Tag Archives: Don Garner

Condensed information on the international students current status

THIS PAST JULY 20th, 2020, immigration lawyer Don Garner offered a webinar to the Fulbright community to explain the current status of international fellows  conducting studies in the United States.

Mr. Garner generously shared his presentation with us so we can learn more about the situation and share it with others who could not attend his webinar.

To see the presentation Power Point, click New Immigration Constraints for Students.

Mr. Garner is President of the LL.M. Law Group, and Past President and current Consular Corps Liaison of the Fulbright Association-Chicago Chapter.

 

Webinar: What the new immigration constraints are? How they will affect foreign students?

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL months, President Trump announced a new set of restrictions for international students in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the recent lifting of the immigration ban for international students to pursue studies under the online mode delivery, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association is hosting a webinar for any questions that may remain.

Don Garner, left, President of the LL.M. Law Group, will discuss these new restrictions, what they are and how they will impact international students. Mr. Garner is Past President and current Consular Corps Liaison of the Fulbright Association-Chicago Chapter.

This webinar, presented via Zoom, will allow for a discussion followed by Q&A.

WHAT New Immigration Constraints for Students: What They Are and How They Will Affect Foreign Students

WHEN Tuesday, July 21, 2020

TIME 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Central Standard Time

HOW Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83952764641?pwd=dDI1NURXVHhhSHBxaytxVXdUL0didz09

Password: 170963

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13126266799,,83952764641#,,,,0#,,170963#  or +16468769923,,83952764641#,,,,0#,,170963

Dial by your location:
US: +1 312 626 6799
+1 646 876 9923
+1 301 715 8592
+1 669 900 6833
+1 253 215 8782
+1 346 248 7799
+1 408 638 0968

Webinar ID: 839 5276 4641

Password: 170963

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdO00RgEAt

This webinar is sponsored by the Fulbright Association-Chicago Chapter.

Welcome to Chicago, Fulbrighters!

Welcome to Chicago, the Windy City.

ON A SLIGHTLY overcast but fortunately rainless autumn day, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association welcomed Fulbrighters from all over the world. The first event of the academic year was an architectural tour on the Chicago River that gave us the opportunity to present the beauty of the city of Chicago to the newcomers, and share it with the local Fulbright alumni.

Sixty eight people participated in the 2018 Fall Welcome.

“Sixty eight Fulbrighters, between members of the association and Fulbright students and scholars have come to participate in this event today,” said Meredith McNeil, president of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association. Students and scholars not only from Chicago universities but also from from Champaign-Urbana, Normal-Bloomington and Dekalb participated in the event.

At the base of the Wrigley Building, where the tour started.

The Wendella Tours boat left its wharf at the base of the Wrigley Building and sailed the Chicago River bypassing the south branch to reach the Willis Tower (ex-Sears Tower, the second tallest building in the United States.) There it turned around and came back to cross under Michigan Avenue and continued until entering Lake Michigan, from where we all could appreciate the skyline of this wonderful city.

Fulbright students and scholars enjoying the tour.

Among the buildings that stood out in this tour are the Marina City, built in 1964, the Merchandise Mart— that in 1930 became was the largest building in the (372,000 m2) and had its own postal code—the IBM building, the Civic Opera House, the NBC Tower, the Carbide and Carbon Building with its gold leaf top, the 333 West Wacker Drive building and its dramatic curved, green glass façade to the most modern Lake Point Tower and Aqua buildings, to cite just a few.

The Trump Tower, the second tallest building in Chicago.

At the end of the tour, the group moved to the Howell’s & Hood Restaurant, in the Tribune Tower building, another architectural wonder, where the scholars, students and members of the association shared a lunch and moments of friendship and camaraderie.

The entire group!

Fulbright students and scholars enjoying a good time at the lake.

Lifetime Fulbright Association member Jane Florine, an ethnomusicologist who did her Fulbright in Argentina.

Scholars and their families participated in our Fall Welcome.

Past recipients of the Fulbright Dee Sarelas Service Award Marilyn Susman (2010) and Ana Gil-García (2012).

The view from Lake Michigan.

Judy and Serafín Veramendi, and our boat tour guide.

Fulbright Chicago past presidents Elio Leturia (2011-12), Ana Gil-García (2008) and Don Garner (2007).

The city views from Lake Michigan are spectacular.

In this Fulbright group, Spanish was the language of choice.

At the patio of Howell’s & Hood Restaurant.

Three current Fulbright scholars. At the center, Teuta Peja from Kosovo.

Poland, Kosovo, Mexico and Peru are represented in this Fulbright group.

The food line is always a good place to get to know each other!

Another Fulbright group (all Argentines, and one Mexican) having a good time.

