RC Quarterly
Haldun Dormen RC 49: The Gentleman of Turkish Theater
COVER STORY
Haldun Dormen continues to perform, lead and inspire to this day.
Göksel Kortay ACG 55: Multi-Faceted Contributions to Turkish Theater
COVER STORY
Kortay continues as a teacher, acting coach, actor, director, translator and dubbing artist.
Genco Erkal RC 57: An Unwavering Voice in Turkish Theater
“Every moment on stage was a joy for me and I enjoyed it as if I would never be able to do it again."
Çiğdem Selışık Onat ACG 60: Educator and Actor
COVER STORY
Çiğdem Selışık Onat was on stage often during her time at ACG.
RC Quarterly Archives
Want to see past issues of the RC Quarterly? Visit the RC Quarterly Archives.
Ahmet Levendoğlu RA 64: A Prolific Theater Veteran
COVER STORY
Levendoğlu recalls a historical moment that happened while on the RC stage.
Nevra Şirvan Serezli ACG 65: The Fair Lady of Turkish Theater
COVER STORY
A chance to practice English turned into a life-long passion.
Kerem Kurdoğlu RC 81 Creates With Versatility
COVER STORY
“‘Don’t ever stop doing theater’ may be the most important sentence of my life.”
Nedim Saban RC 86 Appreciates the Intellectual Openness of RC
COVER STORY
“RC formed my artistic background.”
Haluk Özenç RC 88 Stayed With RC Theater Beyond Graduation
COVER STORY
“This is not an easy career, but I am smitten.”
Yeşim Özsoy RC 90 Fondly Remembers Not Having a Stage
COVER STORY
“Courage, freedom, and power were integral parts of RC as values.”
Leyla Levi RC 12 Views Theater as a Way of Saying the Personal is Political
COVER STORY
“Theater is a tool of world building.”
Mert Dilek RC 14 Runs the Gamut in Theater
COVER STORY
“RC enabled me to dip my toes into writing on theater.”
Berk Çoker RC 13 Creates Waves in Education Through TeachFX
ONES TO WATCH
The app is helping to transform the edtech industry.
Aral Sürmeli RC 11 Puts Technology in Service of Displaced People
REACHES OUT
Sürmeli credits RC CIP for inspiring him to go into public health.
Outdoor Adventure Learning Helps Students Connect with Nature
RC NEWS
The new program give students new respect for the environment.
RC Business Society Members Get a Head Start
RC NEWS
Students learn about the business world through various activities.
RCSummer and RCS Academy Programs Are Back!
RC NEWS
This year kids ages 8-16 joined the RCSummer and RCS Academy programs in record numbers.
Welcome to the RCVerse
A Look at How RC is Navigating Web3
RC is helping students navigate the next technology wave by allowing them to try out the technologies in RC’s own VR and AR labs, and giving them the skills to design their own virtual experiences.
Emin Gün Sirer RC 89 Spearheads Blockchain Technology
COVER STORY
“I’ve never wavered in my belief that Avalanche will be one of the most important projects in blockchains.”
Rina Onur Şirinoğlu RC L3 04 Helps Put Turkey on the Global Gaming Map
COVER STORY
“There’s currently a gold rush with everything Web3.”
Yiğit Kılıçoğlu RC 20 Explains “Crypto 101”
COVER STORY
“We need to give blockchain technology some more time to finish its baby steps.”
Gökçe Güven RC 18 Explores How Brands Can Touch Consumers in Web3
COVER STORY
“I see a world where every individual becomes a micro-creator in the future.”
Memo Akten RC 92 Envisions the Future of Creative Technology
COVER STORY
“There is no doubt that AI will - and already is - completely changing how we create."
Emre Aksoy RC 09 Engaged in the Rise in E-Sports in Turkey
COVER STORY
“E-Sports literally is no different from traditional sports.”
Cultural Economy and Minting NFT at the Whitworth Art Gallery
ESSAY
İsmail Ertürk RC 77, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, explains how art and economics are becoming intertwined through digital platforms.
Farewell to Colin Edmonds
RC NEWS
After 42 years at RC as an English and computer teacher, Colin Edmonds is retiring. Article republished from the Bosphorus Chronicle.
Farewell: Claus Cadorette
RC NEWS
Math teacher Claus Cadorette retires after 38 years at RC. Article republished from the Bosphorus Chronicle.
Message from the Head of School
RC NEWS
Head of School Adam Oliver discusses how Web3 tools are being used for school administration as well as learning.
