Eleanor White AB '67 LF '79, Barry White AB' 64 JD' 67, Dean Julio Frenk, Anders Ryssdal LLM '86, Teresita Alvarez-Bjelland AB '76 MBA '79

The recently established Harvard Club of Norway (HCON) held its first official gathering on the occasion of Harvard School of Public Health Dean Julio Frenk’s visit to Norway. Approximately 100 alumni attended a reception at the US Ambassador’s Residence on the 19th of March, traveling to Oslo from all over Norway (Stavanger, Bergen) and even from London, where they were hosted by US Ambassador Barry White AB' 64 JD' 67 and his wife Eleanor White AB '67 LF '79. Ambassador and Mrs. White have been supportive of the newly launched club and were thrilled to host Dean Frenk for this event.

After greeting the assembled guests, Dean Frenk delivered his remarks on the importance of public health before elaborating on four serious threats facing global health today: infectious diseases and pandemics, unhealthy lifestyles and environments, poverty and unequal health access, and ineffective health systems. He concluded his talk by addressing what the School of Public Health is working on now as it marks its centennial before taking questions.

Alumni relished the opportunity to hear from a leading faculty member in this critical field and to hear about Harvard’s current work both in Cambridge and around the world. The reception also provided an opportunity to mingle and catch up with old friends as well as meet fellow alumni from across the University over wine and cheese.

During the reception, HCON President Anders Ryssdal LLM ‘86 surprised Ambassador and Mrs. White by making them Honorary Members of the club. In a fitting tribute to her instrumental efforts in establishing the new club, Ryssdal and the new board also named Teresita Alvarez-Bjelland AB '76 MBA '79, HAA Past President, as Honorary Chair of the Club. Many attendant members were happy to note that Teresita will continue to be of central importance in HCON’s activities in Norway!
 
Fresh from the success of this inaugural event, the HCON board will hold its next meeting after the Easter holiday. Please contact Anders Ryssdal at hcnorway@post.harvard.edu if you would like additional information about the Harvard Club of Norway.