The Northeast Ohio Chapter is holding a Gala Dinner Dance at the Cleveland Racquet Club on January 31, 2008. For ticket information contact: mdebaz@gmail.com
I am very pleased to be writing to you again in this second issue of WAAAUB’s eNewsletter, Al Jame'a . Our inaugural issue was very well-received and I hope you'll find this one as informative and enjoyable.
WAAAUB has been extremely active in the past few months as you'll read in our “WAAAUB News” section. Three regional gatherings took place in Washington DC, Amman and Bahrain between September and November. I and my fellow executive and leadership members attended these meetings and were inspired by the interest in and support to WAAAUB from chapters and alumni in those regions. The reception we received and the commitment we witnessed by AUB alumni truly made our efforts to date worthwhile.
WAAAUB also organized a historic meeting on AUB's campus for the current 11 Lebanese Ministers who are alumni of AUB. Over 200 guests attended the meeting. Full details are included in the "WAAAUB News" section.
As you read about our activities and achievements to date, I wish to recognize WAAAUB's leadership whose dedication and commitment were critical to our success, and allowed us to meet milestone objectives in the 18 months since taking office. Our leadership includes members of the WAAAUB Board of Directors and its Standing Committees as well as members of the WAAAUB Council.
This brings me to a very important topic which I would like to discuss with you today. Soon, we will be embarking upon the second round of elections for WAAAUB's Board and Council. The Nominations Committee is counting on you, our alumni, for ideas, nominations and participation in this process. Without a strong foundation of dedicated alumni volunteers and leaders, WAAAUB cannot achieve its mission and serve our alumni all over the world. This is your opportunity to do your part as an AUB alumnus/alumna. Please look out and respond to the call for nominations in due time.
With your ongoing support, we look forward to an equally productive and successful year in 2009. Plans are already underway for the next WAAAUB Convention, taking place at AUB on May 1-2, 2009. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading about all things WAAAUB, including news about alumni chapters and fellow AUBites. As always, your feedback and suggestions are imperative in assisting us to enhance our organization and services, so please do not hesitate to give us both.
With kind regards,
Dr. Khalil Makkawi
WAAAUB President
Photo taken by: Zuheir Al-Faqih
Message from the Editor
Dear fellow alumni,
Welcome to the second issue of Al Jame’a, WAAAUB’s eNewsletter and one of the means to reach out to AUBites everywhere. MainGate, of course, is AUB’s much loved publication that is a delight to peruse at leisure at home, during your commute, or even at the office while sitting back with feet propped up and a cup of tea at hand. However, unlike MainGate and the tactile-olfactory sensation of paper, Al Jame’a is a creature of the digital ecosystem. It emerges on your screen with a click of the mouse with many links that allow you to wander and explore – and I hope you do – for you will discover much about AUB and your fellow alumni.
The eNewsletter does not have to be ephemeral, though, as you can certainly print it for later reading. Al Jame’a is distinct from MainGate in that it is conceived and produced by AUB alumni for AUB alumni. Think of it as an evolved Outlook for alumni and a very successful creature it promises to be too! According to Harris Connect, the On-line Community service provider to AUB as well as to other universities such as Stanford, Harvard and Princeton, the first issue of Al Jame’a is among the best they’ve seen in design and content. Simply put, it is a best practice.
As AUBites, we do set high standards. So, I invite chapters’ leadership everywhere to take ownership of Al Jame’a and to assist us in ensuring it maintains its quality. Your contributions, be they in the form of proposed profiles of alumni or announcements of your chapter’s events and activities, will reach your own membership as well as AUBites everywhere. I and the editorial team would like to make the process as seamless and frictionless as possible. Just send us your story or story idea and we’ll take it from there. If someone in your chapter is inclined to contribute regularly to the eNewsletter, welcome aboard!
