Joyous schoolchildren in Mali. Photo courtesy of Global Play.

We are honored to present to you this guest blog post from Carlos Hornstein 05MBA, founder and president of Global Play Foundation.

From Emory to Mali – six years building the future for over 4000 children

When I look back at these past years a sentence once said by Nelson Mandela comes to mind: “it always seems impossible until it’s done”.  I was an Emory MBA student when I first set foot in Mali six years ago, having travelled to the country as part of an elective of the MBA program dealing with international cooperation projects in developing countries sponsored by the Carter Center. I would have never imagined that this trip would change the rest of my life.  I spent weeks travelling around Mali and seeing firsthand the reality that millions of children had to face every day: crumbling schools, overcrowded classes, inexistent sanitary facilities, unqualified teachers, etc….

Play is of primary importance for engaging young minds. Photo courtesy of Global Play.

Coming back to the “western world” the images of those children were playing over in my mind. It was clear to me that I had to do something about it; the time had come for me to take action although I still did not know how. I called my friends and shared with them my concerns for those children and my dream to start a charity that would help improve the living conditions of these girls, boys, their families, their whole community, in order to promote development, eradicate poverty and injustice and allow for a decent life for every human being. It was fundamental to all of us that education would be the pillar of the charity, and sports and play (hence the name, Global Play) would be the means to reach our goals.

The first project, funded by my friends and I, involved building a sports field at Yendouma School. That was back in 2006. Since then, Global Play has grown; we have local permanent staff working in Bamako ensuring continuity to our projects, maintaining relations with the beneficiary groups, the local authorities and the government. Global Play has been recognized officially by the Mali government and we have the undivided support of the Education Ministry as well as the Sports and Youth Ministry.

Five schools have been built in three different regions of the country benefiting more than 4.000 children. We have brought potable water to rural areas, built infrastructures (new classes, latrines for both girls and boys, libraries), donated school material, introduced sanitary elements in schools, taught health and safety measures, created literacy programs for adults, trained teachers, given bicycles so children didn’t have to walk miles every day to reach school and offered medical assistance to all the children attending the schools where we were present. We have worked hard all these years in order to make a dream become a reality; defending some basic human rights such as  primary education, gender equality and health so that everyone can benefit from them.

Photo courtesy of Global Play.

All this could not have been possible without the help of over 78 entities / companies who have believed in our project and supported us both financially and morally. Today the Global Play Family counts with the help of over 1500 “Global Players” and 47 volunteers have already traveled to Mali to share some of their happiness with the children we assist. I encourage you to be part of this big family, visit us at www.globalplay.org to know more about our ongoing projects.

As I said, six years ago I would have never imagined that all this could be possible.  Thank you Emory.

Carlos P. Hornstein 05 MBA, Founder and President GLOBAL PLAY FOUNDATION

Allen has led many professional organizations in his career. As his class representative and 20th Reunion chair, Allen rallied his Emory classmates in 1966 for an unprecedented yet memorable reunion at Atlanta's Playboy Club.

“Everyone must understand three things,” says Walter Allen 46C, now retired from his entrepreneurial career in financial and real estate investment and management.  “First, America is flooded with information on a daily basis.  Second, knowledge comes after investing a great deal of commitment and discipline.  Finally, true wisdom can only be achieved by learning from our mistakes throughout our lives.  All three components work together to make up our education.”

Allen came to Emory from Augusta as a young man to attend classes and serve in the Navy’s V-12 program during World War II.  Influenced by his Uncle Gardner B. Allen 28C 30C 33L, the younger Allen believes that “Emory taught me how to expand my horizons.”  Citing the value of his liberal arts education and his long term leadership at Sigma Chi fraternity, Allen contends that “true education is a journey, not a destination.”

As a husband, father and grandfather on an important journey, Allen is a family man, first and foremost.  Throughout his 57-year marriage to wife, Ann, Allen has deepened his commitments to education, thrift, and civic duty to become a business and community leader. 

A former Junior Achievement leader and devoted Rotary Club member with a 47-year record of perfect weekly attendance at nearly 2,500 meetings, Allen invests in his community by concentrating on dedication and emotional support for the bottom 30 percent of students in local schools.  “It’s one of the biggest flaws in our educational system that we’re often not meeting basic needs of poorly motivated children.”

