The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) has named Grace O’Sullivan ’24 of Adams House and Chibuikem Uche ’24 of Currier House as this year’s David and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholars.
Each year the Aloian Memorial Scholarship is given to two juniors who demonstrate thoughtful leadership and who improve the quality of life in Harvard Houses. The award is given by the HAA in honor of David and Mary (Mimi) Aloian, faculty deans of Quincy House from 1981 to 1986. During their time at Harvard, the Aloians helped the Houses create a stronger community by incorporating an environment for social and intellectual growth. David also served as executive director of the HAA from 1978 to 1986. During his time, he transformed the HAA to be a more inclusive place. The Aloian Scholarship is given to commemorate the life and achievements of David and Mimi and to highlight the important community House life creates.
2023 Winners:
Chibuikem Uche ’24, of Dallas, Texas, spearheads creative and joyful ways to bring Currier House residents together, whether it be through his role as House Committee co-chair, organizing quad formals and watch parties, creating award-winning Housing Day videos, or simply as a “Currierite” striving to build a community of people who support one another. Noticing Sunday evenings were often anxiety-inducing, Uche organized “food drops” from various restaurants in the dining hall to encourage residents to gather and study as a community. In addition to serving as captain to various intramural teams over the years, Uche can be often found rallying House residents to partake in sports they may have very little experience in. His camaraderie on and off the playing field make others feel comfortable and welcome. Beyond House life, Uche is a member of the Student Advisory Committee as well as a Harvard Global Health Ambassador. His faculty deans note, “Chuby’s enthusiasm for athletics, service, and building community in Currier are unmatched among his peers. He seeks to make the most of his opportunities and devote himself with zeal to the betterment of those people and communities around him.”
Grace O’Sullivan ’24, of Weymouth, Mass., strives to make Adams House a home that embodies a sense of belonging where each resident feels as though they have a friend in one another. After serving as community chair her sophomore year, O’Sullivan became chair of her House Committee as a junior, and since then has worked to revitalize many of Adams House traditions by making them more exciting and inclusive. O’Sullivan shifted House tailgates to make them supportive of female athletics and has organized film nights that build cross-cultural connections. O’Sullivan balances her House leadership with her service as a peer concentration counselor, a member of the Harvard women’s rugby team as well as the Harvard Undergraduate Think Tank team, and the HAA’s Alumni Engagement Committee. This past year she served as head of Harvard Student Workers, integral in executing Commencement and reunions. Her faculty deans note, “Grace has consistently been a powerful presence within our community and across the Harvard campus, not only through the incredible work ethic, but also (and especially) through her consistent commitment to creating a genuine sense of belonging.”