HAA Honors Juniors For Campus Activities

The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) awarded the second annual Aloian Scholarships to two juniors last Saturday, recognizing them for their contributions to house and college life.

HAA named Rebecca L. Berner '90 of Winthrop House and John R. Smith '90 of Leverett House as the winners of the prize, which is awarded to second semester juniors "for their thoughtful, imaginative, and dedicated leadership within the College and unusual contribution to House life," according to a HAA press release. HAA began the grant last year in memory of David Aloian, former HAA executive director and one-time master of Quincy House.

John E. Dowling '57, master of Leverett House, said that all the tutors in the house recommended Smith for the grant.

"He's made a tremendous contribution to Leverett House," said Dowling of Smith, who he said participates regularly in his House Drama Society, intramural sports and tabling for other house activities. "He's full of life and he's the kind of person who exemplifies Leverett House and Harvard."

Recipients of the scholarship are nominated by house masters and senior tutors, and are awarded a monetary grant based on the size of the awardee's financial aid packet. The prize stipulates that the money be used towards their tuition.

Berner, who was cited as "one of the most out-going people at Winthrop House, [with] an energy and vitality rarely seen in someone her age," said she had not known she had been nominated and was suprised when Robert A. Hastings '57, the executive director of HAA, informed her last week of her award.

Smith said that he was less surprised, because earlier in the semester one of his tutors had told him he was being considered for the prize.

Both awardees said they were pleased with their honor. "Regardless of the money, I'm honored that the HAA chose me as a representative, not only of the the house but of my peers, of those who contribute to campus life and the community," said Berner, who is involved in the Phillips Brooks House Association's (PBHA) Inner City Outreach summer camp for Dorchester children and serves as co-director of PBHA's program for the hearing impaired.

Smith said he was glad that this award recognized students who excelled in more than academics. "This award isn't based solely on academic achievement and it's nice to have something like that here," Smith said.