'Hakuna matata' for Africa-bound dean

For the second time this year, the position of Harrison College House dean is changing hands. Early this September, a Harrison House graduate associate, Richard Haavisto, stepped in to replace Art Casciato as House Dean. Yet after a mere three-month stay, he is moving this week to pursue his academic interests. In keeping with his interest in African society, the Anthropology graduate student is taking a position with Amnesty International as a member of a three-person team forming to investigate allegations of human rights violations in seven countries in Central Africa. "Amnesty International is sort of my dream job, so it's kind of the ideal opportunity. As much as I've enjoyed my job as dean, I'm looking forward to this opportunity that fits my education and background," Haavisto said. During his three months as house dean, Haavisto has added more culturally focused events. "Harrison College House has been unique among the college houses in its sense of community. In the past, they've had a lot of social events, and I'd also like to see a lot more just getting together to explore a theme or a culture," he said. Along these lines, Haavisto pointed to a Friday night Shabbat dinner held by the house's Jewish Life liaison. "We had about 25 students show up, only one of whom was Jewish. The students got excited about having these types of events once a week or month," he said. To advance relations between students and faculty, Haavisto organized such academic events as a dinner where students were offered a perspective on the preparation involved in preparing lectures and writing books. Casciato, the previous house dean, was known around campus for his knack for giving personal attention to students. He planned events ranging from trips to boxing gyms to parties honoring Frank Sinatra. He left at the beginning of the semester to run Penn's new undergraduate research hub. Yet some students said Haavisto had continued in Casciato's tradition. Citing the house's new video rental library and various improvements to the rooftop lounge, College senior and Harrison House Council member Christine Cialdella, for one, said Haavisto was an important figure in improving the facilities. "He did a lot in the time that he was here. He's really good with helping people and very accessible," she said.