Ceremony in Honor of Faculty of Medicine Class of 1959

Medical graduates of 1959

This year marks the golden anniversary of the AUB Faculty of Medicine class of 1959. A celebration by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB) to honor the medical graduates of 1959 took place on the afternoon of April 22.

Alumni attending the ceremony were Drs. Samir G. Salamoun, Faruk Abuzzahab, Maurice Barudi, Adel Birbari, Alexander Geha, Raif Jaber, Samir Jahshan, Riad Khalifeh, Anwar Radwan, Michel Rubeiz, Alexander Sadik, Antoun Salem, Caesar Shediac, and Walid Suki.

“I feel very happy to see most of my classmates after so long...some of whom I haven’t met for years,” said Dr. Barudi.

Similarly, Dr. Salem also felt honored to be present at this occasion. “After all, we owe everything we accomplished to our alma mater,” he said.

HE Khalil Makkawi, president of WAAAUB Board of Directors, welcomed the 14 alumni to their 50th anniversary reunion. “I am delighted to be present with such a prominent group of physicians,” said HE Makkawi, who briefed the class of 1959 on the latest developments at WAAAUB and encouraged them to participate in its forthcoming 2009 elections. “Universities are stronger when their alumni are involved,” he added.

Vice President for Medical Affairs and the Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Nadim Cortas also welcomed the graduates of 1959 and invited them to attend the Middle East Medical Assembly starting April 23. “The Faculty of Medicine takes pride in its graduates, who are making a difference in the lives of people all over the world,” said Dean Cortas.

Dean Cortas called for a minute of silence in honor of the 1959 medical graduates who have passed away. He also ran a powerpoint presentation of photographs of the class during their student years at the medical school.

President Peter F. Dorman, welcoming the group, expressed how wonderful this event was in making “the past so immediate.… Your being present here today makes it clear that AUB remains close in your memory and minds,” said President Dorman, who invited the returnees to the presidential inauguration celebrations on May 4.

AUB trustee and MD graduate of the class of 1959 Alexander Geha gave a brief speech on behalf of his classmates and commended VP Cortas for the improvements that have taken place at the medical center under his leadership. “I feel it is a nice gesture to call upon us for an honoring ceremony. . .and I also feel grateful that we are still alive to witness it,” said Trustee Geha.

Commemorative plaques were distributed to the graduates at the end of the gathering.