Undergraduate President’s Report – Eliza Mott
Dear Ivy Alumni,
It has been an exciting fall at the Ivy Club. We’ve had surprise visitors, good weather, and new members. The officers and I are enjoying our swanky new digs and being able to walk down to breakfast in our pajamas.
One Saturday night, just two weeks after classes began, our social chair Danielle Mills and I were surprised to receive some calls from Secret Service agents. They were calling to talk to us about an impromptu visit the following day from the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. President Zuma was in town because of the UN General Assembly and decided to visit Ivy thanks to senior member Daghe Osime who had invited the President to speak. Never did I think that in my time as an officer, I would be asked by a Secret Service agent which entrance dignitaries usually entered through. Despite the short notice, President Zuma’s speech filled the Great Hall to the brim—and even commanded an overflow crowd who listened in from the terrace.
This fall, we also welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal Bin Saud of Saudi Arabia. Prince Turki was invited by the Ivy Leadership Committee, the Club’s initiative to provide leadership education to members. Ivy Leadership Committee events remain very popular and highly utilized by members, lectures, and wine tastings alike.
Early in October, we accepted eight stellar new members through our Fall Bicker process—two seniors and six juniors. These members have quickly integrated into club life and bring lots of variety and vigor to the table. They come from all over the world, have entirely different academic interests, and one—senior Martin Barakso, is even going to the 2016 Olympics as a member of the Canadian Olympic Rowing Team.
Speaking of Olympics, unfortunately we did not come out victorious in the annual TI/Ivy Olympics this year. There’s always next year! We did, however, beat TI by a mile in the keg toss, thanks to senior Ben Hummel who gave the toss of a lifetime.
The Clubhouse remains filled with friendly faces, and most night’s dinner is so crowded that we use every table. It probably doesn’t hurt that the food has been wonderful this semester, but either way there is a noticeably strong sense of camaraderie and fun throughout the club each and every day. And yet, we would always love to see more alums! We are looking forward to seeing you all at Homecoming and of hearing tales of Ivy’s past.
Sincerely,
Eliza Mott