of identifying our new gifted scholarship recipients. Below is a list of the committee members and their brief bios.

Professor Daniel Duchamp (Selection Committee Chairperson, Director, Computer Science Department, Stevens Institute of Technology)

Dr. Daniel Duchamp received the B.S.E. in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1982 and the Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University in 1988. He then joined Columbia University where he was an Assistant Professor then Associate Professor of Computer Science. In recognition of his groundbreaking work in mobile computing, in 1991 he was one of two computer scientists nationally named as a Young Investigator by the Office of Naval Research. In 1997, he joined AT&T Labs as a Principal Research Scientist. In 2000 he joined Stevens Institute of Technology as a Professor of Computer Science. In 2007 he was named Director of the Computer Science Department.

Professor Hong Bing (Associate Professor, Assistant to Dean School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai)

Dr. Hong Bing, associate professor, received his Ph.D. in communication studies from School of Journalism, Fudan University. His research interests focuses on media sociology, international communication and China’s media reform. In 2007 he was the first Media Fellow sponsored by US. China Education Trust to be the visiting scholar in University of Maryland. He is now the director of Fudan-LSE Global Media and Communication and Fudan-Sciences Po Communication and Media double master degree program.


Mr. Stephane Bouniol (VP at Credit Suisse)

A founding board member and former Vice President of the Lohez Foundation, Stephane Bouniol is currently Vice President Managing the Java Application Platform for Credit Suisse Americas. His areas of specialty include web services architecture, production support experience (including trading floor support), team management, and project management, including large scale projects spread across the globe. His previous positions include Senior Unix System Administrator at DLJ and Unix Administrator at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Mr. Côme J. Dechery (Consultant Analyst at the Center for Conflict, Security and Development, The World Bank)

Mr. Côme Dechery is a young global leader in the making. A 2012 Lohez Scholar, during the 2011 academic year at Sciences Po, Côme served as President of the Paris Globalist, Sciences Po’s magazine of international affairs. This was a distinct honor for a young man pursuing a dual Master of International Affairs degree, awarded in May 2013 by Sciences Po and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). During his undergraduate years at Sciences Po, Côme had the opportunity to spend a year abroad at the University of California-San Diego, where he pursued a graduate-level course of study. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor’s degree in May 2010. In September 2013, Côme was appointed a Consultant Analyst at the Center for Conflict, Security and Development at The World Bank.

Ms. Sharen Glennon (Witness; Associate Director of Marketing, Wesley J Howe School of Technology Management, Stevens)

Sharen Glennon has more than 25 years of experience in marketing communications for nonprofit organizations, specializing in higher education programs at the graduate level. For the past dozen years she served as Assistant Director and then Associate Director of Marketing for the Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management at Stevens Institute of Technology. Glennon has also acted as the Executive Coordinator of the Howe School Alliance for Technology Management. She holds a master’s degree in Management from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Professor Zhang Ji (Assistant Professor of Diplomacy at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University)

Dr. Zhang Ji is an Assistant Professor and a Research Fellow at Center for China-EU Relations, Center for Global Analysis and Center for Comparative Diplomacy Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. He is the council member of Shanghai Institute for European Studies, reviewer of the Chinese Journal of European Studies, “Shanghai Pujiang Expert”. His research interests include the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy, French Foreign and Security Policy, China-EU relations, China’s Diplomacy, among other topics.

Professor Paul Rohmeyer (Director of the Master’s of Science in Information Systems program, Stevens Institute of Technology)

Dr. Paul Rohmeyer teaches graduate-level courses on Information Security Management and Network Management as a faculty member in the Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management at Stevens. Paul has completed research in Information Security Management and Business Continuity Planning. He is also a senior-level consultant with expertise in IT Management, Project Management, Information Security, and IT Audit. Rohmeyer holds a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University, a MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Information Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. He has been trained by the U.S. National Security Agency on their Information Assurance Methodology (IAM) and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential.