Caps Off to the Class of '22
RC NEWS
The 199 members of the Class of ’22 graduated on June 21 on the Dave Phillips Field.
Encouraging University News for RC Seniors
RC NEWS
Members of the Class of '22 have received acceptances from top universities.
Meet Me at Bizim Tepe
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Events at Bizim Tepe are back! Here are some highlights.
US Alumni Events Are Back!
RC IN AMERICA
Alumni were thrilled to be able to connect again at the NYC Bar Night and Spring Fireside Chat.
All Together Now
RC NEWS
From music and drama in the theatre to summits and festivals around campus, students were excited to rediscover the joys of in-person activities this spring.
Seyhan Nurettin Eğe ACG 49 Excellence in Science Award for Girls
RC NEWS
The Prof. Seyhan Nurettin Eğe ACG 49 Excellence in Science Award for Girls was presented at the Lise 11 assembly on March 28, 2022.
Demirkan Aşetey RC 76 Art Competition Highlights Student Artists
RC NEWS
Now in it's 21st year, the competition recognizes students' artistic talent.
“Lest We Fall”: Remembering Olcay Neyzi ACG 46
TRIBUTE
Prof. Dr. Olcay Neyzi ACG 46 and her contribution to pediatrics in Turkey are commemorated in this piece written by Sinan Hiçdönmez RC 15.
Hüsnü Özyeğin RA 63 Shows Social Impact Takes Many Forms
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Business and social enterprises will have to collaborate more meaningfully.”
Ibrahim Betil RA 64: A Beacon in Civil Society
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Success and happiness come, as a person creates impact."
KODA Empowers the Learning Community
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“I feel grateful that RC gave me such a good basis to interpret the world.”
Sıddıka Demir RC 89 Trailblazes as a STEM Champion
PROFILE
Engineer and entrepreneur Sıddıka Demir talks about her efforts to promote diversity for innovation, and what it's like to provide guidance to start-ups.
Kodluyoruz Creates Tech Career Pathways for Turkey's Youth
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Kodluyoruz plans to alter the educational opportunities of millions of young people in Turkey.”
İbrahim Bodur RC 50: An Inspiration For Future Generations
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“As leaders, we need to use our intuition as well as our knowledge for a more conscious ecosystem approach.”
İpek Cem Taha RC 85 Supports Young Social Entrepreneurs
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Social impact is present in almost every project at the Columbia Global Centers | Istanbul.”
Ayşe Sabuncu RC L3 04 Champions Social Innovation
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Impact cannot happen in isolation; it requires collective action.”
The Bosphorus Chronicle Turns 50
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CO-EDUCATION AT RC
The merger of Robert Academy and the American College for Girls also saw the merging of the two student papers, when the Bosphorus and the Campus Chronicle became the Bosphorus Chronicle.
Eray Erdoğan RC 11 on Showcasing Responsible Design
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Taking responsibility helps us understand what can be improved.”
İlayda Büyükdoğan RC 16 Changes College Trajectory While Building a Successful Startup
ONES TO WATCH
For İlayda Büyükdoğan RC 16, the journey from RC to startup has been anything but traditional.
Deniz Donmez RC 09 Helps Communities Create Social Impact
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Design can be pivotal to social, economic, and environmental impact.”
Eli Koen RC 87 Spearheads Impact Investing
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“I have learned to see my job not only in terms of competition to generate better investment performance but also in terms of cooperation to work towards a more sustainable way of life.”
Aslı Alemdaroğlu RC 84 on the Catalyst Role of Corporations
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Corporations have a great responsibility because of their vast sphere of influence, and they can act as catalysts.”
Zynga Acquires Zerosum Games Founded by Hasan Burak Demir RC 16
ONES TO WATCH
Hasan Burak Demir, along with his university classmate Umut İsmetoğlu, established Zerosum Games in 2019, while a junior at Boğaziçi University studying management. The acquisition of this relatively new company by Zynga, one of the world’s leading game groups, is a massive achievement.
Sertaç Yeltekin RC 87 Co-Founds Impact Foundation
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“After the UN announced the Sustainable Development Goals, there was a paradigm shift.”
İpek İlkkaracan RC 85: Women's Movement Inspires
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Women have the drive to fight discrimination and transform society for equality.”
Nükhet Sirman RC 72 on the Importance of Well-designed Research
COVER STORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
“Identifying different solutions to a wide range of problems is the stuff of qualitative research.”
Serap Aksoy RC 74 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
GRADS IN THE NEWS
The professor of epidemiology hopes to provide leadership in the area of insect transmitted diseases, microbial pandemics, climate change effects on infectious disease and in global health diplomacy.
