Campus & Community

From Mexico to Texas to Cambridge

5 min read

On recent trips, President Faust promoted the continued value of higher education

As they visited Mexico and Texas, Harvard President Drew Faust and Vice Provost for International Affairs Jorge I. Domínguez reinforced the University’s deep and longstanding ties there, met with alumni and faculty, and, in Dallas, promoted the continued value of higher education.

Highlighting Harvard’s scholarship in Mexico, Faust toured the archaeological digs at Teotihuacan, a nearly 2,000-year-old temple complex outside Mexico City, with Bill Fash, the Charles P. Bowditch Professor of Central American and Mexican Archaeology and Ethnology, whose work has helped alter researchers’ views of the site. She also met with leaders of the Fundación México en Harvard, A.C., which was established 25 years ago to provide financial support for residents accepted to graduate and postgraduate programs at Harvard. To date, nearly $12 million has been awarded to make the University a reality for hundreds of students from Mexico. At an event titled “Your Harvard: Mexico,” Faust spoke to an audience of nearly 500 alumni.

In Texas, Faust made the “case for college” to a group of hundreds of high school students, teachers, and guidance counselors from across Dallas, and in the evening helped celebrate the centenaries of the Harvard Clubs of San Antonio and Dallas.

Ernest E. Monrad Research Professor of the Social Sciences Charles Rosenberg (from left), Museo del Templo Mayor Director Carlos Javier González, Harvard President Drew Faust, and Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas Director Renato González Mello converse before walking to the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The view inside the archaeological zone of the Museo del Templo Mayor. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Drew Faust (from left), Museo del Templo Mayor Director Carlos Javier González, and Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico Jorge Domínguez tour the archaeological zone in Mexico City. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The courtyard at the Palacio Nacional. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The main stairwell at the Palacio Nacional and the mural by Diego Rivera depicting Mexico’s history. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Drew Faust (left) and Clara Bargellini, Ph.D. ’74, are pictured at the Palacio Nacional. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Drew Faust (left) and Hector de Jesus are pictured at the Mexico City National Cemetery. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The Aztec sun stone at the Museo Nacional de Antropología. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The Museo Nacional de Antropología. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The Temple of the Moon in Teotihuacan. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Charles P. Bowditch Professor of Central American and Mexican Archaeology and Ethnology Bill Fash (from left) leads Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development Tamara Rogers and President Drew Faust through the site at Teotihuacan. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Professors Bill Fash and Brian Farrell identify the carvings that decorate the basement walls as evening primrose. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
A panel discussion begins “Your Harvard: Mexico” at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso. Speakers included Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico Jorge Domínguez (from left), Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Mary Schneider Enriquez, Alejandro Ramirez Magana, Warren Alpert Professor of Business Administration Laura Alfaro, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Dean Julio Frenk. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
A view of the audience during “Your Harvard: Mexico.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico Jorge Domínguez (from left) makes remarks and honors Enrique Tellez Kuenzler, Antonio Madero Bracho, Alfredo Elias Ayub (not pictured), Rene Solis Brun, Rodrigo Sanchez-Mejorada, and Felipe Ortiz-Monasterio at the Fundación México en Harvard 25th anniversary celebration. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
President Drew Faust makes her remarks. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
President Drew Faust (right) tours Frida Kahlo’s home, La Casa Azul (Blue House). Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
In Dallas, President Drew Faust visits Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Students played jazz music during the event. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
President Drew Faust meets students including Arlesia Grace McGowan (from left), Kennedy Porter, and Clara Allan, in the library at the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
President Drew Faust delivers her speech, “The Case for College.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Students including Lashaun Morgan (from left), Kennedi Mayes, and Cristina Flores listen to President Drew Faust. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy, Daniel Nocera, spoke on the Revolution of Energy on Saturday, October 25, at the Your Harvard: Dallas event in Dallas, TX. Alumni and their families from in and around Texas came for the two-day event, complete with a dinner gala and musical performances on Friday night, and faculty and alumni panels on Saturday. Photo by/Will Halsey
Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust speaks to the future of Harvard on Friday night, October 24th, at the Your Harvard: Texas. Alumni and their families gathered for a two-day event in Dallas, TX, complete with an evening diner gala, musical performances, and faculty and alumni panels on Saturday. Photo by/Juliette Halsey