Student Hopes Anne Frank Exhibit Will Leave a Lasting Impact
Daniel Yassa ’24 was integral in bringing the exhibit to campus
During a visit to the Anne Frank Exhibit while interning as a software development engineer at BMW in South Carolina over the summer, Stevens Institute of Technology computer engineering major Daniel Yassa ’24 made an immediate connection.
“I’m not a huge museum or tour guy, so I wasn’t expecting much, but the way this tour was presented was so interesting and engaging, and I learned so much. Of course I knew who Anne Frank was, but I’d forgotten so much about her story,” Yassa says. “After the tour ended, I thought it’d be great to bring to Stevens’ campus. I knew that educating students on causes like this, particularly through this exhibit, would make an impact.”
Only a few months later, with the help of Yassa’s fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, and Stevens’ Director of Student Culture and Belonging Liliana Delman, the Anne Frank Exhibit opened at the S.C. Williams Library, where it will remain through Sept. 15.
Yassa sees his dedication to bringing the exhibit to campus as a way to give back to Stevens.
“I was always set on majoring in engineering, but I also wanted to go to a school that offered varsity swimming,” he says. “I wanted balance in life, and Stevens was a perfect match. The renowned engineering program and location near the city open a lot of doors and offer so many opportunities. I’ve been able to take advantage of a lot by having Stevens on my résumé.”
Those opportunities include his recent internship at BMW — which has already invited him to return next summer — and previous internships at Veolia North America and Mercedes Benz of Morristown. And, of course, his involvement in campus life.
“Participating in athletics, my fraternity and the Society of Automotive Engineers has allowed me to see how events run and to learn about communication, outreach and, importantly, the importance of paying attention to not only what interests me but also what interests other people.”
And that includes the Anne Frank Exhibit, which Yassa immediately thought would resonate with his fraternity brothers and the student body at large, while also serving an important purpose.
“Antisemitism still exists, even if it’s in the form of a joke or something, and we want to respond to that with a more serious and interactive approach to educate people and make them aware of the experiences people went through during the Holocaust,” he says. “When I first took the tour and saw pictures of the events and the history, I was struck in a way that was emotionally impactful, and I see a similar reaction in those who are visiting now. We’re raising awareness, and it’s something we can be proud of.”
Sponsored by Phi Sigma Kappa, Stevens Hillel, Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Student Culture and Belonging, the Anne Frank Exhibit is on display at the Williams Library during library hours from now to Sept. 15. Check here for a schedule of guided tours, which are given by Stevens students who have received training from the Anne Frank Center. Tours are free and reservations are not required.
To learn more about the Anne Frank Center, click here.