İzak Benbasat Honored with Order of Canada Medal
GRADS IN THE NEWS
The world-renown scholar of management information systems was presented the award which is given for exemplary service of Canadians who make a significant difference to Canada through their lifetime contributions.
Canan Atılgan RC 87 Heads Up Science Academy
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Atılgan takes over from Founding President Prof. M. Ali Alpar RA 68.
Covid Update: Hybrid Learning
The 2020-21 academic year began online, and the distance learning experience has been enhanced based on best practices gained during the 2020 spring semester.
Ayşe Buğra ACG 70 Receives PEN Turkey Writers Association Duygu Asena Award
GRADS IN THE NEWS
The award recognizes Buğra for her work, her publications and her determination.
V&A Acquires Sculpture by Elif Uras RC 90
GRADS IN THE NEWS
“Pregnant Spiral” is a part of the exhibition Contemporary Ceramic Art from the Middle East at the V&A which also includes Uras’s “Ottoman Belly”.
Herkül Millas RA 61 Presented with 50th Orhan Kemal Novel Award
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Millas recognized for his work Aile Mezarı (The Family Grave, Doğan Kitap).
Esra Yalçınalp RC 00 Recognized for Journalism Excellence
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Yalçınalp received two awards for her coverage of the Izmir earthquake and refugee migration in Edirne.
Ali Günvar RC 72 Receives Italian Poetry Award
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Günvar's Soneler (Sonnets, Ötüken Neşriyat) selected as best Turkish poetry book.
Creative Arts Course
Art teacher Maria Sezer and music teacher Margaret Halıcıoğlu talk about the Creative Arts program.
Film by Buket Yıldız RC 06 Receives International Accolades
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Yıldız's latest short film Wave has been recognized at several festivals around the world.
An Education That Doesn’t Cost the Planet
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINAIBILITY ISSUE
A message from Head of School Adam Oliver.
Nergis Yazgan ACG 67 Put Preservation on the Agenda
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“I am grateful to RC for showing how to seek wisdom and help all on your own.”
Ali Nihat Gökyiğit RC ENG 46 Defends Nature Through the Decades
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We have started understanding nature better.”
Rahmi Koç RC 51 Keeps Clean Waters on Turkey’s Ecological Agenda
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We all have to face the sea and not turn our back to it. Sea is life, sea is bread, sea is tourism.”
Taner Aksel RC 87 Spearheads Permaculture in Turkey
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We need a design process to quickly regenerate nature that we have polluted and destroyed.”
Gülin Yücel RC 88 Pours a Decade of Experience into New Book
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We need to realize our impact and take responsibility.”
Raşit Bilgin RC 94 Teaches Ecology and Conservation
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We should work together to learn about the impacts of our lifestyles on nature.”
Çağan H. Şekercioğlu RC 93 Draws Attention to Biodiversity
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“RC nature was my inspiration.”
Orhan Yenigün RC 72 Witnesses Decades of Change in Environmental Sciences
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We need academics especially in international affairs that require defending our nation’s rights.”
Ferit Arsan RA 62 Knows the Ins-and-Outs of Wind Energy
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“I would recommend to those interested in wind energy to join the multinational companies based in Turkey.”
Ömer Madra RA 64 Inspires Climate Activism
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“In climate activism the role of youth – and that of children – unfortunately seems to be essential and indispensable.”
Selin Gören RC 20 Shows That Youth Are Leading the Way
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Climate education doesn't end in the classroom, and it was really important to me that RC recognized that.”
Kerim Baran RC 89 Facilitates Learning on Solar Energy
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Solar plus batteries will be a major piece of power infrastructure in the world in a decade.”
Emre Turanlı RC 97 Leads the Transformation of a Global Energy Player
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Robert College always provides a vision ahead of the times.”
Jan Nahum RA 67 Believes Electric Vehicles Are the Future
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Nobody involved in the industry can be immune to the EV revolution.”
Ersagun Elaçmaz RC 10 Works on Clean Energy Systems
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Clean energy systems will be an integral part of our future.”
Zeynep Yalım-Uzun RC 86 Demonstrates Purpose-Led Marketing
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Consumers are now looking for companies that not only create products and services, but also add value to their communities, as well as to our world.”
Ebru Güvenir RC 91 Promotes the Sustainability Perspective in Banking
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Sustainability is now a driver behind innovation, evolution of new business, and risk management.”
