The Impact of our 30th Anniversary

I feel incredibly lucky to have been working with the Chair as we celebrated our 30th Anniversary. It was exciting to be able to see a tangible representation of the impact of the amazing work that has been ongoing for three decades. Due to the impact of Covid, it was my first opportunity to see such a large gathering of scholars, friends, and supporters.

We had attendees from across the globe, including Israel, the UK, Mexico, Tanzania, Ghana, Germany, Finland, Norway, Canada, South Africa, France, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Austria, Ethiopia, India, Costa Rica, Ukraine, Brazil, Kuwait, Turkey, Poland, Switzerland, El Salvador, Italy, Spain, Austria, Bangladesh, Honduras, and Egypt.

The program featured remarks from Provost Jennifer King Rice, Provost of the University of Maryland, former students, alumni, and faculty, as well as a presentation from Professor Hoda Mahmoudi. The event also featured videos compiled to highlight the themes and past lectures featured by the Chair.

It was inspiring to learn about the Chair’s past and the foundations on which our current efforts are based. It was particularly touching to hear words from past students and colleagues of the inaugural Chair, Professor Suheil Bushrui, and his successor Professor John Grayzel.

It was fulfilling to see how all of the behind-the-scenes work by Dr. Kate Seaman, Meredith, and I coalesced into such a successful event. A highlight of my night was the opportunity to go on stage and introduce Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, who has been such a wonderful leader and mentor. In addition, seeing the warm smiles of the guests as they reminisced and mingled was heartwarming.

In Professor Mahmoudi’s conclusion talk, she highlighted her hopes for the future and the continuation of the work we must do. I feel honored to be even a small part of that work and legacy, and I will continue to strive for the ideals outlined by the Chair as I move forward.

About the Author

Stella Hudson is a Graduate Assistant with the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2021 with a B.A. in English. She will graduate from the University of Maryland with her MLIS in spring 2023.