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.
Fulbright Chicago Chapter President Edel Jose welcoming Fulbrighters and guests to the Holiday Annual event.
ON FEB. 2, 2023 the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association celebrated the Annual Winter Reception which included the 2022 Dee Sarelas Service Award Ceremony.
This award was established in 2010 to recognize the contributions of an individual or organization to the development of internationalism and its impact within the Fulbright mission.
Consul General of Sweden Anna E Engstrom Patel, Dr. Edel Jose, board member Dr. Ana Gil García, Fulbright Chicago past president Don Garner, and Deputy Consul Gen France Berangere Travard.
This year’s awardee was Eleftheria Lialios, an educator and photographer who was awarded a Fulbright award to Greece in 1986.
Eleftheria Lialios (center) poses with Fulbright Chicago Chapter board members: Tatiana Orlova, Kate Vergara, Edel Jose, Marilyn Susman, Ana Gil-García and Suzanne McBride.
A retired Professor of Arts, photographer, filmmaker and writer, Eleftheria Lialios, is the President and Founder of 1st Community Darkroom in Chicago. She believes that true internationalism results from the common base and belief that all humans desire knowledge, a way to live peacefully, in safe and decent living conditions.
Fulbright students and scholars enjoyed the camaraderie that brings the Fulbright program in a beautiful setting overlooking Chicago’s skyline.
Before retiring from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Lialios provided international opportunities to students and faculty by bringing them along to see her exhibits, lectures and film presentations in Paris, and Berlin.
Eleftheria Lialios is the recipient of the 2020 Dee Sarelas Service Award which was created in 2009 to recognize a Fulbrighter for their service. Here, with Dr. Edel Jose, president of the Chicago Chapter.
In her words, “at 70, experience has taught me that our potential does not have time frames, age frames, or monetary frames. I am able to give to my students the experience and knowledge of a lifetime, giving them a much-needed clarity and effort to create art out of their own experience, and willing to give it in a constantly changing and what may seem confusing world.”
Dr. Edel Jose, Czech Republic Consul of Economics and Trade Monika Boksova, Attache to Lithuania Lina Akelyte, Vice Consul of Colombia Jonnathan Gamboa and Vice Consul of Colombia Mónica Peña.
In this opportunity, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association recognized Gary Auerbach for his sustained support to our organization over the years. Mr. Auerbach is married to our long-time board member Dr. Marilyn Susman who was part of the team who initiated the Chicago Chapter over 25 years ago.
Gary Auerbach thanking the Chicago Chapter for his recognition as an honorary Fulbrighter for his continuous support to our association.
This holiday event took place at the Sky Lounge of the 727 West Madison Street building in downtown Chicago, overlooking the magnificent downtown skyline.
Fulbright students and scholars, Fulbright alumni, members of the Consular Corps attended the holiday event and 2022 Dee Sarelas Service Award Ceremony.Live music animated the Fulbright Chicago Holiday event.… and our alumni enjoy some dancing!Fulbright students and scholars enjoyed a well-deserved break at the Fulbright Chicago Holiday event.The Fulbright Chicago Holiday event presented another opportunity for Fulbrighters from all over the world to meet and exchange life experiences .
The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association was presented with the Program of the Year Award for its success with the Fulbright in the Classroom Program.
AT LAST YEAR’S annual conference of the Fulbright Association that took place October 6-9, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland, the Chicago Chapter was presented with the Program of the Year Award in recognition of their work with the Fulbright in the Classroom Program. At this conference, that drew over 300 attendees (the first conference in person after the pandemic,) Dr. Edel Jose, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, accepted the award on behalf of the board and the chapter membership.
In August 2010, the Chicago Chapter established the “Bringing the World to the Classroom” initiative, where Fulbright awardees visited schools to deliver the Fulbright mission and shared their Fulbright experience. The Fulbright in the Classroom program has been an integral part of the chapter and its alumni, and during the pandemic, the Chicago Chapter was able to reach out further and promote the Fulbright Program with multiple schools and classrooms throughout each presentation in metropolitan Chicago, continuing with the program for over a decade.
The mission of Fulbright in the Classroom is to teach K-through-college students about other countries, helping them appreciate cultural differences, understand our common humanity, and see the value of travel and international education.
The conference also included a Virtual Art Exhibit that showcased 28 art projects (drawings, paintings, sculpture and photography) produced by Fulbright alumni across the country.
