Exeter, NH (April 19, 2007)—Continuing its yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of Harkness, Phillips Exeter Academy will host the 22nd annual Robbins Memorial Symposium, a panel discussion and student assembly on Monday, April 23, 2007. The evening’s event will be held in the Phelps Academy Center, located on Tan Lane, in the third-floor Forum, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
 
The morning assembly, entitled, “The Asian University for Women—Envisioning a New University for Women’s Leadership in Southeast Asia,” will be given by M. Kamal Ahmad, president and CEO of Asian University for Women Support Foundation, created to establish the first all-women’s residential international university in Asia. This event is closed to the public.

The symposium held that evening will be entitled, “Social Entrepreneurialship: New Pathways Out of Poverty.” History instructor Richard Schubart will moderate. Panelists for the discussion include:

M. Kamal Ahmad ’83—Ahmad previously served on the General Counsel staff for the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines. Before working for two law firms, where he focused on corporate mergers, acquisitions and U.S. Federal Securities law, Ahmad also worked with the World Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation and UNICEF.

Thomas Haslett ’79—Senior Advisor with the Foundation Strategy Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating social progress by advancing the practice of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility through advice, ideas and action. Before FSG, Haslett worked in the investment management industry for 18 years, and several years in the nonprofit sector. He also led City Year’s effort to build a youth mobilization program (City Year South Africa) in Johannesburg, South Africa. He helped start, and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Bantwana Initiative, providing financial and technical support to children orphaned and made vulnerable by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Jennifer Sarja ’91—Executive Director of YouthInkwell Publishing, a nonprofit corporation in Pasadena, CA, which gives students the opportunity to write and/or illustrate their own books, and publish them to raise money for social causes relating to youth and education. After writing a screenplay adaptation of The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Sarja moved to California and began developing writing programs for private institutions. After joining a delegation of women with Save the Children in Ethiopia and Uganda, Sarja returned to the United States and launched YouthInkwell for students in grades 4–12. Since 2005, the organization has published more than two books, written by the students. All proceeds go to funding wells in Ethiopia and Uganda. Each of these communities have committed to a 50-percent enrollment of female students in the schools being built adjacent to the wells.

Dennis Whittle ’79—Chairman and CEO of GlobalGiving, founded in 2000 by two former World Bank executives who use the Internet to directly connect donors to projects throughout the globe via their “public” website and traditional giving services. During his career in official aid, Whittle has worked with the Asian Development Bank; USAID; served with the World Bank in Indonesia, and with Bank Russia.

The Robbins Memorial Symposium was established in honor of the late David C. Robbins, an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy, class of 1978. Robbins went on to Brown University, where he did extensive research on the problems of developing countries. He was also a research assistant in the Institute for East West Securities. Robbins researched—academically and through travel—the roots of poverty, famine and revolution.

Harkness teaching and learning began 75 years ago with an educational experiment that placed 12 students and one teacher around an oval table. It remains the hallmark of Exeter’s educational philosophy. Philanthropist Edward Harkness, Principal Lewis Perry and a group of senior faculty transformed almost every aspect of school life and influenced secondary school education nationwide. The Harkness plan offers a generous opportunity for dialogue and the ability to hear the voice of each student. The Harkness table places students at the center of the learning process and encourages them to learn from one another.

For the rest of the school year, lectures, exhibitions and visits from a distinguished group of Harkness Fellows will be a part of the celebration for this historic Harkness milestone. Many of the featured guests are alumni/ae, who will each spend several days on campus attending classes, meeting with students and faculty, and giving talks.

For more information, please call Rick Schubart at (603) 777-3589. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. For more information on other events, contact the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309, or visit the Academy’s News & Events page.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 26 foreign countries.

Learn more about other events associated with the Harkness 75th Anniversary Celebration