Allen’s empathy for many under-educated children is clear.  “My heart goes out to these kids brought into the world by parents with no means to support or educate them,” he says.  “Underprivileged children don’t have enough guidance, and role models are critically important.”

As a role model to the disadvantaged youth of Atlanta, he is deeply invested in scholarship and classroom advancement.  “If you invest $3,000 in a third grade child who can’t read and write and give them additional education when they need it most, the long-term effects are invaluable.  Literacy will enable these children to get jobs, to pay taxes, and to ultimately become good citizens and lead meaningful lives. ” He points out that the $30,000 per year cost for each individual in our nation’s prisons would be greatly reduced with this type of early educational intervention.   He contends, “Let’s apply the best of the best techniques from top classrooms around the world to make American schools the best they can be.”

Leading a Rotary International Group Study Exchange in India to observe the educational system was eye-opening.  “We are all God’s children in the brotherhood of man,” he reflects.  “They may have different mores, and their cultural values might vary, but at the core, we all want the same good things for our children.”

He reflects on his own upbringing in the American South.   “My mother gave me great love, and love will get you through,” he says.  “But education is the key.” 

Walter Allen and his wife, Ann, sharing a smile together.

 Savvy saver turned financier

The entrepreneurial spirit took hold early for Walter Allen 46C.  At the ripe old age of ten, Allen conducted his first financial negotiation, bargaining with a barber for a half-price haircut “because my head was much smaller than an adult’s,” he says.  The barber was amused enough to grant the savvy young man a 30% discount. 

From that first transaction forward, Allen made wise financial choices, pocketed his savings, formed the Inexpensive Loan Company and made his first loan of $100 – to his father – at the age of 12.  He recalls his youth fondly.  Creative and enterprising, he says “I’ve always been a thoughtful saver.”

Professionally, this talent for understanding how to make money work served Allen well as he invested in commercial and residential real estate.  After establishing the Allen Motor Company to sell and finance new and used cars, he went on to establish Hertz franchises in Tennessee airports before managing the Italian Imported Car Company.  “Fiats, I found out, didn’t have many buyers in Atlanta in the late 1950s,” he says with a laugh.  His next professional stop was to join Industrial Credit Corporation, the family business founded by his uncle Gardner B. Allen, where he remained until his recent retirement.  Allen and his family now divide their time between homes in Atlanta and Cashiers, North Carolina.   

School garb for Walter in his Emory days.

This Kingsport Theater Guild actor of the year for his portrayal of a sword-wielding Teddy Roosevelt is a family man, first and foremost.  “Family comes first,” he declares, followed in priority by church, Rotary, and fraternity.  He reflects on his journey.  “The more freedom an individual has, the more he has to learn to solve his own problems.  Sometimes it’s hard to be entrepreneurial, but following your passion leads to a very fulfilling life.”

Read more about Allen’s experience as a Navy seaman at Emory.

Dallas-Forth Worth chapter members and guests enjoyed an evening at the Symphony.

Dallas-Fort Worth area Emory alumni and friends gathered recently with Northwestern alumni at the  Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center designed by I.M. Pei to attend the “Masters of Film Event.”  The event featured the music of film composer James Newton Howard, who conducted the orchestra to music paired with movie clips from the respective films. 

“Film director and frequent collaborator Lawrence Kasdan interviewed Howard during the concert,” says Gregory Miller 04B, Dallas chapter president and Senior Manager in Development Planning and Feasibility for Marriott International.  He adds, “Our alumni greatly enjoyed the opportunity to listen to a fantastic orchestra in one of the country’s top concert venues.  Having Mr. Newton describe how he came up with the scores for some of his movies was very enlightening.”

The concert was followed by a dinner reception overlooking the Ellsworth Kelly panels.

Events like these are perfect for making new friends.

Alumni from both chapters sat together along the orchestra floor with great views of the orchestra, the supporting chorus, and “taking in the visuals” of symphony hall.

