TWO-TIME FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR and current executive director of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission in Sofia, Bulgaria, Angela Rodel is visiting Chicago. “As a literary translator who was able to learn Bulgarian thanks to a Fulbright student grant way back in 1996, I will presenting my latest translation ‘The Case of Cem’ by Vera Mutafchieva,” Rodel says. She is inviting the Fulbright community to this literary event where Rodel will be discussing the book with the editorial director of Words Without Borders, Susan Harris.
WHATThe Case of Cem book discussion
WHO Angela Rodel and Susan Harris
WHEN Feb. 7, 2024. 6:00-7:00 PM
WHERE Seminary Co-op, 5751 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL60615
About the book: It’s 1481, and as seen from the centers of power in Rome and Venice, the cultures of Europe are under threat from the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. When the exalted Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror dies, his eldest son, Bayezid, takes the throne. However, discontented factions within the Ottoman army urge Mehmed’s second son, Cem, a well-educated and experienced warrior, to oppose his brother’s ascension, igniting a ruthless power struggle and forcing Cem into long years of exile, a pawn for European rulers who are desperate to preserve the order they have imposed on the continent over the course of centuries.
The Case of Cem, Vera Mutafchieva’s celebrated novel of court intrigue, maintains lasting resonance for being a personal exploration of emigration and loss set in the historical era during which the politics of the East and West were sketched out with utter clarity. These early lines of demarcation, as voiced through Christian and Muslim emissaries, greedy leaders, unflinching soldiers, and lyrical poets, have indelibly influenced the world as we know it today.
About the author: Rodel, originally from Minnesota, is a literary translator who holds degrees from Yale and UCLA in linguistics and ethnomusicology. Eight Bulgarian novels in her translation have been published in the US and UK. She has received NEA and PEN translation grants, including an NEA grant for her translation of The Case of Cem. Her translation of Georgi Gospodinov’s Physics of Sorrow won the 2016 AATSEEL Prize for Literary Translation, and her translation of his novel Time Shelter won the 2023 International Booker Prize.
ON BEHALF OF THE FULBRIGHT CHICAGO MENTORING PROGRAM we are thrilled to announce the Fulbright Chicago Chapter’s first kick-off event of the year! Mark your calendars for an evening of captivating storytelling and cultural exploration.
📅 WHEN January 16, 2024
⏰ TIME 6:00 PM Central Time
Join us as Fulbright Alumni Alan Teller and Jerri Zbiral take us on their incredible journey of “Following the Box” from Chicago to India.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTA mysterious shoebox discovered at an estate sale, filled with photographs and negatives from India in 1945, sparked a quest for Chicago couple Alan and Jerri. Their journey led them halfway across the world as they sought to unravel the history behind these fascinating images. In India, they collaborated with local artists, inspiring a unique body of work that reflects a cross-cultural dialogue between past and present. This project, initiated with a Fulbright award, showcases the enduring power of art to bridge cultures and time.
JOIN US ONLINE To be part of this extraordinary event, please join us via Zoom at the link below:
We warmly invite everyone to join us in experiencing Alan’s and Jerri’s journey. This event promises to be not only an exploration of art and history but also a celebration of our shared human experiences across different cultures.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Mete Ozgurses and Marilyn Susman on behalf of the Fulbright Chicago Chapter
“THE FIVE-MINUTE FULBRIGHT” presentations will be delivered at the Fulbright, U.S. Department of State & CCGA Extravaganza on Jan. 25, 2024 at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Every Fulbright experience is unique. They range over a vast number of fields, areas of interest, cultures and regions of the world. Each Fulbright alum can speak for an entire evening on their experience however, this is different. We will have five Fulbright alums summarize their Fulbright experience in five minutes each.
Each Fulbright presentation can have up to three slides and must include your country, year, and topic/research project.
1) Slides can be pictures, words, whatever you prefer.
2) Make it interesting – hit the best parts of your experience, include whatever you want to help share the richness of your Fulbright experience.
