By Lama Tassabehji---

The one-hundred and thirty-second annual distribution of degrees at the AUB Green Field on July 2, heralded many changes, among which was the surprising bilingual speech of Valedictorian Imad Jomaa, that sparked many memories of a student's journey through AUB both socially and academically. The participation of the newly established School of Business highlighted the changes on the technical side of the ceremony.

"These graduating students are the first of the new millennium; they enter an uncertain world and uncertain region," began President Waterbury in his address. The president then introduced the half-Lebanese, half-Scottish guest speaker: "Sir Michael Atiyah has lived through the better part of a century marked by world war and economic depression. He is now president of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. This organization was founded by physicists who had helped develop the atomic bomb and who felt obliged to act publicly to mitigate the cold war tensions that might have led to the use of nuclear weapons," explained President Waterbury.

Following the president's speech, came the address of the guest speaker, whose grandfather graduated from AUB over 100 years ago. "Even if your main aim in life is to serve humanity, and not be driven by purely selfish motives, it may nevertheless be more effective in the long run to acquire the skills that will enable you to make a positive contribution," advised Atiyah. "Whatever happens do not lose the idealism of youth, but temper it with realism and experience," he ended.

The valedictorian, Imad Jomaa, a BS graduate in chemistry, also a University Student Faculty Council (USFC) member, was the last to address his fellow graduates with his message. "Though our hearts are filled with joy, we fear that our happiness will not last beyond tomorrow, for we are entering a world where we are not judged by our knowledge or skills, but rather by our religion, connections, and social status," Jomaa began. The valedictorian then went on to reminisce about the problems the University faced during the year, such as the budget deficit. "We say 'No" and 'No' for transforming AUB into a club for the rich. Education is not a privilege; it is a right for all." Lebanon's problems were also an intrinsic part of the valedictorian's speech: "Lebanon is plagued by a never-ending economic crisis, and an unemployment rate that is driving many to leave, taking with them Lebanon's main asset: its youth. We have no choice but to leave this country because here, we do not have the opportunity to prove ourselves." To the joy of many of the graduates, Jomaa's speech took a surprising turn with a change of language from English to Arabic.

The recently established School of Business decorated its graduates with their new hoods of light brown beige color. To celebrate their independence from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, some business graduates brought some 200 white balloons to release as they were about to receive their diplomas. But, alas, they were not allowed to enter with the balloons, so they released them immediately before the business graduates' procession.

The distribution of diplomas to more than 1,800 graduates was a lengthy process, calling for patience on the part of both graduates and parents. Unfortunately, some graduates could not sit patiently once they had received their diplomas and wanted to leave the ceremony to be with friends and relatives. Expecting this disruption, the organizers of the commencement passed out a rule that whoever wanted to leave their seat had to leave his/her diploma with the ushers, therefore ensuring the graduate's return. Unfortunately the graduates, their parents, and friends could not be controlled by the ushers or security. An usher, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, was very disappointed with the graduates' their parents' behavior. "They were very rude to us to a degree that was personally hurtful. We were only doing our jobs. I'm sure that they would not have appreciated it if they were in one of the faculties to graduate last and almost all of the students had left to celebrate. Its simply a matter of self respect, and also respect for others. Their parents were not much better either; when we refused them entry into the graduates' area, they showered us in profanity. I will definitely not be an usher next year." said the disgruntled usher.

"This year's ceremony is so disorganized compared to last year's," said Hiba El-Jazzar, president of the Red Cross Club in AUB. "They called us to a meeting on the 28th, which was very late."

The procession began before its scheduled time of 7:30 pm, which was a disappointment to some graduates' parents who were not able to see their children walk to their seats.

On a similar note, the press were also disappointed because they were not allowed to enter until the marshals were seated on stage. The Al-Safir reporter stormed out after waiting for nearly half an hour to enter.