2024 Evans History Initiative: Nicholas Kristof Visits The Farm | Avon Old Farms News | About Us | Avon Old Farms

Named for legendary history teacher Peter M. Evans H’18, P’98, the Evans History Initiative brings renowned historians to campus and is preceded by a series of teach-ins led by members of the history department in preparation for the visit.

In recent years, the Evans History Initiative has featured Erik Larson, Lee McIntyre, Ramita Navai, and Dexter Filkins. The Evans History Initiative is sponsored by the Drew family, including John Drew P'85,'87, GP'17,'18,'24; Chris Drew '85, P'17, '18; David Drew '87; Katy Drew P'24; Carson Drew '17; Brian Drew '18; and Teddy Braiewa '24.

This year, the school welcomed Nicholas Kristof to campus. Kristof has spent decades serving as an international reporter, managing editor, and now columnist for the New York Times. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes—one for reporting on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and government crackdown in Beijing, China, and another for his columns that brought worldwide attention to the genocide taking place in Darfur and Sudan from 2003 to 2006. These are just a few examples of how Kristof has captured history as it happens, giving him unique insight into some of the most significant world events throughout the last few decades.

Chris Drew was in attendance for the event, and expressed his excitement at being able to welcome Kristof to campus.

“It’s so exciting to have him here. It’s so important to learn about history. The more we know about the past, the better we’ll be prepared for future issues.”

History Department Chair Mike Murphy added that the visit from Kristof was especially relevant during a time of turmoil in many different places throughout the world. “I am not sure we could welcome a more relevant speaker today in a year that has seen the history department provide multiple updates in this space to Avon students about tragic and troubling world events in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.”

The first teach-in leading up to this particular event took place on May 1 and put Kristof’s work into a greater historical context, allowing students, who were not yet born when these events took place, to understand their importance. The second teach-in, held on May 6, provided students with an overview of Kristof’s theme of social/economic/political changes in the U.S. and explained the need for greater understanding and empathy across the resulting divides in the country.

These teach-ins led up to Kristof’s visit on Monday, May 13, which began with a stroll through the Quad to the Brown Auditorium for a special Morning Meeting, extended to allow for a presentation from Kristoff followed by a Q&A session. “What a beautiful campus,” Kristof began. “It’s a beautiful setting. The dorms look very inviting.”

Kristof began his talk with a story about a humbling experience that taught him a valuable life lesson and helped guide his future work. When he arrived in Beijing to work as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times, he was warned his apartment would be bugged. After finding what he believed to be the surveillance device, he and his wife hatched a plan to supply misinformation to the listening authorities—only to later find out the device was actually the apartment’s doorbell. “The moment you think you know everything that’s going on, that’s the moment to beware.” 

A few months later, the Tiananmen movement began. Kristoff explained to the audience of Avon students what an eye-opening experience it was to watch people their age lead a movement of that magnitude.

“They showed that even if you can’t define democracy, it’s still worth fighting for.”

He detailed further stories that shaped his reporting, discussed the pros and cons of getting involved in foreign issues, and shared some of the critiques his work has received. “I think the critique that worries me the most is that the majority of reporting done in the global south is negative. That critique has weighed on me. I think there is some validity.” As a result, he said, he won’t cover atrocities and the like any less, but tries to expose positive events more.

Kristof then expressed his worries for domestic issues as well, specifically the various crises facing working-class Americans like drug abuse and suicide, issues encapsulated in his hometown in rural Oregon. “There was a fantastical unraveling of a community I cared about. One third of the kids on my school bus have died by suicide, overdose, or other tragic means.” He added that these issues are often ignored by the more privileged population due to a lack of empathy and understanding. 

The concluding message was one that Avon faculty and administrators are always trying to instill in students: Have the courage to take a stance you believe in, but remain humble and acknowledge when you make errors.

“Try to find that sense of moral compass, but do so with humility.”

He then answered several questions from students and faculty including an exploration of causes and potential solutions of current world conflicts, a discussion of challenges he has faced in his work, and what was the reason for recently writing a memoir. This large Q&A session was followed by smaller, more intimate discussions with students enrolled in relevant classes. Murphy encouraged students to ask hard-hitting questions challenging Kristof’s beliefs and views. “It’s important to practice asking challenging questions,” Murphy said. 

The questions left Kristof impressed. “The students weren’t intimidated to ask tough questions,” he said. “I think they’ll go on to be very successful.”

Between class sessions, Gavin Korpi ’25 held a lengthy discussion with Kristof about the conflict between Israel and Palestine, one of the most heavily debated current events. Korpi said he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to talk with someone who has been in the midst of conflict in the past. “He’s been on the ground, he’s witnessed it. From that perspective I thought it was very interesting,” Korpi said. “I thought his visit overall was very informative.”

Kristof also offered advice for any aspiring journalists, saying the future of the field is definitely an unknown, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, but that the main attributes of being an avid writer, reader, and listener will always be important. “The skills one acquires through journalism are transferable to many other areas.”

Evan Noble ’25 plans to pursue a career in business, but has always been intrigued by the field of journalism, which made him excited for today’s event. “It’s something I definitely have an interest in. Traveling around the world, writing about your experiences, that appeals to me,” Noble said. “I was really excited to hear him speak.”

Overall, Kristof says he hopes he left students with a few new tools for success and a better understanding of conflict.

“I hope they took away some notice of the complexity of the issues we face. Try to resist that very human tendency to seek out only information that reinforces your beliefs.”

Most students picked up a copy of Kristof’s memoir titled, Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life. Full details about his life’s work, including much of what he discussed with Avon students during his visit, is revealed in this newly published book.

Return To News