Ms. Dalia Shendi (Recording Officer; Liaison to Young Alumni, Stevens Institute of Technology)

Ms. Dalia Shendi serves the Lohez Foundation as Liaison to Young Alumni for Stevens Institute of Technology. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Stevens. Dalia has extensive experience working in biomedical research with organizations such as the United States Army, the Hackensack University Medical Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Since 2012, she has also served as a volunteer at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.

Professor Imola Streho (Centre d’études européennes, Sciences Po, Paris)

Dr. Imola Streho holds a doctorate in Law from the University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas) and LLM from the College of Europe. She is associated scholar at the Centre d’études européennes at Sciences Po, Paris, where she is co-directing the Master in European Affairs since the academic year 2008/2009. Her research focus on trade in services within the EU and particularly on the evolution of the EU set of rules on free movement of services. She is currently working on two projects related to services. She also works on the European Judicial System, more specifically on its role as a judicial model for other regional organizations and an active participant in the global judicial dialogue.

Lohez Foundation Partners on Europe/Asia Dual-Degree Program

Lohez Foundation Partners on Europe/Asia Dual-Degree Program

The Graduate Dual-Degree Program on Europe and Asia in Global Affairs is a transnational joint-venture between Sciences Po in Paris, France, and Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

These two great universities have partnered with the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation to open scholarship opportunities for all students who are enrolled in the graduate dual-degree program. The first year of study will take place in Paris, and the second year of study will take place in Shanghai.

The Europe and Asia in Global Affairs dual degree is available to all students who are interested in analyzing European and Asian studies from both comparative and international relations perspectives.

The European Union sees Asia as the new frontier of its international policies due to the important challenges it faces on an economic and a geopolitical level. At the same time, this dual degree is aimed at European specialists who would like to deepen their understanding of Europe through a comparison with Asia; at Asian specialists who aspire to strengthen their understanding of Asia in relation to other regions; and at International Relations specialists eager to acquire a more specific insight on the challenges and content of Europe-Asia relations. The students enrolled in this dual-degree program will benefit from the research network that exists between Sciences Po and Fudan University in international relations.

Graduates of this dual degree will have access to a wide range of career openings in European affairs in Europe or elsewhere in the world.

The deadline for applications to the Lohez Foundation is Sept. 30, 2014. The board will meet to review submissions in mid-October and scholarship winners will be announced in early November. The award presentation reception is usually held at the French Consul’s residence in Shanghai.

Lohez Foundation 2013 Awards Ceremony Hosted By French Consul General in NYC

Lohez Foundation 2013 Awards Ceremony Hosted By French Consul General in NYC

The French Consul General in New York City, Mr. Bertrand Lortholary, presided during the May 1, 2013, Awards Ceremony at the French Consulate in New York, recognizing the 2013 student recipients of the Lohez Foundation Scholarships. It was the first such occasion in which two French students studying at universities in China were recognized for their achievements.

Guests arrived to the sounds of the New York University-based classical violin duo, Ms Lydia Brown (right) and Ms. Celine Reyes (left), who offered a selection of musical works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mouret, Saint-Saens and Shostakovich. Guests were immediately treated to a selection of superb passed hors d’oeuvres, catered by Diane Gordon Catering, accompanied by fine red and white wines provided through a generous donation from Pernod Ricard USA.

The MC for the Awards Ceremony was Professor Daniel Duchamp, Head of the Department of Computer Science in the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science at Stevens Institute of Technology.

“Recently,” Dr. Duchamp said in his opening remarks, “I had the honor of chairing the Selection Committee that determined which candidates would be awarded this year’s Lohez Scholarships. In the process, I came to know and appreciate the mission and purpose of the foundation and its history.”

Duchamp noted that the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation was created in 2005 by Dening Wu Lohez in memory of her late husband. “As Dening has explained in numerous media interviews,” said Duchamp, “her chief aim was to help bridge the cultural gap that she perceived to be widening between France, the land of Jerome’s birth, and the US, which had become their adopted home as a married couple.”

