Latest news with #Verghese
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Harvard commencement speaker decries Trump administration's 'draconian government measures'
Stanford professor Abraham Verghese spoke out against the Trump administration's "cascade of draconian government measures" at Harvard Thursday as the White House continues to battle the elite university. The physician and novelist was Harvard's 2025 commencement speaker, where he also received an honorary degree from the university. During his address, Verghese acknowledged that he was speaking at an "unprecedented moment" in the school's history amid President Donald Trump's attempts to cut the school's federal funding and terminate its student visa program due to reports of rampant antisemitism on campus. "A cascade of draconian government measures has already led to so much uncertainty, so much pain and suffering in this country and across the globe, and more has been threatened," Verghese said. "The outrage you must feel, the outrage so many feel, must surely lead us to a new appreciation for the rule of law and due process, which 'til now we took for granted, because this is America." Harvard Graduate Criticizes University For Fighting Trump More Than Antisemitism Verghese added that he agreed to be the commencement speaker to promote the value of immigrants like himself as Trump cracks down on illegal immigration. Read On The Fox News App "What made me eventually say yes to President Garber had everything to do with where we all find ourselves in 2025, when legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country, including so many of your international students, worry about being wrongly detained and even deported," Verghese said. "When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps it's fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me." "Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom here, just as generations of other immigrants and their children have flourished and contributed in every walk of life, working to keep America great." He later related his experiences caring for HIV patients in a small town in Tennessee at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, saying the experience taught him that "love trumps all bigotry. Love trumps ideology." Verghese also celebrated the school pushing back against the Trump administration as an inspiration. Harvard Professor Urges University To Embrace Ideological Balance Amid Clash With Trump Admin "More people than you realize are grateful for Harvard for the example it has set," he said. "By your clarity in affirming and courageously defending the essential values of this university, and indeed of this nation." Verghese's speech came after Harvard President Alan Garber addressed conservative viewpoints being seen as unwelcome on campus. He called it a "problem" that needs to be solved. Fox News Digital reached out to Harvard for article source: Harvard commencement speaker decries Trump administration's 'draconian government measures'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
A PIO physician treats Harvard grads to life lessons
A PIO physician treats Harvard grads to life lessons TOI correspondent from Washington: By his own account, graduates at Harvard University's convocation ceremony on Thursday deserved to hear from a star, a legend, a Nobel prize winner, or perhaps even the Pope. But tasked with delivering the commencement speech by the university's embattled president Alan Garber, currently locked in an epic battle with the Trump White House, Abraham Verghese, physician and author of Indian-origin, proceeded to dissect MAGA-infused USA with the precision of a surgeon, although he is an infectious disease specialist. "When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country including so many of your international students worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps it's fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me," Dr Verghese told the graduating class, recalling a journey that brought him to America from Ethiopia, where he was born, via India, from where his parents hailed and from where he obtained his MBBS (from Madras Medical College). He recalled that both countries went through authoritarian rule, and the journey had led him to an appreciation of American values that were now under siege. Without once mentioning the US President's name or MAGA, Abraham told the largely anti-Trump assembly that a cascade of draconian government measures had already led to uncertainty, pain, and suffering in America and across the globe—and more has been threatened. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com o Fungo Undo "The outrage you must feel, the outrage so many feel, also must surely lead us to a new appreciation. Appreciation for the rule of law and due process, which till now we took for granted—because this is America after all! And appreciation for those committed to truth—veritas--at a time when the absence of truth has come to feel almost normal," he said to applause. Author of acclaimed novels going back to his 1994 debut with My Own Country: A Doctor's Story, about his experience with the onset of AIDS in America, Verghese said a part of what makes America great is that "it allows an immigrant like me to blossom here, just as generations of other immigrants--and their children--have flourished and contributed in every walk of life, working to keep America great." America also allowed this immigrant to find his voice as a writer, he said, citing the novelist E.L. Doctorow, who wrote, 'It is the immigrant hordes who keep this country alive, the waves of them arriving year after year. Who believes in America more than the people who run down the gangplank and kiss the ground?' The new grads tittered at the many subtle digs Verghese took at the White House occupant, including referring to "the trait of reading fiction in some of the best physicians and leaders I have met, including your President, I mean your university's if you don't read fiction, my considered medical opinion is that a part of your brain responsible for active imagination atrophies." He also referred to courage of the AIDS-afflicted he had treated, and in an oblique dig at MAGA told the graduating class "They taught me about manhood—not the caricature of manliness, not the posturing that has become so fashionable lately—but the manliness that allowed them to be compassionate, generous, and steadfast even in the depths of their suffering."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Harvard commencement speaker pushes message of unity amid university's battle with Trump