Good luck on your way back home! 2013 Spring Farewell was celebrated in Greektown

The first group of participants pose at the rooftop of the museum

The first group of participants pose at the rooftop of the museum

THE NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM  and the Parthenon Restaurant in the Greektown area of Chicago were the spots chosen this year to celebrate the accomplishments of the Fulbright students in the Chicago area that have completed their programs and are getting ready to leave for their countries of origin.

The second group gathers at the first floor for a talk.

Participants gather at the first floor for a talk.

More than 70 participants among Fulbright students, alumni and guests got together at 11 a.m. at the new Hellenic Museum site for a tour of the facility. The museum, whose mission is to showcase and celebrate the contributions of the Greek and Greek American communities, was inaugurated 16 months ago, in December of 2011.

The second floor exhibit area of the Hellenic Museum

The second floor exhibit area of the Hellenic Museum

The new museum (the original was founded in 1983) is hosted in a contemporary and beautiful 40,000 square-foot building that features a library, several exhibition halls, and archival research center, and oral history center and different classrooms. There is also a rooftop (that can be rented for events) that has a magnificent view of the Chicago skyline.

Participants observe the historical photographs of the exhibit

Participants observe the historical photographs of the exhibit

After the museum tour, a delicious Greek buffet was awaiting at The Parthenon Restaurant

After the museum tour, a delicious Greek buffet was awaiting at The Parthenon Restaurant

The participants were divided into two groups to tour the museum.

Every year in late April, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association and the Institute of International Education organize the Spring Farewell event in an ethnic neighborhood.

Participants can try on clothing used by the the Greek immigrants

Participants could try on clothing used by the the Greek immigrants

Certificates of completion are awarded to the Fulbright students who came to the Chicago area universities to pursue, generally, a master’s or PhD degrees. Last year, the Swedish neighborhood in Andersonville was chosen with a visit to the Swedish American Museum.

However, the Fulbright scholars, who generally are professors and researchers, are also invited to share the accomplishment of the students.

After the tour, a delicious Greek buffet was offered at the Parthenon Restaurant, right across from the Hellenic Museum where everybody had a chance to share moments of conviviality, celebrating the Fulbright spirit.

The second group listens to the tour guide, a passionate descendant of Greek immigrants

The second group listens to the tour guide, a passionate descendant of Greek immigrants

At the third floor of the museum, participants participate with interactive programs

At the third floor of the museum, participants participate with interactive programs

Fabiënne Zuijdwijk, Marilyn Susman and Martón Sicklos

Fabiënne Zuijdwijk, board member Marilyn Susman and Martón Sicklós

Chicago Chapter Board member Don Garner and his daughter at the Oral History archive

Chicago Chapter Board member Don Garner and his daughter at the Oral History center

Participants at the Oral History archive

Participants at the Oral History center

Marcial Escudero and his girlfriend right before the tour

Fulbright scholar Marcial Escudero and his girlfriend right before the tour

Participants listening to the tour guide at the rooftop

Participants listening to the tour guide at the rooftop

It was a beautiful spring day for the 2013 Fulbright student farewell.

It was a beautiful spring day for the 2013 Fulbright student farewell.

The Greek buffet at The Parthenon Restaurant, right across from the Hellenic Museum

The Greek buffet at The Parthenon Restaurant, right across from the Hellenic Museum

Students share a delicious lunch at the Parthenon Restaurant right before getting their Fulbright Association certificates of completion

Students share a delicious lunch at the Parthenon Restaurant right before getting their Fulbright Association certificates of completion

Alexandra de León receiving her Certificate of Completion right after lunch at the Parthenon Restaurant. With her, Ronald Harvey, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

Alexandra de León receiving her Certificate of Completion right after lunch at the Parthenon Restaurant. With her, Ronald Harvey, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

Another Fulbright student receiving her Certificate of completion at the Parthenon Restaurant

Eva Borjas receiving her Certificate of completion at the Parthenon Restaurant

A group photo of the students who attended the event and got their certificates.

A group photo of the students who attended the event and got their certificates. No, they are not possessed; that’s the flash on their eyes. So many cameras shooting at the same time.

Ten Fulbright Association Chicago chapter board members attended the Spring Farewell: Heidi Rockwell, Kari Burnett, Regina Mamou, Marilyn Susman, Elio Leturia, Ana Gil García, Cristina Sisson, Thomas Ahleman and Ronald Harvey. Not pictured, Jason Romano and Don Garner.

Ten Fulbright Association Chicago chapter board members attended the Spring Farewell: Heidi Rockwell, Kari Burnett, Regina Mamou, Marilyn Susman, Elio Leturia, Ana Gil García, Cristina Sisson, Thomas Ahleman and Ronald Harvey. Not pictured, Jason Romano and Don Garner.

Photos by Ron Harvey and Elio Leturia