Page 13 - Priorities #9 1999-March

Alumni Profile
Relationships among nations - especially threats of conflict - are more than a personal interest to Andy Kuchins. He has made the field of international peace his life’s work.
As Associate Director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at Stanford University, Andy works daily with activities aimed at preventing armed conflict and creating the conditions for global peace.
Some of his work involves developing his own expertise in Russian and Asian affairs. He is researching the contemporary Russian Federation and Russia’s struggle to emerge as an Asian power. Part of this study involves looking at the ways in which various possible Russian-Chinese relationships could affect the United States.
Part of this research is intended for publication in a book looking at Russian foreign policy since 1991, his second book publication.
Andy joined students for lunch in the Priory dining hall recently and senior Julie Kimball asked a question that touched on his personal experience.
“What’s happening with all the Russian scientists since the collapse of the Soviet Union? Is anybody making any effort to be sure they aren’t forced over to rogue nations?” she asked.
Andy has been working for several years on a project to support scientific research and development in Russia.
The problem with Russian science is not only to prevent their expertise from falling into the wrong hands but also to preserve the expertise that can benefit the world scientific community, Andy said. Soviet scientists were on the cutting edge in many fields, especially in physics and math, but the new Russian system is not continuing to fund their researchadequately. TheWorldBank,MacArthur Foundation, the Soros foundations, and several other organizations are providing support to keep scientists in Russia at work, he said.
Many scientists left Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Nearly every major university now has one or two on their faculty,” he added.
Andrew Kuchins, Class of 1977 Lives in Menlo Park, Calif.
Wife: Karen
Children: William (3 1/2) and Julia Coralia (born in January 1999) Professional field: International relations, Center for International Security and Cooperation Read about CISAC on-line at http://www. stanford.edu/group/CISAC/
Andy works daily with activities aimed at preventing armed conflict and creating the conditions for global peace.
Andy’s ties to the Priory go back to his brother, Harry, who is a graduate of the Class of 1965, and his parents, who are among the original founders of the school. Rigorous academics and an almost unstoppable soccer team were hallmarks of the school in Andy’s years, he said.
He described for the students his experiences in Father Christopher’s philosophy class and Father Egon’s History of Western Civilization class-both turning points in his thinking, he said. In return, students told him about their similar experiences with rigorous classes and opportunities to build close friendships with classmates whose strengths and interests are very different.
Now, Andy is following his parents’ example and giving something back to the Priory by offering his service in building the Alumni Fund this spring.
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