2021 Aloian Memorial Scholarship winners announced

The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) has named Fariba Mahmud ’22 of Winthrop House and Courtney Rabb ’22 of Eliot House this year’s David and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholars.

Each year the Aloian Memorial Scholarship is given to two juniors who demonstrate thoughtful leadership and who improve the quality of life in Harvard Houses. The award is given by the HAA in honor of David and Mary (Mimi) Aloian, faculty deans of Quincy House from 1981 to 1986. During their time at Harvard, the Aloians helped the Houses create a stronger community by incorporating an environment for social and intellectual growth. David also served as executive director of the HAA from 1978 to 1986. During his time, he transformed the HAA to be a more inclusive place. The Aloian Scholarship is given to commemorate the life and achievements of David and Mimi and to highlight the important community House life creates.

Fariba Mahmud ’22 

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Fariba Mahmud of St. George, Utah, is dedicated to making Winthrop House a community that supports all of its residents. As a member of the House Committee — first as community chair and then as co-chair — Mahmud has spearheaded new programming and has been the driving force behind Winthrop’s anti-racism advocacy and support efforts. The ThropDates networking program and the Lion Buddies mentorship program are just a few of the virtual community-building activities she has created for Winthropians. In addition, Mahmud worked with House Committee members to create actionable steps to support Black Lives Matter — including fundraising matching for Black solidarity organizations. Mahmud is committed to building inclusive communities beyond House life, serving as co-president of the South Asian Association and community outreach intern for the Harvard College Women’s Center. Her faculty deans and a resident tutor note, “Her tireless dedication has been heralded by members of the Winthrop community and those Fariba has impacted.”

Courtney Rabb ’22

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Courtney Rabb  of Morgantown, West Virginia, strives to make Eliot House an engaged, creative, and supportive community. Serving on the House Committee — formerly as treasurer and currently as co-chair — she coordinated a Housing Day video that imparted a sense of belonging for House members. Rabb also created the Big Sibling-Little Sibling mentorship program, provided intellectual leadership at an Eliot Faculty Roundtable, and helped to initiate a fundraising campaign for the Black Lives Matter movement. Rabb has made an impact not only on Eliot House but on House life on a larger scale through her service as treasurer of the All House Committee. Rabb balances her House leadership with her service as a peer advisor for the Applied Mathematics Concentration and as an engaged member of the women’s rugby team. Her faculty deans note, “Courtney brings the best of herself, her interests, and her commitments to House life and helps to make Eliot House a home.”