In this issue, you’ll read about the North American Gathering of alumni that took place in Washington, DC on September 27 and 28. Thanks to a commendable effort by chapter president Ghada Rihani and the DC Chapter executive committee. A similar gathering of alumni in the Levant took place in Amman on October 9 and 10, and another one in Bahrain for alumni in the Gulf. The Toronto Chapter executive led by Maha Zabaneh organized a gala dinner at which Rami Khouri was the keynote speaker. The title of Rami’s talk was “The Arab world’s local and global challenges: a view from AUB.” Bob Rae, Member of Parliament for Toronto and candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, was a guest at this event. Back on Campus, WAAAUB held a special event for 12 distinguished alumni who serve as cabinet ministers in the current government of Lebanon.
I hope you enjoy the camaraderie that this eNewsletter provides. Send us your stories; we’d love to read and share them.
Last but not least, our best wishes for a festive holiday season and a prosperous and healthy New Year to you and your families!
In May 2009, elections will be held for the positions within the WAAAUB Board of Directors and WAAAUB Council whose members’ terms will expire in that year.
A formal call for nominations will be made in January 2009. In the meantime, please take the time to consider how you or someone you know can help WAAAUB maintain its momentum and continue to grow and succeed with the election of talented and dedicated AUB alumni to its governing bodies.
AUB alumni who are interested in nominating themselves or a fellow AUBite for consideration to the slate should contact the WAAAUB Nominating Committee at the following email address: nominations-committeee@waaaub.org
As always, we are counting on the input and participation of all of our alumni to help us succeed in this endeavor. WAAAUB has come a long way since its inception and with your help, we will reach greater heights and further strengthen our valuable AUB alumni network.
Thank you in advance for doing your partand stay tuned for the nominations call!
More than 700 alumni converged on the AUB campus this summer to attend an activities-packed reunion organized by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB).
From June 30 to July 2, 11 classes from 1953 to 2003 celebrating their reunions got a chance to rediscover the campus and meet old friends. Read more
WAAAUB Regional Gatherings
Washington DC WAAAUB.s Inaugural North American Gathering
September 26 - 28
Alumni from throughout North America journeyed to Washington DC September 26-28 to meet with WAAAUB leadership, fellow chapter leaders, and with fellow alumni. From Florida, New Mexico, Pennsylvania to Montreal, New York, and Michigan participants came from more than 15 states and provinces. WAAAUB's President, Secretary, and Treasurer (Dr. Khalil Makkawi, Muhieddine Doughan, and Karam Doumet, respectively) came from Lebanon and were joined by WAAAUB Vice President Genane Maalouf from California.
These regional gatherings are a priority for the WAAAUB Chapters Committee, chaired by Musa Freiji, who was also present in Washington. Such gatherings strengthen regional networks and encourage greater communication among chapters and with the WAAAUB leadership.
While learning about the achievements and objectives of WAAAUB’s various governing bodies, AUBites also met new friends and rekindled old friendships.
The weekend kicked off with a reception at Neyla Restaurant, an authentic oasis of Lebanese food and hospitality in the Georgetown
neighborhood. Saturday and Sunday mornings were filled with business meetings, which included presentations by WAAAUB's Standing Committees and
the role of the Executive Committee. The nine chapter leaders in attendance also gave updates on their own chapter’s activities. On Saturday
evening, local alumni and out of town guests shared a wonderful Iftar meal at a dinner organized by the Greater Washington DC Chapter. The dinner featured a keynote address by noted US author and journalist Robin Wright, who spoke about her newest book, Dreams and Shadows. The gathering wound up with Maha Zabaneh, WAAAUB Board of Directors member and WAAAUB Secretary Muhieddine Doughan leading a discussion about improving communications among chapters, WAAAUB Council members and leadership on Sunday morning.
