A Filipina has been hailed as one of the newest members of Harvard University’s second-highest governing body and is the first Filipino-American to bag such position.
Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine was one of six new members elected by Harvard University’s alumni. She takes on a seat as part of the university’s Board of Overseers, as reported by Rappler.
She was among those chosen from eight candidates who were nominated by the Harvard Alumni Association committee.
Joining the Filipina as the newest members of the Body are Philip Hart Cullom, Meredith “Max” Hodges, Marilyn Holifield, Diego Rodriguez, and Yvette Roubideaux.
They will all, except for Rodriguez, serve for 6 years on their new post.
Other Overseers include former US presidents Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
Acuña-Sunshine was born in Roxas City in the Philippines but later moved to the US in the 80s. There, she finished her bachelor’s degree in Harvard College and took her masters at the Kennedy School of Government.
When she was a freshman at Harvard, she worked as a consultant at the office of former Senate President Jovito Salonga in 1989.
After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Acuña-Sunshine the took up law at Columbia University, where she graduated in 1999.
“It’s never been about me. All this knowledge [at Harvard], what is it for if not to elevate humanity? Harvard gave me this beautiful gift that had some people in it,” Acuña-Sunshine said in an interview with Rappler.
“I bring to Harvard the gift of creating community because I know that no matter how brilliant you are, life is meaningless when you are alone. It is so important to always find and be with people who inspire you, who make you want to be a better person, and who constantly yet lovingly challenge you to stretch and expand both mind and heart,” she added.
Acuña-Sunshine is the wife of fellow Harvard alumni Gabriel Sunshine who is also co-founder of Boston-based hedge fund company Bracebridge Capital.
She is also a cousin of former senator Mar Roxas.
Photo credit: Harvard University
