INTERNATIONAL HOUSE AND...
Kathryn Wasserman Davis
Kathryn Wasserman Davis ’30 (1907–2013) was an American philanthropist and political activist. She lived at I-House while earning her master’s degree in international studies at Columbia University. Davis invested heavily in education, scientific research, Planned Parenthood, and local communities. On her 100th birthday, she started the Projects for Peace grant program to challenge students, including I House residents, to promote peace and understanding globally. She and her husband, Trustee Shelby Cullom Davis ’32, US Ambassador to Switzerland, were lifelong supporters of I-House, and the adjoining Davis Hall is named in their honor.
Background image: In 1928, at the age of 21, Kathryn Wasserman graduated from Wellesley College. Shortly after that, she traveled through the Caucasus Mountains on horseback.
Davis committed $1 million to establish the Davis Projects for Peace at selected institutions, including International House. Annual Report, 2007.
Born in 1907, Davis lived an extraordinary life filled with travel, philanthropy, art, and family. DVD, 2007.
The Davis Family donated $600,000 to restore the I-House Auditorium. With Gordon and Barbara Evans and Michael Meulengracht ’90 of Denmark. Alumni Ball, 1989.
Kathryn Wasserman arrived at I-House in 1929 to initially pursue a master’s degree in economics at Columbia University. Admissions record, 1929.
Davis had a lifelong passion for all things Russian. In 1934 she published “The Soviets at Geneva,” based on her doctoral dissertation at the University of Geneva.