Duchamp (below, right) reminded the audience that both Jérôme and Dening had met as graduate students at Stevens, accounting for the “close and deepening bond between Stevens Institute and the Lohez Foundation,” adding that “the foundation also benefits from a significant collaboration with the Alliance Program at Columbia University, where Dening Lohez is also an alumna of the School of International and Public Affairs.”

Before the awards presentation, mention was also made of some of the evening’s other honored guests, beginning with Consul General Lortholary (left), and the French Elected Representative for the Eastern United States, Mr. Richard Ortoli, who earlier had presented Ms. Lohez with the Chevalier Medal of the French National Order of Merit for outstanding international service.

Also in attendance were Dr. Michael S. Bruno, Dean of the Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens; Dr. Gregory Prastacos, Dean of the Howe School of Technology Management at Stevens; Monsieur Patrice Beliard, CEO of Beauté Prestige International, whose company creates, develops and markets the fragrances of Issey Miyake, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Narciso Rodriguez; Mr. Allan Chapin, Chairman of the Board of the French-American Foundation; Mr. Martin Bischoff, Managing Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Ann Bynoe, Chair of the Economics Department at Pace University; Ms. Nicole Panzica, Student Representative to the Ramapo College Board of Trustees, and Associate for Creative Marketing with Tranquility49 LLC, media consultants to the Lohez Foundation; and Ms. Dawn Da Silva, Assistant Vice President for Development, Stevens.

Thanks were also given to Mr. Yann Yochum, Deputy Consul, Head of Press and Politics, for the kind assistance of his office; and Mrs. Anne-Sophie Bris, for her assistance in coordinating the evening’s events.

Dr. Duchamp also extended Ms. Lohez’ thanks to the Event Committee that assembled to work on the Awards Ceremony, chaired by Ms. Sharen Glennon (below left, with husband Mr. Geraldo Nogueiro), Stevens Institute of Technology; assisted by Dr. Duchamp; Mr. Patrick Berzinski, Tranquility49 LLC; Mr. Stephane Bouniol, Credit Suisse;Ms. Yu-chen Juang, Fordham University; Ms. Grace Lieberman, New York University; and Ms. Amandine Tristani, Pace University.

Mr. Bouniol, Vice President at Credit Suisse, co-founding board member of the Lohez Foundation, and representative of EPITA, from which institution he holds a dual graduate degree in concert with Stevens Institute, presented the first award to a 2013 Lohez Scholar, Monsieur Alexandre Montfort (right), who is completing a dual graduate degree from EPITA and Stevens Institute of Technology.

The second award was presented by a 2012 Lohez Scholar, Mr. Andres Lizcano Rodriguez, dual degree recipient from Sciences Po and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Andres presented to his classmate and 2013 Lohez Scholar, Monsieur Côme Dechery (below right), Sciences Po and Columbia University-SIPA.

Presenting the third scholarship award of the evening was Ms. Barbara Wing, co-founding board member of the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Foundation.

Dr. Duchamp then mentioned that the Lohez Foundation expanded its reach in 2012 to include alliances with universities in China. Two scholars from France studying in China were chosen to receive awards from the Lohez Foundation. One, Monsieur Silvio Ghiglione, has been completing studies between the Université Paul Valéry and the Beijing Normal University; the other, Madamoiselle Louise Battus, has been completing a joint degree between Sciences Po and Shanghai Fudan University.

A brief piece of video coverage from Shanghai Television’s English-language news was then screened for the assembled group, showing a ceremony that was held last November at the home of French Consul General Emmanuel Lenain in Shanghai, attended by Ms. Lohez and the two Lohez Scholars in China.