For full details of the Washington DC presentations and additional photos, visit the WAAAUB website: www.waaaub.org /news.html
Amman, Jordan WAAAUB First Levant Meeting
October 10 - 11
From October 10 - 11 WAAAUB had its first Levant meeting in Amman, Jordan. The meeting was attended by WAAAUB Board, Council members, chapters Leaders from the Levant area, and AUB alumni who flew / drove to Amman from Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. The meeting was hosted by the leaders and members of the AUB Alumni Club of Jordan, who were extremely enthusiastic about holding this historic event.
As part of this event, alumni from the Levant area attended a reception at the headquarters of the AUB Alumni Club of Jordan on Friday night. HE Maha Khatib, Minister of Tourism in Jordan, welcomed AUB President Peter Dorman and WAAAUB members to Amman. In her speech she remembered her days as an AUB student, pointing out AUB’s significant role in Lebanon and the region. She explained, “I can never imagine Lebanon without AUB or AUB outside Lebanon.”
On Saturday morning, the launching ceremony including an address by HE Khaled Toukan, who spoke about the vision of the Jordan Nuclear program. President Dorman, who was the guest speaker for this event pointed out that, “Meetings such as this one that include representatives from the University administration, from WAAAUB, and from individual alumni chapters are important opportunities for all to hear from each other, to share ideas, and to get to know one another.” Dr. Khalil Makkawi added, “Our purpose here today is to encourage and assist the Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan chapters to work more closely together and with the WAAAUB standing committees, as well as to reach out to AUB alumni in the Levant area and worldwide”.
Participants then assembled together in three sessions of meetings to discuss WAAAUB programs, and to solicit input and feedback from attendees about establishing a comprehensive AUB alumni outreach program.
The meeting was concluded by a dinner that was hosted by Mr. Zahi Masri (WAAAUB Board member). The convention was a remarkable event for AUB alumni in the Levant area.
On November 20-21, the AUB Alumni Society in Bahrain hosted and organized WAAAUB's first GCC Forum in Bahrain, bringing together WAAAUB and chapter leadership from Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.
On the first day of the convention alumni were joined by HE Mr. Aziz Azzi (Ambassador of Lebanon in Bahrain) for a dinner at the Diplomat Radisson SAS hotel.
At the opening ceremony the next morning, AUB Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Maroun Kisirwani spoke about the impact that alumni have on the life of the University. Dr. Khalil Makkawi also stressed that the purpose of the convention was to encourage closer collaboration among the GCC chapters and WAAAUB. WAAAUB members and chapter leaders of GCC countries followed with a series of presentations and a discussion session focused on the role of WAAAUB and efforts to reach out to AUB alumni worldwide. The discussion brought to light a number of new strategic initiatives.
The day concluded with a memorable dinner at the residence of Shaikha May Al Otaibi, the president of the Alumni Society in Bahrain, who gave alumni from throughout the GCC an opportunity to enjoy local cuisine and to experience the hospitality of a wonderful Bahraini family.
WAAAUB honors 11 AUB alumni, including PM Siniora, currently serving in Lebanese Cabinet
Group picture: The 10 ministers pose with Prime Minister Siniora (fourth from left)
On October 24, WAAAUB held a ceremony in which it honored eleven AUB alumni who currently serve as ministers in the Lebanese Cabinet
The ministers, including Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, are: Telecom Minister Jibran Bassil, Minister of State Wael Bou Faour, Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalifeh, Information Minister Tarek Mitri, Economy and Trade Minister Mohammed Safadi, Culture Minister Tammam Salam, Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, Minister of State for Administrative Development Ibrahim Shamseddine, Agriculture Minister Elias Skaff, and Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah.
President Dorman greets PM Siniora and his wife, Hoda
"Although AUB alumni can be found throughout the world, ... our alumni are especially prominent in this cabinet, which is Lebanon's first national unity government," said Ambasssador Khalil Makkawi, WAAAUB president. Read more
Alumni Benefits Package
As a graduate of AUB you belong to AUB’s largest and most loyal constituency: AUB Alumni. According to most recent statistics listed in “AUB Facts and Figures 2007-2008” there are more than 48,000 AUB alumni worldwide residing approximately in 105 countries.