This event for the chapter is part of “a diverse array of programming throughout the year,” says Miller. He points out that chapter functions like these are a perfect way for alumni to engage in a new community, as did one Emory couple new to Dallas.  Dress code for the evening was reflective of school spirit. “The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter has had a number of events with other university alumni groups with great success and the pairing with Northwestern was no exception.  As the president of the Northwestern chapter told the group, ‘blue and purple go well together.’  I completely agree!”

For more information on getting involved with your local chapter, visit the Emory Alumni Association website.

The evening brought out the smiles!

Alumni, students, staff and friends are all invited to attend the Miller-Ward Alumni House winter open house on Thursday, February 2^nd from 4:30 to 7:00pm.

Looking for a wedding destination or the perfect gathering spot for a family reunion?  Perhaps your business could use an off-site retreat with conference rooms, libraries and garden settings for lunch or dinner.  Consider Miller-Ward, and come preview the facilities during the open house.

“We’re excited to share Miller-Ward with our Emory community,” says Missy Rodil, director of the Miller-Ward Alumni House. “Be sure to stop in! It would be a great time for you to meet our new vendors, taste some yummy foods and delicious wines!”

To reserve your spot, please register online if you are able to attend.  We look forward to welcoming you to your campus home!

Your alumni home away from home

Health care is a multi-billion dollar business that is built on the work of medical doctors, nurses, lab techs, researchers, and other professionals in the studied realm of medicine and science.  But a major component in the success of any health care institution is in its front end personnel – the business managers, finance professionals, scheduling experts, accountants and administrators that keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.   

Emory Healthcare is recruiting new talent to fill roles in many specialties.  “Our requisitions include positions in finance, accounting, business management, front desk administration, and scheduling,” says Hugh Warren, Recruiter for Emory Healthcare.

Warren explains that as a result of the job fair, his team at Emory Healthcare hopes to fill positions with “talent we can promote.” He explained Emory Healthcare’s hiring philosophy.  “We’re looking for those people we can bring in at entry level positions and develop by promoting from within.  We offer a great opportunity.”

Intrigued?  Alumni may register by midnight January 19 to attend the “Recruit Atlanta” Alumni Career Fair.  The fair will be held on Friday, January 20 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

Mark your calendars for this exciting Tenenbaum Lecture event with a presentation by the renowned cultural historian and film expert Neal Gabler.

Admission is free of charge.

Dress to impress

“Recruit Atlanta” Alumni Career Fair

January 20, 11:00am – 3:00pm, Cobb Galleria Centre

Alumni are invited to attend a multi-school alumni job fair to be held in Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria Centre, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, on Friday, January 20th. 

This career fair is co-sponsored by a number of top universities nationwide, including University of Virginia, George Washington University, and others, and MyWorkster.com. Employer registration and job seeker registration is now open.

For a complete list of hiring employers participating in the event, please visit the event registration page.  Registration closes at midnight on Thursday, January 19.

“The innocent have no enemy but time.” — Jay Ewart 03L on the night of Troy Davis’ execution.

Nothing sparks more controversy than a death penalty sentence, and Emory Law alumnus Jay Ewart 03L understands all too well the emotional toll such cases can take on individuals and families.  As a pro bono attorney for convicted murderer Troy Davis, Ewart mounted a complicated appeal that lasted seven years.  With support by his Washington D.C. firm of Arnold & Porter, Ewart was the only attorney Davis requested to be present at the execution.

Following Davis’ execution, in a recorded interview broadcast by Democracy Now!,  Ewart shared his thoughts with the crowd gathered at the prison.  “I had the unfortunate opportunity tonight to witness a tragedy, to witness Georgia execute an innocent man.”

His tone somber, Ewart announced that Troy Davis was executed.  “With him died his quest for justice and the truth.”

Citing that this landmark case could change legal fundamentals going forward, Ewart reflected on the events of the trial.“The innocent have no enemy but time.  And Troy’s time slipped away tonight,” he said. “This case struck a chord in the world.”

Ewart will join Emory Associate Professor of Law and criminal justice expert Kay Levine to discuss complexities of the case, its twists and turns, and the definitive outcome on Wednesday, January 18. The Faculty Within Your Reach program begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open for registration.