Oral history interview with Hillary S. Wiesner, 2012
Oral history interview with Hillary S. Wiesner, 2012
- Name
- Wiesner, Hillary Suzanne (Interviewee)
- Gavrilis, George (Interviewer)
- Title
- Oral history interview with Hillary S. Wiesner, 2012
- Abstract
- Undergraduate studies: 1985 B.A. in religion from Harvard University, participation in Sardis Expedition in western Turkey; Ph.D in religion and discussion of historical conversation and commonalities between religions; discussion of work for UNESCO in France beginning 1993: departure from academic roots, dissatisfaction with work environment; meeting with Vartan Gregorian in 2006; critique of "cla sh of civilizations" concept; influence of family's mixed religious background on studies; study of classical languages; hiring and transition to UNESCO; experience living in Jerusalem in early 1990s; transition to Carnegie Corporation as director of Islam Initiative: intellectual stimulus, busy social atmosphere, development of program to support young Muslim Americans in the arts; first year of grantmaking: need for expanded knowledge of Islam in America, memorable funded and unfunded projects; discussion of "Islamophobia": complications for Carnegie Corporation; influence of Iraq and Afghan wars: experience at UNESCO, current Carnegie grants, scholarship of Vartan Gregorian; expansion of Islam Initiative focus from domestic issues to international affairs; impressions of Vartan Gregorian; relationship between Carnegie Corporation and Library of Alexandria: grants and projects, effects of 2011 Egyptian revolution; discussion of funding decisions and projects funded; involvement with Carnegie Scholars program; reminiscences of high points in philanthropy career; public presence of Carnegie grantees; discussion of 2011 Arab Awakening: personal impressions, resulting developments in Carnegie programming; predictions for future Carnegie initiatives; sense of accomplishment through Islam Initiative.
- Collection Name
- Carnegie Corporation project. Part 3
- Subjects
- Religious educators; Islam; Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations--Political activity; Endowments; Gregorian, Vartan; Wiesner, Hillary Suzanne; Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Format
- oral histories
- Genre
- Interviews
- Date
- 2012
- Physical Description
- 78 pages. + index; 1 digital audio file (77 min.); 1 digital video file (85 min.)
- Note (Biographical)
- Director, Islam Initiative, Carnegie Corporation of New York.
- Note
- Interviewed by George Gavrilis on April 11, 2012.
- Note (Provenance)
- Gift of Hillary S. Wiesner
- Note (Copyright)
- Copyright by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, 2013.
- Language
- English
- Library Location
- Columbia Center for Oral History, Columbia University
Browse Location’s Digital Content - Catalog Record
- 11291648
- Also In
- Carnegie Corporation of New York Digital Archive
- Copyright Status
- In Copyright
- Persistent URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-e19f-5650
- Related URLs
- Transcript
- Available digital content for this interview.