Upon graduation, from AUB you automatically become a member of WAAAUB and, therefore, get immediate access to a variety of benefits.
The key to these benefits is your AUB Alumni ID.
If you don’t have one yet, we urge you to obtain your ID soon.
How can I get my AUB Alumni ID? To get an AUB Alumni ID card, alumni should submit an application to the Office of Development at AUB, College Hall 3rd floor, accompanied with the items listed below:
Two passport size photos.
Copy of the official identification.
L.L. 20,000 charges.
If you are outside Lebanon email us at waaaub@aub.edu.lb and we will assist you.
Campus Alumni Benefits
Access to AUB Alumni On-Line Community: Membership in the community is FREE and available exclusively to AUB alumni.
The Circulation Librarian issues library cards upon request and against a payment of fee (LL 300, 000/ Year) for alumni.
Access to Campus
Campus Identification Cards (IDs), Alumni ID cards and visitors' passes are the only forms of identification that permit an individual access to the campus.
Access to Sports Facilities
AUB alumni are eligible for discounted membership at the Charles Hostler Student Center. At this Center you will have the opportunity to enjoy the many fitness and sport programs offered. Check out the Center’s website to learn more about hours of operation, facilities, and fitness programs.
Alumna Samia Salfiti (BBA, 1967) has been busy in various volunteer organizations since graduating from AUB.
"After graduating from AUB I returned to Amman where I worked as a researcher at the Central Bank of Jordan and was awarded a scholarship to pursue higher education at AUB. However, before finishing my thesis for the Master's degree, I got married and had my three boys." Mrs. Salfiti recalled. She and her family lived in Lebanon before the outbreak of the civil war in 1975. And it was during this time that Samia discovered the rewards of volunteer work, especially when the beneficiaries are children of poor families.
First it was “Friends of Children’s Club” that attracted her, an organization that established and ran children's clubs in various locations. The clubs offered arts and crafts courses, drama and reading programs and set up community libraries. Samia served on the Board of Trustees of this organization for about 7 years. But it was with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) that Samia found her stride - for twenty years- chairing a committee for the Baqa refugee camp. There the YWCA had established a day-care/kindergarten for children of working mothers, a workshop for production of uniforms, a family counseling centre and a bakery run by women.
Samia was the president of the Amman Branch of the YWCA and a board member of the National Committee of the United World Colleges. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Ahliyya School for Girls for 20 years during which she worked closely with a very dynamic principal on transforming the school into a modern institution that empowered and prepared young women for modern day challenges. Outside the context of education, Mrs. Salfiti served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre of Human Rights. Since 2005, she has joined the International Women’s Forum of Jordan, a group of Jordanian women who have made a difference in their societies. Mrs. Salfiti is now serving a second term on the Municipal Council of Greater Amman. She is also a trustee of the Children's Museum of Jordan.
Samia sums up her feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction throughout the years of volunteering: "When a person is able to give hope, dignity and a sense of purpose to people whose circumstances were not so fortunate, one's own hope in life is sustained. AUB taught us the importance of education. The many examples around us of the success of AUB graduates whether at the political, business or professional level clearly impressed upon us the value of education." She continues: "I was able to convey these values to the young minds of the students at the Ahliyya & Bishop Schools. I used the business skills acquired during the four years at AUB to be an effective member of the Boards of Trustees at these schools. The quality of students graduating from these schools is a testament to these values. Moreover AUB gave us the opportunity and training to become active in campus life,a step on the path of involvement in our communities. All of us know the importance of an active civil society in the process of development of any country."
Samia is convinced that it is her AUB education that teaches its alumni how and why it is important to be actively involved in one's community.
Jack Khayyat (BS, 1956) reflects on how fate and circumstances allowed him to pursue his education at AUB.