DEADLINE has been extended to Jan. 15 at midnight, by completing the short application on the link below:
IN CELEBRATION OF 2023 International Education Week, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association invite you, your friends, family, and colleagues to a presentation of Chicago architectural history. The talk will focus on Chicago’s major historical events, and how those events lead to pioneering innovations in architecture and structural engineering that have influenced the building of modern cities around the world.
The presentation will be led by Dr. John Zukowsky, an art historian with numerous honors and professional positions including that of Curator of Architecture at the Art Institute of Chicago. The lecture will take place at the Hull House Museum which is part of the Art and Architecture College at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC.)
Whether you’re a Chicago native, or visiting from halfway around the world, this will be an excellent opportunity to learn about some of the most fascinating facts about the architecture of our wonderful city and its impact on industrial development, commerce, world-wide architectural innovations, and lives of those who make Chicago their home.
WHAT Presentation on Chicago’s architecture, Q & A, and networking WHEN Wednesday, November 15, 2023 4:00pm-5:30pm WHERE Hull House Museum Dining Hall 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60607 COST This educational event is presented to attendees at no cost. Refreshments will be served. RSVP Click on the linkRSVP
Dr. Edel Jose, Marketa Klicova, Nicole Robinson and Vera Komarova.
By Mary Mares-Awe—THE CHICAGO CHAPTER RECENTLY held a Women’s Empowerment Forum at the University Club of Chicago. The forum focused on women in leadership roles, and examined some of the influences, motivations, and inspirations that helped them achieve top positions in their fields.
The event, which took place on Oct. 5, was organized in partnership with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago. Vice Consul Veronica Boksova opened the meeting followed by an introduction by Fulbright Chicago President, Dr. Edel Jose, who moderated the forum.
Attendees at the Women’s Empowerment Forum.
Some 40 participants including the Consul General of the Czech Republic, Jakub Uteseny and Sergejus Tichomirovas, Commercial Attache of the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania, visiting Fulbright scholars, Fulbright alumni and students attended.
The panel featured Vera Komarova, CEO of Dermacol, a flagship makeup company in the Czech Republic. She traveled to Chicago to participate in the forum. Also part of the panel were Marketa Klicova, a PhD student, and a researcher in nano technology with an internship at Harvard University, and Nicole Robinson, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
The forum coincided with the National Women-Owned Business Day, and also the National Do Something Nice Day. Those two concepts were woven into the topic and discussion of the day. The three panelists shared highlights of their background in the business, science, and community service fields. They related how the influence of mentors, their own experiences, and education lead to their current leadership roles.
Dr. Edel Jose, Marketa Klicova, Nicole Robinson,Vera Komarova and Vice Consul Veronika Boksova.
Nicole Robinson, who after spending many years at the corporate level, said she felt a strong need to take her experience and knowledge and apply it working with the community. She spoke with great enthusiasm about the many programs at the YWCA designed to empower women. She emphasized the importance of education for girls as she described the science and math focused programs. She relayed her own story of growing up on Chicago’s south side, as a young girl and how her grandmother instilled in her a love of books and learning. “ My grandmother who moved to Chicago from Arkansas worked hard, and she knew the importance of education. She always brought home books for me,” Nicole recalled.
Marketa Klicova, who is currently working on developing new approaches to postoperative intestinal healing using nano technology, credits her parents who were very supportive and influential in her becoming a scientist. She says there is a great future in the application of nano science technology in the medical field. She’s been working as a researcher at Harvard University in the field of nano technology and its application in medicine. She said it’s important for young girls to develop their interests early and focus on STEM studies for their future careers.
Vera Komarova, CEO of Dermacol, a Czech makeup company with a history dating to the early 1960’s when it became an integral part of the Czech movie industry providing make up to film starts of the silver screen and television. She mentioned how growing up, “I was a tomboy, not much interested in make up or dressing up” but all that changed when she grew up. She partly credits men for their advice that led to her becoming a business leader. “My first boyfriend wanted me to study languages, so that I could be a stay-at-home mom to our future six kids and work from home as a translator,” she said with a smile. That relationship did not last, but her interest in language and business studies did. She speaks five languages. While still a student, she obtained an internship at the Ferrero Rocher chocolate company in Italy. The owner of the company noticed her office skills and recommended she move up to the marketing department, where she learned valuable business skills.
