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Spring 2009 Vol. VII, No. 3
Alumni Happenings
We’re pleased to announce the elected executive committee for the new Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter. President Nasri S. Kawar (BS ’56, MS ’59), Vice President Asma Ghannam (BSN ’82), Secretary Khaled Tabbarah (BS ’96, MD ’00), Treasurer Peter Edde (BS ’96, MD ’00) and members-at-large Aref Aref, MS ’62 and Samir Akruk (BS ’65, MS ’67), are hard at work and promise to be in touch soon to let us know of their plans.AUB alumni in northeast Ohio huddled together on January 31 at the Northeast Ohio Chapter’s Gala Dinner. The warmth and good cheer at the elegant Cleveland Racquet Club was especially welcome during this long and miserable winter. The folks in the picture—Dalia El-Bajjani, Bassam AbuJawdeh, Mona Kafena DeBaz, and Armand Krikorian—are just some of the AUB alumni who enjoyed each other’s company and the chance to show off their moves on the dance floor.
Music headlined the program in Ann Arbor on March 12, when the members of the Michigan Chapter partnered with the University of Michigan Music Society and the Kennedy Center for the Performance Arts to organize a very special evening, “Aswat: A Multimedia Celebration of the Golden Age of Arab Music.” Under the leadership of artistic director Simon Shaheen, the Aswat Orchestra performed some of the most beloved songs of all time by composers such as Mohammad Abdel Wahhab, Farid Al-Atrash, and the Rahbani Brothers. The concert, which elicited rave reviews (“unforgettable, truly unforgettable”), was followed by a reception during which AUBites had a chance to chat with some of the artists.
On Friday, March 6 the newly elected executive of the Ottawa Chapter organized an evening of bowling. More than 30 people, including a group of enthusiastic children, showed up for the event that featured far more gutter balls than strikes or saves. And just about as many laughs as on a Tarboush Day. The venue was a far cry from the simpler old bowling alley of Cinema Al-Hamra. Loud music and fluorescent shoe laces under UV lights were too futuristic for the few alumni who had taken to the Hamra bowling lanes so long ago—and had not gone bowling since then. Hardly any attention was paid to the fancy electronic score-keeping panel and players were more busy chatting about where to go for dinner afterwards than about the game. Some had to be repeatedly reminded of their turn. Those without children adjourned to a nearby restaurant where they consumed the first half of the night giving their taste buds an Italian treat.
On the other side of the globe, the WAAAUB Riyadh Chapter organized an elegant gala dinner on February 26 which attracted 250 alumni and friends to the Lebanese Embassy under the patronage of HE Ambassador Marwan Zein. Folks are still talking about this event, which featured delicious food and refreshments and delightful music by the Lebanese band Walid and Karen. The Riyadh Chapter didn’t waste any time planning a dinner party for 190 guests on March 26 at the Arizona Golf Resort. The AUB community in Saudi Arabia is awaiting the next event, slated for May 2009.
The Bahrain Alumni Society organized a “2009 and Beyond” themed breakfast at the Mezoulouna Restaurant on February 28 for more than 65 alumni and friends. HE Rashid Al-Maraj (governor, Central Bank) and HE Talal Al-Zein (chief executive, Mumtalakat Holding Company) moderated a discussion on the global financial crisis and responded to the queries from AUB alumni.
More than 100 AUB alumni and friends including WAAAUB Executive Board members, representatives from the local IT community, and Bahrain Chapter
President Sheikha May Al Otaibi attended the Computer Science Alumni Chapter’s annual gala at the Safir Heliopolitan Hotel in Raouche on Friday, March 20. The rich and diverse program included addresses by WAAAUB President Makkawi and Professor Ahmad Nasri, chair of the Department of Computer Science. In his remarks, Nasri talked about the department’s plans to revise its academic programs to align them more closely with the needs of local IT businesses. Chapter President Dr. Wadi’ Jureidini spoke about the important role that the chapter could and should play in efforts to professionalize the expanding ICT community. He also talked about the chapter’s plans to strengthen the “virtual professional network” that has developed especially among some of the younger computer science alumni and to hold elections in summer 2009. Although everyone appreciated the chance to explore ways they might work together to benefit both AUB alumni and local IT businesses, they were also happy to end the evening on a lighter note with music and singing provided by Charbel Rouhana and his band.
The AUB Alumni Association of Abu Dhabi had their “AUB Annual Day Out” on February 20 in one of Abu Dhabi’s most important events bringing together the entire AUB and Lebanese community. More than 500 AUB alumni, family, and friends enjoyed a day of swimming, playing games, and reconnecting with their friends. Check out alumni comments on Facebook!
“From Paganini to the Andes”: The WAAAUB Programs Committee organized a concert in Assembly Hall on March 30 featuring the Duo Paganini. Jorge Saade Scaff, Ecuador’s premier violinist, and Julio Almeida, an internationally respected guitar soloist, captivated an audience of more than 600 alumni with a musical program featuring European and South American classical music.
WAAAUB Elections 2009: Make your voice heard!
On May 15, the WAAAUB Board and its Nominating Committee mailed and emailed paper and e-ballots to alumni around the world for voting in the upcoming 2009 WAAAUB elections. These elections are being held to fill the positions of seven board members and thirty-five council members whose terms will expire in 2009. WAAAUB needs your active participation in these elections to ensure that we maintain the caliber of the present leadership and sustain and build upon the momentum realized during the past two years. All e-ballots and paper ballots must be received by 5:00 pm Greenwich Mean Time on June 10, 2009. Results will be announced on July 1, 2009. Please vote and make your voice heard.
Questions should be addressed to nominations-committee@waaaub.org
The AUB On-line Community (OLC) has been upgraded with exciting new features!
Did you know that over 72 percent of AUB’s alumni have valid emails with the AUB On-line Community? That’s a lot of reconnecting for you to do. Register today and make the AUB On-line Community your one-stop link to AUB.
Photo and Resume Upload
Your home page in the On-line Directory can now include your photo and attached resume. Follow the simple instructions and upgrade your info.
Facebook Application
The popular Facebook social network can now bring AUB alumni directly back to the AUB On-line Community. This new application allows you to access the OLC through your Facebook account. Use this link to add the application today:
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=36796247114
Career Services
The AUB OLC can help AUBites better network for employment and career opportunities in today’s job market. Check out the jobs posted by AUB and by all other universities using on-line communities around the world. Or sign up as a mentor and offer your guidance to your fellow alumni just starting out their job search.
Time Flies
Who remembers this “big man on campus”? He’s MD ’59, and just came back to campus for his 50th reunion.
(Does Alexander the Great ring any bells?)
More On-line