Currier Climbs Over the Hill

Currierites old and young cut cake and sipped sparkling apple cider at their House’s 40th birthday party on Sunday.

In a video message, University President Drew G. Faust said, “As President, I am not at liberty to name favorites,” but added that she feels a special connection to Currier, the only undergraduate House in which she has spent the night. Faust cited her friendship with former House Master Barbara G. Rosenkrantz, Harvard’s first female House Master and her personal friend, as explanation for her having slept at Currier.

The birthday celebration included a special dinner, a tree-planting, student concerts, and a ceremony that recognized important members of the Currier community.

As the event opened, students and alumni chanted, “Whose House? C-Haus,” while others shoveled soil over the roots of the newly-planted crabapple tree in the courtyard.

House Master Elizabeth A. Ross said, “The tree is a symbol of Currier. It is really important that we have a tree,” adding that the previous tree had died two years ago.

When everyone returned indoors, Lavinia M. Currier ’79, daughter of Audrey B. Currier ’56, the House’s namesake, gave opening remarks that honored her mother’s legacy.

“She would have been a tree-hugger,” Currier said.

The event took a particular focus on the history of Currier House’s female residents.

Currier’s first House Master, Jerome S. Bruner described Currier’s female residents as being, “tough like nails.”

After Bruner’s speech, celebrants watched a video of Currier’s history that highlighted the House’s notable residents which include Bill Gates, Yo-Yo Ma ’76, and Caroline B. Kennedy ’80.

The birthday party also marked 40th anniversary of Currier’s first graduating class, with many alumni attending Saturday’s festivities.

Blockmates Irene F. Herlihy ’89 and Michelle E. Zavez ’89 said that they felt a strong sense of community while spending their undergraduate years in Currier.

Macken said she decided to come to the celebration because she wanted to reunite with classmates in a closer, cosier setting than a class-wide event might offer.

Alumnus Francis M. Kulash ’76 said he loved living in Currier because he preferred the more open environment of the Currier buildings that foster community.

The party culminated with student performances, which included sets by the Radcliffe Pitches and the Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones.

As the event winded down, House devotees chatted about their love for Currier over cake—one cake featured the House crest and the other was topped with chocolate-covered strawberries.

—Staff writer Eliza M. Nguyen can be reached at enguyen@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Jane Seo can ben reached at janeseo@college.harvard.edu.