As the CEO of Dermacon, Vera has been named for eight consecutive years, one of the most influential women in the Czech Republic by Forbes Magazine. Just as Nicole and Marketa, Vera highly values education. In addition to her CEO role, she founded the Leonardo da Vinci Academy in Prague. “Leonardo da Vinci said, ‘if you live a long life, you have to make yourself useful, ’ ” she said with a bright smile, explaining her reason for starting the international school.
Consul Gen. Jakub Uteseny, Chicago Chapter President Dr. Edel Jose,Vice Consul Veronika Boksova and Fulbright Chicago Board Member Mary Mares-Awe.
On a more serious note—as for the importance of promoting women in leadership, the panelists agreed that women sometimes are not as supportive of each other as thy ought to be. All acquiesced that women should make more of a consorted effort to help other women get ahead though mentoring, friendship, or just being “nice” in order to help other women get ahead in their careers. Petty jealousy doesn’t help anyone, it just creates problems,” one of the panelists added.
The forum was followed by a reception where the lively discussion continued in small groups.
The inaugural event of the 2023-24 Fulbright Chicago Chapter took place at the Cliff Dwellers Club in downtown Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan.
By Ellie Kallgren—THE FULBRIGHT CHICAGO CHAPTER kicked off the academic year with our inaugural Fall Celebration on Sept. 29 at the Cliff Dwellers Club in downtown Chicago. It was our biggest turnout ever, with 159 people attending.
Renowned pianist Elizabeth Doyle with Chicago board member Linda Spoletti.
Elizabeth Doyle graced the event with delightful piano throughout the evening as everyone mingled. It was the perfect way to meet Fulbrighters, both alums and new fellows, along with 22 consular corps members from a multitude of countries ranging from Japan to Argentina. It was a true testament to the power of the ” people-to-people” program that is Fulbright.
Attendees mingled on the patio overlooking Lake Michigan and Millennium Park.
Kim, a Fulbrighter from Myanmar, spoke eloquently about how the political crisis in Myanmar inspired her to pursue education in order to bring stability to her country and how Fulbright has given her the resources to pursue an education degree as well as the inspiration to strive for change in the world. The stories and backgrounds that made up the room gave life to an event that lasted well past closing time.
Fulbrighters enjoy an evening surrounded by camaraderie, networking and new friendships.Fulbright Chicago chapter Treasurer Adam Fuss and President Dr. Edel Jose with Dr. Bruce Douglas.
The highlight of the evening was a moving speech by none other than the Chicago Chapter’s co-founder, Dr. Bruce Douglas. Dr. Douglas is a retired maxillofacial surgeon and Navy veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War. He spoke about first meeting Senator J. William Fulbright in 1944 while serving in the Navy: “We met in the dining room of the Senate where he was discussing an interest in promoting people to people contacts following the war,” Douglas said. This dining room conversation eventually led to the foundation of the Fulbright program in 1946.
Mary Mares-Awe, Dr. Bruce Douglas, Janet Douglas and Dr. Edel Jose.
Dr. Douglas spoke to the continuing importance of the Fulbright program today in a world and country that have become deeply divided, and he expressed optimism at seeing name tags in the room from countries that a few decades ago “only existed in the realm of bullets and guns.” Though today it might feel as though connections have been lost, Fulbright is keeping the people-to-people connections alive in Chicago and around the world.
We also heard from the Chicago Chapter President, Dr. Edel Jose, as well as other board members about upcoming events, including the kick-off to the Fulbright Chicago Mentorship Program and upcoming Women’s Empowerment event.
The Fulbright Chicago Board across generations, including our new board members alongside the Chicago Chapter co-founder, Dr. Bruce Douglas.
