Alumni Activities Worldwide!

Lebanon
Beka’a Branch
The Beka’a Branch organized a University Open Fair at the Evangelical School in Zahle with participating local institutions, including AUB, Lebanese American University, Beirut Arab University, Universite St. Joseph, University of Balamand, American University of Science and Technology, and Lebanese University
so that students could learn more about each school. Branch President Faysal el-Kak and alumnus and school principal Mulak Abbud addressed the students.

The branch later organized the Congress on Youth and Public Life with the Union of Alumni of Schools in Zahle. The two-day program, held under the presence of HE Khalil Hrawi, a representative of President Emile Lahoud, was well-attended by Beka’a public officials, religious figures, dignitaries, and fellow alumni. The congress addressed the role and involvement of youth in public life. In his opening speech, branch President el-Kak stated that the framework of youth involvement is based on human rights and social justice and called on the government to establish a model environment of transparency, equality, and justice to
encourage the participation of more
young people in society.

The Beka’a Branch held its eigth fundraising iftar this year for alumni and friends. Joining special guest speaker Finance Minister HE Fuad Saniora were many Beka’a officials including Elie Firzli, Mahmoud Abou Hamdan, Sami Khatib, Ismail Sukarieh, Waddah Nasr, Samir Kadi,and Georges Azar. The festivities began with a talk by branch President
el-Kak on the importance of fundraising and an update on the 14 students who have benefited from the group’s scholarship fund. Waddah Nasr spoke about the uniqueness of an AUB education in an increasingly competitive educational market. Guest speaker HE Saniora discussed Paris II and asked for the support of all groups in Lebanon, including AUB alumni, because of the University’s crucial academic and community role in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Engineering Chapter
Lebanese President HE General Emile Lahoud received members of the AAA Engineering and Architecture Chapter on November 12, 2002 in the presence of Minister Marwan Hamadeh. Chapter President Sami Alamuddine thanked President Lahoud for decorating Kamal Shair, Nazih Taleb, Nizar Yunis, Hassib Sabbagh, Mounir Khatib, Albert Matta, Mohammad Nasser, and Sabah Abi Hanna. President Lahoud, expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the chapter, presented President Alamuddine with the Presidential Gratitude Shield.
Nursing Chapter
The Nursing Chapter held its annual sehour at Beyti Restaurant on November 21, 2002. Chapter President Nuhad Yazbek welcomed the guests and explained the new plans for the coming year. Over 50 alumni and spouses enjoyed an evening filled with fine food and entertainment.

Middle East

Abu Dhabi Branch
The AUB Alumni Association Abu Dhabi Branch is a fine example of an active and dedicated group of AUB graduates who have worked diligently together over the years. In 1979, the branch emerged through the efforts of its 18 founding members, at a time when AUB needed immediate and substantial assistance. The founding alumni laid the basis for the association bylaws and organized activities, including the first Annual Spring Ball.

Currently, over 700 AUB alumni live and work in the Emirates, including prominent executives in many fields: construction, business, banking, agriculture, engineering, public health, and many, many others.

A committee to head the association and organize its activities is usually elected for a term of two years each June. Activities include musical concerts, plays, lectures, family fun days, Ramadan Nights (Layali Ramadan), fundraising dinners, and the prestigious Annual Alumni Spring Ball. This major Abu Dhabi alumni activity is a prestigious event that attracts over 500 participants every year, in addition to distinguished AUB and Lebanese officials. Its most recent function, held on June 3, 2002 was attended by AUB President John Waterbury and featured HE Salim Hoss, former prime minister of Lebanon, as guest speaker.

The branch has set up two funds: the Abu Dhabi Alumni Medical Sciences Endowment Scholarship Fund and the Abu Dhabi Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund. The former provides financial assistance to needy and qualified students in medicine, health sciences, and nursing, while the latter assists students enrolled in other faculties. Gifts made by the Abu Dhabi Alumni Branch to both funds have been invested by AUB. Their market value as of September 30, 2001 was $884,232 for the Medical Sciences Endowment and $869,798 for the Abu Dhabi Alumni Endowment for a total of $1,754,030. Other gifts designated for a number of uses have been made by the Abu Dhabi Branch, bringing the total to over two and a quarter million dollars.

On July 10, 2002 Branch President Mohamad Sleiman visited the AUB campus and presented to President John Waterbury a check for $125,000 that was added to the Abu Dhabi Alumni Endowment Scholarship ($75,000), and to the Abu Dhabi Alumni Medical Sciences Endowment Scholarship ($50,000).

All news regarding the association, in addition to contact information and numbers, is available on the extensive AUB Alumni Association—Abu Dhabi web site: http://www.aubalumni.org.

