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left: President Waterbury (on the podium), H. El Solh, UK Alumni Chairman;
HRH, The Prince of Wales; F. Kamal, Vice-Chairman; M. Boland, HRH's
private secretar; Dr. and Mrs. S. Hraiki; Mr. Fouad Siniora; Mr. P.
Masterman; Ambassador of Lebanon, Jihad Mortada |
Some
225 alumni and friends of AUB attended the Annual Reunion Reception of
the AUB Alumni Association (UK) on July 12. His Royal Highness, the Prince
of Wales, lent his presence to the occasion, which commemorated the 134th
anniversary of AUB's founding. Among the distinguished guests was Mr.
Easa Al-Gura, President of the Council of Arab Ambassadors and Ambassador
of the UAE, along with fellow members of the Council. Also present was
former mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Mrs. Ian
Frazer, as well as a number of Arab and British dignitaries.
The event, held at Claridge's Hotel in London, opened with an enthusiastic
speech from Mr. Hisham El Solh, Chairman of the AUB Alumni Association
in the UK. He described the presence of HRH Prince Charles as "more
than a token", and thanked him for his participation and moral support.
"We hope that Your Royal Highness will visit Lebanon in the not too
distant future," El Solh concluded.
In his talk, President John Waterbury pointed out that in the New
York Times, the clue for the six letters that make up the word "Beirut"
were: "troubled capital of the Middle East". In rebuttal, Waterbury
cited Beirut's magnificent setting, especially the Corniche, which you
can visit "anytime day or night--3 o'clock in the morning if you
like....What you never hear of, and I don't think it happens, is crime,
and what you never see is a policeman." Dr. Waterbury concluded by
renewing Mr. El Solh's invitation to the Prince of Wales. The president
then formally introduced the Prince to the audience.
Prince Charles expressed his joy at being present at a meeting
of so many AUB Alumni. Regretful that he had never been able to visit
Lebanon, Prince Charles said that "the whole Arab world...owes a
debt of gratitude" to AUB, "as a place where political and religious
differences could be forgotten...and ideas can be expressed freely".
Finally, he affirmed that Lebanon was, is, and will be not only "a
bridge between the East and West" but to the whole world.
Australian
Alumni Donate to Scholarship Fund
President of the AUB Alumni Association in Australia, Dr. Fariq
Saleh, recently met with President Waterbury and Mr. Samir Kadi, Associate
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs. During the meeting, held July
21, Dr. Saleh briefed the AUB officials on the activities of alumni in
Australia and presented a check for $3,000 Australian dollars earmarked
for the Australia Branch Scholarship Fund. President Waterbury expressed
his gratitude to Dr. Saleh for the ongoing support of alumni in Australia
and conveyed his regards to all AUB friends there.
Alumni
Elections In May 2001
The AUB Alumni Association will elect a new Council during the first
two weeks of May 2001. According to its Constitution, only members who
have paid their dues for the year 2000 before December 31, 2000 and their
dues for the year 2001 by April 30, 2001, are eligible to nominate themselves
or to vote. Life members of the Association are, of course, eligible.
Alumni who have not already done so, are urged to pay their dues as noted
above.
The Council is now offering alumni and their spouses life membership
in the Association for a donation of LL1,000,000. Since the usual cost
of a Life Membership is $1,000, alumni are encouraged to avail themselves
of this special offer as soon as possible.
FAFS
Alumni Elections
During Sweet Corn Day on September 10, the FAFS alumni met to elect
their executive committee. Members of the new cabinet are:
President: Nadim Farajallah
Vice President: Yusuf Doughan
Secretary: Basem Bayoun
Treasurer: Halima Itani
Members: Layal Darwish, Nel Al Hasbini, Joyce Inglssis, Najah Jaroush
and Salama Na'mani
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