Meet Our Alumni...
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Political debate was frequent in the Pearson household, and entering college during an election year (Dukakis vs. Bush Sr.) influenced her choice of major. Already knowing that she wanted to study in Kenya, she chose an African studies minor, and joined the Kenya Program in 1990. “The outcome of tackling a difficult situation is not always positive—there will be failure—but challenges present the possibility for personal growth,” she says in reflecting on her experiences there. Similarly, her involvement with triathlons has further developed this “can do,” or “can try,” attitude. In the 2000 Boston Triathlon, she earned the Rookie of the Year award. She competed in the Triathlon Long Distance (2.5-mile swim, 75-mile bike, 18.6-mile run) World Championships in Sweden as a Team USA member in July 2004. Robley Moore ’91 connected Pearson with her first job after graduation, at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Realizing that an advanced degree would be beneficial, she enrolled at the London School of Economics in 1995. Her desire to combine writing and editing with her interest in international affairs brought her to her current position at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. A trustee of St. Lawrence, Pearson says one personal benefit has been “the opportunity to interact with professional and civic-oriented minds. The trustees seek a diverse array of opinions, and value contributions from all perspectives,” she says. “Serving provides an ongoing inspiration: to develop and execute a vision of the future.” Her experience in Kenya prompted Pearson to begin an alumni magazine column devoted to the program. “I volunteered to spearhead ‘Habari Gani?’ (‘What’s the News?’ in Swahili) to create and maintain an enduring network among current students, faculty and Kenyans, and the many Kenya alumni,” she explains.
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Amanda Pearson ’92