It was a fabulous evening full of networking, friendship, and people-to-people conversation. Thanks to the Cliff Dwellers Club for the spectacular, historic venue and supplying us with delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
As usual, Fullbrighters from around the world come together to share and enjoy the Fulbright spirit.A group photo towards the end of a wonderful evening.
THE MENTORING PROGRAM of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association enters its third year. We start a new cycle this month and you are invited! All new and continuing mentors and mentees will gather for an orientation and pizza party (Chicago deep dish pizza, anyone?), overlooking the Chicago River.
WHEN Friday, October 13, 2023 TIME 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM WHERE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 325 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED Please contact Marilyn Susman at marilynsusman@me.com if you cannot attend.
Dr. Marilyn Susman presenting to mentors and mentees during the 2022-23 Mentoring Program kickoff last year.
Prior to the event, the mentor-mentee matches will be announced.
Plan to meet your match and learn about:
The mission and goals of the mentoring program
How to get the most from the Mentoring Program
Tips for mentors
Tips for mentees
How to access university and community resources
Enjoy deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s Restaurant! Meet the Chicago Fulbright community! Have fun!
COME JOIN US FOR THE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT FORUM! The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association along with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago invite you to a speaker forum followed by a reception at the University Club of Chicago.
DATE Thursday Oct. 5, 2023 TIME 2:00 pm < WHERE University Club of Chicago 76 E. Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60601 COST Free
SPEAKERS Věra Komárová, CEO Dermacol & Founder of Leonardo da Vinci Academy Nicole Robinson, CEO YWCA Metropolitan Chicago & Founder of Southside Giving Circle Markéta Klíčová, Nanoscientist, Young Innovator of the Year Audience Choice Award 2018
VĚRA KOMÁROVÁ She was born in Prague. At the age of 14, she stood on Prague’s Wenceslas Square and participated in the Velvet Revolution. At a time when freedom of speech was only an illusion in Czechoslovakia, she actively transcribed information on a typewriter and distributed it to mailboxes. She studied foreign trade and then languages (she speaks 7 languages) and pedagogy at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. During her studies, she got the opportunity to spend 3 years in Italy at the universities of Siena, Ferrara and Milan. After graduating from university, she worked in the marketing department of large international companies Ferrero and Colgate-Palmolive. When she learned about the Dermacol brand— its amazing history, great products – she immediately fell in love with it and fell in love with her work. During her more than 20 years tenure, Dermacol has increased its turnover more than twentyfold, and the brand ranks among the best-selling cosmetics in the Czech Republic. Dermacol is now distributed in 60 countries around the world. Věra Komárová presented the brand in, among others, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the USA, Poland and Brazil. In 2016, Věra was on the cover of Forbes magazine and ranked among the 75 most important women in the Czech Republic. She supports the Zdenka Žadníková foundation fund, which beautifies hospitals and social facilities with paintings and poetry. It is associated with the support of the Happy Hearts Foundation, which builds safe schools in countries affected by natural disasters. She herself participated in volunteer work during the construction of a school in Nepal. In 2020, she became the author of the Help beauty project for the Be Charity foundation, which helps children with disabilities. Věra Komárová is a mother of 3 daughters. And in 2021, it opened the Czech-British School Leonardo da Vinci Academy.
NICOLE ROBINSON Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Nicole R. Robinson has spent her career building bridges between communities, individuals, government and business leaders. Today Nicole serves as the Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, a human centered organization dedicated to empowering women and eliminating racism. As a fierce advocate for women, girls and justice, Nicole is inspired by the resilience of the families who turn to YWCA for family supports, economic opportunities and collective healing. Prior to joining YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Nicole was the Chief Partnership and Program Officer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository where she designed strategies to expand food access while tackling the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and racial inequity. Her food justice advocacy resulted in a $10MM investment in the emergency food system and she inspired the reimagination of Chicago’s entire food system as one the of the co-creators of Chicago’s first ever Food Equity Council. Before joining the social sector, Nicole began her career in corporate finance supporting various business units and would go on to lead the corporate foundation for Kraft Foods and Mondelez International. Nicole resides in Bronzeville on Chicago’s South Side and is the founding leader of Chicago’s first ever South Side Giving Circle focused on reducing inequities faced by Black women and girls.