From our chapter, Columbia College Chicago Associate Professor Elio Leturia, who is also a Fulbright Chicago board member, presented his “Málaga Mondrian” mixed media piece that he developed as a side project during his recent Fulbright Senior Award in Spain. View the Virtual Exhibit online.
This piece (72 x 36.5 inches) was made with discarded materials to bring attention to recycling, which Leturia noticed to be an extended practice in Málaga.
COME JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL SPRING EVENT! Enjoy the beginning of the season with fellow Fulbrighters on a guided museum tour of the Swedish American Museum followed by a light lunch reception. Visit Andersonville, one the most popular neighborhoods of Chicago.
Several of our Fulbright students and scholars are completing their programs and getting ready to go back home. This is a great opportunity to meet and share those once-in-a-life experiences that are impacting our lives.
DATE Saturday May 6, 2023 TIME 11:30 am—1:30 pm WHERE Swedish American Museum, 5211 Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640 COST $15 Alumni/Friends of Fulbright $10 Students RSVP HERE (limited capacity)
After the event, enjoy the day walking around the Andersonville neighborhood, known for its Swedish roots and the variety of independent shops in Chicago. Following the Chicago fire of 1871, the Swedish community moved to this area and eventually Chicago became home to the second-largest Swedish population in the world—after Stockholm.
The Swedish American Museum located on 5211 Clark St. in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.
The Swedish American Museum opened in 1976—47 years ago. When the museum moved to its present location in 1987, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden returned for its inauguration. Explore the history of the original settlers, and enjoy a Swedish lunch.
FULBRIGHT ALUMNI! Please consider taking a small group of scholars out for dinner on their last night in Chicago. Each group will navigate one of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods. This will allow the scholars to see what Chicago offers and engage on the small group level.
WHAT Dine with Fulbright scholars WHEN Friday, April 14, 2023 at 6 pm WHERE Meet at Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel at 171 West Randolph St. Chicago RSVP Contact Jenny Uddenberg at PA9@worldchicago.org
||| How does it work?
At the hotel, each dine-around host will meet with their nine Fulbright Scholars and escort them to a restaurant. WorldChicago will provide a CTA pass for each participant, and everyone will pay their individual checks. The dine-around host will also help navigate the public transportation system.
Restaurants from the following neighborhoods have been selected for the evening: Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy, Pilsen.
JOIN WORLDCHICAGO and the Chicago Chaper of the Fubright Association to welcome 100 Fulbright Senior Scholars from around the world as they dive into their Fulbright year! The reception has three main events that will occur (see program below.)
WHAT Fulbright Welcome Reception WHEN Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 5 pm WHERE Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel at 171 West Randolph St. Chicago RSVP Contact Jenny Uddenberg at PA9@worldchicago.org
PROGRAM 5:00 pm Welcome remarks & keynote address Ms. Everly Macario, Public Health Researcher 6:00 pm Networking reception 7:00 pm The history of jazz with the Keri Johnsrud Trio
The History of Jazz group will be presented by the Keri Johnsrud Trio, featuring WorldChicago’s own Ben Gray! This trio will perform and talk about the history of jazz in Chicago.
You are invited to come for one or more of these activities throughout the evening – please join us at 5 or 6 pm!
YOU ARE INVITED to the exhibit “A Sum of Its Parts” that features select work by two distinguished Chicago artists, Phillip J. Capuano, and Eleftheria Lialios.
Capuano is primarily known as a sculptor, though also a documentary filmmaker and photographer.
Lialios, a Fulbright alumna who recently received the 2022 Fulbright Chicago Dee Sarelas Service Award, is a well-established photographer, filmmaker, image-maker, and educator. For over five decades, these artists have pushed the boundaries of their practices.
WHAT “A Sum of Its Parts” exhibit WHEN April 1 and 2, 2023 TIME Between noon and 5 pm (both days) WHERE 1134 W Hubbard Floor 2 Chicago IL, 60642 COST FREE Light refreshments will be served
Utilizing their well-honed skills, both artists tempt and explore their mediums’ alchemistic qualities and nature, successfully shifting certain pre-established norms into unchartered territory.
Known as innovators and warriors, their sensitivities of their visual languages, and their labor-intensive approaches stem from their remarkable life experiences and circumstances. Not surprisingly, they have continued uninterruptedly in devotion to their art making in the face of adversity and turmoil. This brief weekend presentation hopes to raise awareness of these artists’ historical importance and value. It is crucial to bolster their ability to continue building their lifework.
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 