91̽��

This year’s Henry R. Heyburn ’39 Speaker, Professor Bonnie Miller spoke with students about how historical images from the 19th century convey and perpetuate the state of race relations in America during that period. Ms. Miller is associate professor of American Studies at University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her research focus is the role of visual and other popular media forms in shaping the politics of gender and race.

“We can gain insight into popular beliefs of the past by studying images from that period,” says Professor Miller. “Images are historical documents, not illustrations. Each image has its own story to tell.”

Professor Miller shared examples of advertisements for minstrel shows from the mid-1800s, in which white actors performed as black characters, depicting African Americans as lazy and unintelligent. Professor Miller says these shows, which were widely popular across the country, “spread a united image of blacks to both rural and urban populations in the North and the South” causing people to “see these perceptions as normal.”

Twenty years ago, Travis Roy became paralyzed from the neck down when he hit the boards 11 seconds into his first college hockey game. With students on Wednesday, Mr. Roy spoke impassionedly about setting goals, meeting challenges, showing respect, and the power of love.

“There are times in life when we choose challenges and set goals, and there are times when challenges choose us. How we handle those challenges defines who we are,” says Mr. Roy.

He spoke about his earliest memories of skating on the frozen ponds around Yarmouth, Maine, where he grew up. Hockey became his passion. One night, during his freshman year of high school, he wrote down three goals: play for a Division I college team, play for the NHL, and play for the U.S.A. Olympic team.

“From that night on, I had a path. I knew where I wanted to go, and I just had to put in the effort,” says Mr. Roy, who spent many nights alone on an ice rink practicing his skating and shooting skills.

These past several weeks, the Community Service Board has been preparing to brighten the holidays for many. This time each year, 91̽�� students and adults raise money and purchase gifts for local children and families in need, through nonprofit organizations and the Department of Children and Families. This year, students, faculty and staff purchased 30 winter coats for children of the Brookview House. Students gave children their gifts at the Brookview House holiday party. At this festive event, children dove into arts and crafts and took in performances by 91̽�� students.

The Community Service Board also partners with the Department of Children and Families to purchase “wish list” gifts for 30 children. Individuals or advisor groups sponsor a child, providing a little extra joy. Finally, students raised over $1,400 to create food baskets for families, providing potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce—all the fixings—along with gift cards for purchasing a turkey or ham. 91̽��’s elves work tirelessly, in the lead up to winter break, to raise enough money for gifts and supplies in time for the holidays.

As 2015 comes to an end to make way for a new year,  as a reminder of what makes 91̽��, 91̽��. From stage productions to athletic contests, from Harkness tables to off-campus programs, students are living by our motto, “Dare To Be True.” You make these outstanding learning opportunities possible. See your 91̽�� Fund gift at work in these images.

Professor Warren McFarlan ’55 has a long and distinguished career in business education. On Wednesday morning, he leveraged his Harvard Business School professorial skills for the benefit of 91̽��’s Class I and II students, as this year’s Hong Kong Lecturer.

“There is no question that China will be a global leader in your lifetime,” he began, “but will they be the future, world economic leader?” This is the question that he and his colleagues probe in their recent book titled, Can China Lead? Reaching the Limits of Power and Growth.

“What built China in the last 35 years is not what will build them in your professional life,” he continued to students. “Almost everything you are wearing right now was made in China. However, the country is moving away from a manufacturing economy and toward a consumer driven economy—and this will pose challenges.”

The fall performing arts season closes with an intense look at friendships, marital relationships and parenting in God of Carnage, a play originally written in French by Yasmina Reza. This is a 1212 play, a 30-year 91̽�� tradition featuring intimate productions with small casts, minimal technical demands, and challenging material for both actors and audience.

Each fall—in conjunction with 91̽��-Nobles Weekend—young alumni from 91̽�� and Nobles face-off in a challenge off the field: To see who can give the most gifts in support of their school, in the month leading up to the big weekend. The hard work of 91̽��’s ambassadors and alumni volunteers brought home the Mustang win with a final score of 224 to 207.