MARKÉTA KLÍČOVÁMarkéta is working on the development of novel nanofibrous patches for covering the intestine after operations and thus preventing serious postoperative complications. Challenging research is conducted in close collaboration with clinicians, who lack such material on the market. Together, they believe that the newly developed material will save the lives of patients after surgery. Markéta has won numerous awards for her research, e.g. during the international finals of the Falling Walls Lab 2018 breakthrough ideas competition in Berlin, she won the prize “Young Innovator of the Year – Audience Award”. She was recently awarded by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi in cooperation with the French Embassy in the Czech Republic; Markéta won the first place for the best pharmaceutical research in 2023. In 2020, Professor Donald E. Ingber from Harvard Medical School accepted Markéta as an internship student, thus she participated in the unique development of the organs-on-chip. Based on these and previous scientific results, Forbes magazine placed her in the prestigious ranking of successful young people (30 under 30). Markéta is dedicated to supporting and supervising other students who participate in the field of tissue engineering and biomedical research at the Technical University of Liberec. She regularly publishes her results in international scientific journals. Markéta is also involved in the business environment, collaborating on the development of biotechnological products with the Czech company IQS Group. It is important for her to transfer the results of scientific research into commercial products. At the beginning of 2023, she was also selected for the unofficial advisory team of the Minister for Science and Research, Ms. Helena Langšádlová. Together with the whole team, she is dedicated to improving the conditions of Czech science and to motivate young people into starting research.
THIS IS OUR FIRST EVENT of the 2023-2024 season. The Chicago Chapter Board of the Fulbright Associationinvites you, your family, colleagues, and friends to attend the Fulbright Chicago Fall Celebration! We will have a reception in a beautiful setting with live music by pianist Elizabeth Doyle.
WHEN Friday, September 29, 2023
TIME 6:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE The Cliff Dwellers, FL 22 200 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604
COST$30 [Fulbright Alumni & Friends of Fulbright] $15 [Fulbright Scholars and Students] Free [Consular Corps]
RSVP by September 25, 2023 [This is a Limited Capacity event] Click to RSVP
DRESS CODE Strictly Business Casual
This occasion will provide an opportunity to welcome our recently arrived new Fulbright students and scholars, and after the summer break, to reconnect with old friends, and make new connections with alumni, visiting scholars and students, members of the Chicago Consular Corps, and friends of the Fulbright program. The reception will take place at the historic Cliff Dwellers Club on the 22nd floor, overlooking Millennium Park.
Please note that you are responsible for your own transportation and/or accommodation to and from the event. Use www.transitchicago.com to plan your route! Parking: Metered Street Parking, parking garages and valet is available at own cost.
The Spring Farewell took place in the Swedish American Museum in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.
CLOSING OUR 2022-2023 academic year, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association organized the Spring Farewell event at the Swedish American Museum in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.
As Fulbright students and scholars are getting ready to return back to their countries, this event offers the opportunity to recap their Fulbright experience in the U.S. and the space to share stories.
The Swedish American Museum was founded in 1976. The participants visited the installations led by a guide.
According to TimeOut magazine, “Andersonville, the historically Swedish enclave on the far North Side, was voted the coolest neighborhood in America and the second-coolest neighborhood in the world, following Copenhagen’s Nørrebro.”
Participants enjoyed a Swedish lunch in the new remodeled museum space that also serves as an art gallery.
Karin Abercrombie, Executive director of the Swedish American Museum, welcomed the participants explaining the different exhibits the museum offers, prior to starting the tours. Divided into three groups, the guests visited the different rooms with documents and artifacts that showcase the history of the Swedish immigration to Chicago.
A lunch that included Swedish meatballs, cucumber salad, lingonberries tea, and chocolate dessert gave us all the opportunity to network and enjoy time sharing our international stories.
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 