Jack Khayyat came of age during the Palestinian Nakbah and left Jaffa in 1948 at age 14 with his family to come to Lebanon along with countless refugees. He completed his high school diploma at the International College and it was natural for him to want to continue his education at AUB. His father, an alumnus of AUB himself (class of 1912), must have felt pain and anguish as he tearfully told him that the family cannot afford the fees
"I did not give up" recalled Mr. Khayyat. He went to see Mr. Baty, the Dean of Students at the time, and explained to him his financial need and dilemma. Although considerate and sympathetic, Dean Baty told the young Mr. Khayyat that no scholarships were available for freshmen then. Undaunted, Mr. Khayyat returned to see Dean Baty a few days later with what turned out to be novel idea. "I suggested to him that I sign promissory notes for my university fees payable one year after my graduation" recalled Mr. Khayyat. This type of arrangement was not practiced before at AUB and Dean Baty, to his credit, supported it and promised to take it up with the administration.
"A few days later Dean Baty called me and said that my idea was accepted and thus my freshman and sophomore year fees were taken care of by the promissory notes that I signed payable after my graduation" Khayyat said.
After finishing his sophomore year, Dean Baty called Mr. Khayyat to his office and urged him to join the newly inaugurated School of Agriculture, especially as there were a few scholarships available. "I did and held that scholarship till my graduation with distinction from that school in 1956" said the proud Mr. Khayyat
"I will never forget the two people who helped shape my life: Dean Baty, for his humanity and care for students and Dean Edgecombe, Dean of the School of Agriculture, for his support. My gratitude, of course, goes to AUB which I consider to be one of the best universities in the world." Mr. Khayyat, like his father, continued the family tradition of getting an education at AUB. His daughter Randa graduated in 1980 and his grand-daughter, Yasmin El Muna, in 2006.
We know there are hundreds of stories out there about your days at AUB, your AUB friends and your professors. Won’t you reflect for a moment and share your thoughts with us? outreach-committee@waaaub.org
The AUB network
AUB’s On-line Community
Coming in our next issue:
From Facebook to AUB: Social Networking and the AUB Community
John I. Makhoul (BE .64) has been awarded the 2009 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) James L. Flanagan Speech and Audio Processing Award. Makhoul will receive this highly prestigious award at the International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing in Taipei, Taiwan, in April 2009. Makhoul can be reached at makhoul@bbn.com
Fadi Sinno (BS '82, MD '85) was recently elected to be the President of the John Staige Davis Society, which is the society of all board certified plastic surgeons of the state of Maryland, effective in February of 2009. He is currently in private practice in Maryland at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.
Zeinab N. Slim (BS .06, MS .08) received the Young Investigators Award APLAR 2008 (Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology) for her thesis entitled: “The study of rheumatic/musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in southern Lebanon.” This award is given to a young scientist, under 40 years of age who has made outstanding independent contributions to basic or clinical research in the field of rheumatology. Slim was supervised by Dr. Chaaya and Dr. Uthman from AUB.s Department of Internal Medicine. Slim received the award during a gala dinner on September 26 in Yokohama, Japan.
Lena Kelekian (BS .81, pictured left) won the Gold Medal for Lebanon at an international exhibition of atr that took place at the time of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijihn. The exhibition entitled Colors and the Olympics, included works from 700 artists from 81 countries.
From Campus
Founders' Day 2008: Forum for change? This year, the traditional annual ceremony commemorating the University's Founders' Day proved to be an ideal forum for questioning the conventional way of running academic life on campus, with proposals coming in from a faculty member and students.
The theme for the 142nd Founders' Day anniversary, which was held on December 1 in Assembly Hall, was dominated by suggestions for improving academic life. In fact, newly-minted AUB President Peter Dorman, who inaugurated the ceremony, saw fit to encourage proposals for enhancing academic life from faculty and students, while starting out on his new term.
AUB’s On-line Community
