A N N U A L R E P O R T - Nichols School

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Background: Nichols School class of 1985. BA from
Bowdoin College double major in History and Russian
Language and Literature. MA in Visual Anthropology and
Ph.d. in Social Anthropology both from University of
Southern California. Has lived off and on in Central Asia
since 1989. Currently Central Asian Affairs Fellow at
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
How did Central Asia become such a big part of
your life? I became interested in the region of Central Asia
after having studied abroad in Yugoslavia during college.
I went to Yugoslavia in 1987 with the intent of learning
about the Communist world, but once there I realized that
Communism was no longer relevant or interesting, but the
with Sean Roberts ’85
issues of nationalism and Islam were extremely interesting
and relevant to global politics. Thus, when I returned to
college for my senior year, I decided to study Islam and
nationalism in the Soviet Union. Then, I studied in
Uzbekistan for a year in 1989, and I have been involved in
the region ever since.
Major accomplishment: I am very proud of a documentary
film I produced about a minority group in China called the
Uyghurs. They are a Muslim minority with aspirations of
establishing an independent state in their homeland, much
like the Tibetans. I spent many years studying their
community, and I am proud to have been able to produce a
documentary that helps tell their story to others: Muslims
trying to establish an independent identity and much like
the situation in Nepal, having a very difficult time.
Favorite Nichols Experiences: Several come to mind. My
senior project, which I did in collaboration with my
classmate David Patchel ’85, who is now deceased, was a
great time. We produced a film called “Burnt Toast” about
life, growing up and teenage angst seen through the eye
of the camera. I also played on championship hockey and
lacrosse teams my senior year which was a great thrill.
How did Nichols prepare you for life after school? It was
really at Nichols when I first became aware of the world
outside of Buffalo. Certainly my history and language
courses peaked my interest, and I will never forget the
exchange trip to Le Havre we took my junior year.
Did any one Nichols teacher or coach have a special
influence on you? My lacrosse coach, Bruce Dugan, was a
master motivator. He really was a great communicator and
he really taught us how to work as a team. I think of him
often when I am
teaching or working
with others on a
project.