05/06/2026
Congratulations to our Hugh Hawkins Fellows for presenting their research! And thank you to all of the archivist and faculty mentors, family, and friends who supported them.
Suzanka Belik (Peabody, ’26) presented “An Evolving Planet: The Peabody Institute Under Climate Change” that explored how artists at the conservatory have intertwined music and environmentalism.
Yemok Jeon (SoM, ’28) presented “Fragile ‘Heroes’ Under Benevolent Control: U.S. Aid, Heroic Narratives, and the Silencing of Korean Student Doctors at Johns Hopkins, 1945-1950s”. His research touches on the experiences of three Korean students who would become trained physicians in their home country and how they were often treated with a paternalistic attitude by peers and institutional leaders.
Darrell “Riley” Stait (KSAS, ’28) presented “Web of Women: Characterizing the Realities of Homewood’s Women Through Poetry” where he performed several poems from the perspective of Harriet Chew Carroll who navigated an abusive marriage and wrestled with motherhood.
Sandy Peeples, (KSAS, ’27) presented “From Studying Africa to African Students: Tanganyika/Tanzania at Johns Hopkins 1940-1980”. She focused on her archival research on SAIS and its relationship with U.S. federal government agencies, and how these relationships influenced and directly impacted east Africa.
Tony Ye (KSAS, ’27) was not able to present, but did his research this year on “Learning Across Borders: The Hopkins-Nanjing Center and Its Role in China’s Reform and Opening Era”.
We’re proud of all they have done, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!
Photos: From left to right, fellows Suzanka Belik, Yemok Jeon, Darrel “Riley” Strait, Sandy Peeples, and Hopkins Retrospective Program Manager Allison Seyler.