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Justin Bynum, as the Luard Scholar 2008-2009, spent his junior year abroad studying philosophy at Cambridge University, Homerton College. "I think, therefore I am....a Luard Scholar." Read about Justin's experience at Cambridge here.

Letter to Alumni from Duane L. Hughes, Luard Scholar 1984-1985

 Dearest Fellow Luard Scholars,

Greeting from a plane ride on my way to a week off in Jamaica. My wife of 18 years and I could not sit side by side, so I have some unexpected time on my hands and my Luard alumni contact list. Being in a prolific and sharing mood, I would like to say that I am truly excited about seeing you all November 6-8, 2009 at the inauguaral Luard Scholars reunion in New Orleans at the Windsor Court Hotel, the site of this year's English-Speaking Union Annual Conference members meeting. A look at our group reveals that:

• we are 67 scholars from 15 colleges and universities since 1969 (hence our 40th year anniversary this year);
• 51 of us graduated from one of four undergraduate institutions (can you guess which four?*)
• five of the first 13 scholars have a doctorate or medical degree
• 36 of us attended one of five British institutions (can you guess which five?**); and
• we have among us judges, TV news analysts, bankers, artists, college presidents, professors, homemakers and students.

I myself hail from Howard University and spent my Luard year at the London School of Economics. "Twas a glorious and transformative year for me, both academically challenging and socially intriguing. I spent much of my free time in the LSE's brunch bowl, debating politics and culture with Nigerians, Bermudians, Jamaicans, Bahamians and Ghanaians. My New Year's eve with a friend's family in Scotland taught me to appreciate the value of different celebration traditions (ask me about this in person). A long Spring break camping trip across to Turkey and back with my fellow Luard Scholar and ESU boarding school students highlighted my year abroad. Conversatioins with fellow American students from Colby College, Bowdoin, Wabash and UPenn proved instrumentyal in expanding my vision of future career paths. Indeed, I can trace a line from my year at LSE to my graduate studies at Wharton and Penn Law and to my current career as a corporate lawyer.

About 10 or so years ago, I became involved with selecting the Luard scholar, which has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to relive some memories. In fact, I met James Dessin, a recent Luard scholar in London a few years ago, and he graciously indulged me as I walked him through my old LSE stomping grounds, refreshing experiences then just about 20 years in age.

You can imagine then how disturbing it was to hear that our beloved scholarship might be short-lived due to a dwindling endowment. Thanks to the beneficence and leadership of Larry Morse (ESU Scholar '73-'74), we, Luard alumni and friends, set about to change that course. We have raised over $180,000 toward our goal of $500,000.

We have also:

• established an ESU Ambasssador Book Award awarded to Toni Morrison in honor of the Luard Scholarship's 40th Anniversary
• planned a 40th Anniversary Reunion to celebrate the Luard Scholarship; and
• sponsored an educationsl administrator to attend a seminar at Oxford University in the name of the Luard Scholarship.

We have so far 10 members of our ESU Luard Alumni Association who have paid or pledged dues to the Association, all in an effort to spur community among Luard scholars and to eventually enfow our scholarship.

This is where you come in. Please connect with us. Send us your Luard stories, pictures and articles. Please join and contribute to our alumni association. And most important, come to the reunion in November. We need your help to keep our memories alive in the Luard scholars of the future.

Best personal regards,

Duane L. Hughes, ESU Luard Scholar 1984-1985

*Howar, Spelman, Morehouse, Dillard

**LSE, Oxford, Edinburgh, King's College London

Duane Hughes, Executive Director
Morgan Stanley | Legal and Compliance
1221 Ave of the Americas, 34th Floor | New York, NY   10020
Phone: +1 212 762-5032
Duane.Hughes@morganstanley.com

 

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