Onur Göker RC 93 Directs Sustainable Investments to Create Change
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Our environmental problems require a lot of innovative and cross disciplinary solutions.”
Ebru Debbağ RC 87 Leads Change in Textile Sector
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Our clothes are a part of the climate crisis, and we have to reverse the narrative to make them part of the solution.”
Seray Cengiz Sezer RC 00 Creates a Forward-Looking Brand
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“I placed sustainability and eco-friendliness at the heart of my brand.”
Gökçe Günel RC 00 Explores How Climate Change Impacts Inequalities
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“Our questions should stretch beyond technological discovery.”
Özlem Ayalp Ercolini RC 01 Designs with Circular Economy Principles
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“I cannot imagine designing a project without thinking about its impact on the world we live in.”
Sargun Tont RC 59 ex Advocates a Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Sustainability
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“We have to let go of greed.”
Murat Tapik RC 07 Farms Responsibly
COVER STORY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
“RC has instilled self-responsibility in me to respect nature, farmers, and the consumers.”
Jan Nahum RA 67 Receives Sabancı University’s First Honorary Doctorate
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Sabancı University awarded their first-ever honorary doctorate to industrialist Jan Nahum.
Gülru Necipoğlu RC 75 Elected to the British Academy
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Professor Gülrü Necipoğlu, Aga Khan Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture and Director of the Aga Khan Program in the Department of History of Art and Architecture at Harvard University, has been appointed to the British Academy as a Corresponding Fellow in the discipline of History of Art and Music.
Emine Fetvacı RC 92 Appointed to Calderwood Professorship
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Prominent scholar Emine Fetvacı has been named Boston College’s Calderwood Professor in Islamic and Asian Art
Deniz Tortum RC 08 Wins Awards for Latest Film
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Deniz Tortum’s film Maddenin Halleri (States of Matter) won Best Film and Best Director at the Accessible Film Festival, and Best Documentary at Altın Portakal.
Jale Parla ACG 64 Receives Prestigious Literature Award
GRADS IN THE NEWS
“The physics courses at RC with a lot of experiments certainly inspired me as an artist.”
Bülent Sankur RC ENG 70 Recognized for Lifetime Achievement
GRADS IN THE NEWS
IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Turkey recognized Bülent Sankur for his work on signals processing.
Sertaç Yeltekin RC 87 Hosts News Program
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Stüdyo Singapur is a news and commentary program featuring chats with Turkish entrepreneurs, academics, businesspeople and diplomats.
Ayşe Erkmen ACG 70ex Recognized with Sculpture Award
GRADS IN THE NEWS
Sculptor lauded as an imaginative and versatile representative of contemporary art.
The Vibrant World of Contemporary Art
ESSAY
Melih Fereli RC ENG 70 is a pivotal figure in the Turkish art scene and is Arter’s Founding Director. RCQ had the opportunity to ask him about all things art and Arter.
Nuran Terzioğlu ACG 65
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“I want people to feel that art is part of daily life and something to be shared.”
Elif Uras RC 90
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Women having agency as producers and consumers outside the domestic sphere, and challenging the patriarchy are important issues for me.”
Can Göknil ACG 66
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Contemporary artists feel a responsibility to raise awareness about issues of our time.”
Orhan Taylan RC 60
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“I generally start with a certain feeling and try to depict that feeling.”
İrem Kaneli RC 89
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“The physics courses at RC with a lot of experiments certainly inspired me as an artist.”
Ulya Soley RC 09
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“I was drawn to curation because it allows one to join many different conversations.”
Duygu Aytaç RC L12 03
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Don’t try to prove intelligence though art; you will end up with neither.”
Hale Güngör Oppenheimer RC 00
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“If you have a genuine interest in art, it comes with a kind of thirst that drives you.”
Bihter Yasemin Adalı RC 02
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Art is a great way to overcome stuckness.”
Balca Ergener RC 98
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
''Looking for feminist solidarities is a driving force for me.''
Gülşah Mursaloğlu RC 08
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“My RC friends are still the most reliable sources for me. I turn to them for feedback, insight, collaboration.”
Zeynep Özler RC 98
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“The Kale Design and Art Center will be an interdisciplinary production and meeting point.”
Burcu Yüksel RC 02
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Art plays a powerful and proactive role in affecting change.”
Esra Eczacıbaşı RC 07 and Cem Yılmaz RC 07
COVER STORY: FINE ARTS ISSUE
“Genç Modern aims to bring together young professionals interested in the arts and involve them in Istanbul’s dynamic art community.”