![I would advise [others] to see where their passions and the university’s needs intersect. It’s a wonderful place to be](images/harmon-proessorship_quote_01.gif)
Harmon Family Professorship Dedicated
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Although as an alumnus, Brown parent, and former Corporation trustee, James A. Harmon ’57, P’84, P’91 had returned to campus many times in the past, March 19th was, for him, particularly memorable. On that day, surrounded by family members, Harmon witnessed the dedication of the Harmon Family Professorship of Africana Studies. Highlights included a day-long symposium—“Africa and the World: The Politics of Freedom”—and a lecture by Anthony Bogues, the inaugural Harmon Family Professor.
“I was delighted to participate in the event,” said Harmon. “Professor Bogues is an outstanding communicator and thinker in African studies. The leadership of President Ruth Simmons combined with the enthusiasm for this chair and for Africana Studies made it an exciting time.”
Bogues was equally pleased: "The Harmon Family Professorship has been central to my work over the past year. It has allowed a group of scholars including myself to work on the many histories and forms of 20th century African Literature. As well, it helped me to begin an interdisciplinary project on Africana political thought.”
Founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Harmon & Co. – a financial services firm – Harmon formerly chaired the Corporate Council on Africa and the Commission on Capital Flows to Africa and was the Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States under President Clinton. Additionally, he pioneered a $1 billion lending program for the export of HIV-AIDS-related pharmaceuticals and supplies in sub-Saharan Africa.
“I’ve been working on African matters for many years, so this professorship is a wonderful merger of my interests in Africa and my relationship with Brown University,” said Harmon. “I would advise others thinking about giving to do the same: see where their passions and the university’s needs intersect. It’s a wonderful place to be.”
Barker has been supporting the University in myriad capacities for more than 50 years: two-term trustee, donor, campaign vice chair, overseer of the Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown Sports Foundation board member and much, much more. His giving spans 85 discrete categories ranging from the Brown Annual Fund to undergraduate research. His awards – the Brown Bear Alumni Award for outstanding volunteer commitment (2000), the Sports Foundation Joukowsky Award for Distinguished Service (2003), chief Alumni Marshall (2007) – are equally impressive. In addition, Barker, retired Chairman of Capital Guardian Trust and Vice Chairman of Capital Group International, has recently been named chair of the board of the San Francisco Ballet.
Funding financial aid, however, is closest to his heart: “It’s important that Brown continue to be an economically and culturally diverse institution,” says Barker. “That can’t happen without making significant financial aid available. This initiative makes it possible for young people of talent to get a first-class education and gives all those who believe in need-blind admissions an opportunity to invest in the future of Brown. Just having a hand in that is a great feeling.”