Dubai and Northern Emirates
On June 6, 2002 the AUB Alumni Association of Dubai and Northern Emirates held their annual gala dinner at the Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel. Around 450 AUB alumni and friends attended the dinner, which featured a raffle and a performance by singer Khaled Abdallah.

After a welcoming reception, Association President Najat Zaarour opened the dinner by thanking the AUB alumni and friends for their dedicated support of their alma mater. Zaarour then described AUB as an institution of leadership “where the leading lights of tomorrow are crafted.”She then discussed major activities that the Dubai and Northern Emirates Alumni had organized throughout the year including a Ramadaniyat social evening attended by more than 600 alumni and friends and a very well received monodrama by Rafic Ali Ahmad. Zaarour closed with a quotation from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” referring to the generous support of the AUB alumni and friends in Dubai and Northern Emirates that provided $170,000 in financial aid support to the University in the 2001-2002 academic year.

His Excellency Ghassan Tueni then took the podium as the guest of honor and keynote speaker. This was the very first time Tueni had addressed an alumni gathering outside Lebanon. Tueni, who graduated from AUB more than 50 years ago and who has served as a trustee for years, described graduation from the University as a mission of success and excellence. He expressed how impressed he was with the success that AUB graduates have had in Dubai, but reminded the audience that their stay in the diaspora is temporary, even if crowned with success. “After all,” he said, “we are termed successful only when we succeed in our homeland.”

Qatar Branch
Over 90 alumni and spouses attended the Qatar Branch’s first gathering of the year on December 15, 2002. Branch President Ghassan Uwaijan introduced the newly elected committee and detailed their plans, which include a fundraising gala dinner on May 1, 2002. He also affirmed the commitment to AUB of the 120 alumni residing in Qatar.

Samir Kadi, associate director of development/director of alumni affairs, briefed the audience about current developments on campus, focusing on the Campus Master Plan and the Campaign for Excellence. He also tackled some alumni projects such as class reunions, the Fingerprints Program, and the Dodge Foundation Challenge to Middle East Alumni.

North America

AANA Retreat Sets Strong Agenda
The leadership of the AUB Alumni Association of North America (AANA) convened in New York City November 15-16, 2002 for an intensive retreat focusing on fundraising, alumni, and external affairs. Organized by AANA President Ara Tekian, who served as retreat moderator, and Miyada Musharbash of the AUB New York Office (NYO), sessions included presentations by President John Waterbury, Chairman of the Board Richard A. Debs, Provost Peter Heath, Vice President for Development and External Relations W. Stephen Jeffrey, and the deans of the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering and Architecture, and the School of Business.

This was the first time that several of the AANA board members and chapter presidents had the opportunity to meet with key
university administrators. Marked by an open dialog, retreat
discussions were at times intense but clarified for the participants many issues, such as scholarship support, raising the profile of AUB in North America, and how alumni can best represent the University.

AANA leaders put together a list of initiatives for the next year based on the retreat discussions. Some immediate goals are an update of the AANA database and web site to better facilitate communications among alumni. Participants also proposed creating and distributing promotional materials about AUB and the Campaign for Excellence to all chapters. Alumni were especially enthusiastic about investigating how to establish a solid mentorship program between North American alumni and current AUB students. Other important priorities are to enhance AANA’s relationship with the New York Office and, ultimately, to create a stronger partnership with the University. Serious business and discussions were not the only items on the agenda. Alumni were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company over a leisurely dinner and breakfast.

President Tekian felt that the retreat was a great success for AANA as well as AUB. “Communication is the key to success, and it could be through phone calls, e-mail messages and letters, or
formal and informal gatherings. Even more could be achieved if chapter presidents and the leadership of AUB get to know each other and communicate more frequently. This retreat was definitely a successful move toward that goal,” added Tekian, who hopes the experience will be repeated every other year.

Arizona
Arizona alumni welcomed Vice President for Development and External Relations W. Stephen Jeffrey at a dinner at the home of
Dr. and Mrs. Farid Haddad on January 9. Jeffrey updated guests on the Campaign for Excellence and activities on campus. Arizona alumni again expressed interest in forming a “Four Corners” Southwestern chapter, building on their last meeting in June.

Atlanta Chapter
The Atlanta Chapter’s fall season got off to a great start with an elegant brunch at Château Élan on October 20, 2002. Over 90 alumni and their friends and family members attended, including recent graduates as well as many senior members of the AUB
community. The chapter also recently celebrated the holidays with a potluck dinner and game night which included enjoyable matches of backgammon, “Tawlah.” and children’s games.

Baltimore Chapter
The year 2002 was filled with activity. The annual picnic for the Baltimore and Washington, DC Chapters had great competitions in soccer, volleyball, and karaoke. The annual fundraising gala was another exciting event where outgoing president Alan Shikani
and the chapter leadership awarded two $5,000 scholarships for students in need. The chapter also assisted in reviving AUB’s relationship with Johns Hopkins University by arranging a visit for Nadim Cortas, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. November brought a mini-reunion for members of the medical school class of 1982, which was such a success the chapter hopes to organize a full reunion in Lebanon in the near future.