Harvard's commencement Thursday was defiant and celebratory, with speakers stressing the values of diversity and truth amid the school's legal battles with the Trump administration. Dr. Abraham Verghese, a Stanford professor, author and infectious disease physician who was this year's commencement speaker, began by acknowledging the 'unprecedented moment for Harvard University in this institution's almost four-century existence.' The commencement came just days after a senior Trump official told NBC News on Tuesday that the administration intends to ask all federal agencies to find ways to end their contracts with the school. The move would result in an estimated $100 million in cuts at the university and is the latest in tense sparring between the administration and the Ivy League institution. Verghese said that when he was asked to speak at the school's 374th commencement, he felt the graduating class deserved to hear from a Nobel Prize winner or the pope. But what made him agree to address the crowd of some 30,000 people Thursday morning, he said, 'had everything to do with where we all find ourselves in 2025.' 'When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country, including so many of your international students, worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps it's fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me,' he said to raucous applause. 'Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom here, just as generations of other immigrants and their children have flourished and contributed in every walk of life, working to keep America great," he said, in a reference to President Donald Trump's campaign slogan. 'The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you,' Verghese said. For months the Trump administration has gone after higher education institutions, Harvard in particular. In April, the school announced that it was rejecting a list of 10 demands the administration said the university needed to make to address antisemitism. The requirements included banning international students who are 'hostile to the American values and institutions.' As a result of Harvard's noncompliance, the administration said it was freezing more than $2 billion in grants, leading Harvard to hit back with a lawsuit. The school waged another lawsuit against the administration last week after the federal government said it would revoke the university's ability to enroll foreign students. On Friday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the policy. Murmurs and some cheers were heard at commencement Thursday after a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administration's revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Verghese told students in his commencement address Thursday: 'No recent events can diminish what each of you has accomplished here, graduates. I also want you to know you have the admiration and the good wishes of so many beyond Harvard, more people than you realize." 'A cascade of draconian government measures has already led to so much uncertainty, so much pain and suffering in this country and across the globe, and more has been threatened,' he said. 'The outrage you must feel, the outrage so many feel, must surely lead us to a new appreciation for the rule of law and due process, which till now we took for granted, because this is America.' Harvard President Alan Garber did not address the clash with the administration as openly, but received a loud ovation immediately upon welcoming the class of 2025 Thursday morning, and an even louder ovation when he welcomed 'students from around the world, just as it should be.' Several graduating speakers also spoke to the values of diversity. Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, who is from China, said when she grew up, she believed the 'world was becoming a small village.' 'I remember being told, we will be the first generation to end hunger and poverty for humankind,' she said. Jiang, who studied international development, said her program was built on the 'beautiful vision that humanity rises and falls as one.' 'We're starting to believe those who think differently, vote differently or pray differently, whether they are across the ocean or sitting right next to us, are not just wrong, we mistakenly see them as evil,' she said. 'But it doesn't have to be this way.' Harvard's battles against the Trump administration have drawn praise from many prominent figures. On Wednesday during a graduating class ceremony, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said in a speech that he was moved by the school's opposition to the administration. 'After seeing so many towering billionaires, media moguls, law firms, politicians and other universities bend their knee to an administration that is systematically strip mining the U.S. Constitution, it is inspiring to me to see Harvard University take a stand for freedom,' he said. The sense of unity came in contrast to last year's graduation at Harvard College, the undergraduate school, when hundreds staged a walkout to decry the disqualification of 13 students who had been involved in protests against the war in Gaza. This year, The Associated Press reported, protesters held a silent vigil a few hours before the ceremony, holding signs that read 'Ceasefire Now' and 'Not Another Bomb.' This article was originally published on
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Dr. Abraham Verghese's family: All on Harvard commencement speaker's wife Sylvia and kids
Dr. Abraham Verghese, renowned author, Stanford professor, and infectious disease expert, will deliver the principal address at Harvard's 374th Commencement today, May 29. Celebrated for his contributions to medicine and literature alike, Dr. Verghese will address graduates, faculty, and families gathered on the occasion. Also Read: Harvard President Alan Garber's brutal dig at Trump during commencement speech: 'Just as it should be' Verghese's married twice, and his first wife's name was Ranjani. His first marriage was semi-arranged. However, over the years, especially while they lived in Johnson City, Tennessee, where Verghese was busy treating AIDS patients, their marriage started to deteriorate. It eventually resulted in a divorce. He is currently married to Sylvia Verghese, who is a nurse by profession and an accomplished individual. She has been Verghese's support throughout the years. Also Read: Who is Francesca Gino? Harvard fires star professor with $1 million salary after data fraud allegations Verghese has three children in total from his two marriages. From his first marriage to Ranjani, he welcomed two sons. There is little information available about the two brothers. He shares another son from his second marriage with Sylvia. His youngest son's name is Tristan. Verghese recently shared on his Instagram that his youngest graduated with a law degree. He shared a picture of his son in a graduation hat and gown. A post shared by Abraham Verghese (@ Alongside the picture, he wrote, 'Back to Iowa City, to my alma mater (MFA '91) to watch my son Tristan get his law degree. Got an in-house counsel now!'
Fashion United
6 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
White Stuff names Tracey Verghese as managing director
White Stuff has promoted Tracey Verghese to managing director. The position is a step up from Verghese's current role as trading director, in which she had been leading the British fashion retailer's commercial strategy. In a statement, Verghese said it was 'an honour' to step into the role of managing director', adding that the company was 'in a great position with a unique brand and product offering'. During the six years Verghese served as trading director, she has been credited with 'transforming the brand into a modern, commercially agile business', while also driving growth in sales and profit, expanding market share and building the brand's presence across new channels. Her appointment comes at a turning point for White Stuff, which came under new ownership in October 2024, when TFG London, the parent of Phase Eight and Hobbs, acquired the company for an undisclosed sum. In early May, it was then announced that White Stuff's chief executive officer, Jo Jenkins, who had been with the business since 2018, was stepping down and a search for her successor was underway. On Verghese's appointment, TFG London's CEO, Justin Hampshire, said: 'Having worked with Tracey since TFG London's acquisition in October 2024,she is the natural successor to take on the MD role and I am confident she will lead White Stuff to achieve its ambitious growth plans in the coming year and beyond. I wish Tracey and the team every success for the future.'
