The 2016 Spring Farewell started at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum
By Mary Mares-Awe—SIXTY FOUR FULBRIGHT alumni, students, scholars, and friends of the association attended the 2016 Fall Welcome that took place on Sunday October 16 with a visit to the Jane Addams Hull House Museum on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The museum tour was followed by a luncheon at Francesca’s on Taylor, located in the Little Italy neighborhood adjacent to the university.
The Jane Addams museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Fulbright Association Chicago-Chapter President Mary Mares-Awe and board member Kari Burnett
At the Jane Addams museum, visitors got a first-hand look at the objects and memorabilia of the social worker’s original home. Jane Addams is a notable figure in Chicago’s history and on the international stage for her work with the immigrant communities, who were settling Chicago in the late 1800 and early 1900’s. Her pioneering work in social justice helped improve the lives of immigrants through education, skills training and family care. She is the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
At Francesca’s Restaurant in Little Italy
Following the museum visit, the attendees took a walk through Little Italy to Francesca’s restaurant at 1400 W. Taylor Street. There they were greeted at the door by Cristina Sisson Tamm, the chapter’s Treasurer, and by Teuta Peja, a Fulbright student who is the newest member of the board’s membership committee.
Board members of the Chicago Chapter Kari Burnett, Meredith McNeil, Mary Mares-Awe and Marilyn Susman enjoying an Italian meal.
At Francesca’s, the guests enjoyed authentic northern Italian meal including pasta, meatballs, salad and a wonderful and delicious tiramisù for desert.
Meatballs, anyone?
In an informal speech at the start of the luncheon, the chapter’s president, Mary Mares-Awe, welcomed everyone and encouraged the new visiting Fulbright students and scholars to enjoy many of the iconic elements of the American culture. “If I could give you one piece of advice, it’s to take the opportunity to really absorb the best the American culture has to offer without comparing,” she said. Mary went on to mention some of the American classics such as jazz and baseball, namely the Chicago Cubs — which brought a rousing round of applause, acknowledging the teams winning streak.
Chicago Chapter Treasurer Cristina Sisson (second on the right) with Fulbright scholars.
The pleasant and warm atmosphere of Francesca’s proved conducive to lively, friendly conversations, and real Fulbright camaraderie on a fall Sunday afternoon in Chicago.
Past Chicago Chapter President Margo Rothschild (second on the left) with Fulbright scholars
Fulbright students and scholars at Francesca’s Restaurant in Little Italy
Fulbright students and scholars at Francesca’s Restaurant in Little Italy
Fulbright students and scholars with Chicago Chapter President Mary Mares-Awe at Francesca’s Restaurant in Little Italy
Fulbright students and scholars at Francesca’s Restaurant in Little Italy. Kevin Spitta (first on the right) has joined the communications efforts for the chapter.
Group photo showing the international Fulbright spirit!
Photos by Kevin Spitta
Kelly-Lowenstein currently teaches journalism at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He will discuss his recently published book, The Chilean Chronicles. The work is a compilation of writing during Jeff’s 2013 semester at the University Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile. The book reflects on the impact of the Pinochet regime on Chilean society, from a historical perspective, and on the country’s still-emerging democracy through recounting stories that would otherwise go untold.
The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association invites you to the screening of “Tita Turns 100,” a bilingual (Spanish-English) documentary produced and directed by Elio Leturia (left), 
After the short film, local singer 
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 