Before the evening drew to a close, Dr. Duchamp summed up the themes of the Awards Ceremony: “The Lohez Foundation professes an impressive humanitarian vision, focused on cultivating a class of global leaders with a truly global outlook. The organization is now looking to build its executive and advisory boards, its academic and corporate alliances, and to grow its modest endowment into a competitive resource for increased cultural exchange and mutual understanding. If anyone here wishes to become part of that effort,” he concluded, “or knows someone who might, now or in the near future, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Lohez to schedule a discussion of the possibilities and the opportunities that lie ahead.”


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Ms. Dening Wu Lohez Appointed Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit

Ms. Dening Wu Lohez Appointed Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit

Dening Wu Lohez décorée pour sa promotion des échanges franco-américains

From France-Amérique, 2 May 2013

Mercredi 1er mai, le consulat général de France à New York a décoré Dening Wu Lohez lors d’une cérémonie en son honneur.

Immédiatement après avoir perdu son mari français dans les attentats du 11-Septembre, en 2001, Dening Wu Lohez a fait un don en son nom : une bourse scolaire a été ainsi créée via le Stevens Institute of Technology, l’université où le couple s’était rencontré. Jérôme Lohez était alors étudiant, en échange aux Etats-Unis. Il s’était installé à New York après avoir obtenu son diplôme.


“Mon mari était est arrivé via un programme d’échange. Quand on était étudiants, on avait toujours besoin d’argent”, raconte Dening Wu Lohez, qui a la double nationalité franco-américaine. De là est née l’idée de la Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation. Crée en 2005, la fondation vise à promouvoir les échanges franco-américains et offre chaque année des bourses à 5 étudiants pour qu’ils puissent passer l’année scolaire dans une université partenaire. Parmi celles-ci, on compte Princeton, NYU, Columbia, Stevens aux Etats-Unis, Sciences Po, Paris I et Polytechnique en France, et maintenant aussi Fudan, à Shanghai.

“Les jeunes gens sont les leaders du futur”, note l’enseignante en économie et finance à Pace University, qui est née en Chine et arrivée aux Etats-Unis en 1986. “Par ailleurs, le 11-Septembre a été un acte de haine. Il faut remédier à ça par le dialogue”, analyse-t-elle. Sa fondation a donc pour intention de favoriser cette communication : “aller à l’étranger permet de comprendre les cultures, les différences et les gens, de s’adapter, de coexister”.

C’est pour ce travail qu’elle a été remerciée le 1er mai à New York. Elle s’est vu remettre les insignes de chevalier dans l’ordre national du mérite par Richard Ortoli, lui-même chevalier dans l’ordre national du mérite et conseiller à l’Assemblée des Français de l’étranger. “C’est un honneur inattendu”, a-t-elle exprimé avec enthousiasme et en avançant quelques mots de français. Elle a gardé un lien très fort avec la France à travers sa belle-famille : “j’y vais régulièrement parce que les parents de mon mari, meurtris, refusent de mettre un pied aux Etats-Unis”.

Lohez Scholar Andres Lizcano Rodriguez Published in Huffington Post World

Lohez Scholar Andres Lizcano Rodriguez Published in Huffington Post World

Learning from Hardship: Colombia's Reintegration Process

Learning from Hardship: Colombia’s Reintegration Process

“This is my most important appointment today,” said Alejandro Eder, the director general of the Colombian Agency for Reintegration (ACR), who spoke to students and faculty at Columbia University on January 28th. Eder, a SIPA alumnus, was visiting his alma mater to discuss the Colombian program for reintegration of demobilized paramilitaries and guerrilla members, whose success has motivated collaboration with 22 other countries.

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Professor Jacques Barzun Dies at Age 104

Professor Jacques Barzun Dies at Age 104

The Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation mourns the loss of Professor Jacques Barzun, who died Oct. 25, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 104.

The Foundation inaugurated and presented the first Jacques Barzun Award for Distinguished Contributions to Trans-Cultural Scholarly Exchange in May 2012, in recognition of Dr. Barzun’s immense contributions to trans-cultural understanding and exchange between the United States and France.

To read an appreciation of Dr. Barzun’s life and work in the ColumbiaNews online, please Click Here.