Honors Due

Each year the HAA awards the Harvard Medal to three individuals who have rendered extraordinary service to the University. At the association’s annual meeting on Commencement day, President Neil L. Rudenstine will honor Samuel C. Butler ’51, LL.B. ’54, Victor K.-K. Fung, Ph.D. ’71, and Myra A. Mayman.

Samuel Butler was chief marshal for his twenty-fifth reunion and is gift chairman for his fiftieth, this year. He chaired the Harvard College Fund from 1977 to 1984, served as an Overseer from 1982 to 1988, and was president of the board in his last year. In addition, he has been a member of the HAA Overseers/Directors Nominating Committee, held office at the Harvard Club of New York City, and been an alumni interviewer. A John Harvard Fellow, he is a member of the National Major Gifts Committee.

Victor Fung, who earned his doctorate in applied mathematics, has played a central role in creating Harvard’s East Asia Center and in heightening the University’s presence throughout that region. He has been president and vice-president of the Harvard Club of Hong Kong and a member of the visiting committees to East Asian Studies and the Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the FAS Advisory Committee to International Studies and the executive committee of the Committee on University Resources.

Myra Mayman is retiring in June after 27 years as founding director of the Office for the Arts at Harvard (see "’Co-curricular’ Creativity," May-June 1999, page 68). Under her leadership, the number and variety of programs in theater, dance, music, and visual arts have increased exponentially, and she was instrumental in launching ArtsFirst, the popular arts festival now in its ninth year. She is also an honorary associate and former master of Cabot House.