Business Chapter
The new Business Chapter organized its first event, a luncheon, in New York City on November 13, 2002 with AUB School of Business Dean George Najjar as keynote speaker. Dean Najjar outlined the School’s recent achievements and stressed that business education is central to the future of the Middle East. He thanked alumni for attending, noting that they are a source of intellectual, moral, and material support for the School. President and CEO of Cedar Capital Management Wael Chehab sponsored the luncheon, which was attended by alumni who are prominent business leaders in New York.

Central New York Chapter
The revitalized chapter organized its first dinner dance on November 16, 2002 at the Fayetteville Country Club. Over 80
alumni and friends attended this event in honor of AUB Trustee Ann Kerr. In the welcome address, chapter President Amin
El-Hassan introduced his fellow officers and talked about the
chapter’s upcoming activities, which will also include members
of the area’s Arab-American community. Ann Kerr spoke about major developments at AUB and her newly published book Painting the Middle East, which she signed for guests.

Houston Chapter
On October 13, 2002 friends and alumni in Houston gathered
for a picnic at Eldridge Park in Sugarland to open the fall season. Guests enjoyed Lebanese specialties like man’ousheh and habbit zaitouneh while catching up with each other.

Houston alumni attended a book signing of Painting the Middle East by AUB Trustee Ann Kerr on February 1 at Barnes & Noble.

Northern California Chapter
Plans are underway for a number of events in 2003, including a winter dinner, a fundraising concert in spring or early summer, the annual summer picnic (combined this year with a tennis and backgammon tournament), and a holiday dinner at the end of the year. Be sure to check the Northern California Chapter’s web site at www.aubalum.org for more details.

Midwest Chapter
On September 22, 2002 the chapter organized a piano recital by pianist/composer Walid Howrani at the First United Church of Oak Park, Illinois. The program included Howrani’s own AUB Alma Mater Variations and other exciting works, including Gershwin’s seven most romantic songs and Schulz Evler’s breath-taking arrangement of Strauss’s Blue Danube. “It was a very successful program, and I hope other chapters invite Walid to perform in their communities,” said Ara Tekian, who held a special reception/dinner at his residence in Oak Park in honor of Howrani following the recital.
Other activities in August included a well-attended outing at Arlington’s Horse Race and a visit by alumni to an exhibition and lecture organized by Vicki Hovanessian on contemporary art. “We are planning to have our annual dinner dance in April or May 2003 and to invite Ashleigh Banfield of MSNBC to be a special guest,” said Chapter President Samar Makhlouf.

Ottawa Chapter
On November 19 the Ottawa Chapter and the Chair of Arabic Studies at Ottawa University hosted AUB Trustee Ann Kerr for a signing and discussion of her latest book, Painting the Middle East. Many chapter members and friends turned out despite a big snowstorm. The presentation sparked numerous discussions about Kerr’s experiences in the Middle East, which continued through dinner. Many thanks to Abdallah Obeid, director of the Chair of Arabic Studies at Ottawa University, for providing the venue for this event.

Vermont
In late September, Bliss Society members and alumni gathered
at the Norwich Inn in West Dover for an update on AUB from Associate Director of Development Rima Zaitoon. Among those who attended were Nuha and Nada Haddad, Alan W. Hortan, Robert and Myrle Linnel, Edward and Marian Maddan, Mounir and Marjorie Sa’Adeh, Shukri and Renee Sahyoun, and Wadi and Abbe Sawabini.

Greater Washington, DC Chapter
More than 70 alumni and friends attended a luncheon on November 3, 2002 at the Bretton Woods Recreation Center. AUB alumnus Majid Khadduri was honored with the Chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career in the field of
political science and international law. Khadduri received his BA degree from AUB in 1932 and PhD from the University of Chicago. He served as professor at many distinguished universities including Johns Hopkins, the University of Chicago, Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Virginia. During his 50-year career, he authored 16 books and dozens of articles and essays. His latest book, The Gulf War, was written when he was in his mid-80s. In 1945, along with another 18 other AUB alumni out of a total of 57 delegates, he participated in the UN founding session in San Francisco, representing Iraq. Other guests included Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States Jamal Sa’d, Irfan Shahid, and Zohair Moghrabi.

On November 25, 2002 Ramzi and Ghada Rihani hosted a dinner for Vice President for Development and External Relations W. Stephen Jeffrey, and Director of Alumni Affairs Miyada Musharbash with the chapter’s officers. Topics discussed were the Campaign for Excellence, the University’s programs, and North American alumni activities.