Gladys Mouro
Assistant Hospital Director for Patient Care Services at AUBMC

Gladys Mouro

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to be speaking today on behalf of the staff of the American University of Beirut — the almost 3,000 men and women who work at the University and its Medical Center.  As someone who has been associated with this great University for more than 30 years, I have had the opportunity to witness on countless occasions — in times of pain and happiness — the unconditional loyalty of AUB employees who are prepared even to risk their lives because they believe so profoundly in the values that this University represents.  This commitment will continue under the leadership of our new president.

I want to tell you the story of my first meeting with President Dorman.  Although I had met and worked with 10 AUB presidents, I was nervous before this meeting.  What kind of person would he be like?  Would he be an arrogant academic?  Would he dismiss me as an “old-timer” and not take me seriously?  Would he really care about this University? Would he share our passions?  Would he be willing to stay even if times got bad — as they have so many times before?  This was particularly important to me because I personally wanted — and thought that AUB needed — a president who would stay in Lebanon no matter what and not lead us from far away.  

As soon as I walked into his office, I felt that I was standing in front of one of our founders.  Of course, this is not surprising.  After all, it was his great aunt — Mary Bliss — who founded our nursing school.  I knew of this connection of course, but I did not expect to sense it as powerfully as I did.  I felt right away that President Dorman was someone who understood the values that had sustained this University over the years and who would encourage us to achieve our vision.  I had the same reaction when I met his wife, Kathy. I have learned since that many AUB staff members feel the same way.  They have told me that President Dorman represents hope and security for us in a world that is full of uncertainty.

President Dorman — you don’t need a key to this university.  Its doors are open to you.  We are ready to work with you to make AUB a better place.  We feel so fortunate that you have come.  We know there will be challenges — but we are even more sure that you will be able to meet them all.  We sense that you will support us — all of us — from the senior administrators to the person who cleans your office.  We have seen already and we appreciate that you are not someone who wears blinders, that you are someone who will lead by example, and that you will set a high standard for all of us to meet.  

We are eager to embark on this challenging journey with you and to do so with loyalty, commitment, and dedication.  The energy, the faith, and the devotion that we bring will light up our AUB and shine out to the world.

I would like to end by paraphrasing President John F. Kennedy: We ask not what AUB and President Dorman can do for us, but what together we can do for AUB and its president.  

Thank you and God bless AUB