USAP Forum 2009 Beckons, Brown is waiting!
Welcome message by Dominic Mhiripiri, Brown University, Rhode Island
Karibuni kiKuu chuo chaBrown
Tigashire kuBrown
Welcome to Brown!
The countdown begins to the fifth annual Forum of the United States Student Achievers Program (USAP) at Brown University. From May 29 to June 2 2009, over a hundred and fifty USAP students, alumnae, administrators, partners, guests, speakers and sponsors from over twenty countries across four continents will descend on the beautiful "College Hill" for a series of academic and social exchanges as well as mapping out the future of the program. This year's theme is the thought-provoking USAP In The Times of Change, which captures the global upheaval across economic, academic, social and political spectra - and there could be no better venue this time around, than Brown.
Brown is nestled right on the apex of College Hill, which towers majestically over the highest rises of nearby downtown wonders of the historic city of Providence. With the finely chiseled campus-wide architecture in a trademark brown / classic red color, and the small Victorian-era halls and buildings that surround the main campus, summer should be the time that brings the most striking view of the university. By Ivy League standards, Brown has a small, neat and almost 'portable' campus that delegates can expect to explore with great ease and to their maximum enjoyment. The main halls like Salomon, Sayles, Wilson, McMillan and Kassar Fox are ideal venues for all the forum's dialogue-based seminars and activities. The relaxing environment around the Main Green offers a great outdoor spot to sit, play games, take photos, or hold 'chisero' seminars [ where with legs curled in a traditional fashion, delegates sit to talk or play games. ChiShona, "kupfunya chisero"] The O.M.A.C. Sports Center gives access to world-class fitness and athletic facilities. High-quality turf fields outside the Center will a home sweet home for the soccer-crazy USAP students from Africa, South America, Asia and Europe who will converge for the traditional "USAP Cup of Nations" during the conference.
Founded in 1764, Brown University, a leading Ivy League institution, is the only major research university in the United States where undergraduates tailor their own course of study, under the famed 'Open Curriculum'. According to an official university website, Barron's Guide to the Most Competitive Colleges has described Brown as "the perfect university for self-motivated and confident students who desire an education [they create] on their own terms." Therefore the welcoming atmosphere of open-mindedness that is customary at Brown should already await delegates when they come to the Forum. The school is has its own USAP legacy of alumnae and current students. The latter, namely Tichakunda Mangono '10, Munashe Shumba '11 and Dominic Mhiripiri '12 have been instrumental in serving the organizing committee of the 2009 Forum. USAP program founder Rebecca Zeigler Mano graduated from Brown in 1987 and USAP student Bernard Matambo received his Masters degree from Brown in 2007. At Brown, you will also find a family of other Zimbabwean students like Lucinda Mataka, Sharon Makava, Anastasia Verghis, AC Zaranyika, Sharon Lee and Mila Owen, who have been extremely helpful in organizing the forum. However, all the planning has been happening with invaluable support and guidance from Andrea Van Niekerk, Associate Director for Brown's Admissions office and various contributions from USAP institutions and colleges.
During the conference, delegates should expect an avalanche of thoughtful discussions and meaningful exchange though seminars, lectures and presentations. Themed USAP In The Times Of Change , the discussions and other engagements at this year's Forum will probe more into the current global economic recession, the landmark US presidential election, political analyses on Zimbabwe and other USAP countries, students activities after graduation, reflections on grad school admissions, USAP giving back to community, academic and social enrichment of the program and the next USAP forum. The Forum will feature dynamic presentations and speeches from many distinguished guests and speakers, including keynote addresses from [Amai] Mano and Brown's iconic president, Mrs. Ruth Simmons. There will be breakout sessions and smaller groupings to allow maximum interaction amongst delegates and therefore more sharing across the delegates' diverse nationalities, languages, cultures and well as racial and academic backgrounds.
Delegates should look forward to much organized and informal entertainment, and should feel free to be fully participating in all of the programs lined up for the forum. The organizers continue their hard work to raise funds and plan, and all USAP participants in all their schools across the nation should take part in that process of finding financial and other ways to make the 2009 Forum an outstanding one.
Meanwhile, College Hill beckons in the horizon… and with open arms Brown is waiting for you all.
MHIRIPIRI DOMINIC
Brown University '12.
Forum Organizing Board